Indianapolis Colts Capsule
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-8)
OPEN CAMP: July 26, Anderson, Indiana
LAST YEAR: Andrew Luck never looked right and neither did Colts. Luck missed nine games because of injuries, forcing coach Chuck Pagano to survive worst season of four-year tenure with five quarterbacks. Instead of contending for Super Bowl trip, as widely expected, Indy missed playoffs for only second time since 2002.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: C Ryan Kelly, CB Patrick Robinson, RB Robert Turbin, QB Scott Tolzien, OL Le'Raven Clark, defensive coordinator Ted Monachino.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: TE Coby Fleener, LB Jerrell Freeman, S Dwight Lowery, CB Greg Toler, QB Matt Hasselbeck, WR Andre Johnson, C Khaled Holmes, quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen, defensive coordinator Greg Manusky.
CAMP NEEDS: Colts' top priority hasn't changed: finding offensive line combination to reduce number of hits Luck takes. Adding Kelly in draft should help. Indy also believes Luck can help himself by taking fewer chances; running less could keep him healthy. Throwing ball away more frequently should reduce turnovers, too. Monachino will focus on stopping run. But training camp will be first time players will see how philosophies of Monachino and offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski really work.
EXPECTATIONS: Though team's goal hasn't changed, nobody is talking Super Bowl this summer. Pagano and general manager Ryan Grigson even downplay expectations in AFC South. If Luck stays healthy, Colts could again be championship contender. Indy should make playoffs and chase third division title in four years.
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