MaxV
Registered User
I thought that this topic might serve as a decent distraction.
Now before I post, please keep in mind, that this is my all time team for Indianapolis Colts, specifically players that had their careers in that city. I realize that Baltimore Colts are officially part of the same lineage, but I kept them separate.
QB: Peyton Manning
I am actually old enough to know a time before Peyton was drafted, the “Captain Comeback” Jim Harbaugh era. Harbaugh certainly had a memorable Colts’ career, a dropped hail-mary pass away from a trip to SB. Andrew Luck also left a good legacy with this franchise, but I think we can all agree that there is only one answer here.
RB Edgerrin James
Plenty of choices here. Dickerson and Faulk both also have very strong cases. Still, Edge was awesome in his prime and he did it longer then either of the 2 mentioned.
WR Marvin Harrison
One of the best to ever play the position, in his prime he had an amazing combination of speed, route running and hands. Even in twilight of his career, when he lost a step, he still could get open and caught everything.
WR Reggie Wayne
Never the deep threat of prime Harrison, Wayne was still an amazing route runner, with great hands.
WR TY Hilton
Although not as polished a route runner as the previous 2 mentioned, TY is still among NFL best with an excellent speed.
TE Dallas Clark
Again, some competition here with guys like Jack Doyle, Marcus Pollard and Ken Dilger. But none of those guys were as big of a threat in the passing game as Clark imo.
OT Chris Hinton
Obviously being known as a guy who got traded for John Elway doesn’t help, but Hinton went on to make 5 Pro Bowls in Indy, so he belongs here.
OT Tarik Glenn
Anthony Castonzo deserves a mention here also, but I don’t think you can chose him over either Glenn or Hinton.
OG Quenton Nelson
Yes, he has only played 2 years, but it’s the best 2 years by any Indianapolis’ guard by a big margin.
OG Ray Donaldson
He mostly played at Center, but there is no other guard in Indianapolis’ history, other then Nelson, that you can chose over this 4-time Pro Bowler.
OC Jeff Saturday
5-time Pro Bowler and a member of all-decade team, his inclusion is a no brainer.
DE Dwight Freeney
107.5 career sacks, 7 Pro Bowls, DPOY award, there are no questions here.
DE Robert Mathis
123 sacks, 5 Pro Bowls, no questions here either.
DT Tony Siragusa
Mostly known for his time with the Ravens, he played in Indianapolis for 7 years. He was one of the leaders on the 1995 team that was minutes away from trip to SB.
DT Ellis Johnson
Undersized but highly athletic DT, who had a productive 7-year career in Indy. It’s too bad that he never got a chance to play in Dungy’s 1 gap system, he was perfect for it.
I was debating in putting Jon Hand here, who was a bigger (6’-7” 295), stronger and better player then Johnson, but he played a vast majority of time at DE.
LB Darius Leonard
Similar to Nelson, just 2 seasons but they are great 2 seasons. I admit that this one might be more debatable then Nelson as there is stronger competition here.
LB Duane Bickett
Unfortunately Bickett pretty much played for terrible teams throughout his career, but it wasn’t his fault. He was a very good player, with a Pro Bowl and DROY award to his name.
LB Gary Brackett
Jeff Herrod should also be mentioned here, but Brackett’s contribution to SB championship gives him an edge. Undersized, undrafted FA, Brackett put together a strong legacy in Indianapolis.
CB Vontae Davis
His peak is kind of short, but it is very high. 2-time Pro Bowler, he was one of NFL’s top cover guys before injuries slowed him down.
CB Ray Buchanan
Mostly known for his time in Atlanta, Buchanan spent just 4 years in Indy but he was an All-Pro in Indianapolis. The SB duo of Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden deserves a mention here.
SS Bob Sanders
Might be one of the biggest “what if” stories in NFL history. Injuries derailed what looked like a likely HOF career. But he still managed to win DPOY and a ring.
FS Antoine Bethea
There are some others that deserve a mention here like Mike Adams, Jason Belser and Mike Prior. Bethea was a 2-time Pro Bowler and a major part of SB title team.
PK Adam Vinatieri
Sure, there are other place kickers that made the Pro Bowl in Indy, but none who made as great of an impact as this legend.
P Pat McAfee
This one is not straight forward. McAfee is a former all-Pro and 2-time Pro Bowler, but Rohn Stark was also a great punter in Indy. McAfee’s personality wins.
