2006 Indianapolis Colts Preview

2006 preview of the Indianapolis Colts NFL football team from the Maddux Sports handicapping team. Be sure this season to use Maddux's premium and Free NFL Picks and be sure to bookmark the NFL Football Odds feed which gives you up to date betting lines from 16 of the elite offshore sportsbooks in the industry.

Last year was the year that wasn’t for the Colts. They looked like they might be undefeated, but lost two near the end of the season. It was their year to be Super Bowl champs, but Pittsburgh beat them by a field goal in the playoffs. And then there was Tony Dungy’s personal tragedy—the loss of his son.

It’s a new season, and it looks bright for Peyton Manning (453 ATT, 305 COMP, 3,747 YDS, 28 TDs, 10 INT) and company. Favorite targets Reggie Wayne (83 REC, 1.055 YDS, 12.7 AVG, 5 TDs), Marvin Harrison (82 REC, 1,146 YDS, 14.0 AVG, 12 TDs), Brandon Stokley and Dallas Clark are all back. But running back Edgerrin James (360 ATT, 1,506 YDS, 4.2 AVG, 13 TDs) is now a Cardinal. Dominic Rhodes (40 ATT, 118 YDS, 3.0 AVG, 4 TDs) will try to replace him. First round pick Joseph Addai will also get a chance to run.

Center Jeff Saturday and left tackle Tarik Glenn, two Pro Bowlers, are part of one of the best offensive lines in the game, allowing only 20 sacks in 2005. The entire line is back.

In points allowed, the Colt defense was ranked second in the league. The defensive line finds itself without tackle Larry Tripplett (Buffalo), but it still has depth, talent and experience. At linebacker, Gary Brackett notched a team high 131 tackles in 2005, while Cato June made 109. The safety situation includes tough-minded hitters Mike Doss and Bob Sanders. There’s a lot of competition for the corner positions with Nick Harper, Jason David and Marlin Jackson being prime starting candidates.

Perhaps the biggest specialist coup of the summer was Indy’s signing of Patriots’ clutch kicker Adam Vinatieri. No football player has made more big plays in New England than Vinatieri. He can turn those close games into last second victories.

2006 Indianapolis Colts Predictions

Division member Jacksonville will test the Colts on September 24 and Denver and New England will challenge them on October 29 and November 5. This team should win the AFC South and go deep into the playoffs.

For more info on the Colts AFC South division rivals check out the Jaguars, Texans, and Titans team previews from the MadduxSports.com experts.

For more info and news on the 2006 Indianapolis pro football team visit the Colts team page at NFL.com.