Which Colts Team Is the True No. 1, 2006 or 2009?

If you weren't watching football in the early stages of the Colts' dynasty years, then you missed out on something big.  For a team that is the epitome of stellar football in the modern day game, the Indianapolis Colts helped mold not only the quarterback position, but the head coaching position at the same time.

The play was great, the coaching was great, and the talent was booming.  It took a few years and a few choked away playoff games to realise, but the Colts grew on everybody like the latest kids craze of Yu-Gi-Oh or Pokemon.

In 2006, the Colts made it their destiny to take the Lombardi Trophy home to Indiana, and celebrate with now-retired head coach Tony Dungy. 

Things were a bit different back then though, and the Colts were a different style team.  More pass savvy rather than run savvy, the Colts air game was equipped with none other than possible future Hall of Fame pick Marvin Harrison. 

The defense was strong as well.  Bob Sanders was more of an impact player, despite his questionable injuries that popped up at the most inconvenient of times. 

Now that the Colts have reached the Super Bowl for the second time in a span of four  years, I can't help but compare the two teams.  On paper, they look fairly evenly matched.  However with further evaluation, the 2009 team looks stronger in all areas of the field.

So who is the ultimate Colts team? 

Defense

Compared to four years ago, the Colts have become a very stable team.  If you ever watched a Sunday Night Football game in 2006, you would recall Al Michaels stating that the Colts defense was getting burned on short routes.  Whatever your opinion of Al is, you can't help but agree with that statement.

Watch any Colts game now, and you'll notice how quick and fast the Indianapolis linebacker core really is.  Gary Brackett may not be the sole reason for the shift from fourth to fifth gear, but he has certainly added a newfound dominance that Indianapolis had been lacking.

Offense

Offensively, things haven't changed that much.  Peyton Manning has though.  In 2006 Peyton was no doubt a great quarterback.  Still making highlight reels, still throwing that booming voice of his around the offensive huddle, and still being the Colts go to man, Peyton looked like the full quid when he was under centre.

One thing has changed though, and it's a change that we rarely see at the quarterback position,  play-calling.  Only the best can do it, and only the very best can succeed.  For most teams in the league, the option of fourth-and-short leaves a bit to be desired, but they don't have Peyton. 

Often calling the shots while still on the field, Peyton has given the Colts a number of fresh opportunities in several games.  A small skill to have yes, but a vital one at that.

Fanbase

Since the Unitas days, the Colts fanbase has had its strong points and its weak points.  I think it's safe to say that if Peyton Manning weren't around, Lucas Oil Stadium may not exist. 

The Colts are arguably Indiana's strongest team. With the Pacers lacking support, and the Hoosiers not being the blockbuster team they once were, many hard-working families live through their beloved Colts.

Since the recent dominance, the Colts' fanbase has skyrocketed.  Bandwagon fans are a certainty (as they are for most teams these days), but with the newly built Lucas Oil Stadium, owner Jim Isray is left smiling at the fact that his team is such a success.

Hell, he's got reason to smile.  The Colts and Peyton Manning have possibly another good five or 10 years left in them, and the fanbase is one of the strongest in the league.  Blue and white all the way, those colors aren't going to fade out soon.

Yes the Colts franchise has changed, both off the field and on.  The 2009 team has had it's worries, but they have backed them up with wins.  14-0 to 14-1 may have been the best thing to save this team's Super Bowl chances, and you can only thank Jim Caldwell for that. 

Still no Tony Dungy yet, Caldwell is in firm control of his own destiny.  With the offense, defense and even special teams the way it is though, the 2009 Colts may soon be outdone as well.