Colts still hungry; ready to defend their Super Bowl championship
By Tom James
INDIANAPOLIS — With training camp slated to get underway this afternoon at Rose-Hulman, the Indianapolis Colts are more than ready to forget the attractive perks associated with being the defending Super Bowl champions.
Everything that comes with that kind of success — such as trips to the White House, numerous national TV appearances, commercial opportunities — are nice. The Colts, though, want to get back to work. After all, it’s a new year and a different kind of challenge.
Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy remains confident in his team’s ability to repeat in 2007. But overconfidence is not expected to play a major factor in just how well the Colts do this year.
In fact, after a recent appearance on the ESPY awards — where Dungy was named as “Coach of the Year” and the Colts earned “Team of the Year” honors — Indianapolis’ players appeared to be in a good frame of mind as they prepare for a return to the practice field.
“You could see it in those guys’ eyes,” Dungy said. “They were ready to go. When we were at the ESPYs, we went up and it was the last award. We all went backstage and did the interviews. Everybody talked about having so much fun, but wanting to do it again.”
• • •
• Not as an easy road in 2006 — Dungy is fully aware that the road to the 2007 NFL championship will not be an easy one. Even though Indianapolis registered a 29-17 win over the Chicago Bears 29-17 in Super Bowl XLI last February, the regular season was far from perfect.
Inconsistent play on defense — particularly against the run — and lapses on kick coverage could have derailed the team’s championship aspirations at any time. Those inconsistencies, along with a few other potential problem areas, were on Dungy’s mind when he met with the team prior to beginning offseason workouts last spring.
“We talked about our special teams play,’’ he said. “We talked about the big play we gave up defensively, which is something we don’t want to see. Our coverage units, not being as good as they can be with the type of kickers we have and the speed we have.
“I’d like to see us be in the top five for fewest penalties, and last year we were sixth. I’d like to be in the top five in giveaway-takeaway ratio. We were sixth, but I’d like to think we can take the ball away a lot more than that. Our run defense in the playoffs was good, but in the regular season it wasn’t.’’
• Chances of repeating? — When it comes to having a plan to equal the Colts’ success of a year ago, Dungy is relying on what he learned while a player for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the late 1970s.
As he has on other occasions, it’s his experience with former Steelers coach and long time mentor Chuck Noll that is providing him with a few ideas of how to handle his team when it comes to the touchy subject of repeating.
“Coach Noll’s whole thing was that every team is like an automobile,’’ he said. “The [2006] version and the [2007] version, even though it’s the same automobile, it’s a different car. He never, ever talked about repeating. He always talked about what this [current] team is capable of doing.’’
Dungy fully expects to take a very similar tact with the Colts this season.
• No chest pounding — Team president Bill Polian has pointed out that the team’s reaction to its Super Bowl win has been anything but boastful.
“What’s gone on inside [the Colts’ offices] this off-season is exactly what has gone on the past five years,” he said. “What’s gone on outside is total different. You’re in demand. Everybody in the organization is in demand not only in Indiana, but around the country. All of the other things that go with winning the Super Bowl – when I sit back and reflect on it, it’s absolutely incredible.
“Tony [Dungy], and to a lesser extent myself, have preached to them almost from Day One about perception and reality. I think they’ve bought into it. They understand what is perception and what is reality. I think you see that reflected in how they prepare and how they go about their business.”
• Roster set, for now — While the team’s roster is pretty well set heading into training camp, don’t be surprised if some minor tweaking doesn’t take place as well. One potential move would be the re-signing of unrestricted free agent running back James Mungro, who missed the 2006 season with a knee injury.
”The question is how do we structure the roster and that’s related to how we shore up the positions where we’re going to need people to take reps in training camp and the preseason,” Polian said. “We have a number of one (practice)-a-day guys at those positions.We only have 80 spots and you have to make sure you’re in a position to be protected at all of those spots.”
• A look at the 2007 Indianapolis Colts — Here is a position-by-position breakdown of the Colts as they head into training camp today. Starters are listed by how they finished the 2006 season unless otherwise noted. Backups are listed alphabetically.
QUARTERBACK: Starter — Peyton Manning. Backups — Josh Betts, John Navarre, Mike McGann, Jim Sorgi.