Now before I post, please keep in mind, that this is my all time team for Indianapolis Colts, specifically players that had their careers in that city. I realize that Baltimore Colts are officially part of the same lineage, but I kept them separate.
QB: Peyton Manning
I am actually old enough to know a time before Peyton was drafted, the “Captain Comeback” Jim Harbaugh era. Harbaugh certainly had a memorable Colts’ career, a dropped hail-mary pass away from a trip to SB. Andrew Luck also left a good legacy with this franchise, but I think we can all agree that there is only one answer here.
RB Edgerrin James
Plenty of choices here. Dickerson and Faulk both also have very strong cases. Still, Edge was awesome in his prime and he did it longer then either of the 2 mentioned.
WR Marvin Harrison
One of the best to ever play the position, in his prime he had an amazing combination of speed, route running and hands. Even in twilight of his career, when he lost a step, he still could get open and caught everything.
WR Reggie Wayne
Never the deep threat of prime Harrison, Wayne was still an amazing route runner, with great hands.
WR TY Hilton
Although not as polished a route runner as the previous 2 mentioned, TY is still among NFL best with an excellent speed.
TE Dallas Clark
Again, some competition here with guys like Jack Doyle, Marcus Pollard and Ken Dilger. But none of those guys were as big of a threat in the passing game as Clark imo.
OT Chris Hinton
Obviously being known as a guy who got traded for John Elway doesn’t help, but Hinton went on to make 5 Pro Bowls in Indy, so he belongs here.
OT Tarik Glenn
Anthony Castonzo deserves a mention here also, but I don’t think you can chose him over either Glenn or Hinton.
OG Quenton Nelson
Yes, he has only played 2 years, but it’s the best 2 years by any Indianapolis’ guard by a big margin.
OG Ray Donaldson
He mostly played at Center, but there is no other guard in Indianapolis’ history, other then Nelson, that you can chose over this 4-time Pro Bowler.
OC Jeff Saturday
5-time Pro Bowler and a member of all-decade team, his inclusion is a no brainer.
DE Dwight Freeney
107.5 career sacks, 7 Pro Bowls, DPOY award, there are no questions here.
DE Robert Mathis
123 sacks, 5 Pro Bowls, no questions here either.
DT Tony Siragusa
Mostly known for his time with the Ravens, he played in Indianapolis for 7 years. He was one of the leaders on the 1995 team that was minutes away from trip to SB.
DT Ellis Johnson
Undersized but highly athletic DT, who had a productive 7-year career in Indy. It’s too bad that he never got a chance to play in Dungy’s 1 gap system, he was perfect for it.
I was debating in putting Jon Hand here, who was a bigger (6’-7” 295), stronger and better player then Johnson, but he played a vast majority of time at DE.
LB Darius Leonard
Similar to Nelson, just 2 seasons but they are great 2 seasons. I admit that this one might be more debatable then Nelson as there is stronger competition here.
LB Duane Bickett
Unfortunately Bickett pretty much played for terrible teams throughout his career, but it wasn’t his fault. He was a very good player, with a Pro Bowl and DROY award to his name.
LB Gary Brackett
Jeff Herrod should also be mentioned here, but Brackett’s contribution to SB championship gives him an edge. Undersized, undrafted FA, Brackett put together a strong legacy in Indianapolis.
CB Vontae Davis
His peak is kind of short, but it is very high. 2-time Pro Bowler, he was one of NFL’s top cover guys before injuries slowed him down.
CB Ray Buchanan
Mostly known for his time in Atlanta, Buchanan spent just 4 years in Indy but he was an All-Pro in Indianapolis. The SB duo of Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden deserves a mention here.
SS Bob Sanders
Might be one of the biggest “what if” stories in NFL history. Injuries derailed what looked like a likely HOF career. But he still managed to win DPOY and a ring.
FS Antoine Bethea
There are some others that deserve a mention here like Mike Adams, Jason Belser and Mike Prior. Bethea was a 2-time Pro Bowler and a major part of SB title team.
PK Adam Vinatieri
Sure, there are other place kickers that made the Pro Bowl in Indy, but none who made as great of an impact as this legend.
P Pat McAfee
This one is not straight forward. McAfee is a former all-Pro and 2-time Pro Bowler, but Rohn Stark was also a great punter in Indy. McAfee’s personality wins.
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