Indianapolis Colts: Theme Songs for Key Players for the 2011 Season

The much-anticipated resumption of NFL action puts a song in every true fans' heart. As we wait for the final details of the new deal, the strains of the brassy network music that usher in the games begin to echo through our memories.

The TV network-added intro music for football games is one of the better additions to the home football viewing experience. (The worst being Fox Sports' asinine "Cleatus" robot.) The stirring and dramatic music pumps us up as we ready ourselves to watch our team take the field.

I'd like to propose that in addition to each network's intro music, each key Colts player get their own unique theme song for their introduction. This slideshow will reveal each player's theme song for 2011. It's time to crank up the volume!

You're Still a Young Man, Jerry Hughes

Tower of Power's funky 1972 ballad "You're Still a Young Man" is Jerry Hughes' theme song. The huge horn section portends a wealth of potential from the end-rusher out of TCU. Hughes didn't show much last year, but after all, he's still a young man. He has time to develop into the impact player who the Colts hoped that he would be when they drafted him in the first round of the 2010 draft.

Thank You, Austin Collie, Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin

Sly and the Family Stone's 1969 "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" is the perfect song for Austin Collie. After sustaining two concussions in 2010 and being placed on the injured reserve for the last month of the season, Collie just wants to be himself again. The funky bass licks of Larry Graham would also make for a great background music as Collie hauls in passes with his always reliable hands.

Reggie Wayne Is Waitin' for a Superman

The Flaming Lips' 1999 "Waitin' for a Superman" speaks to the need for No. 2 receiver Pierre Garcon to step up in 2011. Reggie Wayne was famously likened to Bruce Wayne during a nationally televised Colts game early in his career. 

Batman is a fantastic crime-fighter, but he needed a partner to fulfill his potential. Reggie Wayne needs a similarly excellent complement on the other side of the field to take some of the pressure off of him. Garcon needs to solve his propensity to drop the football and step in to the Superman role to Wayne's Batman.

Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough, Peyton Manning

"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," Michael Jackson's 1979 hit, is the perfect song for Manning as he awaits what should be the most lucrative contract in NFL history. As the best player on one of the best teams in the league, Manning deserves the deal that he'll inevitably get. He certainly won't stop 'til he gets enough. Here's hoping that Colts fans will be celebrating playoff success with some of Jackson's trademark interjected "woos" and "ows."

Donald Brown Needs to Be a Transformer

Gnarls Barkley's breakthrough 2006 album St. Elsewhere had a fun little psychedelic song buried among the hits called "Transformer." Donald Brown needs to heed Cee Lo Green's words and transform himself into a consistent blocker. 

His missed blocking assignments make him a liability in a pass-first offense. In addition, Brown can improve in short-yardarge situations. Transforming himself in 2011 will make him a key part of the offense and will help to justify his first-round draft status.

Don't Stop Jerraud Powers Now

Queen's 1979 song "Don't Stop Me Now" fits Jerraud Powers perfectly. Powers has stormed onto the scene as arguably the best (and most consistent) cornerback for the Colts since he was taken in the third round of the 2009 draft. He has the potential to become an even more effective shut-down corner. Don't stop him now. He's having such a good time.

Jeff Saturday Is a Brick House

The little pig that built the house of straw was eaten by the wolf after the wolf collapsed the poorly built edifice. The house of sticks built by the second little pig was hardly any better, and that pig became a wolf snack as well. The pig who built the brick house had nothing to fear from the wolf. It was a sturdy house.

Similarly, Jeff Saturday is the sturdy 12-year veteran who anchors the Colts offensive line. With two rookies likely to be thrust into starting roles (Anthony Castanzo at left tackle and Ben Ijalana somewhere in the interior of the line), Saturday will definitely need to be the Brick House as described in the Commodore's 1977 funk stand-by. With his on-field leadership, sound blocking and good hands, Saturday is the rock for the Colts O-line.

Underneath It All, Joseph Addai Is the Best Option at Running Back for the Colts

No Doubt's reggae-influenced 2002 jam "Underneath it All" is Joseph Addai's theme song. Despite many fans disgust at his dancing behind the line and his perceived tentativeness, Addai is the most versatile and consistent back on the Colts' roster. He is a fantastic blocker and he catches the ball well out of the backfield. He is the perfect back for the Colts pass-heavy offense.

