Kickoff Primer: An instant guide to the 2016 Indianapolis Colts
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Indianapolis Colts
| 2015 Record | 2015 Finish |
|---|---|
| 8-8 | 2nd in AFC South |
Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Chuck Pagano
Offensive Coordinator: Rob Chudzinski
Defensive Coordinator: Ted Monachino
Key Additions
- C Ryan Kelly (1st round)
- CB Patrick Robinson
- DC Ted Monachino
- S T.J. Green (2nd round)
- RB Robert Turbin
- QB Scott Tolzien
- CB Antonio Cromartie
Key Departures
- LB Jerrell Freeman
- TE Coby Fleener
- S Dwight Lowery
- LB Nate Irving
- CB Greg Toler
- WR Andre Johnson
Preseason Power Ranking - No. 20
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Projected Starting Lineup
| Position | Starter |
|---|---|
| WR | T.Y. Hilton |
| WR | Donte Moncrief |
| WR | Phillip Dorsett |
| LT | Anthony Castonzo |
| LG | Jonotthan Harrison* |
| C | Ryan Kelly |
| RG | Denzelle Good |
| RT | Joe Reitz |
| TE | Dwayne Allen |
| QB | Andrew Luck |
| RB | Frank Gore |
*guard Jack Mewhort (knee) could miss the first three weeks
| Position | Starter |
|---|---|
| DE | Kendall Langford |
| NT | David Parry |
| DT | Zach Kerr* |
| OLB | Robert Mathis |
| ILB | D'Qwell Jackson |
| ILB | Nate Irving |
| OLB | Erik Walden |
| CB | Antonio Cromartie* |
| SS | Mike Adams |
| FS | T.J. Green |
| CB | Patrick Robinson |
*Vontae Davis will reportedly miss at least the first month of the season with an ankle injury. Henry Anderson (ACL) will start at defensive tackle if healthy by Week 1.
Questions to Answer
- Can Luck rebound from a poor 2015 and cement his superstar status?
- Will new defensive coordinator Ted Monachino be able to manufacture a pass-rush?
- Will the investment in the offensive line pay immediate dividends?
- Does Frank Gore have one more Pro Bowl-level season in the tank?
Best-case Scenario
Luck returns better than ever, putting together his most accurate and turnover-free season to date. Moncrief and Dorsett take the next leap in their developments, and the offense carries the defense to an AFC South crown, an 11-5 record, and the No. 3 seed. But the age of the Colts roster and their lack of talent on defense means Luck will need to morph into Joe Montana in order to challenge for a tile.
Worst-case Scenario
The running game and offensive line continue to be the Colts' fatal flaw. Luck is solid, but is unable to do enough to compensate for the poor play around him. The Colts' defense is among the worst in the league, with Anderson struggling to return from injury. The rest of the AFC South all make leaps, but with no dominant teams, Indianapolis hovers around .500 for a second straight season.