If there’s a centerpiece that links both the Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck eras of Indianapolis Colts football it’s Reggie Wayne. Well, actually it’s Owner Jim Irsay, but the marquee player to line up with both Manning and Luck is Wayne. And Reggie Wayne is still a major focal point in the Indianapolis Colts offense.
They will be a throw it first unit, and Wayne will be the main weapon.
Indianapolis Colts WR/TE
T.Y. Hilton? More like K.Y. Hilton the way he loses the ball sometimes. Or T.Y. Red Roof Inn the way he just isn’t big time yet. Only economy class. Ok, I’m just joking T.Y. Hilton isn’t bad. He’s a pretty decent third option at receiver. We’ve already covered Wayne (most opposing corners cannot). Darruis Heyward-Bey was an Al Davis wet dream draft pick- a guy who was overvalued due to 40 yard time. He had a solid year in 2012, but he didn’t have a 7th overall pick kind of year.
Andrew Luck again gets to work his built-in continuity with his former Stanford teammate Colby Fleener at Tight End. He’s backed up by Justice Cunningham. Dwayne Allen starts over both of them. The whole entire unit banged up though.
Indianapolis Colts DB
Vontae Davis from Illinois continues the tradition of former Illini on the Indianapolis Colts. Seems like he escaped unharmed from that Twitter flap at the end of February. SCANDALOUS! The solid Greg Toler starts opposite Vontae, with Darrius Butler and Cassius Vaughn the main back-ups at the Indianapolis Colts cornerback position.
Pro-Bowler LaRon Landry is a huge upgrade at the Free Safety position. This acquisition is huge for an Indianapolis Colts team that gave up way too many big plays. Antoine Bethea joins him as the starting Strong Safety.
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. An analyst for 95.7 The Fan, he also writes on Chicago sports media for Chicago Now. President Obama follows him on Twitter (@paulmbanks)