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Home , Bill Polian, Chuck Pagano, Malik Hooker, Nate Hairston, Ryan Grigson, Vontae Davis

30 September 2017 | Colts Preview Colts have risen from rough waters before his season marks the start on an elite track, there will be a ans and fashioned a younger by a groin injury and safety of yet another new era for price to pay. and more athletic defense. on the physi- T the Colts. But the fran- Owner put off this With a focus on takeaways, cally unable to perform list. chise isn’t quite fully commit- reboot for two seasons – watch- the idea was to support a high- The top two picks in the ted yet. ing the Colts finish 8-8 in back- powered offense with an oppor- draft – safety Sure, Chris to-back years before firing tunistic D and see how far the and Quincy Wilson Ballard has won over the build- maligned general manager combo could take the team in a – barely played in the pre- ing with a calm and confident . wide-open AFC South. season and will take some hard leadership style, and he’s Even when he finally pulled But eight months after Bal- knocks early in the season. poised to shape the roster for George Bremer the trigger, Irsay ultimately lard was hired, the offense has Still, there is hope. years to come. CNHI SPORTS INDIANA went with a half-measure, set- lost a lot of its juice. When Hooker and Wilson But the sawdust from his ting up an arranged marriage Quarterback have been on the field, they’ve ongoing remodeling project is between Ballard and head will miss Week 1 at the least, flashed the potential that made evident everywhere. coach . and center Ryan Kelly also is them first- and second-round This season figures to be put the capstone on his rebuild- Ballard has free reign to on the shelf. Erik Swoope, picks, respectively. Fellow more like 2001 than 2012. ing project with the hiring of evaluate every aspect of the expected to be the No. 2 tight rookie figures to The Colts of 16 years ago Hall of Famer to franchise – including the end, will start on injured be the starting nickel corner- entered the season with hopes replace him. coaching staff – and it makes reserve. And wide receivers back. And rookie rusher Mar- of continuing a run of back-to- As a bonus, the Colts for an odd dynamic. A first-year Donte Moncrief and Chester lon Mack has electrified the back playoff appearances and snagged pass rusher Dwight GM with time to lay long-term Rogers missed significant time fan base with his speed. perhaps taking the next step Freeney in the 2002 draft – giv- plans is building a roster for a in training camp with injuries. Just as they were in 2001, with a postseason win. ing a beleaguered defense the sixth-year coach who might Scott Tolzien will start Sun- the Colts are looking for play- Instead, running superstar it needed. need to win now. day against the Rams in Los ers who can become long-time back was That’s a handsome reward Here’s some of that sawdust Angeles, but newly acquired contributors to their success. injured early and Indianapolis for a single season of pain, and Ballard brought in 26 new Jacoby Brissett stands ready to And just as it was in 2001, stumbled to a 6-10 campaign – Indianapolis made it pay off faces – just four less than Grig- replace him if he struggles. the road to find them figures to its final losing season with Pey- with nine consecutive playoff son added in 2012 when he This clearly is not the typical be bumpy and uncomfortable. ton Manning at quarterback. appearances, two AFC champi- took over following a 2-14 sea- recipe for a playoff run. Fans can only hope Ballard Jim Mora lost onships and a XLI son – and there are 11 rookies The defense has some injury can learn from the franchise’s his job in the aftermath, and world title. on the initial 53-man roster. concerns of its own, with cor- history. Hall of Fame GM If Indianapolis is to get back He jettisoned several veter- nerback sidelined And find a way to repeat it. n