Manning is the man for the Colts. He has not missed a start behind center since coming into the league in 1998. Coming off an MVP performance in the team’s Super Bowl XLI win over Chicago, his goal is to continue to improve his game – if that is possible. Sorgi is the primary backup but Betts and Navarre are expected to battle it out for the No. 3 spot. Indianapolis kept just two quarterbacks on the regular season active roster last year.
RUNNING BACKS: Starter — Joseph Addai. Backups — Clifton Dawson, DeDe Dorsey, Kenton Keith, Luke Lawton (FB), Chris Morgan.
Addai is now acknowledged as the team’s regular running back, but his use in the Colts’ offense is expected to expand this season. After becoming the only rookie to rush for over 1,000 yards last year (1,081), Addai’s talents as a receiver out of the backfield will probably be explored more fully. The big question, though, is who will split playing time with Addai as Indianapolis continues its rotation system intact. Little-used Dede Dorsey, who impressed the Colts coaching staff a year ago after being plucked from the Cincinnati Bengals training camp roster, is the odds-on favorite to replace Dominic Rhodes in the team’s two-back attack.
TIGHT ENDS/H-BACKS: Starter — Dallas Clark. Backups — Matt Farbotko, Bryan Fletcher, Gijon Robinson, Mike Seidman, Ben Utecht.
One of the deepest positions, talent-wise, on the Colts’ roster. Clark could have very well been named as the team’s post-season MVP after coming up with 21 catches in four games last year. He had 30 total receptions during the regular season. Utecht caught 37 passes as he started 15 games in 2006 as Clark was used primarily as the Colts’ slot receiver. Fletcher added 18 catches in spot use, but it was his fourth-quarter reception of a Manning pass that helped propel Indianapolis to its comeback win over the Patriots in the AFC title game. Seidman, a spring pickup from Carolina, adds to the team already quality depth.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne. Backups — Devin Aromashodu, Michael DePriest, Anthony Gonzalez, Roy Hall, Brian Hare, Aaron Moorehead, John Standeford, Taylor Sele, Trent Shelton, Craphonso Thorpe.
In Harrison and Wayne, the Colts possess perhaps the best one-two pass receiving combo in the league. The pair combined for 181 catches, 2,676 yards and 21 touchdowns last season, earning both a spot in the Pro Bowl. Primary backups Moorehead and Standeford are back, but 2007 first-round draft pick Gonzalez is the favorite to take over the slot receiver role. Hall, a collegiate teammate of Gonzalez’ at Ohio State, is an intriguing prospect due to his size (6-3, 240), speed and athletic ability.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Starters — LT Charlie Johnson*, LG Ryan Lilja, C Jeff Saturday, RG Jake Scott, RT Ryan Diem. Backups — G Albert Bimper, G Rick DeMulling, C/G Dylan Gandy, T Daniel Federkeil, T Gabe Hall, T Joe Lobdell, T Michael Toudouze, T Tony Ugoh, G Matt Ulrich, G Sam Wilder. *Prospective starter.
Now that veteran Tarik Glenn has decided to hang up his cleats after 10 seasons, the battle is on to find out who will take over his starting left offensive tackle spot. Look for Johnson, who played well in a backup role as a rookie last season, to get a long look. Ugoh, a second-round pick this past spring, is also expected to get a shot at the job. Other potential candidates include Diem, who would have to flip flop from the right side; Scott, who could move over from offensive guard; and Federkeil. Saturday, a two-time Pro Bowler, is the leader of the pack along the offensive line, which should display much more depth than it has in recent years. DeMulling, a former starter for Indianapolis, returns after a two-year stay in Detroit. Gandy was a part-time starter last season.
DEFENSIVE LINE: Starters — LE Robert Mathis, LT Anthony McFarland, RT Raheem Brock, DE Dwight Freeney. Backups — E Jeff Charleston, E Keyunta Dawson, T Quintin Echols, E Ben Ishola, T Edward Johnson, T Tom Johnson, T Dan Klecko, E Ryan LaCasse, T Ramel Meekins, T Quinn Pitcock, T Darrell Reid, E Bo Schobel, T Corey Simon, E Josh Thomas.
