NFL

Colts know they can't do it on offense alone

Window closing fast on trio of Manning, Harrison, James

If “The Triplets” are ever going to reach the Super Bowl together, they better get there this season.

The window is closing on the era of “The Triplets” in Indy after six spectacular but ultimately disappointing seasons. Quarterback Peyton Manning and wide receiver Marvin Harrison aren't going anywhere, but running back Edgerrin James might be entering his final season with the Colts.

James might be leaving not because of a lack of production (he rushed for 1,548 yards last season), but because the team can no longer afford to tie up two-thirds of its salary cap on an offense that has reached only one conference championship in six years and is 3-5 in playoff games, including a dismal record of underachievement against the Patriots in the postseason.

Everyone knows about the Colts’ record-breaking offense and Manning’s 49 touchdown passes a year ago, but the team is becoming more known for its frustrating finishes in the postseason than for piling up a league-leading 522 points last season. Why? Because they have failed to make defensive stops or offensive plays when they most needed them in the postseason.

Defensively, Indianapolis was 28th against the pass despite finishing tied for third in the NFL with 45 sacks last season, but that wasn’t the real story of the defensive problems. The worst of it is, they couldn't stop the run when they had to.

Indy's defensive line produced 41 of the team's 45 sacks through quickness and speed, but they sacrificed size to do so and have been pushed around because of it. The Colts allowed 4.6 yards per carry in 2004, and in their five losses last season were destroyed by running games that averaged 168.2 yards per game and 5 yards per carry.

That limits Manning's opportunities in the biggest games, and but things might be better this season because the Colts got a golden opportunity when Corey Simon fell into their laps late in the offseason. When the Eagles couldn't come to terms with Simon, they cut the defensive tackle and the Colts swooped in. If he can have an impact, then Indy might be on its way.

Other than Simon, the biggest defensive additions were the drafting of cornerbacks in the first two rounds with physical first-rounder Marlin Jackson perhaps going to start and second-round choice Kelvin Hayden at least being given a look.

Hot seat: Peyton Manning. Hard to believe after all he's done that Manning has any detractors, but he's suffering from the same heightened expectations that followed Dan Marino all the way into retirement and dogged John Elway until he won a Super Bowl with the Broncos. Manning's critics say he can't win the big one. Manning's passing and grasp of the offense is why they were 12-4 a year ago, but he was dreadful in the playoffs against New England for the second year in a row, so observers have begun to wonder when all those numbers will convert into championships.

Overheard: The Colts are looking for big things from tight end Dallas Clark now that Marcus Pollard has departed. Clark averaged 16.9 yards per catch a year ago on 25 receptions. With Pollard gone, the two tight end set might be a thing of the past, so Clark is expected to put up some big numbers as a target underneath defenses concentrating on the Colts' deep receivers.

Outlook: They have the most potent offense and a defense that gets after the quarterback and gets them to the postseason. But unless that defense becomes far more stout than it has been, it doesn't get them through the playoffs without another disappointment.

Prediction:
First.