Marvin Harrison has signed a 7-year extension with the Colts for $67 million. I have been wondering how the Colts would deal with Harrison, Stokely, and James; and what affect that would have on the defense. Now we know.
If they sign Edgerrin James and Brandon Stokley to new contracts in the off-season, they will have little to no room under the cap to improve the defense. If they want to improve the defense, they will have to let James or Stokely go.
Harrison's signing, I think, shows they are committed to keeping the offense intact no matter what. That means a few more years of explosive offense and poor defense.
You have to question the wisdom of this approach. I have never agreed with spending all your money on a few studs while the rest of the team deteriorates. The Colts will become a team one injury away from disaster. If Manning or Harrison go down, offensive production could drop drastically, and their defense is not capable of carrying them for any length of time.
Another factor to consider. How happy is Edgerrin James? What must he be thinking watching the Colts throwing 2-yard TD passes while he is a decoy? He may a good team player, but he has to consider other options if he wants to be the featured player on his team.
And finally, the Colts have not gone deep into the playoffs and made a serious run at the Super Bowl under Manning. They are a team built for winning indoors. How will that help them against Pittsburgh, New England, or any other serious AFC playoff contender? It won't. They have ignored the success formula of the rest of the NFL playoff teams; strong running game, strong defense, good team balance.
The Colts have guaranteed winning seasons and probable division titles for the next few years, but they have also guaranteed continued playoff failures.
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2 comments:
I couldn't agree more with your take on the Colts. However, I don't think the Colts should hold onto a RB like James. Injuries the past couple of years has slowed him down enough, plus with the passing attack, most teams will be in a nickle defense just to try and stop that. I think Rhodes can have success in this offense (not as much as James) but enough to keep that team balanced.
Without defensive help though, they had better score 31 points/game if they want to go to the Super Bowl. Not sure if they can score that much on NE or Pitt, but remember, a fumble away and the Colts beat NE on opening night this season.
Besides, those two teams don't have as explosive offenses like the Colts do, both of those teams rely on their defense to give them that upper edge.
My prediction at the beginning of this season was the Colts in the Super Bowl, and I still stand by that. I think NE will face the Colts for the AFC Championship game (As they did last year) but a different outcome.
Steve, thanks for your comment. You are the first to do so on this very new blog! I do agree with you assessment of the Colts with one exception. I do not think the Colts can get to the Super Bowl without having home-field advantage.
You mentioned that the Colts came close to beating the Pats in the first week. True. But that is the sort of thing that happens to dome teams on the road. And remember, it was a warm night in September, not the freezing cold of a New England winter.
Maybe we will get the opportunity to see this re-match in the playoffs.
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