AFC South Preview: Same old song as Colts will still rule
For the majority of his professional career, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has been linked with Dan Marino. His proclivity for breaking Marino’s passing records has a lot to do with it; his lack of mobility and NFL playoff success only furthered the comparison.
This year, though, the Marino-Manning correlation may be more relevant than ever. With Edgerrin James relocating to the Valley of the Sun, Manning will now embark on a career without a trusty, Pro Bowl-caliber runner in the backfield. That’s something Marino (who lined up with the likes of Lorenzo Hampton, Sammie Smith, Mark Higgs and Bernie Parmalee) knew all too well during his 17-year career.
For the rest of the division, though, James’s departure means something entirely different. It’s the first visible chink in the Colts’ offensive armour. It gives Jacksonville, Tennessee and Houston the mental edge to contain what appeared to be an unstoppable scoring machine.
And the three bridesmaids will need all they can get to knock Indy off the top of the divisional wedding cake. The Colts have gone 16-2 versus the AFC South during their three-year reign of dominance; only the Jaguars have defeated them in regular-season play since 2003.
But with the AFC South looking as suspect as ever, 2006 is shaping up to be yet another regular season of Indianapolis Colt dominance. Except for James, all the key components from the NFL’s most efficient offense return. Coach Tony Dungy seems confident that a platoon system of Dominic Rhodes and LSU rookie Joseph Addai will adequately replace The Edge.
But the biggest addition to the offense might come at one of the least celebrated positions. The King of Clutch, Adam Vinatieri, steps in to replace the talented-but-flaky Mike Vanderjagt. Manning reportedly “loves” having Vinatieri on board, and has already established a rhythm for two-minute drills and quick-scoring drives.
This could impact the point totals for the touchdown-crazy Indy offense; with a trustworthy kicker in the bag and inexperienced backs running the ball, the Colts could find themselves frequently in scoring position, but not always in the end zone.
The Indianapolis Colts play host to the Super Bowl runner-up Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, August 20. The Colts are out to prove their offense hasn’t lost a step, while the Seahawks are looking to break the dreaded “Curse of the Super Bowl Loser”. Bet on NFL preseason games now.
AFC South Prediction: Expect the Colts to still win the division and falter again in the NFL Playoffs.
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