Indianapolis Colts: Recapping the Latest Buzz Heading into Training Camp

In this dead period of the NFL and Indianapolis Colts calendar, it's difficult to find real, applicable news.

That is, unless you've recently been involved in a fireworks accident.

Still, writers, fantasy experts and fans are abuzz with excitement while preparing for the 2015 season. Oftentimes, this includes predicting the final roster or setting realistic expectations for newcomers.

But there have been a few other noteworthy discussions about the Colts circling the Web, many of which revolve around fantasy football. Owners are preparing for the 2015 season, and every bit of news and information is relished.

So if you're salivating for some notes to chew on, keep reading!

Andrew Luck's Ascension?

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Andrew Luck is not new to offseason praise.

Last season, it was whether or not Luck could join the rank of elite quarterbacks in the NFL. He responded by leading the league in touchdown passes.

This offseason, it seems that Luck is almost universally acclaimed as not only one of the best quarterbacks in the league, but one of the best players at any position.

Luck was ranked seventh in NFL Network's NFL 100 list, a list created by player votes. All six of the Around the NFL staff members ranked Luck among the top 10 players in the NFL, with five of the six listing him in the top four. He ranked fourth on Bleacher Report's NFL 1000 list. Sports Illustrated's Andy Benoit recently ranked him as the third-best quarterback entering 2015.

There are very few detractors left on the Andrew Luck train.

Statistically, he was a top-seven quarterback in almost every key category in 2014. But if Luck truly is the future of the league, this is his season to lead the NFL, or at least come close, in efficiency. Last season, Luck was at or near the top before a few key injuries to Ahmad Bradshaw and Dwayne Allen slowed the offense down the stretch.

This year, with a much deeper and more talented offense, Luck has a chance to have a very special season and cement his spot among the league's elite.

Can the Colts Dethrone New England?

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Andrew Luck has been traveling a lot this offseason, including a recent trip to London to host a quarterbacks camp. While there, he had a few interview opportunities and answered a few questions for BritViewNFL.com.

He talked about a number of topics, including the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots:

"

The Patriots are obviously the defending Super Bowl champs and our defending conference champs so there’s a high amount of respect for that team and what they do. They’re the kings of the league right now and everybody would like to dethrone them – we’d like to dethrone them but you have to look at the season as 16 games.

There are fans and media who will hype up certain games and circle them in red on the calendar but, as a player, you lose sight of what’s important if you get into that mode.

"

It's completely in character for Luck to try to downplay the significance of one game, but everybody knows exactly how much that matchup will mean to Indianapolis.

The Colts won't be able to win a Super Bowl until they get past the Patriots in the AFC. Even if they do, by some miracle, manage to evade the Patriots, their reign in the AFC won't feel real until they do manage to bring down their nemesis.

Much like the Peyton Manning era Colts needed the 2006 AFC championship, this version of the Colts must prove that it can stick with the big boys when push comes to shove.

Dan Herron Stays Underrated

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Rookie running back Josh Robinson has been en vogue since being drafted, partially because of some high praise from Pro Football Focus, who labeled him as one of the most elusive backs in college football last season.

But Kevin Bowen of Colts.com recently doubled down on Dan Herron's current status as the No. 2 running back. He called Herron the "clear backup running back" after he took No. 1 reps in OTAs with Frank Gore sitting out. On Wednesday, Bowen called Herron the "definite backup running back" and painted Robinson as battling for the third spot.

If Herron is the clear backup in Indianapolis, he's in a favorable fantasy position.

While Gore is the Colts' starting back, for well-deserved reasons, he's 32 years old. Even if he does make it through the season healthy, the Colts will try to keep the wear and tear light by mixing Herron in at a decent rate.

If Herron ever gets the starting role because of injury, he'll be a must-start fantasy option. Even if he's a backup all year, his ability to catch the ball (remember the 19 catches in the playoffs?) and the Colts' offensive potency should make him a decent best-ball option.

But right now, Herron is being drafted as the 65th running back, according to MyFantasyLeague.com, and he's going 54th in standard redraft league mock drafts, per Fantasy Football Calculator. The latter is two spots lower than Trent Richardson.

Keep an eye on Herron as training camp progresses in August. If he does indeed have a hold on the backup spot, he'll be an underrated fantasy asset.

Andre Johnson Almost Played in Miami

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

One of the more interesting anecdotes to be released recently involves newly signed wideout Andre Johnson. The former Houston Texans star completely changes the offensive balance for Indianapolis, which needed a savvy possession receiver to replace Reggie Wayne.

But according to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson, Johnson almost had another big contender for his services—the Miami Dolphins:

"

Playing for the Dolphins “was something I thought about,” Johnson told me at the recent UM Hall of Fame fishing tournament in Islamorada. “I always had a dream of playing at home. I was a huge Dolphins fan. But they never called.”

Even though playing here appealed to him, Johnson said he's not angry with the Dolphins because “I understand the business side. I have a good situation” in Indianapolis, which signed him for three years and $21 million.

"

Colts fans are thankful that the Dolphins passed on Johnson, as the team ended up with a fairly simple recruitment process and signing along with former San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore.

But Johnson doesn't make as much sense in Miami with Jarvis Landry eating up the catches underneath. The Dolphins needed deep threats to pair with the young Landry, and the team got a pair of them with Kenny Stills and DeVante Parker.

With Johnson in Indianapolis, the Colts have one of the more well-rounded and deep receiving groups in the league. Johnson fits in perfectly, and the Colts are happy to have him.

Frank Gore: Fantasy Goldmine?

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

We talked earlier about Dan Herron being an underrated fantasy option in 2015, and now it's time to take on the back in front of him.

Gore's average draft position has risen pretty steadily over the last few months, per Fantasy Football Calculator, but there is still some skepticism out there because of his age and lack of efficiency in recent years. But as Football Guys' Sigmund Bloom iterated this week, Gore's fantasy outlook is directly tied to his very profitable situation:

"

Ahmad Bradshaw (2014) and Donald Brown (2013) each had 8 total TDs on 128/129 touches. Colts RB = show up, do your job, and pts will flow

— Sigmund Bloom (@SigmundBloom) July 8, 2015"

"

Trent Richardson has concealed that the #colts offense might be the most fruitful FF RB situation in the league. Just need competence

— Sigmund Bloom (@SigmundBloom) July 8, 2015"

Bloom's point is especially true with this year's version of the Colts offense. With more and higher quality weapons around Andrew Luck, the offense should be even better this season, increasing the scoring chances for Gore and the Colts running game.

No, Gore won't have the volume of the bell cow back he was in San Francisco, but he'll have more room to run against lighter boxes, more scoring opportunities in a more efficient offense and more receiving chances in the Colts' RB-friendly passing attack.