Indianapolis’ starting defensive front returns intact. McFarland, an early season addition from Tampa Bay a year ago, became more acclimated to his new teammates as the season progressed and gave the Colts’ beleaguered run defense some new life during the post-season. Freeney’s sack total were down in 2006 (5.5) but he still managed to be among the league leaders with 33 quarterback pressures. Mathis posted a team-high 9.5 sacks in 2006. Brock is a bit undersized but has played well since moving inside on a full-time basis. Big things are expected from the continued development of Klecko and Reid on the inside along with Thomas and LaCasse from the perimeter. And the addition of Pitcock through the draft should help alleviate any depth concerns. Simon’s contributions won’t be known until its determined whether or not he will be in camp. His presence, however, would give the Colts a big boost. Ishola is a former Indiana University standout who earned NFL Europa “Defensive Player of the Year” honors this past spring.
LINEBACKERS: Starters — SLB Rob Morris, MLB Gary Brackett, WLB Freddy Keiaho. Backups — LB Brandon Archer, LB Rocky Boiman, LB Ramon Guzman, LB Tyjuan Hagler, LB KaMichael Hall, LB Keith O’Neil, LB Clint Session, LB Victor Worsley.
Brackett and Morris give the Colts some much needed pop and experience. Morris will be in his first full season as a starter on the strong side. Keiaho, who bounced from outside linebacker to the middle as a rookie last year, will be given every opportunity to replace Cato June, who is now in Tampa Bay. He is a hitter who should help improve the run defense. Boiman, Hagler and O’Neil figured to be the primary backups, although Session will probably get some work as well.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — LCB Kelvin Hayden, RCB Marlin Jackson, SS Antoine Bethea, FS Bob Sanders. Backups — CB Melvin Bullitt, CB Michael Coe, S Brannon Condren, CB Tanard Davis, S Matt Girodano, CB Daymeion Hughes, CB Tim Jennings, S Norman LeJune, CB Antonio Perkins, CB T.J. Rushing, S Antonio Smith, S Scott Ware.
Youth will be served in the Indianapolis secondary this season. With Nick Harper and Jason David leaving for Tennessee and New Orleans, respectively, the Colts will move Jackson and Hayden into starting roles in 2007. Jackson has seen playing time as a backup at cornerback, safety and as the team’s nickel back in pass coverage. His interception of a Tom Brady pass sealed the Colts’ AFC title game win over New England. Hayden had a 56-yard interception return for a touchdown against Chicago in Super Bowl XLI as he replaced an injured Harper. Jennings hopes to find a spot as a nickel back but he could be bumped from that role by either Hughes or Coe, a pair of highly prized rookies.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Starters — PK Adam Vinatieri, P/H Hunter Smith, LS Justin Snow, PR T.J. Rushing, KR T.J. Rushing. Backups — K Shane Andrus, P Reggie Hodges.
Vinatieri is back after hitting on 25-of-28 field goal attempts and 38-of-38 PAT attempts during his first season with the Colts. He was seven-of-15 in field goal attempts in the post-season, including five in a 15-6 AFC playoff win over Baltimore. Smith averaged 44.4 yards, 34.5 yards net, on 47 punts a year ago. He has improved as a situational punter in recent years, as evidenced by his 14 kicks downed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line in 2006. His value to the team, though, is as the holder for Vinateri. He continues to be one of the best holders in the league. The big question is who will take over as the Colts’ primary punt and kickoff returner. Indianapolis did not re-sign Terrence Wilkins after last season, although he had a terrific year. Rushing, a second-year cornerback, will get the first opportunity to fill that role. Another concern revolves around the inconsistent play of the team’s kickoff and punt coverage units last year. That must be addressed heading into 2007.
Colts’ training-camp goals
• Find an offensive tackle — Will it be Charlie Johnson? Tony Ugoh perhaps? Would Ryan Diem or Jake Scott consider making positional changes? That’s perhaps the biggest question for the Colts heading into training camp. Who will emerge as the team’s starting left offensive tackle?
With Tarik Glenn enjoying a well-deserved retirement after 10 outstanding seasons protecting Peyton Manning’s backside, Indianapolis offensive-line coach Howard Mudd may be the busiest man in camp this summer as he attempts to put together the right combination of offensive linemen.
• Settle in at linebacker — The Colts lost Cato June to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during last spring’s free agency period, which means that second-year outside linebacker Freddy Keiaho is expected to take over on the weak side.
