What are your Expectations for the Colts?

I think with the talent the Colts have and another solid draft as well as the resigning of Dominic Rhodes and with the expected improvement of a young defense as well as rookies from last year like Anthony Gonzalez, etc. that the Colts should be viewed as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

The Colts have a shot at a top 5 offense and defense this year.  The D was young and had injuries.  They had several rookies last year like Ed Johnson, Daunte Hughes, Michael Coe, Brannon Condren, Quinn Pitcock, Keyunta Dawson, and Clint Sessions who should all improve this year as rookie tend to do and will be more comfortable in the Colts system.  They retained most of the defense including the linebacking core for the most part including Freddie Keiaho and Tyjuan Hagler.  I have huge expectations for the defense as they should perform more like a cohesive unit this year and they have added more talent in newly drafted rookies Wheeler and Howard.

The offense should be greatly improved also.  The offensive line has been refortified with 3 draft picks.  Anthony Gonzalez should improve in his 2nd year.  Harrison can't be any worse than last year if he is able to play.  The Colts running attack should be much improved with the reacquisition of Dominic Rhodes and Mike Hart.  The Colts have a legitimate receiving TE in Jacob Tamme who should be used in a similar manner to Dallas Clark.

The special teams added a lot of speed with Howard and Wheeler.  The Colts had massive injuries last year.  If they can stay even a little healthier than last year, the special teams should improve.  It is difficult to improve when the special teams unit constantly is reshuffled and 4th string talent is thrown out there.  I am not keen on T J Rushing as a returner but the Colts drafted several players capable of returning kicks.  Overall, there should be improvement on special teams too.

I am excited!!!!

All's I can say is Go Colts!!!!!!

I'll go one further and say the Colts are the SB favorite this year. 

Returning eleven starters from the league's #3 defense is exciting - absolutely zero question marks on D.  I'm excited that we drafted a fantastic back-up DE prospect in Marcus Howard, and if DE injuries rear their ugly heads again Phillip Wheeler could be moved there temporarily and succeed in pressuring the QB.  My point being that we can now better survive a rash of injuries on the D-line this year.

No big losses on Offense - just lost one guard and one TE, who was only half a starter since two tight end formations weren't always used.  Both are well replaced, though it will be interesting to see how the rookie TEs fit in right off the bat.  Harrison's status is a little unclear, but we barely had him at all last year and still won 13 games.  (Coulda been 14 games - just ask any Cleveland Brown fan.)  However, Gonzales was fantastic as a rookie, and there are a ton of weapons to fill in if Harrison goes to the big house or the PUP.

And then, of couse, every year we have young players making their giant leaps foward.  This year I think we can expect higher levels of play from: CB Tim Jennings, all three young DTs, WR Anthony Gonzales, OT Tony Ugoh, LB Clint Session, WR Roy Hall, OT Charlie Johnson, and probably the back-up RB (whoever that may be).  Ah yes, I expect a big year.

Top five in offense and defense. Special teams is still going to be the weak spot of the team, but I see that as highly improved from last year. I felt that Ugoh had a fantastic rookie year and is really going to come into his own this year, look for many strech plays to the left.  Not sure on Harrison, but if he plays he will come out big since he will not see the double team action he normally does. The Addai, Rhodes, Hart tri-fecta will be nice to have in the back-field. Freeney is going to bounce back from his injury, i called it earlier and I am sticking to my projection that he gets 14.5 sacks this year. I love this defense. Sanders, Bathea, Jackson, and Hayden makes the best secondary in the league IMO. I cant wait for it to start up again, lets give the new stadium a proper first year with a SB title.

All i can say is GO Colts!!!

And realistically, the Colts were just a few plays away from being undefeated last year. The Chargers game during the regular season was lost on a missed chip shot by Adam Vinatieri. The Chargers playoff game was lost by the inability of Kenton Keith to hang on to a pass inside the San Diego five yard line which resulted in an interception. The Patriots game was lost because of a dropped pass by Aaron Moorehead while the Colts were leading and driving again. And the Titans game would have been a game in which we would have played to win.

The defense was #1 in points allowed last year which is more important than yards against. The offense struggled to a top 5 finish even with injuries to Marvin Harrison, Gonzalez, Diem, Tony Ugoh, Joseph Addai, Aaron Moorehead, Roy Hall and others.

The Colts then added depth where depth was needed including the resigning of an old friend in Rhodes. Once the LB corp is solidified and the Harrison ordeal is fully unfolded, Indy will begin it's march to another SuperBowl. The Patriots will be favored, but the Colts will prevail!

All,

    I agree with everyting you have said, but....What about this years schedule. it looks to me to be a real killer. Just take a look....

Bears

Vikings

Jags

Texans

Ravens

Packers

Titans

pats

Steelers

Texans

Chargers

Browns

Bengals

Lions

Jags

Titans

I agree that we have a great chance to make the Superbowl again, but man are we going to pay for it. As longs as we don't have another injury riddled season like last year...the cheerleaders were our for 2-4 weeks.....we should do OK, but a 10-6 season is a possibility.

All,

    I agree with everyting you have said, but....What about this years schedule. it looks to me to be a real killer. Just take a look....

Bears

Vikings

Jags

Texans

Ravens

Packers

Titans

pats

Steelers

Texans

Chargers

Browns

Bengals

Lions

Jags

Titans

I agree that we have a great chance to make the Superbowl again, but man are we going to pay for it. As long as we don't have another injury riddled season like last year...the cheerleaders were our for 2-4 weeks.....we should do OK, but a 10-6 season is a possibility.