The Colts Have Lost More Than They've Gained This Off-season

In Sunday's Boston Globe, Mike Reiss takes a look at the Colts' off-season to date. Basically, the team has lost more players than it has been able to sign during free agency. Gone are running back Dominic Rhodes, linebacker Cato June, cornerback Nick Harper, defensive lineman Montae Reagor and wideout Brandon Stokley.

Usually, losing three to four starters could be detrimental for a team's playoff hopes, but Indianapolis has been very proficient in recent seasons when it comes to player personnel matters. "So," Reiss asks, "why so little activity?" Team president Bill Polian provides some insight:

"Mainly because we've made some big mistakes in the past, Corey Simon being the most obvious one," he said. "We've had a modicum of success in it, but not a lot. We just feel the odds are very much against you. It's not a criticism of anyone who does it, but just the way we do things. We're not good at it, so we stay away from things we're not good at."

Unlike, say, the Redskins, the Colts look to restock the roster through the draft. Last year, their first-round pick, running back Joseph Addai, filled in nicely for Edgerrin James, who went on to make his fortune in Arizona. This year, Indy should have little trouble replacing Rhodes (who was a backup until last season); June (who basically signed a one-year "show me" deal with the Bucs) was a capable starter, but is replaceable; Harper is more suited to the nickel-back role; Stokley, while valuable, benefited more from Peyton Manning than vice versa. Reagor only played in five games last season and obviously didn't do enough to deem worthy of re-signing.

As long as Manning, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark are on the roster, the passing game should be fine, and Addai solidifies the running game. Of course, the front office has to have a pretty successful draft to replace the lost production on the other side of the ball. And as has been the case the past few seasons, improving the run defense is at the top of the To Do list. Still, barring a catastrophic collapse, Indy should be a playoff team next season, and probably an early-season Super Bowl favorite.