The Jamaican beat and lilting Gwen Stefani vocals press on to show that underneath it all, Addai is still the best option for the Colts at running back.

So Fresh, so Clean and so Pat Angerer

Outkast's brilliant 2000 rap "So Fresh, So Clean" locks in its groove with second-year linebacker Pat Angerer. Angerer is a fresh face who came in last year to play middle linebacker for a number of games when veteran Gary Brackett went down with an injury. His clean, mostly penalty-free play foretells a long and productive career.

Along with Clint Session and Brackett, Angerer rounds out top three linebackers on the Colts roster. It will be interesting to see how the Colts use him in 2011.

Hold on to the Football, Pierre Garcon

Pierre Garcon needs to do what Wilson Phillips' 1990 pop ballad urges—"hold on for one more day." Garcon is a talented receiver with blinding speed, charisma and solid "up" routes. His Achilles heel is not in his feet, however, it's in his hands.

After a great breakthrough season in 2009, Garcon regressed some in 2010 and his propensity for dropping the football makes him a less-than-reliable target for Peyton Manning. Hopefully, he can solve his ball handling problems and become a trusted receiver in 2011.

As an addendum, I apologize for throwing in a song that I would never add to my play list...."Hold On" is too milquetoast and saccharine for my tastes. Give me the 1970s funk any day!

Presenting the Shining Star of the Defense, Dwight Freeney

Earth, Wind and Fire's incredible 1974 funk number "Shining Star" describes Dwight Freeney's role on Colts defense. He is the best defensive player and a true difference-maker coming off the end. He is a terror to quarterbacks and has the best spin-move in the league.

When Freeney is injured, the Colts defense suffers. Freeney's speed and vision off the edge is almost as beautiful as Earth, Wind and Fire's tight harmonies and funky horn section.

Vinatieri Will Continue to Rock Steady

Aretha Franklin's 1971 brassy soul hit "Rock Steady" describes Adam Vinatieri in pressure situations. He is unflappable late in games and is still money from within 50 yards. The Colts feel good about their kickers. Pat McAfee proved his worth as a punter last year, and Vinatieri maintained his excellence kicking field goals.

The Queen of Soul's soaring vocals in "Rock Steady" are reflected in the soaring accuracy of the football as it leaves Vinatieri's foot.

Robert Mathis Makes Long Distance Run Arounds to Catch the Running Back

Yes' progressive rock masterpiece "Long Distance Runaround" (1971) describes what happens to both Mathis and Freeney when they push up-field and the opposing team's offense calls a draw play. Only one guy could get this as his theme song, though, so it goes to Mathis on the right side of the line.

When Mathis pushes forward against tackles with his great leverage and speed, he often finds himself too far in the backfield to make a play on the running back who is slicing up the middle of the defense. Then instead of a sprint, Mathis finds himself in a long distance run around to help on the play.

Dallas Clark Wants No Surprises in 2011

Radiohead's 1997 landmark album OK Computer featured a number of incredible songs. One of those was "No Surprises." Dallas Clark just wants to get back on track and put behind 2010's wrist injury behind him. A major part of the Colts offense, Clark (along with Wayne) is one of Manning's favorite targets.

A Pro Bowl-caliber player, when healthy, Clark is the best pass-catching tight end in the AFC. Clark (and the Colts) would be ecstatic if there were no surprises on the injury-front this season.

Believe in the Colts as They Galvanize into a Super Bowl Team for 2011

To finish off the slideshow, I thought I'd throw in a two-for-one. The beat-tastic 2005 album Push the Button from path-breaking electronic dance band The Chemical Brothers provides two great dance-floor songs to tie the Colts 2011 season together.

"Believe" features a driving beat and the rollicking vocals of Kele Okereke. "Galvanize" showcases Q-tip's stylized rapping layered on top of a danceable hook. The Colts have taken the necessary steps in the draft to get better along their O-line and their D-line, the two most suspect units in 2010. With these pieces in place, a little belief in each other will lead to their galvanization into a team destined for greatness.

The lyrics from "Galvanize" are a clarion call for the Colts for this season.

"And you shouldn't even care, about those losers in the air and their crooked stares. Don't hold back. The time has come to push the button."

2011 can be the year the Colts push the button to activate the second Super Bowl of the Peyton Manning era.