Get an Alarm Clock: The Colts Ain’t Dead

The first thing you may notice about the Indianapolis Colts this year is that they don’t have the offensive shine people have become accustomed to. What people don’t seem to be noticing is that the Colts have yet to be totally healthy as a team. And they’re still finding ways to win.

With their superstar quarterback enduring two knee surgeries, one coming just weeks before the regular season opener, the season started out shaky at best. What people also have failed to mention was how that impacted the team. Part of what makes the Colts so effective is their ability to stretch defenses with the threat of play action. Peyton’s knee issues led to him not being able to stretch and reach his backs on handoffs, and instead forced him to resort to pitching on every running play. This made it pretty easy for defenses to key on either the run or the pass. As Peyton’s knee gets stronger he’s been putting up better and better numbers and leading his team more true to form.

The Colts have also seen a rotation on the O-line that has featured multiple rookies and some guys that have never played a down in the league, leading to a lack of time in the pocket for Peyton. On top of that an ankle/knee injury put safety Bob Sanders on the bench for most of the season thus far, and anyone who has seen him play knows that he must be a direct descendent of King Leonidas of Sparta. He is the definitive leader of the young, and largely unknown, defense. Without his leadership the Colts D doesn’t perform on nearly the same level, as was evident with his presence this past Sunday in Pittsburgh.

Also, while it may appear that Marvin Harrison is on the back end of his career, the Colts have seen second year receiver Anthony Gonzalez fill in on big plays. I wouldn’t worry about the Colts from a receiver standpoint, especially when they sill have Bruce, I mean Reggie Wayne lined up on the other side. The fact remains that he may be the best receiver in the league.

While the Colts are obviously not going to win their division this year, the first time since its inception, their schedule is pretty soft the rest of the way. It shouldn’t take much for them to chop up a wild card spot, get healthy in the meantime, and make some noise in the playoffs. And, since I’m still not sold on the Tennessee Titans and Kerry Collins as savior/MVP, don’t think the Colts can’t make a deep run into January, and possibly all the way to Tampa.

The close games they’ve endured so far makes them that much scarier when it’s really going to count.

Peace,

Jay Dee