The Colts know they're good. Regular season records of 13-3 and 10-6 in the
last two seasons are proof of that. They, too, however, know they're not good
enough as evidenced by their early departures from the playoffs in 1999 and
2000.
The culprit has been the Indianapolis defense, which was ranked 21st in the
NFL last season and was victimized by such losses as 38-31 to Oakland, 26-24
to Green Bay and 27-24 to Chicago.
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CAMP AT A GLANCE
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| Peyton Manning threw 33 TDs last year. |
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Location:Rose-Hulman Institute, Terre Haute, Ind.
Rookies report: July 26
Veterans report: July 26
Preseason schedule:
Aug. 11:Seattle
Aug. 18: Detroit
Aug. 24: at Minnesota
Aug. 30: at Cincinnati
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So, adding to their "Big Three" on offense -- quarterback Peyton Manning,
running back Edgerrin James and receiver Marvin Harrison -- the Colts have
focused on bolstering their defense for a Super Bowl run in 2001.
Man in the spotlight
Because there isn't a single player on defense whom
the spotlight will be on, the one man on the spot has to be Manning. He
hasn't missed a snap in his NFL career, a remarkable stat. An injury to him
and the next on the depth chart at the moment is Billy Joe Hobert.
Translation: A significant Manning injury equals third place in the AFC East.
Key position battle
Who's going to be the No. 2 receiver behind Harrison?
This has been a question the last couple of years and no one has stepped
forward. The contestants this summer include Terrence Wilkens, Jerome Pathon,
E.G. Green and perhaps even No. 1 draft pick Reggie Wayne out of Miami.
Biggest adjustment
Across the board, the Colts' defense has to be better.
Defensive players such as Chad Brazke, Ellis Johnson and Shaun King have to
lead the way in improving this unit that allowed 4.3 yards per rushing carry
in 2000, along with 22 touchdown passes and only 14 interceptions.
Rookie report
Wayne was the more polished and productive receiver out of
Miami and some believed he'd be picked before his collegiate teammate Santana
Moss. He could solve the Colts' void at no. 2 receiver behind Harrison with
his good size and dependable hands. After Wayne, the Colts used four picks in
an effort to improve their porous defensive backfield -- Memphis safety Idrees
Bashir, Virginia Tech safety Corey Bird, Southern Miss cornerback Raymond
Walls and Wisconsin safety Jason Doering.
Indy's complete offseason moves
