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Another year of 32 for 31, Sports News on Tap takes the month of August to preview the National Football League. We spend every day of the month looking at a new team and how they will fare in 2013.
Indianapolis was the place of the feel-good story of the NFL season. The Colts found out new head coach Chuck Pagano had cancer in the fourth week of the season. The team used his horrible situation as a motivating point and started winning games rallying behind the 'Chuckstrong' mentality. Pagano returned to the team late in the season and the team found its way to the playoffs. This year will definitely be different for the Colts, but the attitude of Chuckstrong is still with the team as Pagano keeps kicking cancer's ass.
OFFENSE
The second year of Andrew Luck should have people excited for what's upcoming from him, but it should also come with a giant WARNING sign. There is a chance Luck might see some regression next year and that's perfectly okay. He is a young quarterback and it is expected he will take some bumps throughout his career. Although having his college offensive coordinator, Pep Hamilton now running the offense should help limit the slump if there is any, who knows Luck could come out and prove me wrong as many people have done before him. One thing to watch during training camp and preseason is Luck's offensive line. The Colts added a ton through free agency and the NFL draft, but with all the moving pieces, it leaves the possibility for everyone to not be on the same page as they allowed Luck to be sacked 41 times last season.
The player to probably watch on the Colts offense this year is T.Y. Hilton, the second-year player out of Florida International. Hilton is having a great training camp thus far and the hype for him is getting massive from all corners of the Internet. Hilton could be the perfect compliment to Reggie Wayne. Speaking of Wayne, there should always be worry for some regression, but Wayne has shown time and again to not be doubted whatsoever.
DEFENSE
For as good as the Colts were in 2012, people probably ignored they had a pretty poor defense. They were one of the worst teams against the rush as teams averaged 137.9 yards a game, third-worst in the league. It was an obvious emphasis for the Colts this offseason getting Aubrayo Franklin from the San Diego and Ricky Jean Francois from San Francisco. One reason for the Colts' struggles on defense might have been due to many leftover Colts players from the Jim Caldwell era making the transition from 4-3 to 3-4 defense which is extremely difficult. Robert Mathis and Pat Angerer will definitely be looking for redemption this year.
Maybe I am alone on this, but I was not wild on the Colts getting LaRon Landry. The only real positive is they have the real life Hulk in Indianapolis. Landry can lay the lumber, but he really does not have what it takes to be the impact player that Colts are hoping for in their secondary.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Adam Vinatieri is still playing football... Good for him. I honestly thought he left the game last year or this offseason but he is back again for another year to my surprise. The Colts also have Pat McAfee is punting for them again. Hilton could also be a dymanic retuner for them.
KEY ADDITIONS
S LaRon Landry, NT Aubrayo Franklin, WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, OT Gosder Cherlius, LB Erik Walden, DT Ricky Jean Francois - DHB and T.Y. do the same thing on the field which provides us with more proof Jim Irsay took mushrooms throughout the offseason.
KEY DEPARTURES
OLB Dwight Freeney, WR Donnie Avery, NT Antonio Johnson, LB Jerry Hughes, CB Jerraud Powers OT Winston Justice, S Tom Zibikowski
COLTS DRAFT PICKS
OLB Bjoern Werner, OG Hugh Thornton, C/OG Khaled Holmes, DT Montori Hughes, S John Boyett, RB Kerwynn Williams, TE Justice Cunningham - Werner could be a starter from day one and there is a huge amount of boom/bust potential with him. I would keep an eye on Kerywnn Williams too.
GAME TO WATCH
Sunday October 20th: vs. Denver 7:30 pm -The return of Peyton Manning to Indianapolis. People will not make a big deal out of this, right? Yeah probably not overblown or anything.
PREDICTION
8-10 wins - This team plays a tougher schedule than they do last year, but I believe Andrew Luck is good enough to bring this team close if not back to the playoffs. They will need to be better on defense with the elevated competition.
Charlie.
