As we are a week into the NFL playoffs, the final regular season power rankings were released by the major news outlets. The ESPN poll ranks the Colts 18 and the Yahoo poll ranks them 17 — about what you would expect for an 8-8 team. The news is official: Ryan Grigson and Chuck Pagano will both be back for 2017. Despite demands from Colts fans, Jim Irsay couldn’t afford to eat that contract money given to them in that extension a year ago. The Colts will have the 15th pick in the NFL draft at the end of April. The usual suspects will be considered. Offensive, Linemen, pass rushers, run stoppers at linebacker. They will also look at running backs. The age of Frank Gore is a concern despite his 1,000 yard rushing season. There will be some top line running backs available in the draft so look for the Colts to invest a second or third round pick on one. The Horseshoe has signed former BC Lions Alex Bassie to a contract. Bassie had 11 sacks, 4th best in the Canadian League. The drawback is that he is small for his position at 6 foot 1 inch and only 230 pounds.
The final regular season Colts stats are as follows. Andrew Luck passed for 4,240 yards. He threw 545 passes and completed 346 for a 63.5 percentage. He threw 31 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. He was sacked 41 times. Frank Gore rushed for 1,025 yards on 263 attempts for a 3.9 average per attempt. Wideout T. Y. Hilton caught 91 passes and 1,440 yards and 6 touchdowns. His yards total led the NFL. Safety Mike Adams led the team with 79 tackles. Linebacker Eric Walden had 11 sacks. Cornerback Darius Butler intercepted three passes. Adam Vinatieri hit 27 of 31 field goal attempts and made all 44 of his extra point tries. Pat McAfee’s 49.3 average on 55 punts was good enough to put him into the Pro Bowl again. Some good numbers here, but not enough to get the team into the playoffs. The Colts will play teams of the NFC West in 2017: The Cardinals, Seahawks, 49ers, and Rams.
Anyone who watched the Packers vs Giants playoff game could not help but be knocked over by the incredible performance of Aaron Rogers. He was magnificent despite losing Jordy Nelson, his top receiver. I mean three Hail Mary touchdown passes — come on man! Rogers is my pick of the “Most Valuable Player” award.
The Pro Bowl is coming up in a couple of weeks. It’s an honor to be named to the squad, but as a game in itself, it lost any significance it may have had a long time ago. It’s time to bury this dead horse and put us out of our misery. Just name an All Pro Squad and give them a vacation in Florida.