NFL: Top 5 Priorities For The Indianapolis Colts to Return to the Super Bowl

The Indianapolis Colts have been the most consistent team in the NFL for almost a decade now. This consistency is mainly a product of quarterback Peyton Manning and the other stars management has placed around him.

However, for the Colts to be considered serious Super Bowl contenders, key positions must be upgraded on their roster. Here are the top five needs for the Indianapolis Colts this offseason.

5. Backup Quarterback

Colts fans still have nightmares about Curtis Painter vs. the New York Jets. Painter might just be the worst backup quarterback in the league, and he seemed to have regressed in the preseason, throwing three interceptions in about a half of football.

Although Manning has been durable in the past, there is no harm in upgrading the position and allowing Painter to pursue his career in Graphics Design far, far away from the football field.

4. Cornerback

The Colts' season ended with Mark Sanchez.

MARK SANCHEZ driving the Jets into field goal range.

Indy’s cornerbacks cannot cover the kind of athletic receivers they will face on the way to another Super Bowl. Jerraud Powers and Kelvin Hayden are legitimate starters, but are also injury prone. Even if both starters are healthy, the spread offenses of today’s league necessitate a viable nickelback.

3. Wide Receiver

Even if Austin Collie returns from the devastating concussions he suffered in 2010, the Colts lack depth at receiver.

Reggie Wayne is beginning to show signs of age after 10 years in the league, and Pierre Garcon failed to show the kind of consistency Peyton Manning needs from his top receivers. Perhaps Wayne and Collie return at full strength for years to come, but I don’t want any chance of Manning finishing his career with Garcon and Blair White as his top two receivers.

2. Defensive Tackle

The annual and proverbial need for the Colts still remains after all these years.

Management has struggled to select a viable run-stopper in the draft, despite trying several times. Fili Moala, a former second round pick, hasn’t shown the talent enjoyed by his cousin, Haloti Ngata.

Although the Colts did improve to 25th in the league in rushing yards per game allowed, a continual improvement shouldn’t be expected unless management upgrades the defensive tackle position.

1. Offensive line

I grouped five positions together because all five need significant improvement.

A few years ago, the Colts replaced franchise left tackle Tarik Glenn with a talented young player named Tony Ugoh, who was expected to protect Peyton’s blind side for years to come.

Today Ugoh is a backup guard for the Detroit Lions, and the health of Manning lies on the incapable shoulders of Charlie Johnson. Prolonging Peyton’s career should be a priority for management, and one of the best ways to do so is by decreasing the number of times he gets hit.

In order to have a consistent rushing attack, a capable run-blocking guard is necessary. The closest the Colts have gotten to this was Ryan Lilja, who was released and is now making holes for Jamaal Charles in Kansas City. Perhaps more of the blame for the Colts’ rushing woes should be placed on the offensive line and less on the running backs.

Jeff Saturday believes he still has a year left, and maybe he does. I don’t want to bet on it though. Perhaps the Colts could draft a player who can play guard in 2011 and then move over to center after Saturday’s retirement.

Conclusion

By upgrading a few positions, Indianapolis will increase its Super Bowl chances for years to come. Giving Peyton Manning more weapons should be a priority, but adding talent to other positions of need shouldn't be ignored. The Colts have had a knack for finding talent in the later rounds in recent years, and this skill will be key in this year's draft as well.