Indianapolis Colts: State of the Franchise—2009

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Those seven straight years of playoff appearances are indicative of the Tony Dungy era, which lasted from 2002-08.

Needless to say, Jim Caldwell has some huge shoes to fill. It remains to be seen whether he will bring the Colts the same success that his predecessor brought, but with such a high standard of excellence it’s hard to believe that anything less than a playoff berth will be acceptable to Indianapolis’ hardcore football fans.

Chances of Winning in the Future

The window for a Super Bowl is generally regarded as about three to five years. Thus, one would think that with Indy winning the Super Bowl three years ago, and being touted as contenders for a couple of years before that, their window is closed.

Peyton Manning is 32. Reggie Wayne is 30. Dwight Freeney is 29. But that’s where veteran leadership comes into play.

None of the wide receivers besides Wayne have more than three years of experience. Donald Brown sits behind four-year starter Joseph Addai on the depth chart. Their offensive line is full of youth and veterans alike. If the successors at all of these positions can learn from their predecessors and superiors, they will stand to be an offensive powerhouse for a long time coming.

They will need to bolster their pass rush in upcoming offseasons to help them continue their production on defense. Though their outside linebackers caused four forced fumbles, they produced zero sacks last season. That’s right, a donut.

They are stacked with youth nearly everywhere else on defense, especially in the secondary, and the continued development of key role players will be essential in the Colts defense remaining among the league’s elite over the coming years.

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