AFC South Tweetbag-How Good Were Wade's Offenses?

Welcome to the Friday afternoon mailbag! Each Friday, I'll try to field your questions sent via Twitter, email ([e-mail]), or in the comments.

The first question today comes from the comments section of my article this morning on Wade Phillips.

Q: Shane Vereen wants to know about the offenses that Wade Phillips' defenses had to work with in his second year.

A: Here's a chart with Wade's second year offensive numbers, as well as how they compare to his first year.

Team	O Rank	Better or Worse
NO 82	26	Better
PHI 87	12	Better
DEN 90	16	Worse
BUF 96	15	Worse
ATL 03	20	Worse
SD 05	5	Worse
DAL 08	18	Worse

So, the offenses tended to have worse years in Phillips' second year, although the San Diego Chargers were still a top 5 offense. Most of those teams were average offensively, ranking in the middle third of the NFL. They were neither elite nor horrible.

Q: Dan Svirsky asks via email:

Why is it necessarily the wrong way to rebuild for the Colts to move towards big O-lines?  Why is one scheme necessarily better or worse?  Especially given that Howard Mudd is gone, why stick with the smaller/lighter scheme if the coaching talent isn't there?

A: It's a great question. My comment might have seemed a little out of the blue, but it relates back to repeated statements by Chuck Pagano that he wants to build a team that can 'run the ball and stop the run'. I consider "Del Rio Ball" the single worst strategy a team can employ in the modern NFL. The move to pick up bigger linemen in general isn't a big deal, but coupled with the public statements of the upper management and the fact that both Colts' signings were previously cut by Howard Mudd, I sense a direction that will leave the Colts listing aimlessly for several years.

Q: @NateDunlevy Who do u think will replace Garcon?Anyone within the organization or do you think they're still looking for a trade or pickup?

"— Chris Mitchell (@IndyColts26) March 16, 2012"

A: The Colts are going to have to find a big play wideout either in the 2012 draft or in free agency next year. They don't have anyone on the roster to do what Garcon did. Frankly, they hardly have anyone on the roster at all. How (and if) the Colts choose to address the wide receiver spot in the next 12 months will reveal a lot about their overall offensive philosophy moving forward.

Reggie Wayne and Austin Collie are nice players who catch the ball, but neither one can be confused with a true burner.

Q: @NateDunlevy mailbag...what r u thoughts on this article in general, and specifically about PM and JI's relationship?

"— Matt E (@Peyton4Prez_XLI) March 16, 2012"

A: There were rumors of a rift between the Colts and Manning for months. I don't know how much the revelation can be trusted, but it doesn't surprise me either. I'm no mind reader, but I can't imagine Peyton Manning is taking kindly to being released. He may sign with the Titans just to spite Irsay. If that happens, heaven help them.

Q:  @NateDunlevy You think PM to Titans is more about selling tix than winning? Ten will love PM no matter what. He kicked their a** for 9yrs

"—  )Randy Dice (@dicemantoo March 16, 2012"

A: I think the Titans want Manning because they think he'll help them win. I'm not so sure it's a good fit, but this is much, much more than a publicity stunt. You don't spend the kind of money it would take to get him if you don't intend to win and win big.