Indianapolis Colts 2009 Preview

Indianapolis Colts 2009 Preview

The Indianapolis Colts head into the 2009 season with a few changes, the biggest one being the loss of their head coach, Tony Dungy. NFL odds makers aren’t sure how to react to the move quite yet. Dungy transformed the Colts from a perennial playoff team to a perennial Super Bowl contender, and some people are wondering how this defense will perform without Dungy around. With Peyton Manning still on the roster, the bottom line is that the Colts are the team to beat in the AFC North and they are a team to respect when it comes to Super Bowl odds.

Offseason Transactions

The Colts were fairly status quo in the off-season but they did make a few tweaks. Gone is Marvin Harrison, whom fantasy players know was no longer of any value to the Colts.

The newest weapon on offense will be first-round pick running back Donald Brown, who could be in line for lots of work. He’ll share carries to start with the injury-prone Joseph Addai, but expect Brown to win the starting job by mid season.

Offense

Heading into the 2008 season, the Colts had plenty of question marks on offense. Peyton Manning was recovering from a knee problem and the Colts had a string of injuries to their offensive line.

Those issues are not present this year, which is why many people are more comfortable making them the winner of the South with their NFL predictions. With Brown in the fold, the Colts should have a much improved rushing attack. The Colts were very unbalanced last year and ended up relying on Manning and the passing game too much.

Fantasy players should keep an eye on Anthony Gonzalez and Dallas Clark, who could be in for huge seasons now that Harrison is completely out of the way. With Reggie Wayne, Clark, Gonzalez, Addai, Brown, and Manning, this is still one of the most dangerous units in the NFL.

Defense

People making their sports picks aren’t sure what to make of the Colts defense. They’ve used anonymous parts for a few years now but Dungy coached them up into a respectable unit. They always looked like they would be a leaky unit but they managed to do just enough. Will that continue? Bob Sanders is once again injured and is doubtful for the start of the season while his fellow safety Antoine Bethea just recovered from a broken hand. This defense should still be reliable this year but look for it to fade as the mastermind is no longer around.

Outlook

The Titans are still limited by Kerry Collins, the Jaguars are in no-man’s land, and the  Texans can never seem to put it together. The NFL week 1 odds have the Colts favored, and they should be regularly throughout the year. Everybody’s talking about Brady and the Pats or Big Ben and the Steelers while the Colts are sneaking under the radar.

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