Colts Lose.... Big Changes are needed

Peyton Manning had an incredible season. The Indianapolis Colts had yet another of the same....win a lot during the season lose to the Patriots in the playoffs.

What went wrong this time? Did Manning have a bad day? Not really. Aside from his receivers who suddenly couldn't catch on 3rd down, it was a decent outing. The defense was really good for the first half, and really awful in the second. The 3rd quarter Patriots drive which consumed 9:35 of clock killed the Colts' Season. How do we fix it?

I recommend getting a middle linebacker. ANY middle linebacker will work. What is that? They have Rob Morris? Rob Morris doesn't count. He doesn't exist on most plays. I could go to just about any high school in the country and find a middle linebacker who gets blocked on every single play and pushed completely out of the play. Heck, I could even go out there and get blocked! The idea is to actually avoid being blocked, and to make tackles. Preferrably as close to the line as possible. Rob Morris is worse than bad...he doesn't exist. The Colts NEED a Middle Linebacker. They also could use a couple cornerbacks over the height of 5'5" tall.

The next thing they need? A Defensive tackle. Playing with 4 Defensive Ends and calling 2 of them tackles....doesn't make it so. Defensive tackles are like immovable mountains of stone. They should be big 350+ lbs. of pure girth to clog up the middle and make the other team run to the outside.

How do they pay for these players under the salary cap? Edgerrin James is simply not keepable unless he wants to sign for less cash. He won't...so he is gone. That will free up 15 million under the cap... cut Mike Vanderjagt and free up another 2.8 million and a roster spot to add some depth since the new kicker you sign should be able to kickoff AND kick field goals.

With 17 million under the cap, maybe they could purchase some defense! They only need a little....and the Lombardi Trophy comes to Indianapolis in 2006!