NFL 2006: Indianapolis Colts

(This is the Corners look at the upcoming NFL season. For the next 32 days we'll be previewing each team and their prospects for the 2006 season. Today we look at the Indianapolis Colts.)

The bad luck of Tony Dungy in the playoffs continued in 2005. In his four seasons with the Colts, Dungy has complied a 34-14 regular season mark. The downside - his playoff record now stands at 3-4 with Indy.

The Indianapolis Colts cruised through the regular season with a 13-game winning streak and a 14-2 overall mark. The Colts were clear-cut Super Bowl favorites until disaster struck. In the Divisional Playoff series with Pittsburgh, the Steelers pounded, harassed and man-handled Peyton Manning to come away with the shocking 21-18 victory, en route to a world title. Mike Vanderjagt missed a 46-yard field goal that would have sent the game into overtime.

It's 2006 and Dungy is back with a loaded squad that will once again make a run at that elusive Super Bowl berth.

Offense: The big news is the loss of Edgerrin James to free agency. The Colts management decided to shave off his big contract and go a cheaper route. That decision may come back to haunt them. James is a consistent performer and one of the top five backs in the league. You can't replace him so easily.

The good news for Colts fans is Manning is still the quarterback. Peyton had another solid year, throwing for 3,747 yards and 28 touchdowns with a 67 percent completion rate. He is the heart and soul of the team and as long as he's around and healthy, Indy has a chance to shine. Jim Sorgi and Shaun King are the backups.

James ran for 1,506 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. In addition, he caught 44 passes for 337 yards and a score. A running back by committee approach is what the Colts are going after to replace James. Former thousand-yard rusher Domenic Rhodes (four touchdowns), rookie Joseph Addai and James Mungro will all be pressed into backfield duty. Dungy is hoping that one man can step up and distance himself from the pack.

The receiving corps may be the strongest in the NFL. Marvin Harrison (82-1,146-12) is back for a 12th season. This will be the ninth season of the Manning to Harrison duo, the most prolific in NFL history. Reggie Wayne (83-1,055-5)has emerged as a legitimate star in his own right and Brandon Stokely (43-543-1) is a solid number three. Aaron Morehead replaces the departed Troy Walters as the fourth receiver.

Dallas Clark (37-488-4) and Bryan Fletcher (18 catches) are solid offensive tight ends and add to the weaponry in the Manning arsenal.

The offensive line returns intact with Jeff Saturday at center, Jake Scott and Ryan Lilja at guard and Tarik Glenn and Ryan Diem at tackle. Dylan Gandy and Ryan Ulrich provide depth.

Defense: Indianapolis has 10 starters returning from a much improved unit that allowed only 247 points last season. Good enough for a 15.4 average, second in the league behind Chicago.

The defensive line is about as sound as they come. Dwight Freeney, Raheem Brock and Robert Mathis are pass rushing monsters from their end spots. Freeney (11 sacks), Mathis (54 tackles, 11.5 sacks) and Brock (six sacks) are a nightmare for quarterbacks and offensive coordinators. Corey Simon and Montae Reagor hold down the interior, stuffing any would be runner trying to get through.

LB David Thornton left via free agency, but Cato June and middle linebacker Gary Brackett return to anchor this unit. June (102 tackles, 5 interceptions) and Brackett(127 tackles, three picks) had Pro-Bowl type seasons. Free agent Mike Labinjo, rookie Freddie Keiaho and Kendyll Pope will battle for the other outside position. Rob Morris is a solid No.2 middle backer.

The secondary of the Colts is young, hungry and aggressive. Little-big man Bob Sanders (91 tackles) is a hard-hitting dynamo at strong safety, while Mike Doss (77 tackles, two interceptions) is solid at free safety. Nick Harper (3 INT) and Jason David (2 INT) are good, young corners. Kelvin Hayden, Marlin Jackson, Matt Giordano and rookie Tim Jennings provide depth.

Special Teams: The Colts went out and got the best clutch kicker in the history of the game in Adam Vinatieri (100 points, 20-25 field goals and 40-41 extra points). For some unfathomable reason the Patriots let him test the free agent waters and Indy scooped him up. He will be responsible for at least two or three wins. Hunter Smith (44.3) is a solid punter. Rhodes (20.9) or Mungro will return kicks, while David replaces Walters as punt returner.

Outlook: Despite losing James the Colts are serious Super Bowl contenders. With Manning and his receivers, all the backs need to do is pick up some of the slack. They aren't as strong without James, that's for sure, but the Colts are good enough to keep winning without him. The defense is solid, Manning is the best QB in the NFL and Dungy and his staff are excellent coaches.

Prediction: Indianapolis will breeze to the AFC South title and will be one of the favorites to go to the Super Bowl. If one of the running backs steps up and has a big year, this team could go all the way. The Colts will go 12-4 or 13-3.

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