INDIANAPOLIS —
With the exception of placekickers Mike Vanderjagt and Adam Vinatieri, along with punters Hunter Smith and Pat McAfee, special teams has been anything but for the Indianapolis Colts over the past 12 seasons.
No matter who the special teams coach may be — and there have been four (Kevin Spencer, Russ Purnell, Ray Rychelski and now Marwan Maalouf) — since the beginning of the 2000 season, the Colts have continually struggled with punt and kick coverage as well as finding reliable and productive kickoff and punt returners.
The reasons for the unit’s troubles are varied. In recent years, Indianapolis has had problems trying to find good enough people to play on the coverage and return squads. Injuries have certainly played a major factor.
While first-line players rarely, if ever, see special teams duty, the top backups are often used. But when starters get hurt, the top backups are forced to play more. That means the Colts are left with using street free agents and undrafted rookies on special teams.
There have been exceptions over the years, of course. Outside linebacker Robert Mathis was a beast when he played on special teams earlier in his NFL career. He was annually one of the leading tacklers on the special teams unit. In fact, it was his play on special teams that prompted the Colts’ coaching staff to get him on the field more often with the No. 1 defensive unit.
Backup defensive tackle Darrell Reid was another Indianapolis player who gained a reputation as a skilled special teams performer. Several of his hard-nosed tackles on kickoff and punt returners were highlighted on ESPN.
But times change. And with the ever-changing makeup at the bottom of the roster, the last five or six spots on the team, continuity then becomes a major issue. The same people aren’t always on the field on special teams for every game.
The state of the Colts’ special teams units were once again brought into sharper focus during last week’s 59-24 loss at New England. Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman scored on a 68-yard punt return. Edelman also had a 49-yard punt return.
New England cornerback Devin McCourty, meanwhile, averaged 23.5 yards on four kickoff returns. MCourty has a long return of 29 yards.
For the season, Indianapolis is allowing an average of 25.3 yards per kickoff return and 13.7 yards per punt return. Conversely, the Colts are only gaining 19 yards on kickoff returns and 7.9 on punt returns. The disparity on the punt return and kickoff return averages between opponents and Indianapolis is one of a biggest in the league.
Colts interim coach/offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, as well as Maalouf, both recognize that there have been problems on special teams that must be addressed.
But there’s the rub. How exactly to do that remains the big question, especially when today’s opponent — the Buffalo Bills — have three dynamic returners in cornerback Leodis McKelvin, wide receiver Brad Smith and running back C.J. Spiller.
McKelvin is averaging 28.3 yards on 16 kickoff returns. Smith’s average is slightly better (28.7 yards) with less (7) returns and he has an 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. McKelvin, though, is also averaging 21.9 yards on 16 punt returns and has returned two for TDs, including an 88-yarder, so far this season.
“Yeah I think injuries have had an effect on special teams. We’ve had a lot of different guys playing over there. But that’s still no excuse for having a [punt] return [for a touchdown]. And we’re now facing the two best returners in the National Football League,” Arians said late last week.
“We’ve got to [punt] the ball better too. We didn’t kick the ball as well as we’re capable of kicking it in that New England game. Pat McAfee has to have a great game in this game [against the Bills]. We’ve got to cover with our hair on fire because these cats will take it back in a minute.”
Maalouf, who is in his first year as the Colts’ special teams coordinator, knows that his coverage units will be tested this afternoon.
“It’s a lot of young guys with not a lot of experience,” he said this past week. “What we’re trying to do is to pack an entire time that we spent with guys that are still on the team from two-a-days and try to condense that in such a limited amount of time. A little bit of turnover with the roster, along with some injuries, effects special teams a lot.”
He realizes, though, that fans could care less about injuries and roster moves. The vast majority of the Colts’ supporters just want their team to be successful in all areas. No excuses are good enough. Maalouf understands their feelings.
“It’s about results. Absolutely. We still have to do our job. That doesn’t change anything. We need big games from Pat [McAfee]. We need big games from Vinnie [Adam Vinatieri]. And we’ve got to cover [kicks] like we’ve covered in the past,” he said.
