It’s the teams that claim the Vince Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season that get the glory, but let’s not overlook the history the Colts have made. Not since Curly Lambeau’s Green Bay Packers did it three straight times (1929-31) has a team started back-to-back seasons 8-0.The Colts must fight and claw for wins this season. That kind of toughness tells us the Colts have what it takes to survive and not shrink in tough playoff contests.
Just look at the guys they have, or rather, the guys they don’t have: In the offseason, the Colts lost linebacker David Thornton and defensive tackle Larry Tripplett to free agency. Defensive tackle Corey Simon is out for the season with a mysterious arthritic condition in his knee. Safety Mike Doss also is done for the season. Safety Bob Sanders, around whom the Colts’ defense is built, played in just his second game Sunday night against New England.
On offense, the team’s all-time leading rusher, Edgerrin James, went to Arizona via free agency. How the Colts would replace Edge was one of the league’s bigger preseason questions. Indianapolis’ offense likes to employ three wide receivers, but the third guy, Brandon Stokley, had played only 15 plays this season. So the Colts have had to evolve into more of a two-tight end offense.
Defensive tackle Montae Reagor was injured in a car accident en route to the Redskins game two weeks ago. Wide receiver Reggie Wayne’s brother, Rashad, died in an automobile accident Sept. 24, the morning of the Colts’ win over the Jaguars.
Indianapolis’ status as the team to beat was cemented by consecutive wins at Denver and at New England, a feat that earned the Colts the distinction of being the only team in NFL history to win back-to-back games on the road against teams 5-1 or better.
The Colts, not coincidentally, have found ways to win a la the Patriots circa 2001-04. The Colts used to have a reputation for being soft, for caving to pressure. Indianapolis didn’t really have to dig all that deep last year during the regular season because the Colts were able to make it look so easy. Teams didn’t make them play 60 minutes.
This edition of the team clearly can handle adversity. The Colts win ugly and rise to the occasion. They’ve gone from winning to just knowing how to win, and yes, there is a difference. Because his backup, Rob Morris, was inactive with an injury, the Colts had to go with rookie outside linebacker Freddy Keiaho in the middle.
It definitely starts with Manning, who somehow has managed to elevate his already-tight game further. Teams have tested him and not let him make as many big plays, but he has remained patient, made adjustments and done whatever is necessary to win. Coach Tony Dungy says that when teams play the pass, Manning is more comfortable relying on his running game than he was three or four years ago because he has developed confidence in his teammates. The Colts don’t defend the run well (opponents average 5.3 yards per carry, worst in the league) but nonetheless have shown they have the heart as well as the look of a champion.
“This is a different team,” Dungy said Sunday night. Despite all their personnel losses, they’ve remained the Colts, which is to say they’ve remained consistent. They’ve lost two regular-season games in their past 33 that they actually set out to win.
It has been speculated that the Colts, because they weren’t winning as impressively this season, were bored and just waiting for the playoffs. Preposterous. The Colts aren’t stuck in the Pittsburgh loss at home in the playoffs last season, when it looked as if Indy had set itself up perfectly to get to the Super Bowl. Nor are the Colts looking beyond Sunday’s game against Buffalo.
No question, guys go in the tank. If nothing else, come playoff time, the Colts certainly will be adept at dealing with adversity.
We’ve had some players banged up, but guys are stepping up.