Are Colts Fans Underestimating the Impact of Big # 97?

As I sat and watched the Colts dismal run defense against Tiki Barber and the New York Giants on Sunday Night, two thoughts kept running through my mind:

1- Did I unknowingly enter a DeLorean with a lightning rod on top and somehow return Back to the Future of 2004?

2 - Please tell me this is only a 'we weren't really ready for Week 1 situation and things will somehow return to normal next week.

Which begs the question.....what exactly is normal? Was it normal that the Colts took a huge unexpected jump forward last year with their defense, or is the poor tackling, not ready for 'in your face' football of 2003 and 2004 really what IS normal for the Colts? And then it hit me. What's the common denominator between the Colts of Sunday Night and that lovable 'bend but don't break' bunch of pre-2005? You got it.....Corey Simon!! Yes, I know he was over-weight and out of shape in 2005 and everyone already had him penciled out of this year's starting lineup, but let's be honest.....he WAS the guy consistently on the field in running situations and believe me, nobody ever moved the pile when this guy was the pile.

Simon came to the Colts with the reputation of being one of the league's premier run-stoppers and guess what....the Colts made major improvements in stopping the run immediately upon his arrival. Sunday was a rude awakening for Colts fans and immediately raised the question as to whether or not this team has really made the necessary strides on defense to win it all. I say that question won't really be answered until we see the return of Big # 97.