Colts beat writer Phil Wilson of the Indianapolis Star talks offseason agenda for the AFC South champs. Peyton Manning and Co. went 10-6 to capture their seventh division title in eight years in 2010 and will pick 22nd overall in the 2011 NFL Draft.

OFFENSE

Total Yards:          4th (380.8)

Rushing Yards:     29th (92.7)

Passing Yards:    1st (288.1)

Points Scored:    4th (27.2)


DEFENSE

Total Yards:         20th (341.6)

Rushing Yards:    25th (127.0)

Passing Yards:    13th (214.6)

Points Allowed:    23rd (24.3)

Interceptions:       T-30th (10)

Sacks:                24th (30)


INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Passing Yards:    Peyton Manning (4,700)

Rushing Yards:    Donald Brown (497)

Receiving Yards:  Reggie Wayne (1,355)

Sacks:                Robert Mathis (11)

Interceptions:       3 tied (2)

Tackles:              Antoine Bethea (106)


5-YEAR DRAFT HISTORY – FIRST ROUND PICKS

2010 Jerry Hughes, DE (2010 stats: 12 tackles in 6 games)

2009 Donald Brown, RB (2010 stats: 497 rush yds., 2 TD)

2008 No first-round selection

2007 Anthony Gonzalez, WR (2010 stats: 5 rec., 67 yds. in 2 games)

2006 Joseph Addai, RB* (2010 stats: 495 rush yds., 4 TD)

*Pro Bowler.


DA:    What do you feel is the number one area of need for the Colts to address in the 2011 Draft, and do any names in particular come to mind?

PW:    No question, it's offensive tackle. I know they could use another wide receiver, running back, defensive tackle and safety, but what team couldn't? The most pressing need is offensive tackle, because left tackle Charlie Johnson is really a decent guard and right tackle Ryan Diem has a year left on his contract and showed some of his age this past season with some shaky moments. I don't know if the Colts bring Diem back. As for specific players, I haven't looked at it yet. But take a look at the biggest, strongest offensive tackles available, and the Colts should be taking someone high off that list.


DA:    Is it too early to actually be thinking of grooming a QB to take over for Peyton Manning one day?

PW:   Yes, it is too early. Manning turns 35 in March, and he's planning to play at least four or five more years, we're thinking. That means Manning's replacement is probably starting college right now. Give or take a year or two.

DA:    The Colts struggled to both stop the run and run the ball in 2011. How much emphasis do you think there will be try and correct that?

PW:    It's been an ongoing problem for the last few years. Attempts were made to beef up the line. They failed. And they cut a guy, offensive guard Ryan Lilja, who was better than anybody else they lined up at the position this year. In every one of their losses this season, the opponent pounded the Colts on the ground. They took advantage of the scheme, with the pass-rushing ends coming up too far, too fast outside, the defensive tackles not getting penetration, the Colts' smallish linebackers unable to get off blocks to make stops. The Colts need another safety. Antoine Bethea can't do it all himself. While there was some progress late in the year with the Colts stopping the NFL's No. 2 rush offenses in back-to-back weeks, Jacksonville and then Oakland, those teams had shaky quarterbacks, too. I think it was more of the other team's limitations than the Colts' improvement. There should be a tremendous amount of emphasis on this problem, but Colts president Bill Polian blamed the playoff loss to the Jets on special teams. He said nothing was wrong with the defense. So you can't help but wonder if those ignoring history are doomed to repeat it.

DA:    Bill Polian is often revered as one of the best talent evaluators in the game and has had constant success drafting with the Colts. What is it about his methods that allow him to be so good at what he does?

PW:   He's been named NFL executive-of-the-year six times, but many are calling Polian's abilities into question. Fact is, he's missed on some high picks in recent years and it's really hurt this team. They moved up to take offensive tackle Tony Ugoh, and he was a bust. Mike Pollak has been average at best and has lost his guard job twice in as many years. Running back Donald Brown hasn't been the guy everybody thought he would be as a first-round pick. This most recent first-round pick, defensive end Jerry Hughes had as many tackles (six) as healthy scratches. Fans are already calling him a bust. While Polian has scored big with mid-round and late-round picks such as cornerback Jerraud Powers (third round), wide receiver Austin Collie (fourth round), wide receiver Pierre Garcon (sixth round), the reality is there have been enough misses to question if Mr. Bill is, indeed, slipping.

DA:    The Colts are generally pretty quiet when it comes to free agency. Do you expect that to change at all this offseason?

PW:   They have so many guys looking for new contracts, it's doubtful the Colts will make much noise in the free-agent market. The company line is their free agency is keeping their most important players. They will re-sign Manning. They need to give a new deal to Charlie Johnson, safety Melvin Bullitt and kicker Adam Vinatieri, too. I'm not sure if they bring back running back Joseph Addai. Same with linebacker Clint Session. The list also includes defensive tackles Dan Muir, Antonio Johnson and Eric Foster, guard Kyle DeVan, and a few others. But I do think the Colts need to invest in at least one or two offensive tackles, if for no other reason than depth, to ensure the line doesn't give up as much pressure as it did last year. The Colts still led the NFL in fewest sacks allowed, but that was more about Manning making guys miss because, too many times, he was rushed or planted.


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