Sign up or login to track your favorite teams

Sign Up for Bleacher Report

As a registered user you can subscribe to your favorite teams, post comments, write your own articles, and much more.

You must register in order for that functionality to work!








Validating sign up form ...

Bleacher Report articles are written by fans like you

Do you want to cover your favorite sports, teams, and leagues?

Processing writing preferences ...

Great, , you're signed up!

i.e. Big 10, LeBron James, USC Football

Selected Tags:

Logging in ...

The Colts have sat atop of the AFC South for quite a few years now, and some of their players have reaped the fantasy benefits. Quarterback Peyton Manning has been considered one of the best quarterbacks (if not the best) over the last decade...

Fantasy Football Focus: Indianapolis Colts

by Russell Ivanac (Columnist)

0

432 reads

Sports

August 06, 2008


The Colts have sat atop of the AFC South for quite a few years now, and some of their players have reaped the fantasy benefits. Quarterback Peyton Manning has been considered one of the best quarterbacks (if not the best) over the last decade.

Running backs Edgerrin James (now with Arizona) and Joseph Addai have enjoyed stellar years. Wide receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne have been solid fantasy producers for years now as well.

By now, you should get the point: The Colts' offense produces fantasy studs.

So it should come as no surprise that many Colts will be flying off of the board in this year's fantasy drafts. Let's take a closer look at each of them.

 

QB

Peyton Manning

Consistency is something that is very valuable in fantasy football, and Manning has it. Only once in the last nine years has he passed for less than 4,000 yards. He has also never thrown less than 26 touchdowns in a season. So you know what you are getting with Manning, a top-tier quarterback.

Despite having one of the league's best offensive lines, a very solid receiving corps, and the ability to pick apart any defense thrown at him, I still have a concern about him.

In July, he had knee surgery to remove an infected bursa sac. It shouldn't be serious, but until he is seen practicing, I can't say that I am sure he will be 100 percent. However, I can say that even if he only gets to 90 percent, it will be still be better than most quarterbacks' 100 percent.

I am probably overreacting to his injury, but the way the Colts are treating Jim Sorgi like a starter and not revealing anything about Manning makes me think there might be more to it than them just being careful. Regardless, he is still a top-three fantasy quarterback. 

 

RB

Joseph Addai/Mike Hart

With defenses focusing on the passing game, Addai has been able to run towards the top of the fantasy world. He has a nose for the end zone and scored in 10 out of the 14 games that he saw significant playing time in.

What was I saying about consistency? Oh yeah, it's valuable, and so is Addai. He is a top-five fantasy running back and will only get better from here.

The only thing that limits Addai's potential is the fact that Indianapolis loves to use their running backs in a platoon fashion. So who will be riding shotgun to Addai this year? My guess is rookie Mike Hart. He is a hard worker with great blocking ability. Is he fast? No, and he has never been accused of such. His horrible 40-yard dash at the NFL combine was a testament to that.

However, he is a shifty runner with good hands, who will probably end up seeing time as a third-down back. He may never become a top-notch running back, but he will be a decent backup. He doesn't hold much fantasy value at the time though, but if he does emerge as Addai's lead backup, that might change.

 

WR/TE

Reggie Wayne/Marvin Harrison/Anthony Gonzalez/Dallas Clark

Yes, I did just list four receivers (well, three and a tight end), and each of them deserves to be on a fantasy roster this season. With Peyton Manning as their quarterback, any player that can catch the ball becomes a instant scoring threat.

Track this Article on My B/R
Flag This Article
Share This Article

0 commentsLeave a Comment

Leave a Comment

  • You must register to post a comment.

  • Want to write for Bleacher Report

    We are a community of fans who write about sports. And we're growing.

    Learn More and Sign Up »



    Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Getty Images.
    Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Getty Images is strictly prohibited.