The NFL Lockout is Over: What it Means to This Indianapolis Colts Fan

Holy Blue and White, the lockout is finally over!  It’s been a long, nervous period without any real football news, but now that the Boys of Sunday are back, it’s time to (quickly) reflect and look forward before the onslaught of daily news hits us.   Below, then is a list of 21 things, one for each week of the season, that the end of the NFL lockout signifies to this Indianapolis Colts fan.   After all, now it’s all about the game(s).

• Mario and the Texans will test a weak O-line right off the bat.  Will Manning even be able to start?
• I’m grateful not to be a Browns fan.
• Big Ben v. Manning could be a preview of post-season fireworks.
• The Colts have a habit of making stars out of opposing runners.   LaGarrette Blount could get his chance this year.
• Do you know which team was the last to lose a game in 2010?  Do you know who beat them?   Hard feelings are a distinct possibility when KC visits Indy.
• I’m REALLY glad not to be a Bengals fan.
• Will Indy fans get their wish and see Reggie Bush punish his former team?
• The AFC South looks pretty weak again this year, but the Colts have a lot of questions.
• Manning and Wayne are still an elite duo;  Ryan and White are closing fast, especially with Roddy’s speed.
• Sunny Jacksonville, and its terrible Jaguars, might be a great opportunity for Anthony Castonzo to make his first start.
• This year, Peyton will be giving thanks for all of the millions he gets in his new deal.
• The Panthers make me want to be a Bengals fan.   I’m sure that Jimmy Clausen will get a warm welcome in his return to Indiana, though.  Or not.
• The Colts have December 4 circled as the day that Hell, aka Boston, will freeze over … again.
• The league seems to be bursting with hot young QBs, like Flacco, but Manning is still the model.
• It won’t be as much fun to play the Titans this year without Jeff Fisher around to flirt with Manning.
• How long have the Texans been threatening to knock the Colts off the roost?  Will it ever happen?  Not this year!
• Indy should get some much needed R&R in sunny Jacksonville on New Year’s Day.  Could this be Manning’s time to finally miss a start?
• The Colts should get their second bye of the season in early January.
• Peyton and company might meet former O-coordinator Tom Moore and the Jets in the playoffs.
• For the first time ever in the Super Bowl era, a team (Colts) will play in the last two games of the whole NFL season at home.
• During the first week of February, I won’t be able to drive anywhere near downtown Indy, but the Lombardi Trophy will be a nice consolation prize for my troubles.

Lace ’em up, and go Colts!