Before They Can Go Places, Colts Must Stop Patriots

In recent years, the Indianapolis Colts have had all the earmarks of an elaborate Hollywood movie set -- richly appointed, elaborately detailed ... and disappointingly two-dimensional.

If the Colts could ever build a defense to match their score-at-will offense, Peyton Manning could use Lombardi Trophies for doorstops. So far, that hasn’t been the case. Indianapolis surrendered 370 yards a game last season, 29th in the league, and made a team with a record-setting offense far more vulnerable than it should have been.

Indianapolis will have to be a lot better on defense this season for the Colts to unseat New England.

There are reasons to believe Coach Tony Dungy’s defense will be more competitive this season, namely an improved secondary. Watch for second-year safety Bob Sanders and rookie cornerback Marlin Jackson to make big impacts.

“When we came home from Foxboro last year, the thing that gnawed at us most was the tackling in the secondary,” General Manager Bill Polian told reporters recently, referring to the Colts’ 20-3 playoff loss to the Patriots. “That had to get better. There were far too many misses.”

Of course, the Colts will have plenty of competition to get that far again.

Pittsburgh looks as good as the Steeler team that went 15-1 last season, surprising San Diego is better on defense and still has an inspired Drew Brees running the offense, and Denver, Baltimore and Kansas City all could make serious runs at the defending champion.

New England, looking to become the first team to three-peat in the Super Bowl era, has to overcome the loss of both coordinators and two star linebackers, Tedy Bruschi and Ted Johnson. But the Patriots have cleared significant hurdles before.

Watch for the steadily improving Colts to edge the Patriots in the AFC championship game before losing to Philadelphia in the Super Bowl.

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AFC EAST

1. NEW YORK JETS

Arrivals: Derrick Blaylock, RB (KC); Jay Fiedler, QB (MIA); Barry Gardner, LB (CLE); Ty Law, CB (NE); Lance Legree, DE (NYG).

Departures: Anthony Becht, TE (TB); Sam Cowart, LB (MIN); Jason Ferguson, DT (DAL); LaMont Jordan, RB (OAK); Kareem McKenzie, OT (NYG); Santana Moss, WR (WAS).

The skinny: If Chad Pennington can stay healthy, the Jets will be in good position to challenge for a division title. A shut-down corner in Law should really help a secondary that gave up far too many big plays last season. And their offense will benefit from a change at the top; former Tennessee Titan offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger has replaced Paul Hackett.

2. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Arrivals: Chad Brown, LB (SEA); Tim Dwight, WR/KR (SD); Logan Mankins*, G; David Terrell, WR (CHI), Duane Starks, CB (AZ).

Departures: Joe Andruzzi, G (CLE); Tedy Bruschi, LB; Ted Johnson, LB; Ty Law, CB (NYJ); David Patten, WR (WAS); Roman Phifer, LB.

The skinny: The Patriots are looking to become the first team to three-peat in the Super Bowl era. They certainly have some hurdles to overcome, starting with the loss of both coordinators, Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weis, who became head coaches at Cleveland and Notre Dame, respectively. For a team that has thrived despite a razor-thin margin of victory, this season could bring a fall back to earth.

3. MIAMI DOLPHINS

Arrivals: Ronnie Brown*, RB; Kevin Carter, DE (TEN); Damion Cook, G (CLE); Gus Frerotte, QB (MIN); Vonnie Holliday, DE (KC); Tebucky Jones, S (NO); Ricky Williams, RB.

Departures: David Boston, WR; Jay Fiedler, QB (NYJ); Sammy Knight, S (KC); Rob Konrad, FB; James Newson, WR; Bryan Robinson, DT (CIN); Shawn Wooden, S.

The skinny: The return of AWOL running back Ricky Williams dominated the headlines this summer, but the factor that could mean more to the Dolphins is how well the big guys up front protect the quarterback. They did a lousy job of that last season. Can Nick Saban continue his winning ways in the pros, or are we looking at the next Steve Spurrier?

4. BUFFALO BILLS

Arrivals: Bennie Anderson, G (BAL), Mike Gandy, G (CHI), Kelly Holcomb, QB (CLE).

Departures: Drew Bledsoe, QB (DAL); Pat Williams, DT (MIN); Jonas Jennings, LT (SF); Pierson Prioleau, S (WAS).

The skinny: Buffalo showed some heart last season, but not enough. The Bills overcame a 1-5 start to battle back into playoff position, only to fall short of the playoffs with a do-or-die loss at home to Pittsburgh’s second-stringers. The problem? The offense, of course. Bledsoe just couldn’t get it done. This season, Buffalo’s hopes rest on second-year quarterback J.P. Losman, a first-round pick in 2004 who missed most of his rookie season with a broken leg. If he fails to get the job done, it’s up to Holcomb.

