Day One of 190 Begins Tomorrow for Colts

To steal a quote from Colts' receiver Reggie Wayne, "Anderson, Indiana, here come the Mighty Indianapolis Colts to invade your town for a few weeks."

The Colts will report to Anderson University on Sunday to begin training camp. The trip will be different from recent years, in that it will not be held in Terre Haute. Anderson University is no stranger to the Colts though, as they held their training camps there when they first came over from Baltimore.

While it appears that the Colts never seem to age, that may just be what they want everyone to think. The fact is, there is something different about this year's team. There seems to be something missing; which is a good thing.

This year the Colts will head to training camp without the familiar red bulls eye on their backs. Coming into the last few seasons, they were always at the top in the preseason rankings, according to all of the "experts." That bulls eye has found plenty other targets for this upcoming season.

The Jets have made multiple off season moves, and perhaps have the most talented team on paper in the NFL this year. With all of the additions they have made to their team, they actually should be considered strong contenders.

The Baltimore Ravens are also drawing a lot of attention from everyone around the league. The addition of Anquan Boldin has revitalized this team, and the team everyone feared because of its defense, now has a strong bite on offense. That thought alone is scary.

Some people seem to think the addition of T.O. in Cincinnati has turned the Bengals into contenders, but I am not ready to have them leapfrog the Colts just yet. While I think they will be improved, I don't think one (aging) man can catapult a team to the top.

The other favorites are there as well; the Vikings (with Favre), the Packers, Patriots, Dolphins, Steelers, and of course the defending Super Bowl champion Saints.

What does all of this mean for the Colts?

The team can finally start training camp off without having expectations surrounding them everywhere they go. Sure if they don't make the playoffs it will be considered a failed season, but I don't know how many people are picking the Colts to be legit Super Bowl contenders this year. Part of that may be due to the fact that the losing team in the previous Super Bowl hasn't ever fared too well the next year.

These guys are different though, there is no way around that.

This organization is unique, and special. The core of guys that are involved will no doubt be able to buck that trend, and not even blink when they do it. The goal is simple, and always has been for the modern-day Indianapolis Colts.

Just like the famous saying goes; "When you've got Peyton Manning under center, you've always got a chance."