“If the wrong things happen at the wrong time, what happened last week [against New England] could be a result of it. That’s what we’re trying to avoid. Especially when you go against great returners. We’re going to see it [today]. They’ve got two exceptional returners. You’ve got to play with great technique and like our hair’s on fire.”
Containing McKelvin and Smith will be vital to the Colts’ success this afternoon.
“I don’t there are two other returners in the league who are on the same team that are as good as these guys. You’re going against two primary kick returners. We’ve got a big task ahead of us,” Maalouf said.
Bills at Colts
The game plan
The keys to a successful Indianapolis Colts home game this week are well known.
Don't cough up the football on offense. Convert on third down on offense. Get the running game going on offense. Score touchdowns in the red zone instead of kicking field goals on offense.
The same goes for the defensive side of the ball. Indianapolis has to create havoc with its pass rush and try to force turnovers. Be aggressive on defense. But also play under control as the Bills like to utilize screen passes to their running backs and receivers.
Key matchups
Colts QB Andrew Luck vs. Bills FS Jarius Byrd. Stanford vs. Oregon — A battle of former Pac 10 standouts. Lucks has thrown 12 interceptions this season. Byrd is a ballhawk with a team-leading four interceptions.
Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Colts OLBs Dwight Freeney/Robert Mathis — Fitzpatrick has been sacked 18 times this season, 10 in the last three games. Freeney and Mathis are the top sacking duo in Colts history. Enough said.
Colts ROT Winston Justice vs. Bills LDE Mario Williams — Justice has been bothered by a knee injury throughout the season. Williams is new to Buffalo after leaving Houston at the end of last season. He has eight tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks this year.
Series
67th regular-season meeting. Bills lead series, 35-30-1. While Buffalo won the last meeting of the two franchises, posting a 30-7 victory in the final game of the 2010 season (when Colts coaches and management decided to rest the team's starters for most of the game due to the impending playoffs), Indianapolis has won six of the past seven games and seven out of the last nine meetings.
Colts
Colts special teams play needs improvement
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Colts' coordinators enjoying getting rookies acclimated
While the Indianapolis Colts put their rookies and a handful of second-year players through workouts this weekend at the team’s Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, a pair of first-year coordinators are getting a chance to do some valuable on-field work as well.
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Werner, 36 others open Colts’ mini camp
The Indianapolis Colts welcomed 37 players to the start of the team’s rookie mini camp Friday at the West 56th Street headquarters.
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Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
A year ago, the Indianapolis Colts received high marks for the impact players the team added through the NFL draft.
Of the 10 players selected, five ended up either starting or seeing extensive playing time (quarterback Andrew Luck, tight ends Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen, wide receiver T.Y. Hilton and running back Vick Ballard) during the Colts’ 11-5 season.
While this year’s class may not rival that group in terms of name recognition and flash, it may produce just as many major contributors once the 2013 season gets underway. -
Werner at top of game
Bjoern Werner was a late comer to football. But after being selected in the first round of the 2013 National Football League draft by the Indianapolis Colts, Werner realizes that he has reached the pinnacle of the sport in a relatively short amount of time.
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Colts select pass rusher Werner in first round
The Indianapolis Colts selected Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner. The 6-foot-3, 266-pound defensive lineman can also play left outside linebacker.
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Colts in wait-and-see mode for tonight’s NFL draft
As the 2013 NFL draft gets underway tonight at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, the Indianapolis Colts are continuing their wait-and-see stance in regard to the first-round pick.
The draft begins at 8 p.m. — televised by the NFL Network and ESPN — with the Kansas City Chiefs making the night’s first selection. Teams will have 10 minutes to make their decisions during the first round. Indianapolis will have the 24th overall pick in the first round.
There will be only one round tonight. The second and third rounds are scheduled for Friday, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with seven minutes allotted per pick in the second round and five minutes allowed in the third. The final four rounds are slated to begin at noon Saturday with four minutes between selections.