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AFC NORTH

1. BALTIMORE RAVENS

Arrivals: Mark Clayton*, WR; Derrick Mason, WR (TEN); Tommy Polley, LB (STL); Samari Rolle, CB (TEN); Keydrick Vincent, G (PIT).

Departures: Bennie Anderson, G (BUF); Gary Baxter, CB (CLE); Marques Douglas, DE (SF); Corey Fuller, CB; Ed Hartwell, LB (ATL); Kevin Johnson, WR; Harold Morrow, FB; Casey Rabach, C (WAS); Travis Taylor, WR (MIN); Jamel White, RB (DET).

The skinny: Brian Billick’s reputation as an offensive genius has taken a serious hit over the past seven seasons, when his Ravens have never ranked higher than 16th in total offense. A challenge will be turning Kyle Boller into a productive passer. Maybe assistant coach Rick Neuheisel will be just the man to do that.

2. PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Arrivals: Marco Battaglia, TE (CAR); Heath Miller*, TE; Cedrick Wilson, WR (SF).

Departures: Kendrell Bell, LB (KC); Plaxico Burress, WR (NYG); Jay Riemersma, TE; Oliver Ross, T (ARI).

The skinny: Rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was fabulous last season, and a lot of that had to do with his veteran offensive line, powerhouse running game, and stifling defense. Having receivers like Hines Ward and Burress didn’t hurt, either. Still, Roethlisberger is the only rookie quarterback to win 14 consecutive starts. A big factor this season could be the health of Duce Staley, who averaged 101 yards rushing through seven games before a season-ending injury.

3. CINCINNATI BENGALS

Arrivals: David Pollack*, DE; Bryan Robinson, DT (MIA).

Departures: Frank Chamberlin, LB (HOU); Kyle Richardson, P (CLE); Dennis Weathersby, CB; Tony Williams, DT (JAC).

The skinny: Under Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati has gone 8-8 in each of the past two seasons. They’re no longer the “Bungles,” yet they aren’t where they want to be. Carson Palmer looked more comfortable in the second half of the 2004 season -- when the schedule got softer -- and led his team to five victories in eight games. He looked lighter and more mobile in training camp this summer, showing no ill effects from the knee sprain that sidelined him for the final three games last season. The defense gave up 5.2 yards per play -- too much.

4. CLEVELAND BROWNS

Arrivals: Joe Andruzzi, G (NE); Gary Baxter, CB (BAL); Braylon Edwards*, WR; Jason Fisk, DT (SD); Brian Russell, S (MIN); Matt Stewart, LB (ATL).

Departures: Courtney Brown, DE (DEN); Damion Cook, G (MIA); Jeff Garcia, QB (DET); Barry Gardner, LB (NYJ); Kelvin Garmon, G; Joaquin Gonzalez, T (IND); Robert Griffith, S (ARI); Anthony Henry, CB (DAL); Earl Little, S; Lewis Sanders, CB (HOU).

The skinny: The long-running Butch Davis experiment didn’t work for the Browns, nor did the short-lived Garcia fiasco. Now, the fate of the franchise rests in the hands of Crennel, who should be able to bring some pride back to the defense. But can a slimmed-down Trent Dilfer get things done?

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AFC SOUTH

1. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Arrivals: Joaquin Gonzalez, T (CLE); Marlin Jackson*, CB.

Departures: Idrees Bashir, S (CAR); Rick DeMulling, G (DET); Marcus Pollard, TE (DET).

The skinny: The Colts have all the offense they need. They rolled up 6,475 yards of offense -- second only to Kansas City -- and that’s with Peyton Manning sitting out almost all of the finale. To take the next step, they need to improve a defense that gave up 370 yards a game. And, of course, they need to be able to win a playoff game at New England. It looks as if they’ll be able to do both. The Colts shouldn’t get too comfortable playing in a dome. They only play one road game in a stadium with a roof (at Houston) and that roof is retractable.

2. TENNESSEE TITANS

Arrivals: Travis Henry, RB (BUF); Adam “Pacman” Jones*, CB.

Departures: Eddie Berlin, WR (CHI); Kevin Carter, DE (MIA); Carlos Hall, DE (KC); Robert Holcombe, FB; Matt Martin, OT (TB); Derrick Mason, WR (BAL); Shad Meier, TE (NO); Fred Miller, OT (CHI); Samari Rolle, CB (BAL).

