I admit it, I was wrong. Those of you that send those flattering emails from time to time – no need to remind me. I gave the Indianapolis Colts no chance of doing anything significant this year and now halfway through the season they continue to prove me, and quite a few others, dead wrong.
Sure their schedule has only included two legitimate playoff contending opponents so far, but they do not determine who they line up against each week, and it is exactly the same schedule that I reviewed when I said they would finish 4-12 this year. I figured their lack of depth will hurt them when the inevitable injuries that go hand in hand with the NFL struck them, but they have hung tough through that as well.
The sudden loss of head coach Chuck Pagano, as he bravely battles leukemia, would have been enough to derail any team, but that development has proven to be inspirational rather than damaging.
Throw in a rookie quarterback – albeit a blue chip one – replacing a legendary predecessor, and this team could have simply mailed it in and looked forward to the early beginning of the off season.
Now the fork in the road they are staring at offers an opportunity for what has become the biggest story in the NFL this season – sorry Atlanta – to continue, and make those of us who doubted them even more impressed than we ever thought possible.
Colts general manager Ryan Grigson has done a very solid job in putting together a team quickly that doesn’t have a legitimate superstar, but rather a unit that is beginning to pride itself on the fact that as a group they are better than many have given them credit for.
However, despite all this conversation about the probability of an imminent playoff birth, there are still some facts that bear consideration. The Colts have won a number of close games, and with a different bounce of the ball here and one less penalty there, could just as easily be 2-6 right now. They have some tough road games ahead and as the maturation process continues, their deficiencies on the defensive side of the football could be showcased in a glaring manner.
While the running game has shown some improvement, they have yet to establish a consistent ground attack, which places more emphasis and pressure on Andrew Luck to air it out even more often. Luck has been nothing short of splendid and will only keep improving, as long as he remains healthy.
Can you name any of them without referring to a program? No. While they have performed admirably at times, they have had problems as well. With injuries comes the need for depth, and unfortunately that depth just does not exist. Before you say I am raining on the parade, let me just say their scrappy play and yeoman effort is acknowledged and appreciated, but the fact remains this is still an unproven football team.
Not so fast you say? The Colts are 5-3 and many of the same prognosticators who wrote them off are now forecasting the number of winnable games their remaining schedule contains and just what they need to do to secure a berth in the post season. I say forget about that and let the chips fall where they may.
This team has already provided more entertainment and honest pleasure than you expected, so if they do not maintain the momentum, so be it.
Simply look at how they have embraced the opportunities they have had, and how the “new guy” has shown the entire free world that he is a big time prospect. Revel in the joy that comes from things looking up, and do not put too much into what happens the rest of the season as it is simply the beginning of a new era.
So as you prepare for the second half of the season, be patient, take it all in with a grain of salt, and be realistic.
Danny Bridges, who would respectfully request eight more games before being deemed totally incorrect about the Colts, can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or at Bridgeshd@aol.com.
