With OTAs over, five reasons to feel good about Indianapolis Colts entering 2009

On Monday, we examined the Top 5 reasons to worry about the Indianapolis Colts entering 2009. In this second and last of the series, we'll examine the Top 5 reasons to feel good about the Colts next season . . .

The Indianapolis Colts' 2009 organized team activities are over, which means the offseason essentially is over, too. The Colts will continue conditioning, but major preparation is on hold for several weeks.

Training camp is next. Players report to the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind., on August 2.

Then, preseason and regular season.

I spent the the last month or so at the Colts' OTAs and mincamps, sifting through what for the Colts has been an unsettled offseason. Still, despite attention on the coaching staff this offseason, I don't see this as a team in crisis. Offensive coordinator Tom Moore and offensive line coach Howard Mudd are coming back as consultants, and will perform essentially their former roles. Also this is a deeper, more talented team than a year ago, so if you're looking for teeth-gnashing or predictions of a Colts downfall, this isn't your place.

So, a day after after we examined the Top 5 reasons to worry about the Colts in 2009, we examine the Top 5 reasons to feel good about the Colts entering 2009 . . .

5) Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. Each member of the Colts' defensive end combination made the Pro Bowl last season, and Freeney and Mathis are each very much in their prime. There has been talk of the Colts moving to a more aggressive defensive philosophy under first-year coordinator Larry Coyer, which would mean more blitzing in passing situations. But with Freeney and Mathis in the lineup, the Colts won't likely stray far from a defense that emphasizes pressure from the down linemen.

4) The "Odd Year" Theory. Any diehard Colts fans know this pertains to S Bob Sanders, who missed signficant time in 2004, 2006 and 2008 with injuries. In 2005, Sanders made the Pro Bowl and in 2007, he not only made the Pro Bowl, but was named the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year. There's more to the Colts' defense than Sanders and although the defense has played well when he was healthy, those times also have also coincided with quality play from DT Corey Simon (2005), DT Anthony "Booger" McFarland (2006 postseason) and DT Ed Johnson (2007). With Johnson re-signed, if Sanders can stay healthy, the Colts could be vastly improved defensively. 

3) Head Coach Jim Caldwell. I keep reading/hearing about uncertainty at the Colts' head coaching position, and while that's understandable after the retirement of seven-year head coach Tony Dungy, it's also misplaced worry. Caldwell, who spent the last seven seasons as a Colts assistant, is a steady force and has handled the offseason uncertainly surrounding the retirement/return of offensive line coach Howard Mudd and offensive coordinator Tom Moore calmly. He also made two necessary moves, replacing defensive coordinator Ron Meeks with Larry Coyer and special teams coordinator Russ Purnell with Ray Rychleski. Those close to the Colts say he has the respect of players and coaches, and although Dungy was special, if the Colts slip this season I don't see if being because of Caldwell.

2) WR Reggie Wayne. By now, most Colts fans have accepted that not only is WR Marvin Harrison not returning, but that considering his production a year ago, that's not a bad thing. Wayne, a Pro Bowl selection the last three seasons, proved in 2007 he was a legitimate No. 1 receiver. With Harrison missing 11 games that season, Wayne led the AFC in receiving yards, and he had another solid season last season. He's in his prime, and with Colts QB Peyton Manning no longer concerned with getting Harrison opportunities, Wayne should be primed for another huge season.

1) QB Peyton Manning. Just because this is obvious doesn't make it unimportant. He won his third AP Most Valuable Player Award last season, turning in a second half of the season that ranked with any stretch a quarterback has had in recent memory. With the offensive line struggling and with the 31st-ranked running game in the NFL, the Colts won their last nine regular-season games after Manning fully recovered from preseason knee surgery. Manning's far from a one-man team. Indianapolis has as many premier skill-position players as any team in the NFL. But his presence and the guarantee of elite-level play at quarterback, makes the Colts a Super Bowl threat.

OTHER EXAMINER COLTS TOPICS . . .

• SERIES: Top Five reasons to worry about Colts in 2009
• Manning: Influence of Tony Dungy still felt around Colts
• A look back at 2009 Colts minicamp
• Mudd, Moore return inevitable, happy end to long story
• Colts to allow sponsors on practice uniforms
• QB Peyton Manning willing to be patient regarding assistants
• A look at the defense entering 2009 minicamp
• A look at the offense entering 2009 minicamp
• QB Peyton Manning among three Colts players ranked highly in Madden 2010
• Hints Emerging about potential Colts defensive changes
• QB Peyton Manning must let assistant coaching situation play out
• Top Five Real Issues Facing Colts Entering 2009
• Top Five Myths Surrounding the Colts Entering 2009
• Top Five Underrated Players on Colts Entering 2009
• Top Five Breakout Players for Colts Entering 2009
• Top Five Nonissues facing Colts Entering 2009
• Why Frank Winters and Ron Johnson fit the Colts' philosophical approach
• Why Colts QB Peyton Manning is primed for another big season
• Preseason dates and times
• Former Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy essays on Michael Vick
• On Loss of Dom Anile
• Re-signing DT Ed Johnson makes DT situation even better
• SERIES: Peyton Manning Top 10 underrated moments.
• Breaking Down the 2009 Colts Schedule
• Colts Rookie Minicamp
• Top 10 rookie free agents in the Polian era
• Too early to quit on Addai
• A recap of the Colts' 2009 NFL Draft