FOXSports.com’s Alex Marvez, Peter Schrager and Laura Okmin on Indianapolis‘ 2013 NFL Draft class.
Indianapolis Colts
The post-Peyton Manning era got off to a great start, with rookie quarterback Andrew Luck leading the team to an 11-5 record and wild-card berth. To get back to the playoffs, the Colts will have to navigate a 2013 schedule that includes six games against playoff teams from last season, including Manning’s return to Indianapolis with the Denver Broncos.
Colts 2013 schedule (All times ET)
Sept. 8: vs. Oakland Raiders, 1 p.m. – Buy Indianapolis Colts Tickets
Sept. 15: vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. - Buy Indianapolis Colts Tickets
Sept. 22: at San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m. - Buy Indianapolis Colts Tickets
Sept. 29: at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. - Buy Indianapolis Colts Tickets
Adam Schefter discusses Darrius Heyward-Bey’s productivity in Oakland last season and how he could fit in with the Indianapolis Colts.
The Indianapolis Colts have undergone some major changes this offseason. Old players have been released and new ones have been signed, making this 2012 team almost entirely new and unknown, not to mention very young. If you’re like me, it’s hard to think about seeing anyone but Peyton Manning under center, but it’s time to move on and get acquainted with these rookies. For those Colts fans out there who are wondering who they will see on the field this year in Lucas Oil Stadium, here are a few bios on some of 2012′s major players.
Andrew Luck, QB
Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano banned the word “rebuilding” from everyone’s vocabulary. “Redecorating” is the new word around town. Maybe revamping is another good word for it. Whatever the case the colts are totally doing just that. Coach Pagano and defensive coordinator Greg Manusky both come from a 3-4 and are finally implicating that system after playing a soft Tampa 2 since the Tony Dungy days started. Im very excited to get away from it and play more physical defense.
The Indianapolis Colts have had arguably one of the wildest off seasons that an NFL team could possibly have.
To start, they obviously lost their longtime franchise quarterback in Peyton Manning. Along with Manning, the Colts lost many more veteran players, including Joseph Addai, Pierre Garcon, Gary Brackett, Melvin Bullit, Dallas Clark, and even Jeff Saturday.
On top of that they fired longtime general manager Bill Polian and also head coach Jim Caldwell. Shortly after these firing’s, the vacant spots were filled with defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano, from the Baltimore Ravens, and Ryan Grigson, who evaluated talent for the Philadelphia Eagles for many years.
You hear about it everyday when a player is cut, traded, or being refused a new contract. Owners, general managers, and coaches alike always seem to reiterate it. It was a business when the Colts released Peyton Manning after being the face of our franchise since 1998. Colts fans that didn’t want to see Manning shown the door shouldn’t have lobbied for the “suck for luck campaign”. You can’t keep both guys, just like you can’t have your cake and eat it too. It was also a business when we cut most of the bigger names on our team.
Know that Andrew luck is just as excited to get to Indianapolis on Tuesday as we all are. Luck is finishing up his degree in architecture in Palo Alto, California a world away from his receivers, coaches, and team. He of course was banned from working out at the complex until he finished his degree. Fellow colts teammate and college roommate Coby Fleener is also finishing up at Stanford. We all are counting on Luck to be our savior since the release of Peyton Manning. Andrew is very smart and I am sure he was hitting the play book hard
