Luck is one of the best QB's in the NFL, and continues to improve with his uncanny throwing accuracy, his crazy playing style and veteran type leadership that has led the Colts to the playoffs the past 3 seasons. Arguably, you can say that Luck is the best QB in the league, combining his age, his talent and his stats.
Luck is the reason that veteran players are joining the Colts this season. When former Houston Texan WR Andre Johnson, who has just signed with the Colts today, was asked what was the biggest factor in joining the Colts, he had two words. "Andrew. Luck." Former Niner Frank Gore, who signed with the Colts yesterday, told the press that he "Wanted to be with a team who's got a shot at the trophy", and "Start with Number Twelve, and you've got a chance."
Frank Gore will be by no means the long term starter in Indianapolis. I think the Colts know this, and they know they are in desperate need of a running back who can be an Edgerrin James. Since James left the team to play for the Cardinals, the Colts have been unable to find a suitable player for that position. I really don't think that the Colts have really tried. Gore can be the next guy they use to mentor the next man they pick out of the draft, whether it be a player like Melvin Gordon, or a later round pick like David Cobb or Jeremy Langford. Gore signed a 3 year $21 million deal, with $12 million guaranteed.
The Colts starters from last season are mainly intact, despite the fact that they are missing WR Reggie Wayne, who played 15 games last season, catching 64 passes for 779 yards and 2 TD's. 2015 will be Wayne's first season away from the Colts, Johnson's first year away from the Texans.
What does Andre Johnson bring to the Colts? Johnson is a veteran receiver with over 1000 catches, and 2 100 catch seasons in the past 3 years. Last season, Johnson caught 80 catches for 936 yards, missing 1 game. With a couple young guys in Donte Moncrief, and Duron Carter, and the oldest WR on the team with Reggie Wayne is moving off is TY Hilton. Johnson, who has signed a 3 year, $21 million deal, can teach these young receivers some great technique, and build an even stronger receiving corps for Luck in the future.
One of those key players that were picked up by the Colts on offense to boost the line was a strong run blocker in Todd Herremans. He's 32, but last season in Philadelphia he was out after week 9 with a foot injury, but he was a huge part in LeSean McCoy's league leading run in 2013. He can offer Frank Gore some good run support on a line the struggled a lot over the past few years.
On Defense, the Colts have added veteran edge rusher Trent Cole, the former Philadelphia Eagle, to a 2 year $16 million deal. The Colts lacked an elite pass rusher in 2014, something they are looking to fix this season. Cole with the Eagles has registered 6.5 sacks last year, and he has 4 10+ sack seasons in his career. He's going to help Bjorn Werner, the teams edge rusher, a ton this season offering his advice.
We'll see what the Colts dial up the rest of free agency, and in the draft, but I see a team that is improving rapidly, and that can be quite a challenge in 2015 for the rest of the AFC. With veteran leaders from other teams leaving money to join the Colts for a player like Andrew Luck, it makes this an exciting season for the Colts to run under.
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