The Indianapolis Colts had one of the most boring offenses in the NFL in 2011, but there were many reasons for that. In 2012 though, the Colts will be operating offensively with an array of changes, both players and coaches. When you look at all the changes, you realize just how tough it may be for ANDREW LUCK early on. The Colts are in rebuilding mode and Colts fans better not expect immediate success because they’re not going to get it.
Luck should be the Colts starting quarterback from day one, but he will only have four offensive players at his disposal who have proved themselves so far in this league. But at least he will have two players on the Colts in COBY FLEENER at tight end and GRIFF WHALEN at receiver who played with him at Stanford for three years (2009-2011). That sounds great and all, but both are rookies along with Luck, with the undrafted Whalen having to deal with seven other receivers (it’s only June and the Colts may sign more receivers in the coming months) to make the Colts active roster in 2012.
The Colts will return two out of four receivers in 2012 who contributed to their passing game last year in REGGIE WAYNE and AUSTIN COLLIE. Both of them can still give defenses problems but Wayne is aging and Collie is an injury risk. Plus, neither one of them are big-time game breakers. But the Colts tried to address their issues at receiver in this past draft with the selection of TY HILTON in the third round (92nd pick), LAVON BRAZILL in the sixth round (206th pick), coupled with the signing of five-year veteran DONNIE AVERY. Hilton already is the most exciting receiver on the roster, but he is just a rookie and very thin. Avery may be the fastest receiver the Colts have as he possesses sub 4.3 speed, but injuries and inconsistency have mired his career thus far. He has to prove that his underachieving and injury-prone days are behind him and that he can be a No. 3 or No. 4 receiver in this offense. He has a lot to prove in 2012.
The Colts currently have ten receivers on their roster with only 20 percent of them (Wayne and Collie) having proven themselves in this league. Luck may have to rely on Wayne and Collie a lot this year until the younger or a veteran free agent receiver(s) get up to speed. Collie is in the last year of his contract this year, and so he could be auditioning not only to be brought back next year to the Colts but also for other teams.
Every single tight end that the Colts possess has only been in the league two years or less. That doesn’t bode well for a rookie quarterback who likes to go through all his progressions and who doesn’t just like to rely on receivers to catch his passes. That’s why it is important that rookie tight ends Fleener and DWAYNE ALLEN progress faster than expected. This offense needs a tight end to step up like DALLAS CLARK did in his glory days (2007-2009) in this town.
At running back the Colts said goodbye to six-year veteran JOSEPH ADDAI. He was a player who for four straight years couldn’t recapture the promise he showed from 2006-2007 as a first round draft pick out of LSU. Rookie DELONE CARTER outplayed him many times when he got the chance and he is a harder runner than Addai ever was. Carter is a determined and hungry back who won’t wow anyone with his speed or overall ability, but he is a solid football player and one the Colts need to incorporate into their offense. Versus the New Orleans Saints in Week 7 and with the Colts down 31-0 in the first half, Carter took the hand-off from quarterback CURTIS PAINTER, broke two tackles, kept his balance along the sideline, made most of the Superdome and the NBC broadcasters think he was tackled, and ran forward until he was finally tackled at the end of a 42 yard run. It was plays like that from him that has let the Colts know that they can move on from Addai.
Then there is DONALD BROWN who has two more years left on his contract and who has thus far been a bust. Brown is a talented athlete and player, but good or great plays from him have to come more than once in a while. In a 27-13 win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 15 last year, Brown scored on one of the better plays of the season for any team. Brown received the hand-off from quarterback DAN ORLOVSKY, then he had to dodge a sure tackle by linebacker AKEEM AYERS at the 15 yard line, then defensive end JASON JONES had a chance to get him but was blocked away from him by receiver PIERRE GARCON, then he sped to his left and ran wide from defensive back MICHAEL GRIFFIN, received a helpful block from Wayne, then a nice line-up/interference block from tight end JACOB TAMME along the left sideline, and lastly he sped the last 70 yards to complete an 80 yard run and to further put the Titans away with 3:26 left in the game. That play was exhilarating, but Brown has not made enough of those plays to warrant being the 27th overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft. Brown has a lot to prove in 2012 and as cold as the NFL is, if he doesn’t have a good season this year he may be gone by 2013.
Outside of Carter and Brown, the Colts don’t have any running backs who have gained a yard for them, with one of them being a rookie in VICK BALLARD who was drafted in the 5th round (170th pick overall).
On the offensive line, the Colts return four players in left tackle ANTHONY CASTONZO, right tackle JEFF LINKENBACH, and left guards JOE REITZ, and SETH OLSEN (he played right guard too). All four of them are young and have a ways to go. And they all had to grow up fast last year with all the injuries and disarray that was a major part of the Colts offense. Castonzo is a big and athletic player who needs to improve on his nasty streak early and later during plays. He does have periods when his mean streak, hand punch, feet movement, and technique are all in sync. He will need to continue to use those skills as he will have a lot to do with Luck’s success from here on out.
Linkenbach is also a work in progress but he does have ability and he has a wide wing-span and he uses it to his advantage in the run and pass games. His footwork needs work and he needs a harder or colder stalemate punch in the pass game. He needs to also bend his knees and not be such a lean over type of pass blocker. Meanwhile, he is the Colts only offensive lineman who returns in 2012 who started every game last year. Reitz has long arms and a distaste for defensive tackles and ends. He and Linkenbach will be in for a big fight for the right tackle job. Olsen filled in when injuries struck RYAN DIEM at right guard. Olsen is decent but he will have major competition to start at right guard in 2012.
Out of all their returning starters on the offensive line in 2012, only Castonzo is guaranteed a starting position. Plus the Colts tried to make upgrades in the draft and in free agency to improve a line that wasn’t that good, experienced, or physical enough in 2011. The Colts were bad offensively across the board last year, as they mustered no better than 26th in the entire league in the most important offensive categories. At center they signed SAMSON SATELE (who has more ability than the vacated/aging but very effective JEFF SATURDAY), but they only took one offensive lineman in the draft in JUSTIN ANDERSON who wasn’t taken until the 7th round (208th pick overall).
BOTTOM LINE: Luck will throw to aging, injury risky, and young receivers in 2012. He will have unproven and young tight ends to rely on. His running backs are young and there are no consistent or proven game-breakers among them. He will operate behind a young and/or average offensive line. These are the reasons why people need to be patient with Luck and the Colts. The NFL is not a sprint and it never will be. It is a process. And even as gifted and smart as Luck is, he will need time to work his magic and be the quarterback that he is capable of being.
By Matthew Robinson