Rob Morris, who moved from backup middle linebacker to a starting role on the strong side late last season, appears to be entrenched there as the training camp approaches. Gary Brackett remains as the solid starter at middle linebacker.
One question is who will end up backing him up? Morris could move back in a pinch, which would allow Hagler to work his way into the lineup. Backup Tyjuan Hagler, who played well on special teams last year after missing most of the 2005 season with a groin injury, moved over from the weak side to the strong side during spring mini-camps and could see more playing time. Rookie Clint Sessions will see playing time on the outside while veteran Rocky Boiman is hoping for more playing time than he saw a year ago.
• Time for Jackson, Hayden and others to step up — Now that Nick Harper (Tennessee) and Jason David (New Orleans) have moved on via free agency, Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden moved into the starting lineup.
Jackson and Hayden were the Colts’ first and second round draft picks in 2005 and both have played key backup roles the last two seasons. Jackson, particularly, has bounced from cornerback to safety to nickel back.
The Colts’ secondary, with the exception of free safety Bob Sanders, will be young. Strong safety Antoine Bethea started as a rookie last year and was a major surprise with his ability to come up with the big play. He could be heading towards breakout year this season.
• Build defensive-line depth – With the return of Corey Simon not expected and Montae Reagor now suiting up in Philadelphia, the Colts must continue to improve their defensive line depth.
The starters remain the same with defensive end Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis along with defensive tackles Raheem Brock and Anthony McFarland. Defensive end Josh Thomas needs to stay away from injuries while defensive end Ryan LaCasse has to make up for lost time from a year ago, when he spent most of the season on the practice squad.
Defensive tackle Dan Klecko should be more acclimated to the team’s defensive line scheme. Defensive tackle Darrell Reid is also to be used frequently in the rotation. Third-round draft pick Quinn Pitcock will also push for playing time.
Positional battles to watch
• RB Joseph Addai — After splitting playing time with Dominic Rhodes a year ago, Addai, the Colts’ top draft pick in 2006, is the number one back in the Indianapolis offense heading into the 2007 season.
Although he was the only rookie to rush for over 1,000 yards last year (1,081 yards), the former LSU standout played behind Rhodes during the regular season. He became the starter at the outset of the Colts’ playoff run to the Super Bowl.
Indianapolis plans to continue the rotating back system with Addai and probably 2006 backup Dede Dorsey. Addai, however, is expected to take on an expanded role in the Colts’ offense this season as coordinator Tom Moore attempts to get him more involved in the passing game.
“It’s a real credit to Joe for being here this whole off-season,” Manning said. “I think that’s where he’s really tried to expand his game. As far as maybe putting him in the slot or putting him out wide, he’s worked on his [pass] route running. To me, that’s important. The running part, he’s got that in pretty good shape. But he’s saying ‘how can I get better?’
“I think he had 10 catches against the Bears in the Super Bowl. And [former Colts running back] Dominic [Rhodes] had a bunch too. So it’s been a huge part of our passing game this past year. And hopefully that can continue, especially with Joe and hopefully DeDe. You like to get those kind of matchups with them on linebackers, who probably aren’t as good as cover guys as safeties and corners. That would be a good matchup for us.”
• WR Anthony Gonzalez — Depending on how quickly he can completely grasp Indianapolis’ complicated offensive system, Gonzalez could be a piece of the team’s offensive puzzle that they’ve lacked for the past couple of seasons.
With Brandon Stokley now in Denver, the Colts will be able to get their 2007 first-round draft pick into the lineup as a slot receiver. Stokley saw limited playing time in 2005 as Indianapolis went to a two tight-end alignment. He missed most of last season with an assortment of injuries (ankle, knee, Achilles tendon).
Tight end Dallas Clark filled in admirably in the slot position in 2006, but Gonzalez’ speed and ability to find open creases in opposing defenses farther downfield could open things up even more for fellow wide receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne.
Manning, for one, has been impressed with his new receiver’s approach to learning the Colts’ complicated offensive system.
“The first time that we met [at the team’s headquarters], he said hi and we shook hands. But it didn’t take him too long after that to start asking me questions about the offense. That impressed me,” the two-time league MVP said recently. “He seemed to take a real businesslike approach to learning what we’re doing. And you know me and how I like to do things. That kind of attitude really struck a chord in me.”
