COLTS FANTASY NEWS

February 24, 2006 1:00 PM ET

For the first three months of the season, the Colts were perfect. They accomplished everything they needed to do to set themselves up for a run at the Super Bowl: they established a ground game to complement Peyton Manning's passing, their defense started winning games for them instead of losing them, and they clinched an indoor run to the championship game with a month of action left.

Then, obviously, the wheels fell off. While Tony Dungy tended to the tragic family business of burying his son, flaws in the Colts' perfection were exposed by an aggressive Chargers' defense. By the time Indy's offensive juggernaut got back on track they were in a hole to the Steelers and unable to claw their way out.

Clearly, the Colts are serious contenders, but that doesn't mean they don't have issues on both sides of the ball. The offseason arrived earlier than anyone in Indianapolis expected; will Dungy and staff put that extra time to good use in coming up with a plan to take that next step that has thus far eluded them?

Needs
The nucleus of the passing game remains intact, as wide receiver Reggie Wayne agreed to a six-year, $40 million deal in late February. That means Manning will once again be throwing to Wayne, Marvin Harrison, Brandon Stokley, and Dallas Clark.

That nucleus, however, is expensive and—barring Eddie DeBartolo cooking the books or salary cap gymnastics that would make Mary Lou Retton proud—means the end of Edgerrin James' run in Indianapolis. That creates a gigantic need in the backfield, as one of the key components of Indy's early-season success was a ground game that kept the Colts' defense off the field. Dominic Rhodes, who rushed for 1,104 yards in 2001 when James was injured, could be the solution, but don't be surprised if Indy looks to the draft for their next back of the future. Some low-level free agents, such as Chester Taylor, might

The Colts appear set at tight end, where former first-round pick Dallas Clark is the marquee name but a pair of street free agents, Bryan Fletcher and Ben Utecht, combined for five touchdowns last season and offer plenty of depth at the position.

With Harrison, Wayne, and Stokley back, the receiving corps is set. However, the next three wideouts—Troy Walters, Aaron Moorehead, and Brad Pyatt—are all free agents, which could leave the Colts scrambling for depth. Pyatt is a solid kick returner, and his departure—while unlikely, since as a restricted free agent Indy can match any offer—would create another hole as well.

Indy's offensive line, much like the receiving corps, is set for starters but could use help in the area of depth. Additionally, the team needs to start thinking about grooming replacements for tackle Tarik Glenn and center Jeff Saturday, both of whom will be 30 by the start of the season and have a combined 18 years of experience in the NFL trenches.

The Colts will also be seeking a new kicker, as Mike Vanderjagt is an unrestricted free agent and—between his frequent criticisms of the team and his recent inability to convert clutch kicks—he's burned his bridges in Indy.

With so much money tied up in their offense, it's not surprising that the bulk of Indy's offseason needs are, once again, on the defensive side of the football. All three starting linebackers are free agents, two of them restricted, and three more backups can also test the open market this offseason. Same goes for defensive ends Raheem Brock (unrestricted) and Robert Mathis (restricted) and tackle Larry Tripplett (unrestricted). Indy focused much of its last three drafts on the secondary—yielding four starters—so don't be surprised if the bulk of the 2006 draft, as well as any cap room the club can manufacture, is devoted to the defensive front seven.

Salary Cap Situation
The signing of Wayne pushed the Colts slightly over the projected $92 million cap for 2006, and they've already cut a few veterans in order to get under the number.

Unrestricted Free Agents
RB Edgerrin James, RB James Mungro, WR Troy Walters, DT Larry Tripplett, DE Raheem Brock, LB David Thornton, LB Rocky Calmus, LB Rob Morris, S Joseph Jefferson, K Mike Vanderjagt

Restricted Free Agents
WR Aaron Moorehead, WR Brad Pyatt, T Makoa Freitas, DE Robert Mathis, LB Cato June, LB Gary Brackett, LB Keith O'Neil, S Gerome Sapp

Free Agent Signings
None.

The Draft
The Colts will likely enter the draft with a pair of glaring needs, and the potential to address at least one of them with their pick at the bottom of the first round.

Resigned to losing James, Indy could be the beneficiary of a deep running back class if Minnesota's Laurence Maroney slips all the way to their pick at No. 30. At least one draft expert agrees.

"When you watch him, he's got real good pace to his running style, just like Edgerrin," draft analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. told the Indianapolis Star. "He doesn't force the issue. He varies his speed and he utilizes his blockers very well."

Another option, should James be off the board by then, is fellow Big 10 back Brian Calhoun of Wisconsin. Calhoun won't likely be available with Indy's second-round selection, and a good combine could inspire Indy to reach a bit for him at the end of round one.

Of course, the Colts also have defensive needs, specifically at linebacker, and the 2006 class appears deep at that position as well. Ohio State's Bobby Carpenter, Florida State's Ernie Sims, and UTEP's Thomas Howard are all possibilities at No. 30.

In later rounds, the top-heavy Colts need to get younger in the offensive line and replenish the supply at wide receiver and along the defensive front seven. Most of these later picks won't be asked to start on offense or defense but most likely will be required to contribute significantly in special teams.

Injury Watch
One of the reasons for Indy's success last season was the fact that they stayed relatively injury-free. The one notable exception was Harrison, who broke a bone in his hand against the Chargers but still managed to catch eight passes for 135 yards. With Indy having home field advantage wrapped up, Harrison was able to sit out one game and play sparingly in the finale before returning for the playoffs, and he should be just fine for offseason workouts. Indy's secondary was banged up for much of the season, but it's nothing an offseason of rest—and maybe showing Nick Harper's wife a little more love and affection—won't take care of. Tackle Ryan Diem strained his MCL late in the season, but he too was back for the playoff loss to Pittsburgh and should have no long-term concerns. About the biggest offseason concern for the franchise is getting over its collective broken heart from having lofty expectations dashed so suddenly and violently. Indy successfully addressed last season's demons, such as winning in Foxboro; can they bounce back once again and finally take that next step in the playoffs?

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