The Colts face a franchise defining 2015
The start of training camps throughout the NFL brings with it an air of optimism. With a clean slate, teams put memories of failure behind them and begin to believe once again they can take the league by storm. It’s the time of year when players like Cleveland receiver Dwayne Bowe say things like “Josh McCown can be a top five quarterback” and the national media provides daily reports on how rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota STILL hasn’t thrown an interception in practice.
For all this, though, there are some teams with storylines that are worth paying attention to and exploring. One of the most fascinating to watch unfold is the 2015 Colts, who, for such a successful team over the past three seasons, are at somewhat of a crossroads.
Since a disastrous 2–14 campaign back in 2011, in which Peyton Manning was lost for the year, the Colts have quickly developed back into one of the AFC’s elite. Much, if not all of this, is down to their new quarterback, Andrew Luck, who has led the team to the postseason in each of his first three seasons.
Despite the early success the new Indianapolis regime has encountered, though, a trip to the Super Bowl has lacked. In their three consecutive appearances, they have taken a step further each year. In 2012, Indy were outplayed by the eventual champion Baltimore Ravens during the Wild Card Round, before back-to-back embarrassments against the New England Patriots, in the Divisional Round and AFC Championship Game, respectively.
So what does 2015 hold for the Colts?
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Recent history would suggest they will reach the Super Bowl, but go on to lose. However, even with this seemingly ever-growing group, a possible outcome is that they plateau this coming season, such is the tough nature of reaching and repeating playoff heights.
If that turns out to be the case, the futures of head coach Chuck Pagano and general manager Ryan Grigson become more interesting. Back in March, Pagano turned down a one-year extension on his original four-year deal, making him a ‘lame duck coach’ for the upcoming season. Grigson, meanwhile, is not only tied to Pagano, but has come under fire for some questionable player personnel decisions.
Owner Jim Irsay, though, has made it clear he wants the pair to continue their work, and believes they can bring championships to Indianapolis. This, of course, means it’s much more likely that the two negotiate extensions at the end of the 2015 season, but a potential shakeup is something which shouldn’t necessarily send shock waves, should the Colts underperform. After all, Pagano and Grigson have been in a privileged position with Andrew Luck at the wheel.
Speaking of which, the fourth-year quarterback’s looming contract extension is another factor in why the 2015 Colts are interesting to follow. Moving into the final year of his rookie deal, this also signifies the last season in which the team will reap the salary cap benefit of a cheap contract. After this year, the likelihood is Luck becomes the highest paid player in the history of the league, which also brings with it different roster-building challenges.
A perennially fragile Colts team has overachieved since he came to town, and this year would, hypothetically, represent their best chance to win it all. However, their most glaring points of weakness have not been addressed in the way so-called ‘championship teams’ would normally do so.
The most obvious and most recent example of this was the selection of wide receiver (a position group already deep and further upgraded through free agency) Phillip Dorsett in the first round of this year’s draft, over a much-needed defensive talent, such as versatile Texas defensive lineman Malcom Brown or Alabama safety Landon Collins. Meanwhile, multiple failed free agents in recent years have resulted in solid veteran starters becoming few and far between.
Whilst the consistent problem of stopping the run may not have been solved, the Colts’ own rushing problems may well have been with the free agency acquisition of stalwart back Frank Gore from San Francisco. Though 32-years-old, he provides a significant upgrade, and can give Indy the more balanced offense they require against more elite opponents. Last season, the Colts ranked 22nd in team rushing yards and 25th in yards per attempt — only the Arizona Cardinals were worse amongst playoff teams. Gore isn’t the focal point of this offense, but he might hold the key which opens the next door.
The future after 2015 is unknown for Indianapolis — rare for a team which will undoubtedly be amongst the league’s best — which makes this coming season all the more interesting. It may not be Super Bowl or bust, as Jim Irsay points out, but another postseason drubbing may be one too many for the coaching staff. Anything less than another AFC Championship Game appearance would be a disappointment, too, and when looking at this team on paper, the shortcomings on defense will likely cost the team dear again.
Conor Allison is a contributor to UKEndZone. You can find him on Twitter @ConorAllison95, or join in the conversation @UKEndZone, in the comment section below or on our Facebook page.
