2008 Woodie Awards
Colts! Colts! Colts!
The only undefeated team at the midpoint
David Butler
Issue date: 11/15/06 Section: Sports
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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.
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.
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