• OLB Freddy Keiaho — Penciled in to replace former Pro Bowler Cato June at weak side linebacker, Keiaho will give the Colts a more traditional type of linebacker in the position.
While June was a former college safety who made the switch to linebacker after being drafted by Indianapolis, Keiaho considers himself a true outside linebacker. As such, he figures to give the Colts’ defense a possible lift as a run defender.
The key for Keiaho will be his ability to settle in and develop a comfort zone as a starter. He is expected to struggle a bit early on, but he has shown good aggressiveness and a nose for the football.
• OT Charlie Johnson — After turning in a yeoman’s performance as a rookie in 2006, including an impressive stint filling in for an injured Ryan Diem during Super Bowl XLI last February, Johnson will get an opportunity to win a full-time job this season.
He went up against Bears defensive end Adewale Ogunleye for most of the Super Bowl and played well, although Colts quarterback Peyton Manning was a bit surprised to see the former Oklahoma State standout in the game.
“It’s a real credit to Charlie, especially in the no-huddle because we only huddle on the first play of the drive, I really didn’t know [Ryan] Diem got hurt until probably four or five series after he was injured,’’ Manning said. “That tells you how comfortable everybody was when he came in. At certain positions, it’s ‘Wait a minute, timeout, we’ve got a rookie in here and we need to change our approach.’ But we had none of that with Charlie.”
Johnson will have to battle a boatload full of other offensive linemen in order to fill the large shoes left behind by Tarik Glenn. But the key will be to play within himself and not to try to do too much. If he displays the consistency that he showed last year, he very well may end up in the starting lineup.
• CB Tim Jennings — With Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden moving into the starting lineup as cornerbacks, the question now is just who will take over as the Colts’ primary nickel back.
Jennings would be the most obvious candidate. A second-round draft pick in 2006, missed most of training camp as he recovered from ankle surgery. He saw occasional work on defense last year, although he was able to make a contribution on special teams.
Rookies Daymeion Hughes, a third-round pick in 2007, and Michael Coe, a fifth-rounder this past spring, will also be contenders for the job.
• CB/KR T.J. Rushing — With the Colts’ decision not to bring back Terrence Wilkins to handle the team’s punt return and kickoff return duties, it’s up to second-year cornerback T.J. Rushing to show that he can take over the job.
Rushing was drafted a year ago with the idea that he would eventually become Indianapolis’ punt and kick return specialist. But injuries and the unexpected emergence of Wilkins limited his opportunities in 2006. He is expected to hit the ground running, literally, when training camp begins.
More camp notes
• Colts camp schedule — The Colts are scheduled to report to training camp at Rose-Hulman by 2 p.m. today. Indianapolis’ first practice is set for 8:30 a.m. Monday.
The team has scheduled 17 total practices, with 13 being two-a-day workouts and four one-a-day practices. Six of the two-a-day workouts will have special teams only sessions as the second (afternoon) practice of the day, which means that most of the team’s offensive and defensive starters will not be taking part. Indianapolis will not be practicing or scrimmaging with other NFL teams.
Most practices will take place on the school’s two intramural fields, which are located east of Cook Stadium and behind the school’s tennis courts. Occasional workouts will occur at Cook Stadium.
Training camp, which is open to the public for a $10 parking fee, is scheduled to wrap up after a 9:30 a.m. practice Aug. 19. All monies raised through parking fees and through the concession stand will go to Rose-Hulman’s general athletic fund.
• More seating room — To help ease what is expected to be overflow crowds this year, the school has also added approximately 500 additional seats to the intramural practice fields, which are located east of the main stadium. Seating capacity will now be around 1,300, up from the 800 available bleacher seats that has been in the norm in past training camps.
• Got a pen? — Fans hoping to obtain autographs would probably be best served by waiting along the fence area near the school’s Sports and Recreation Center after each practice session.
There will be an autograph tent set up near the tennis courts for use after the daily practices, but expect each players’ time in the tent to be limited. Players taking part in the autograph tent after practices will be subject to their availability. Professional autograph seekers will most likely be discouraged from monopolizing the players’ time.
