With the Indianapolis Colts' 2010 organized team activities at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center now over -- and with training camp fast approaching --Indy Football Report Editor John Oehser this week will continue taking a look at what to like and what to worry about with the Colts as the 2010 NFL regular season approaches . . .
Three areas of concern for the Colts on special teams . . .
The Indianapolis Colts wrapped up 2010 organized team activities recently, and we wrap up Indy Football Report's post-OTA analysis with this look at the concerns facing the special teams.
As was the case with offense and defense, there's more to like about the units than there is to dislike, and as was the case with those units, there's some overlap between the things to like and those things to find concerning.
The reason:
A lot of things to like about the Colts entering next season are things that involve potential. For instance, the emergence of rookie DE Jerry Hughes is a reason to like the Colts' defense, but him being a rookie and an unknown NFL entity is a reason to be concerned.
There are areas like that on special teams, so forgiving the somewhat wishy-washy nature of the special teams analysis, we'll begin.
1. Is K Adam Vinatieri ready to play a full season? This is the first area where the look at the areas to be concerned about gets a bit wishy washy. We said early this week that Vinatieri's return was a reason for optimism, but Vinatieri also is coming off the most injury-plagued season of his career, having missed 10 games last season with hip and knee injuries. Vinatieri looked good during organized team activities, and talked of feeling good and playing several more seasons. A more pressing issue for the Colts involving the 15-year veteran is whether he can remain healthy through an entire season. Considering the Colts seem to very much want him to be the kicking specialist next season, and considering they didn't re-sign veteran Matt Stover – who kicked the last half of the regular season and the post-season – indications are the Colts believe he will be healthy. No reason to believe he can't remain that way, and if that's true, history indicates 37-year-old kickers can be very effective.
2. Can the Colts find a reliable returner? The Colts selected Ray Fisher in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft and shortly thereafter, they signed Brandon James from the University of Florida. From that duo, the Colts likely will find their returner for next season. Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell said recently it has yet to be decided whether one player will play each role, or whether the Colts will carry a punt and kick returner. The Colts released running back Chad Simpson, the team's kickoff returner last season, and opted to not re-sign T.J. Rushing in free agency. It seems logical that Fisher or James will be an upgrade over last year's duo, but of foremost concern to the Colts and Caldwell is finding a returner who is reliable. Caldwell has emphasized several times that the Colts need steady improvement from the area, but most importantly they need it from a player who can consistently secure the ball and ensure the Colts get possession. There's no reason to think that player can't be Fisher or James, but figuring which one it is – or if it's another player such as veteran Sam Giguere --will be a priority in training camp.
3. Will the coverage continue to improve? The Colts' kickoff coverage improved last season, in part because the coverage teams as a whole improved and in large part because of the addition of then-rookie punter Pat McAfee. The Colts' kickoff coverage the previous four seasons finished no better than 21st in the NFL in opponents' average start on kickoffs, ranking 24th in 2008 (24.3-yard line), 29th in 2007 (25.0), 30th in 2006 (26.0) and 21st in 2005 (22.2). They did not allow a kickoff return for a touchdown in 2008, allowing three in 2007, two in 2006 and one in 2005. They also allowed one by Chicago Bears returner Devin Hester in Super Bowl XLI following the 2006 season. This past season, they allowed one kickoff return for a touchdown – a 106-yarder to Brad Smith in a late-season, 29-15 loss to the New York Jets – but finished the season with opponent averaging starting at the 25.1-yard line. That ranked seventh in the NFL. McAfee's addition was a big factor. From 2007-2009, Vinatieri had 27 kickoffs for touchbacks. McAfee had 25 touchbacks last season. The Colts' goal for next season is to improve the area again. That may be tough, but if the Colts can improve a bit or just maintain last year's strides, this area will be one of the stronger in the NFL.
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