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Indianapolis Colts
Posted: Sun April 19, 1998 at 9:53 p.m.
* compensatory pick
QB - One thing is for sure in the upcoming draft... the Colts will select a QB with the first overall pick. They will workout Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf in Indianapolis, before the draft. They are leaning towards Manning right now. Both have the potential to be great, but Manning is probably the guy who has the best chance to be successful early in his career... he is more polished than Leaf, however, Leaf may have the best upside. Paul Justin has been dealt to the Bengals for a 5th rd. selection, so they may also add a veteran type before the 1998 season. Kelly Holcombe saw extensive action last season, and is capable of backing up Leaf or Manning.
RB - Marshall Faulk got off to a slow start, but got going late in the season as their young OL came together. Faulk still has a lot of talent, but has stumbled out of the gate the past 2 seasons... in large part, because he has had problems staying healthy. Faulk needs a big year, keeping the pressure off their young QB. Lamont Warren has primarily been used in the nickle package, but has flashed good running skills when they give him a chance. With Faulk's ineffectiveness at times, don't be surprised to see them add another RB in the middle rounds.
WR - Haven't re-signed WR Sean Dawkins yet, which is a must with them planning on drafting a QB. Dawkins lacks great speed, but is the most consistent WR threat. He has improved in each of the NFL seasons. Dawkins was the only WR on the roster who got open on a consistent basis last season. 1996 rookie WR Marvin Harrison has exc. speed, but isn't a polished route runner yet... he rounds off a lot of his routes, struggling to get full separation. If Dawkins isn't in their plans, they have to grab a WR early in the draft. #3 WR Aaron Bailey is more of a RS, and #4 WR Brian Stablein was a FA who signed elsewhere. They will also need a big season from WR Nate Jacquet, who spent most of his rookie season on the sidelines.
TE - One of the better overall units in the NFL... the OL has to get off to a better start this season... if they do, TE Ken Dilger should return to form. Dilger struggled for much of the season, in large, because they had to leave him in to block on passing downs. It was no surprise that his best game of 1997 was vs. the Dolphins, who have one of the worst pass rushes in the NFL. Backup Marcus Pollard was signed to an offer sheet by the Eagles, but the Colts matched the offer, retaining his services. Pollard is very athletic. Expect him to see more action this season.
OL - A large part of the teams failures last season was their struggling OL... LT Adam Meadows and RG Tarik Glenn struggled for much of their rookie seasons. Glenn was expected to start at LT, but his long holdout forced them to move him inside where he could pick up the offense quicker. Meadows was a disaster early, but played very well late, showing that he could be counted on at LT in 1998... don't be surprised to see them keep Glenn at OG. They matched the Bears offer sheet to RT Tony Mandarich, keeping this unit intact. With a year of playing together under their belt, this unit should get off to a much better 1998 season. Depth is a ?, could add some bodies in the middle rounds.
DL - Up and down unit that underachieved for much of the seaon. FA DE Albert Fontenot didn't produce as expected, and DT Tony McCoy continues to waste his talents. McCoy was finally benched late in the season. The biggest ? is at RDE, where Tony Bennett is hobbled with knee problems again. The team used the transition tag on him this offseason, but he talked about retirement after his latest knee injury. The most consistent performer was DE Dan Footman... he is known as a run stuffer, but almost reached double digit sacks, in a half seasons work. If Bennett returns, he could challenge at RDE. A lot of bodies here, but his production is marginal... could look for some help in the draft.
LB - Unit spent most of 1997 shelved with injuries... had a different starting lineup from week to week. MLB Stephen Grant was bothered by neck problems, and OLB's Quentin Coryatt and Elijah Alexander had to fight through nagging injuries. FA Jeff Herrod was cut last preseason, but the team re-signed him as a FA away from the Eagles. Herrod will move back into his MLB spot. The depth here isn't very good, as showed by their problems in dealing with injuries last season. Could look for some help in the middle rounds.
DB - The addition of FA DC Jeff Burris will help, but he is overrated and isn't going to be their savior... they can't count on the fragile Burris being a 16 game guy. His addition gives them a solid starting unit though. The biggest concern may be in the nickle... they have given up on 1996 2nd rd. pick Dedric Mathis, and 1997 rookie Mony Montgomery struggled. This unit is another DC away from being a pretty solid unit.
ST - PK Cary Blanchard was very erratic after a great 1996 season... they will bring someone in to challenge him in the preseason. Pt Chris Gardocki is one of the best in the business. The return game should be in good hands with Aaron Bailey... when the offense was struggling last season, Bailey was the only spark... he was very close to taking a few KOR's for TDs. The cover units should improve as they add some depth in the upcoming draft.
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