Following his team’s practice on Wednesday night, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay noted that he could already sense something particularly special with this year’s squad.
That there was seemingly some “magic in the air” surrounding the horseshoe. That is, besides watching his superstar quarterback Andrew Luck throw yet another tight spiral of course:
"“No question,” said Irsay at training camp when asked if he could sense something different this year. “We were just talking about that when we were breaking the huddle. I think there’s magic in the air for sure, and at the same time, you’re sitting here on August 5th knowing what a long haul that it is. You know what it really takes to get in the playoffs and then to win playoff games and all those sort of things.” “But when you take this team, and we realize what they did last year and you add the presence of a Frank Gore or Andre Johnson, Robert Mathis coming back, and some other veterans that we got including a great draft, obviously we feel really good about it,” added Irsay. “Obviously, there’s some things that have to gel,” noted Irsay. “People are asking about the offensive line, making sure that’s going to be solid enough, productive enough that it’s not a weak link. Obviously, on occasion, defensively stopping the run and that sort of thing. And we’re excited to prove that we’re a physical team. That we’re more than just an athletic team that can throw the ball. But, we really think that’s there’s something special in the air and can’t wait to get it started.”"
By all indications, Irsay may have a point too. Right now, something just feels right with this Colts team. Whether it’s because of a wizard inconspicuously waving his wand shouting “Ala-shazam” or just a team well-stocked with talent, this year’s Colts have the potential to achieve some truly great things.
Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay during the 2014 AFC Divisional Round football game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Colts defeated the Broncos 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
With Frank Gore anchoring the ground game and Andre Johnson providing a proven complementary threat to T.Y. Hilton–not to mention rookie Phillip Dorsett adding another dynamic weapon to what’s already an arsenal, and the Colts offense should be downright destructive to opposing defenses. That is, if their offensive line can hold up.
As Irsay notes, the bigger issue may be on defense, where the Colts must prove they can stop the run and be more physical as a unit at the point of attack. The offense had a number of high-profile additions, whereas not as much was readily invested on the other side of the football to bolster the defense.
Still, this year’s Colts team has the makings of a strong Super Bowl contender. If they can stay healthy and learn to play both together and for one another, they have as good of a shot as anyone to hoist up the elusive Lombardi Trophy come February in Santa Clara, California.
Simply put, they’ve got the magic in them.
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