As it stands now, Indianapolis does not have a second-round pick. It was traded to Miami last fall in exchange for veteran cornerback Vontae Davis. But second-year general manager Ryan Grigson has nut ruled out the possibility of trading down from the first round if the Colts aren’t satisfied with the players available. -
Direction clear for Colts in 2013 draft
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Colts veteran among those excited to see Luck's growth in 2013-14
Veteran defensive end Cory Redding is a big fan — literally and figuratively — of Indianapolis Colts second-year quarterback Andrew Luck.
Redding, who has become one of the Colts’ lockerroom leaders after just one season with the team, thinks he has some reasonable expectations of Indianapolis’ former No. 1 draft pick. -
Heyward-Bey feeling fortunate to hook up with Luck
Add one more player to the list of veteran free agents signed by the Indianapolis Colts this offseason.
Former Oakland Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey agreed to a a deal with the Colts late Monday evening. Bey, who played collegiately at Maryland, was the seventh player selected in the first round of the 2009 National Football League draft. -
Colts sign nose tackle
Another day, more player signings for the Indianapolis Colts.
Nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin agreed to terms with the Colts on Tuesday evening and officially signed with the team Wednesday. Franklin (6-1, 315) is a 10-year NFL veteran with stops in Baltimore (2003-06), San Francisco (2007-10), New Orleans (2011) and San Diego (2012). -
Colts sign Matt Hasselbeck to back up Luck
The Indianapolis Colts’ roster moves just keep coming.
While the Colts haven’t yet added that big-name wide receiver that team owner Jim Irsay hinted at in tweets over the weekend, Indianapolis has addressed one area on offense.
Former Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck had agreed Monday night to be the Colts’ primary back-up to second-year starter Andrew Luck. He officially signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the team Tuesday morning.
“We are very pleased to announce the signing of Matt Hasselbeck,” general manager Ryan Grigson said in a prepared statement. “His body of work, intangibles, and extensive league experience speak for themselves. Those factors, plus his familiarity with our offensive scheme, will make him a great asset to our team and its vision as we move forward.” -
Colts likely done signing free agents, for now
With the possible exception of adding a few lesser-priced players, the Indianapolis Colts’ big-time foray into the veteran free-agent marketplace is pretty much done.
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Landry, Jean Francois join Colts defensive unit
After adding five veteran free agent players to the Indianapolis Colts roster on Tuesday, general manager Ryan Grigson plucked two more plums late Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon.
New York Jets safety LaRon Landry and San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois both signed contracts with the Colts. Landry, a strong safety who appears to be a bigger version of former Indianapolis Pro Bowler Bob Sanders, and the versatile Jean-Francois are expected to make immediate impacts on the Colts’ defensive unit. -
Colts introduce free-agent signees
What the Indianapolis Colts accomplished last season — posting an 11-5 record and earning an AFC wild-card berth with a young team plus having that kind of success without its head coach on the sidelines for 12 games — didn’t go unnoticed by players around the NFL.
That was especially true for the five veteran free agents who were added to the Colts’ roster Tuesday. Offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus (Detroit), cornerback Greg Toler (Arizona), outside linebacker Erik Walden (Green Bay), offensive guard Donald Thomas (New England) and linebacker Lawrence Sidbury (Atlanta) admitted as much Wednesday.
“I felt like this would be the best fit for me at this point in my career. I really liked what I saw was happening with the program here and the way things have taken shape. I feel like we have a really great team here and it’s on the rise. I really wanted to be a part of that,” Thomas said during a teleconference interview with the Colts’ media. -
Colts sign five free agents, filling needs at offensive line, cornerback
The Indianapolis Colts were a busy team on the opening day of the National Football League’s veteran free agent market, which got underway at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
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Jeff Saturday retires as a Colt
An Indianapolis Colt for life. Pencil in Jeff Saturday for that honor.
The 14-year veteran center in the NFL put an official stamp on a career Thursday that began in Baltimore in 1998 and ended in Green Bay in 2012. But it was those 13 seasons in between — from 1999 to 2011 in which he played for Indianapolis — when Saturday earned his greatest rewards. -
Saturday thrilled to retire as a Colt
The 14-year veteran center in the National Football League put an official stamp on a career Thursday that began in Baltimore in 1998 and ended in Green Bay in 2012. But it was those 13 seasons in-between — from 1999 to 2011 in which he played for Indianapolis — that Saturday earned his greatest rewards.