• Keep walking/riding — As in recent years, the public walking and bike path located behind Cook Stadium and Rose-Hulman’s intramural practice fields will be accessible during training camp. Users of the path, however, are asked to continue on with their walk or bike ride and not stop and watch the workouts.
• Radio, media days — Sirius NFL Radio is scheduled to spent a day at training camp with the Colts at Rose-Hulman on Tuesday. The satelilite radio partner of the league will have a live broadcast of “The Afternoon Blitz” from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.with Adam Schein and Solomon Wilcots hosting the program.
Locally, WBOW-AM 1300 is planning to have three live broadcasts during the course of training camp. The shows are tentatively scheduled for Monday; Tuesday, Aug. 7; and Monday, Aug. 13.
John Clayton, ESPN.com’s senior writer, is due in Terre Haute on Monday to watch both practice sessions.
Also, the Colts’ official stations in Indianapolis have changed this year from WFBQ-FM 95.5 to WIBC-AM 1070 and HANK 97.1 FM. Bob Lamey and former coach Ted Marchibroda will continue to handle play-by-play and color analysis.
Three ex-Colts players — Barry Krauss, Wil Wolford and Joe Staysniak — will be part of the team’s pregame radio show.
Did you know?
• The team is planning to raise its Super Bowl XLI championship banner during the Colts’ Sept. 6 home opener with the New Orleans Saints.
As for Lucas Oil Stadium, which will be Indianapolis’ new home beginning with the 2008 season, construction is on schedule.
• When the Colts go into their three-wide receiver set during the 2007 season, all five potential receivers (wide receivers Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez; tight end Dallas Clark, running back Joseph Addai) and quarterback Peyton Manning could all be former first-round draft picks.
Harrison (19th, 1996), Manning (1st, 1998), Wayne (30th, 2001), Clark (24th, 2003), Addai (30th, 2006) and Gonzalez (32nd, 2007).
• Colts coach Tony Dungy was asked recently if there was any player on the team that reminds him of himself. He thought for a moment and then mentioned backup quarterback Jim Sorgi.
“Yeah. We’re both pretty good quarterbacks who have never gotten a chance to play,” Dungy joked.
Sorgi has seen limited action backing up starter Peyton Manning since he joined the team three years ago. Dungy, meanwhile, was a quarterback in college but was moved to safety during his NFL career.
• Manning was kept on a “pitch count” during the team’s mini-camp sessions.
Backup Jim Sorgi got a little more work with the Colts’ first-team offense as Manning was limited in the number of passes that he threw this spring. Assistant head coach/quarterbacks coach Jim Caldwell has had Manning on a throw count for the past two offseasons.
“That’s been a change and it’s made a difference,’’ Manning said. “In November and December last year, I didn’t have any of the arm fatigue problems because of what we do now.’’
• Along with his brothers Eli and Cooper as well as father Archie, Peyton Manning recently conducted the family’s annual summer passing camp at Nicholls State University in Louisiana.
Some of the nation’s top high school quarterbacks, receivers and running backs took part in the week-long camp.
The Manning family donated a new AstroTurf playing surface for the stadium at the school. The turf was installed in June.
• Indianapolis linebacker coach Mike Murphy has seen several good players come and go since he joined the Colts coaching staff in 1998. Thanks to free agency, the team has lost the services of Mike Peterson (Jacksonville), Marcus Washington (Redskins), David Thornton (Tennessee) and, more recently, Cato June (Tampa Bay).
Peterson, Washington, Thornton and June signed contracts worth a combined $78.9 million.
“I’d like to be like Tony Soprano and have them give me a little envelope, a little taste,’’ Murphy jokes. “But seriously, I take it as a compliment.’’
• What they’re saying — “The defensive max exodus is going to hurt them a little bit, but they’re still going to be good because of their offense. Their offense makes other offenses one-dimensional. And it’s a lot easier to play defense against a one-dimensional football team.
“That’s your goal, because you know what’s coming at you. But their [2007] schedule is just absolutely ridiculous. There’s a stretch where I could see them losing four of six games. If they get a couple of key injuries, they could be fighting for a wild card [spot in the playoffs].” Former Denver Broncos offensive guard and current ESPN NFL analyst Mark Schlereth to USA Today Sports Weekly on what he thinks of the Colts’ chances of repeating as Super Bowl champions.