The skinny: Tennessee’s biggest offseason acquisition wasn’t a player, it was offensive coordinator Norm Chow, who jumped from USC to the pros. It could take the Titans a couple years to get comfortable with Chow’s system, though, and quarterback Steve McNair probably won’t be around that much longer. Henry and Chris Brown provide a one-two backfield punch.

3. HOUSTON TEXANS

Arrivals: Philip Buchanon, CB (OAK); Frank Chamberlin, LB (CIN); Morlon Greenwood, LB (MIA); Travis Johnson*, DT; Lewis Sanders, CB (CLE).

Departures: Marlon McCree, S (CAR); Jamie Sharper, LB.

The skinny: The Texans were wildly unpredictable last season, looking very good one week and feeble the next. Stringing together consecutive victories was a real challenge. Now, the pressure is really on Coach Dom Capers and quarterback David Carr to make a serious run at a playoff berth. The Texan defense gave up just one rushing touchdown in the team’s final 12 games last season, but Houston’s passing defense was atrocious, giving up 32 touchdowns.

4. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Arrivals: Martin Chase, DT (NYG); Deke Cooper, S (JAC); Terry Cousin, CB (NYG); Reggie Hayward, DE (DEN); Matt Jones*, WR; Marcellus Wiley, DE (DAL); Tony Williams, DT (CIN).

Departures: Lionel Branes, DE; Juran Bolden, CB (TB); Marc Edwards, FB; Tommy Hendricks, LB; Dewayne Washington, CB.

The skinny: The Jaguars proved last season they can win close games. Eight of their nine victories came by a touchdown or less. Now, they simply need to prove they can win more often. If Fred Taylor can stay healthy, he figures to be a huge factor in the Jacksonville offense. He had started 46 consecutive games before suffering a knee injury Dec. 19 against Green Bay.

AFC WEST

1. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Arrivals: Luis Castillo*, DT; Bhawoh Jue, S (GB); Shawne Merriman*, LB.

Departures: Tim Dwight, WR/KR (NE); Doug Flutie, QB (NE).

The skinny: If Drew Brees can put together another season like 2004, the Chargers are in good shape. They already have the best running back in football in LaDainian Tomlinson, who last season fought through a groin injury to rush for 1,335 yards and catch 53 passes for 441 more. He led AFC backs with 17 rushing touchdowns. If Antonio Gates can put his contract concerns behind him -- and the fact he’s been suspended for the opener -- he should be fine. Merriman should make an instant impact, even though the Chargers have several good linebackers already.

2. DENVER BRONCOS

Arrivals: Stephen Alexander, TE (DET); Keith Burns, LB (TB); Ron Dayne, RB (NYG); Ian Gold, LB (TB); Jerry Rice, WR (SEA).

Departures: Reggie Hayward, DE (JAC); Kelly Herndon, CB (SEA); Kenoy Kennedy, SS (DET); Dan Neil, OG; Donnie Spragan, LB (MIA).

The skinny: The Broncos, who haven’t won the divison or a playoff game since John Elway retired after the 1998 season, have been remarkably average over the past five seasons. They’ll probably turn another unknown back into a 1,000-yard rusher, though. Denver’s line does a great job of blocking for Jake Plummer, too. The Broncos gave up just 15 sacks last season, second-fewest in the conference.

3. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Arrivals: Kendrell Bell, LB (PIT); Derrick Johnson*, LB; Sammy Knight, S (MIA); Carlos Hill, DE (TEN); Robert Holcombe, RB (TEN).

Departures: Vonnie Holliday, DE (MIA); Monty Beisel, LB (NE).

The skinny: Just when it looks as if the Chief defense is ready for a revival, the aging offense is primed for a fall. There will be as many as five new defensive starters. An overhaul is necessary for a unit that held opponents under 20 points just twice in 2004. But the offense is graying at the temples (by NFL standards) with Trent Green, 35; Eddie Kennison, 32; and Priest Holmes, 31. Tony Gonzalez is coming off a season in which he caught 102 passes, a record for NFL tight ends.

4. OAKLAND RAIDERS

Arrivals: Derrick Burgess, DE (PHL); Renaldo Hill, CB (AZ); LaMont Jordan, RB (NYJ); Randy Moss, WR (MIN); Fabian Washington*, CB.

Departures: Ray Buchanan, S; Frank Middleton, S; John Parrella, DL; Tyrone Wheatley, RB; Roland Williams, TE (STL).

The skinny: If Norv Turner is, indeed, an offensive mastermind, then he should be able to do something with this arsenal. Then again, Kerry Collins looked bad through the first half of last season before putting together a respectable second half. The addition of Moss is huge. He rolled up 2,399 yards receiving over the past two seasons. He should give a big boost to an offense that averaged a league-worst 26:47 time of possession.

* Selected in 2005 draft