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2008 Team Preview by RotoExperts.com Senior Writer Jonathan Phillips.
OVERVIEW
In a time of free agency and ever-shifting team loyalties, dynasties are rare. In fact, the word dynasty in terms of football needs to be redefined. The Colts have essentially done that. As with all surviving dynasties, the king often stays, but his surrounding court adapts and changes. The Colts have seen the changing of the guard at crucial positions like running back, tight end, and wide receiver many times. Names like Faulk, James, Harbaugh, Dawkins, and most importantly, Mora and Marchibroda all have come and gone. Yet, since Peyton Manning's arrival in 1998, the Colts have missed the playoffs just twice. Since Tony Dungy's ascension to the throne, they've only won one Super Bowl, but they've made the AFC conference title game three times in six years. Dungy has since become the organization's most successful head coach, amassing 73 wins during that time frame. For those who do math, that's a 12 wins per season average. That's good enough for the revised dynasty definition. It's scary when you imagine that the Colts seemed out of sync most of last year, yet they still amassed a 13-3 record. And while it didn't show in their overall record, the loss of Marvin Harrison's abilities affected the team in many ways, most notably in their playoff loss to San Diego. Now comes word that the Prince of Pass has had a bursa sac removed from his left knee and will miss most of training camp. Rarely a team for the acquisition market, the Colts lone off-season move was bringing back Dominic Rhodes, after he completed a forgettable year in Oakland. Some key losses at guard and nose tackle, along with pre-season injuries to Bob Sanders and Dwight Freeney, have to be inciting anxiety amongst the kingdom's subjects. As long as Manning is healthy, the Colts will continue to be among the league's best teams. However, a revolt has begun in the AFC South. No longer can Indianapolis look down upon their division rivals and believe that only one team can compete with them. With the Colts hosting what's considered to be the second toughest schedule in the NFL (as of the preseason), this could be the first time since 2002 that the Colts abdicate the division crown. |
 | | Tony Dungy looks at the latest Marvin Harrison injury report. Photo Credit: Shadowjester07 |
PROJECTED DEPTH CHART Players listed in order of fantasy relevance. Recommended round to draft in standard 10 to 12-team leagues with 16 rounds in parentheses. Quarterback: Peyton Manning (1), Jim Sorgi
Running Back: Joseph Addai (1), Dominic Rhodes, Kenton Keith (11), Mike Hart
Wide Receiver: Reggie Wayne (2), Marvin Harrison (6), Anthony Gonzalez (12)
Tight End: Dallas Clark (7), Jacob Tamme
Kicker: Adam Vinatieri (16) NOTABLE PLAYER MOVES Additions: RB Dominic Rhodes
Subtractions: OLB Rocky Boiman, DT Dan Klecko, DT Anthony McFarland, OLB Rob Morris, OG Jake Scott, TE Ben Utecht 2008 ROOKIES TO WATCH Round Two: Philip Wheeler, OLB, Georgia Tech
Round Four: Jacob Tamme, TE Kentucky
Round Five: Marcus Howard, DE Georgia  | | That end zone is a busy place. Photo Credit: aypabtu |
TOP POSITION BATTLE Backup running back: Dominic Rhodes vs. Kenton Keith vs. Mike Hart
2008 SCHEDULE Top matchups in bold Sept. 7: Chicago
Sept. 14: @ Minnesota
Sept. 21: Jacksonville
Sept. 28: Bye
Oct. 5: @ Houston
Oct. 12: Baltimore
Oct. 19: @ Green Bay
Oct 27: @ Tennessee
Nov. 2: New England
Nov. 9: @ Pittsburgh
Nov. 16: Houston
Nov. 23: @ San Diego
Nov. 30: @ Cleveland FANTASY PLAYOFF MATCHUPS
Dec. 7: Cincinnati
Dec. 14: Cleveland
Dec. 18: @ Jacksonville
Dec 28: Tennessee  | ENGEL EYE ON: THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | It's already been established that Reggie Wayne is Peyton Manning's new top target. This is the year that Anthony Gonzalez becomes his consistent standout complement. As Marvin Harrison fades away, Gonzalez will step into stardom. He's a great value selection just after the middle rounds, and I expect him to catch at least seven touchdown passes. Gonzalez has already developed a great on-field relationship with Peyton Manning and is a natural fit in the Colts passing game. He'll at least be a regular starter as a fantasy WR2 in many leagues by midseason. |
2008 FANTASY POSITIONAL OUTLOOKS Quarterback:
Growing up, I often heard people make the following comment after football players made bad plays: "What did you expect? He's no Einstein." Well, in Peyton Manning's world, he is Einstein. Going into his 11th season, perhaps no quarterback has been as efficient or durable as Manning. In 2007, he played every game for his 10th straight year, commanding the fifth-rated offense in yards gained and third-rated in points scored. He hasn't finished one season in the NFL with less than 25 touchdown passes. Manning's understanding of the game and command of his playbook is unparalleled amongst his peers. His biggest weaknesses, if there are any, include lack of mobility and the fact that his check-offs and line adjustments can break the rhythm of his team during drives. Manning's past durability have given the Colts perhaps too much of a sense of security, as they now reserve only one roster spot for a backup. Jim Sorgi has held that position since 2004, and he recently signed a contract extension. He's thrown 36 passes in his entire career. Manning's draft status is suddenly in question, partly because of his recovery from knee surgery, and partly because there are questions about who, if need be, would replace a questionable Marvin Harrison. Surgery takes an immeasurable toll on the human body, and on a weight-bearing joint, the impact is significant. With worries about the depth of the offensive line, Manning may fall to the second round, and there's a chance he'll have some shaky games in the early going.  | | Joseph Addai and Reggie Wayne often give fantasy owners reason to celebrate. Photo Credit: UnderTheRadar29 |
Running Back:
Joseph Addai has been the white knight for this team, adapting to the pro game with surprisingly few setbacks, while playing 31 games in his first two years. His knee problems seemingly behind him, Addai delivered his second consecutive 1,000-yard season and 40-plus receptions in 2007. Make no mistake about it, he's a top tier back, not necessarily because he grinds out yards, but because of the system he's in. While he's not the most elusive or powerful back, he plays very well in both the run and catch games and is a prime goal-line opportunist. However, 2007 saw his yard-per-carry average drop from 4.8 to 4.1, raising red flags as to whether the decrease was caused by an injured offensive line or by defensive teams adaptation to his running style. After an adventure in Oakland, Dominic Rhodes returns for his second stint in Indy. Though he joins the same system he left, Rhodes' failure in Oakland, as well as his suspension for alcohol use, lead to huge question marks about what ability he retains. Remember that Rhodes had two 100-yard games last year, with both coming in the final weeks of the season against Jacksonville and San Diego, who were resting their key starters. When the Colts rode their former CFL stud Kenton Keith into battle, letting him joust 10 or more times per game, he averaged 4.9 yards per carry. Rhodes has the inside track due to his familiarity with the offense and relationships in the coaching staff, but when you add Michigan rookie Mike Hart to the mix, it's very possible that Rhodes will be fighting for a roster spot in training camp. Draft Addai high, pass on Rhodes as the dud, and monitor Keith as the upside stud. Hart may also have value later, depending on the pre-season shakeout. Wide Receiver:
Reggie Wayne was never exactly considered a frog to Marvin Harrison's prince, but in 2007, Wayne lifted his game in a way befitting the rightful heir. Reggie led the NFL in receiving, with over 1,500 yards, to post his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season. However, while Wayne is coveted like the prince holding the glass slipper, expectations are so drastically reduced on Harrison that he could be your prince (hidden in frog form) in the sixth or seventh round. Remember, he has been arguably the league's most consistent receiver the past decade. Up until last year, he had posted eight consecutive seasons of 80-plus catches and over 1,100 yards. Even after surgery, he averaged 13.5 yards for his two receptions in the divisional playoffs -- a game where he was clearly limited. If Harrison can run at all, he's an exceptional route-runner with incredible hands. Anthony Gonzalez will be expected to fill in the slot position and could shift outside should Harrison falter. In his rookie season, Gonzalez averaged nearly three receptions per game, garnering a total of 37 for 576 yards and three scores. His totals should increase, making him a solid late draft pick to round out your WR corps. Devin Aromashodu impressed the Colts staff toward the end of last year and will also get a chance to earn playing time. Tight End:
While Dallas Clark suffers from lack of blocking skills, he has only played in one game since 2005 where he didn't catch a pass. With Harrison's knee problems, Clark really stepped up in 2007, finishing second in team receptions with 58 and topping the team with 11 receiving TDs. Expect Clark's value to increase if Harrison's problems sideline him again. Otherwise, because of his blocking weaknesses, Clark will lose field time to rookie Jacob Tamme, and possibly even Tom Santi (another rookie). Neither one is Ben Utecht, though. Tamme possesses the better pass-catching skills. Clark should be targeted between the fifth and seventh rounds. Kicker:
Adam Vinatieri's stately veneer wore off last year, as he showed himself to be less than royal by missing two extra points for the first time since his rookie year. He also posted his worst field-goal percentage in five years. Do those numbers matter? No, because kickers are drafted in the 16th round, no matter how clutch they are. Defense/Special Teams:
The Colts defense has been built around speed over size. In fact, with the loss of Anthony McFarland, the Colts have no defensive lineman over 300 pounds. Raheem Brock and Ed Johnson will attempt to fill that void. They are a bit undersized, but both men are quick. The oft-injured Dwight Freeney is among the league’s most disruptive forces. However, his recovery from a Lisfranc fracture is expected to keep him sidelined until at least the season opener. In 2007, Freeney provided 3.5 sacks in only 10 games, while Robert Mathis added seven. When healthy, these two are a formidable pass rush from the outside...one that simply terrorizes quarterbacks. In 2005, the two combined for 22.5 sacks. As solid as the base is for this crop, the injury bug has already struck middle linebacker Tyjuan Hagler, who tore a pectoral muscle during OTAs. He's expected to miss a good part of the pre-season. Bob Sanders, one of the most highly-regarded safeties in the NFL, is also recovering from shoulder surgery. He was second on the team in tackles last year. Clearly, the worry with this group is health. When all the knights are in full gear, this phalanx is a top five defense, though they are vulnerable to larger, pounding-style rushing attacks. T. J. Rushing is expected to return kicks again. He was solid last season, averaging 23 yards per kickoff and 13 yards per punt, scoring one touchdown. Expect rookies Pierre Garcon, Sam Giguere, and Rudy Burgess to vie for the vacancy left by Craphonso Thorpe. Offensive Line:
Center Jeff Saturday anchors another strong but undersized unit. All of them have been able to fight off injury in the past, particularly right tackle Ryan Diem. He's countered by Ryan Lilja on the left, with second-year man Tony Ugoh expected to hold down the all-important left tackle position, after he replaced Tarik Glenn. Charles Johnson filled in at the tackle spot last year, but he was often beaten by speedier pass rushers. The team may move him to a guard position, while rookie Mike Pollak could vie for that tackle spot. The unit is fairly experienced and was eighth in the league in sacks allowed in 2007. Jonathan Phillips never was thought as anything slightly royal, except maybe a royal pain. If you're one of his loyal subjects, please comment or write to him at
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. He promises no beheadings.
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