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Saturday to retire as Colt on Thursday
Former Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday will make his retirement from the National Football League official on Thursday.
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Indianapolis franchises punter McAfee
A week ago, Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano said it was a priority that the team retain the services of punter Pat McAfee.
McAfee, an unrestricted free agent who’s contract is due to expire March 12, was designated as the Colts’ franchise player Friday. The move allows Indianapolis extra time to work out a long-term deal for the team’s special-teams ace.
“He’s huge. He’s a major priority in free agency. Obviously, we’ve reached out and are working to get Pat re-signed,” Pagano said during the National Football Scouting Combine. “We saw what he did for us last year. He’s a great weapon, not only kickoffs and touchbacks. -
Colts GM enjoying time at combine
Indianapolis Colts second-year general manager Ryan Grigson makes no bones about it. He enjoys watching prospective football players strut their stuff.
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Colts keeping eye on large crop of talented linemen in NFL Draft
According to most National Football League draft observers, this year’s crop of prospects is deep with quality offensive and defensive linemen.
Among the offensive line candidates who have been showcasing their talents at the National Football Scouting Combine, which began in earnest Thursday and wraps up on Tuesday, the spotlight has been on the offensive tackles. Offensive left tackles in particular. -
Colts' Pagano back to full work schedule at combine
Back and ready to go.
That’s the attitude Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano is taking during the National Football Scouting Combine, which completed its second day of operations Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium. During a wide-ranging press conference at the combine, Pagano confirmed that he is back to a full work regimen after missing 12 games last fall as he battled a rare form of leukemia.
After undergoing cancer treatments that featured heavy doses of chemotherapy, the second-year head coach was able to return to the sidelines for Indianapolis’ final regular-season home game against Houston and for the team’s AFC wild-card matchup with eventual Super Bowl champion Baltimore. -
Colts looking forward to different approach to draft in 2013
A year ago, the Indianapolis Colts had the first overall pick in the 2012 National Football League draft.
It was a foregone conclusion that the Colts would select former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the selection. While Indianapolis front office and player personnel officials certainly had to do their due diligence in preparing for the draft, the Colts find themselves this year in a bit different situation.
The team will have the 24th overall pick in the first round, which is a double-edged sword. Indianapolis picks lower in the round due to a successful season. But the pool of available can’t-miss talent isn’t quite as plentiful as drafting earlier in the round. -
Former Pro Bowl selection Freeney won't return to Colts
The news coming out of the Indianapolis Colts headquarters Friday afternoon was not totally unexpected. Team officials have confirmed that two veteran players – former Pro Bowl defensive end/outside linebacker Dwight Freeney and wide receiver Austin Collie — will not be returning for the 2013 season.
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Colts’ new offensive coordinator will offer variety
Quarterback Andrew Luck running the Pistol offense? Wide receiver T.Y. Hilton lining up in the Wildcat?
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Colts moving on to the off season
Moving on. That’s the immediate plans for the Indianapolis Colts as they head into the off season.
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Baltimore ends Indy’s playoff run early
The Baltimore Ravens want one long final ride for Ray Lewis. Having disposed of Andrew Luck and the Colts, they now face a more imposing challenge.
Next up, Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. -
Switching sides: Colts-Ravens matchup includes old friends on new teams
Just as Baltimore Ravens players and coaches will be seeing some old friends returning to M&T Bank Stadium today, several Indianapolis Colts veterans will also have an opportunity to renew acquaintances with a familiar face.
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Pagano prepares Colts for tough crowd in Baltimore
As a former resident of Baltimore, Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano knows all about the hard feelings that still run strong about the move of the Colts franchise to Indianapolis in 1984.
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Pagano marvels at Colt’s progress
In the minutes after last Sunday’s win over AFC South champion Houston, Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano marveled at how the 2012 season has progressed for his team.
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