2016 Lions Opponents: Did They Improve?
By Al Stahl
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts had a pretty rough 2015. Andrew Luck spent much of the year injured with a lacerated kidney (ouch!) and the defense was just plain bad. The Colts’ D ranked 26th in total yards allowed and 25th in points allowed, giving up over 25 points per game.
Let’s look at how the offense has changed this off season:
| 2015 Offensive Starters | Proj. 2016 O Starters | |||
| Pos. | Player | Pos. | Player | |
| LT | Anthony Castonzo | LT | Anthony Castonzo | |
| LG | Jake Mewhort | LG | Jake Mewhort | |
| C | Khaled Holmes | C | Ryan Kelly | |
| RG | Todd Herremans | RG | Jonotthan Harrison | |
| RT | Gosder Cherilus | RT | Denzelle Good | |
| TE | Dwayne Allen | TE | Dwayne Allen | |
| WR | Andre Johnson | WR | T.Y. Hilton | |
| WR | T.Y. Hilton | WR | Phillip Dorsett | |
| WR | Phillip Dorsett | WR | Donte Moncrief | |
| RB | Frank Gore | RB | Frank Gore | |
| QB | Andrew Luck | QB | Andrew Luck |
I’ve got good news and bad news.
Good news: Last year, the offensive line was just outright bad. The Colts needed to address their offensive line, and they certainly did.
Bad news: They’ve replaced the whole right side of their line with…some guys.
The Colts drafted Ryan Kelly in the hopes he can produce as well as Jeff Saturday did when Peyton was still under center. But aside from Kelly, I honestly couldn’t tell you who the other two guys are. In fairness, the Colts did draft three other offensive linemen, tackles Joe Haeg and LeRaven Clark along with G Austin Blythe, so maybe Haeg or Clark can step in and contribute this year.
The Colts also let Coby Fleener walk in free agency, putting their trust in Dwayne Allen and the young receiving corps to replace his production. Fleener, by the way, ended up signing with the Saints. They also didn’t bring back receiver Andre Johnson who is, to put it kindly, past his prime.
There’s no doubt that Andrew Luck has plenty of talent and plenty of talent around him, but when you’re marching him out behind that offensive line with no running threat besides a washed up Frank Gore, it’s going to be ugly again. RIP 2016 Andrew Luck. We hardly knew ye. I’ll pray for your kidneys.
So if the Colts didn’t improve their offense, their terrible defense must be much improved right?
| 2015 Defensive Starters | Proj. 2016 D Starters | |||
| DE | Arthur Jones | DE | Arthur Jones | |
| DT | David Parry | DT | David Parry | |
| DE | Kendall Langford | DE | Kendall Langford | |
| OLB | Erik Walden | OLB | Erik Walden | |
| ILB | D’Qwell Jackson | ILB | D’Qwell Jackson | |
| ILB | Jerrell Freeman | ILB | Nate Irving | |
| OLB | Robert Mathis | OLB | Robert Mathis | |
| CB | Greg Toler | CB | Patrick Robinson | |
| FS | Dwight Lowery | FS | Clayton Geathers | |
| SS | Mike Adams | SS | Mike Adams | |
| CB | Vontae Davis | CB | Vontae Davis |
Well, they’re returning 8 starters on defense. ILB Nate Irving steps in for Jerrell Freeman who joined the Bears this offseason. FA CB Patrick Robinson joins the Colts from San Diego and should bolster the Colts’ secondary. Second year safety Clayton Geathers will step into a starting role opposite Mike Adams.
Verdict
Looking at the roster, what did the Colts do this offseason? I know they drafted tons of help on the offensive line and added some defenders through the draft as well, but they may only get contributions from two draft picks. The offensive line is still a work in progress and the front seven of a terrible defense didn’t make any upgrades.
For as much as a healthy Andrew Luck can help, the Colts are losing ground when it comes to overall talent. Indianapolis went 8-8 last year and 4-2 in the division. All four wins were one score contests against teams that got better this offseason. The Colts didn’t.
Lions’ chances for a road victory: 60%
Next: Up Next: Jacksonville Jaguars