All of us Colts fans owe Josh McDaniels a great big thank you. The Patriots offensive coordinator reneged on an agreement to become the Horseshoe head coach last spring and then we had to “settle” for Frank Reich from the Philadelphia Eagles. Reich was the Eagle’s quarterback coach and had just worked with both Carson Wentz and, more importantly, Nick Foles at the quarterback position. Foles coming through for the Eagles during the playoffs after Wentz was injured was a big reason for their Super Bowl win and Reich was a major part of that.
Andrew Luck was coming back from a shoulder injury that had kept him out of football for a year and half and there was genuine concern that his career might be over. If Luck was to have any chance at all, the offensive line would have to be totally rebuilt. The defense would also have to be reinvented. General Manager Chris Ballard resisted the temptation to sign some high profile free agents to a big money contract. He instead worked the draft — he traded down with the New York Jets from the 3rd pick in the first round to the 6th pick. He was still able to snag Notre Dame guard Quentin Nelson, the guy he had wanted all along and gained a draft pick in the second round. Nelson made the Pro Bowl as a rookie. Another trade with Jets, this time for defensive tackle Harry Anderson, brought yet another 2nd round pick. All in all the Colts had four second round picks. They made the most of them. Braden Smith, an All-American guard from Auburn, moved into the right offensive tackle spot and settled in a position that had been a trouble spot for years. However, the biggest find and the steal of the draft was linebacker Darius Leonard. Leonard lead the league in tackles from his right outside linebacker position with 163. He added seven quarterback sacks and two interceptions. He was named a Pro Bowl alternate.
As far as free agent signings went, Ballard added tight end Eric Ebron from the Lions and defensive lineman Denico Autry from the Raiders. Autry led the defensive with 9 quarterback sacks from the right defensive tackle position and Ebron caught 13 touchdown passes and scored on a running play, giving him 14 total touchdowns — a team record for tight ends. He landed in the Pro Bowl. Ballard chased wisely in free agency and had a sensational draft. He was named NFL executive of the year by his fellow GMs.
For Coach Reich and Andrew Luck, it was a marriage made in heaven. Media have speculated on what Andrew Luck would be like if he had a great coach as Peyton Manning had with Tony Dungy. Well, now we know. Luck had the finest season of his career and will certainly be Comeback Player of the Year, and if Frank Reich isn’t named Coach of the Year he is the next best thing to it. As for the Colts team, a 10-6 record got them into the playoffs. They had a couple of stinko games against the Jets and the Jaguars but those are in the past. The Horseshoe are now a contending team and that team’s future is bright.
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