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It's very sad to think about this but Peyton Manning is in the last stage of his career. He has said before he won't play until he is 40 like BF. My guess is Peyton plays 3 more years at the most. The Colts need to put everything they can into making this team Superbowl WINNERS (not just contenders). Heck this is assuming that Peyton comes back. Maybe he is as pissed off as the fans at the Colts leadership that he decides to play elsewhere. I wouldn't blame him if he did.
Lets look at last year and this year. Sure they went to the Superbowl last year but the way they played most of the regular season they were just as close to not making the playoffs as anyone. They won a lot of games they should have lost. This year was much like last year only they lost a lot of close games and were hit hard by injuries. They didn't get the job done though either year. When you don't get it done with what you have and the one freaking player you rely on to carry the team is nearing the end of his career it’s time to stop and think about how you want this all to end because Aaron Rogers is not waiting to take Peyton Manning's spot.
The Colts rely on the draft to improve and fill holes. This is all good when you draft well but they haven't done that for 3-4 years. You HAVE to look at trades and free agency to add some legit talent. I’m sorry that it will hurt your pride Bill but get over yourself already.
The offensive line has to be better. Simple as that. A physical running back would be nice. A hard runner who can convert on third and short. I don't care if he can catch or pick up the blitz. It doesn't need to be an every down back just someone who can help move the chains.
The defense needs a serious talent upgrade all across the board. Who on the Colts defense would start (or even play at all) for the Chargers, Steelers, Jets, Saints, or Packers? (the top 5 ranked defenses in the NFL this season) Not very many that's for sure!
Nnamdi Asomugha better be at the top of your off season priority list. You need elite players... they make the rest better! You can't rely on Freeney and Mathis as your pass defense. You need some good coverage. Some talent at linebacker might be nice too. The Colts need some defensive players other than Freeney who can create a turnover.
Another thing about the defense...If I never see the Colts play the Tampa 2 again I will not complain. It worked in Tampa when they had some playmakers (Starting with Warren Sapp at DT) all across the defense but the Colts have lacked those playmakers.
There are two things that will prevent the Colts from winning another Superbowl in the near future. One is Jim Irsay. I fear (I mentioned this in the Jets-Pats thread) that he is more concerned about his relationships (Caldwell, Polian) then he is about winning. It sounds odd but how many owners would have hired Caldwell let alone keep him after the past two years? How many owners would allow Bill Polian to be the most arrogant GM in the NFL?
Speaking of Bill Polian that is the other thing that will prevent another Superbowl...his arrogance. He needs to fix the offense line (while admitting what he did last off season didn't work) and add some defensive talent (especially outside of the draft which goes against his philosophy of relying on the draft)?
One more thing. If the Colts can get anything (a late pick) for Bob Sanders and Anthony Gonz. they need to do it. I love watching Bob play and he makes this team better but if he can't stay healthy just trade him for something! Some team will take a chance on him.
I said this before but I hope Peyton has a long talk with Irsay about the direction of the team and how he wants to end his career. You have to begin with the end in mind. Right now the end isn't look good outside of an early playoff loss if the Colts keep heading in the direction they are in. It cannot be the same old same old. This is nearing the end and you have to give it your best shot. The Colts leadership hasn't done that. It's now or never.
Lets look at last year and this year. Sure they went to the Superbowl last year but the way they played most of the regular season they were just as close to not making the playoffs as anyone. They won a lot of games they should have lost. This year was much like last year only they lost a lot of close games and were hit hard by injuries. They didn't get the job done though either year. When you don't get it done with what you have and the one freaking player you rely on to carry the team is nearing the end of his career it’s time to stop and think about how you want this all to end because Aaron Rogers is not waiting to take Peyton Manning's spot.
The Colts rely on the draft to improve and fill holes. This is all good when you draft well but they haven't done that for 3-4 years. You HAVE to look at trades and free agency to add some legit talent. I’m sorry that it will hurt your pride Bill but get over yourself already.
The offensive line has to be better. Simple as that. A physical running back would be nice. A hard runner who can convert on third and short. I don't care if he can catch or pick up the blitz. It doesn't need to be an every down back just someone who can help move the chains.
The defense needs a serious talent upgrade all across the board. Who on the Colts defense would start (or even play at all) for the Chargers, Steelers, Jets, Saints, or Packers? (the top 5 ranked defenses in the NFL this season) Not very many that's for sure!
Nnamdi Asomugha better be at the top of your off season priority list. You need elite players... they make the rest better! You can't rely on Freeney and Mathis as your pass defense. You need some good coverage. Some talent at linebacker might be nice too. The Colts need some defensive players other than Freeney who can create a turnover.
Another thing about the defense...If I never see the Colts play the Tampa 2 again I will not complain. It worked in Tampa when they had some playmakers (Starting with Warren Sapp at DT) all across the defense but the Colts have lacked those playmakers.
There are two things that will prevent the Colts from winning another Superbowl in the near future. One is Jim Irsay. I fear (I mentioned this in the Jets-Pats thread) that he is more concerned about his relationships (Caldwell, Polian) then he is about winning. It sounds odd but how many owners would have hired Caldwell let alone keep him after the past two years? How many owners would allow Bill Polian to be the most arrogant GM in the NFL?
Speaking of Bill Polian that is the other thing that will prevent another Superbowl...his arrogance. He needs to fix the offense line (while admitting what he did last off season didn't work) and add some defensive talent (especially outside of the draft which goes against his philosophy of relying on the draft)?
One more thing. If the Colts can get anything (a late pick) for Bob Sanders and Anthony Gonz. they need to do it. I love watching Bob play and he makes this team better but if he can't stay healthy just trade him for something! Some team will take a chance on him.
I said this before but I hope Peyton has a long talk with Irsay about the direction of the team and how he wants to end his career. You have to begin with the end in mind. Right now the end isn't look good outside of an early playoff loss if the Colts keep heading in the direction they are in. It cannot be the same old same old. This is nearing the end and you have to give it your best shot. The Colts leadership hasn't done that. It's now or never.
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