Indianapolis Colts 2010’s All-Decade team
By Ryan Stano
Quarterback was an easy decision to make. Starting honors go to Andrew Luck, who played for the team from 2012 until his retirement during training camp a year ago. He played only 6 seasons after sitting out 2017 because of a shoulder injury, and it’s a shame we never got to see his full career trajectory.
Even so, he had a productive career. He made 4 Pro Bowls and won Comeback Player of the Year in 2018 when he threw for 4,593 yards, 39 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. He was one of the toughest players the Colts have ever had, and would still be playing if he had a decent offensive line in front of him.
Backup was an easy choice too. Even though he only played one season in the 2010’s Peyton Manning put up a good one. In 2010, he threw for 4,700 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. He led the team to the playoffs right before his neck injury ended his career with the team.
Running back was a much harder choice. They didn’t have a lot of good ones in that decade. There was no Edgerrin James or even a Joseph Addai. We eventually decided that the starter should be the only player from the Colts to make the NFL’s All-Decade team, Frank Gore.
Gore was good in the three years he was in Indy. He ran for over 1,000 yards in two of his three seasons despite running behind an inferior offensive line. Gore was able to provide solid offense even in his early to mid-30s, which is incredible.
His backup is Marlon Mack. Mack has also played three seasons with the Colts and is coming off his best one in 2019. He ran for 1091 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2019 after running 908 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2018. His change of pace from Gore’s physical running style would be deadly.
Next up, we look at the wide receivers and tight ends.