What the Colts need to do to repeat

by BigBlueShoe on Feb 27, 2007 9:44 AM EST in Analysis Comment 7 comments

Free agency will begin in about one day. Last year this time, many of us were wringing our hands over whether or not Edgerrin James would leave, and if he did how would it affect the team. An NFL Championship later, we saw first hand just how it did affect the Colts. I say this a big Edgerrin James fan: it was a good thing he left. The Colts found a younger version of James in Joseph Addai, and with the freed up money they were able to swing a trade for Booger McFarland and sign Adam Vinatieri. So, in a sense, the Colts lost James but gained Addai, Vinatieri, and McFarland with the money it would have taken to keep James. Not bad. Not bad at all.

So, while free agency is highly over-rated, it can help augment a team, or push them over the top. Smart drafting, good cap management, and a solid core of playmakers will get you to the playoffs. A key free agent or a key trade can often get you over the hump. The key is getting equal value for the money you spend, which is an unheard of notion in free agency.

Over at BTB, they have an article posted from the listing the six things the Cowboys need to do to develop a Super Bowl team. I like this idea, and I'm proposing a similar five item list, detailing the five things the Colts need to do to repeat as World Champions. Repeating is not easy. Just ask Pittsburgh, a team that rushed Ben Roethlisberger back too soon from his boneheaded motorcycle accident. Rushing Roethlisberger cost them a playoff spot. Roethlisberger's accident cost Pittsburgh its chances of repeating. Literally, just like that it can change and your team's chances can circle the drain. That's why it is so important to enjoy the journey as much as you relish the championship.

Five things the Colts need to do to repeat as World Champions. I'll list three. The other two have to come from you folks. Either post your ideas in the comments, or email me.

Replenish linebacker corps. The loss of David Thornton last year to free agency hurt the Colts more than expected. His replacement, Gilbert Gardner, was completely ineffective. Colts defensive coordinator Ron Meeks called out Gardner prior to the Super Bowl, which was essentially Gardner's death knell as a Colt. Rob Morris took Gardner's spot and played well, but he is not a long term solution. Morris is also a free agent, along with starting WILL Cato June. If Morris and June sign elsewhere, only MLB Gary Brackett will remain a holdover from the starting linebacker corps. It's important for the Colts to restock and reload at linebacker, either through the draft or free agency.
Fix special teams coverage units. The coverage units on special teams were inconsistent all season. In games against KC and Baltimore, they dominated. In games against New England and Chicago, they sucked. In the playoffs, the regular ST players were so bad Dungy benched them and started players like Robert Mathis and Rob Morris on special teams. The Colts rely on rookies and young guys for special teams work, but they need to bring in some good veteran ST help. Dexter Reid was a nice addition last season, but he's since been cut. Improved special teams play is a must.
Reliable third receiver. I love Brandon Stokley, but he is too injury prone to be trusted or relied upon. Dallas Clark came into his own this season, cementing himself as an elite TE both catching and blocking. However, it's important in the Colts offense to have a reliable third WR that can stretch the seam routes downfield. Teams like New England have fits with receivers like this (ala Dallas Clark). It's probable that Stokley wil not be back, and Clark is not suited to play out wide for 16 games plus the playoffs. It will wear him down. A reliable third WR is important.

There. That's three. What should four and five be?

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Comments

Continue to develop depth

It seems like we've developed a lot of young talent at CB, and if Harper leaves I still feel like we'll be in good shape with David, Jackson, Hayden, and Jennings. One spot we really need to look at is Safety. I can't remember a year where we've had the same 2 safeties start every game. With the eventual departure of Doss, that leaves us with Sanders, Bethea, and Giordano.

Injuries are a part of the NFL, and maybe it's just me but it seems like the Colts are hit hard by the injury bug every year. Also, we have some big names that are slated to become UFAs after this season, like Dallas Clark and Tarrik Glenn. I know we drafted 2 tackles last year so maybe we're hoping that one of them will be the answer if we can't pay Glenn to stay.

Continue to build depth and plan for the future. That is what the Colts have done through the draft and I'm sure that will continue.

by the21eraser on Feb 27, 2007 1:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

FB

I think the colts should pick up Brian Leonard from Rutgers. Think about it, if Rhodes leaves then the colts will need a new RB to keep the two headed monster at running back with Addai.

This makes so much sense though, during the playoffs the Colts transitioned from a finesse passing team to a grind it out running team. The only thing missing from this transition is a true FB(Klecko is good but keep reading)

Leonard is a triple threat at FB b/c he can run, block, and pass. He would be able to come off the bench in the second half and wear teams down just like Dom did, but he also is a true FB so he could block a well for Addai for the few instances that the Colts run from a power formation. But just imagine him and Addai in the same backfield in a shotgun formation for example. He could block on a draw run for Addai, he can pass block for The Franchise, he can catch well, or he could run the rock himself and try to knock out some DBs. This pick makes sense to b/c Dungy knows how to use multi-purpose FBs like Alstott in Tampa. IMO this guy could be the final piece to make the offense arguably the best ever.

by MrPreGame on Feb 27, 2007 1:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I like it.

I've always thought we needed a true Fullback. I think we've developed into more of a power running team over the last year where we would be able to use a FB more effectively. Before this season our runs most exclusively came from the "stretch play". Over the course of the season we started running up the middle more which would be better suited for running with a FB. I like the added dimension it could create in a goal-line offense, although I think part of the novelty of Klecko is that no one regarded him as a receiving threat and thats how he slipped open. If we wanted to, we could have split Addai and Rhodes back there, but then teams would have to cover them. At the same time, if you have to account for an extra person, thats one less person covering Marvin, Reggie, or Dallas.

Maybe we'll get lucky and a FB will fall to us in a later round, because I don't see Polian investing a 1st day pick on a FB

by the21eraser on Feb 27, 2007 2:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i hate

that goddamn stretch play

by KingRichard on Feb 27, 2007 5:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I like this idea, too

but I don't think it will happen. From what I've seen, Leonard's combine has been pretty spectacular. With pressing needs on D, I don't think we'll use the kind of pick that it would take to get him on a FB. But I guess with Polian, you never know.

by ctnyc on Feb 27, 2007 10:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

WR is a must

i think another WR is a must. stokely will probably be gone, and moorehead has been on the practice squad for at least a couple of years, but hasn't been able to do much on the occasions he has played. how with peyton can you not run a 3 WR set? (49 TD's when we did...)

i think a DL or DE is a good idea too with simon and reagor both questionable and who knows what will happen with freeney after this year if a long term deal isn't reached...

by bluegirl on Feb 27, 2007 5:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs