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Colts earn another ‘average’ offseason grade

By Evan Reller

Nov 8, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) makes hand signals at the line of scrimmage during a game against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeats Denver 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) makes hand signals at the line of scrimmage during a game against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeats Denver 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Indianapolis Colts have had a very quite offseason, and while they haven’t made headline, that’s probably for the best.

The Colts are halfway done with their organized team activities. They’ve signed all of their rookies (made much easier by the rookie wage scale) and the few players returning from injury are on track for opening day.

The team hasn’t made national headlines this offseason, but they were due for a quiet year after being crowed Super Bowl champs last May (and subsequently falling flat on their face once the season began). The only thing that will garner attention nationally will be Andrew Luck‘s upcoming contract extension, as he’s sure to set the new standard for upper tier quarterbacks.

Pro Football Focus is in the process of evaluating every team’s offseason. Keeping with what seems to be the national average for the Colts, PFF’s Josh Liskiewitz gave the Colts a “C” for 2016 so far.

There are a few things that stand out from the PFF perspective.

  • No improvement? Liskiewitz says that with so little roster change the Colts aren’t likely to improve on an 8-8 record from 2015. He even mentions Luck returning, but that doesn’t seem to move the needle. Luck coming back (and staying healthy) is easily good enough for two or three more wins this season, which would be about where the team has been the previous three season. Whether or not that will be enough to win the division remains to be seen.
  • The Patrick Robinson addition. Robinson had the 13th-best coverage rating in the NFL, allowing a passer rating of just 74.0 on passes his way. Liskiewitz believes that this could become one of the better corner back duos in the NFL between Robinson and Vontae Davis. If true, that would improve the pass rush in a roundabout way, or at least give the perception of improvement.
  • Addition by subtraction. No Andre Johnson, Khaled Holmes, Bjoern Werner or, most importantly, Greg Toler to drag down their respective units anymore. The Colts have either upgraded at each spot or flat out cut off the dead weight to give other players a shot.
  • Dwayne Allen re-signing being a puzzling move. Liskiewitz shows Allen’s grades over the past four years, and they steadily decline, although 2013 is misleading since he only recorded a few snaps before his season-ending hip injury. 2015 was a mess, but so was the entire offense, and Allen was chronically mis-used by both offensive coordinators (and once again couldn’t escape injury). Allen was the clear choice over Coby Fleener, who is a wide receiver with poor effort in a tight end’s body. Allen does have to stay healthy for this to be a wise decision, but there is no question he could be a top 10 (or even five) tight end in the NFL.

    • More from Horseshoe Heroes

    The Draft.

    Good. Bad. Good. Bad. PFF either loves or hates the Colts picks. The “

    T.J. Green

    is terrible in coverage” is getting tiresome, especially for a safety who played more in the box in run support than in coverage. He has all the phyiscal tools you need in a safety, and a great secondaries coach in Chuck Pagano. DT

    Hassan Ridgeway

    on the other hand is hailed as a fantastic value pick, and one who will contribute as a pass rusher immediately (on a very deep defensive line). They also don’t like the number of missed tackles from linebacker

    Antonio Morrison

    , but note he has a lot of potential.

  • Future moves. Liskiewitz notes that once the Colts sign Luck, there are a few players they might consider bringing in. He lists a few safeties, but that is a doubtful move (barring any injuries of course). But the idea of bringing in running back Joique Bell as a change of pace back is certainly an interesting idea. Outside of Frank Gore, the backfield is very uninspiring.

    • The bland offseason is very reminiscent of the Bill Polian-Peyton Manning years. Little to no free agent signings, and the hope that the young talent develops. If the team has indeed nailed the past two drafts, things could be looking up for the Colts. The 2016 season is going to hinge on Luck’s health and the development of a lot of first and second-year players.

    Safe to say that the mostly new coaching staff has their work cut out for them.

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