Where Do The Colts Go From Here?
With 2015 behind us where do the Indianapolis Colts go from here? There is a little soul searching to be done this offseason.
By Colts standards 2015 was a failure, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Much has been said about where the team needs improvement. The coaching staff has already been overhauled. Free agency is upon us and of course, everybody’s favorite, the NFL draft. The team also plans to get star quarterback Andrew Luck signed up long term.
Knowing that, the Colts have to protect their investment. Colts owner Jim Irsay has made it clear that the offensive line needs to be addressed. New offensive line coach Joe Philbin was summoned by Mr. Irsay after being hired to talk about the importance of shoring up the o-line. There has been a lot of speculation about the Colts looking at a tackle in the first round.
That wouldn’t be a bad pick, but the interior of the line is where they really struggled. Joe Reitz played well at tackle, he can really hold his own. Check out his film against J.J Watt. The interior on the hand has been atrocious. The Colts desperately need a rock solid center. Khaled Holmes and Jonotthan Harrison have struggled and neither seems to be getting any better.
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Way too often last year we’d see the center position being driven backwards. Hugh Thornton and Jack Mewhort are solid at guard although Thornton has had issues staying healthy. No matter what, when the owner stresses something everyone in the building listens, so expect changes.
On the other side of the ball there’s still a lot of work to be done. The Colts were better against the run but there is still some inconsistency. The defensive front was banged up all year long. Other than Kendall Langford, David Parry, and Zach Kerr just about every other lineman was hurt at some point. Getting Art Jones and Henry Anderson back from injury will be extremely helpful.
The key here is health. If you can get a healthy Jones and Anderson alongside Langford, you’re looking at something scary. That said, the Colts will always be looking to solidify the defensive line.
The secondary has been a strong point but again last season was nagged by injuries. Lowry is moving on and Toler isn’t expected back which means there will be changes in the secondary. The Colts have stayed pretty quiet so far in free agency but that isn’t a bad thing. If we learned anything from last year its that you don’t win championships in free agency.
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The Colts have a ton of talent on the team already but they have to find a way to stay healthy. Allow some of the young talent to show what they can do. Protect 12 and establish a stronger run game. Put a few more pieces in play for the defense and the Colts will be fine.