The Colts aren't contenders anymore, but I still think they will edge out the Texans and win the AFC South. Although the Texans got much better in the secondary with the additions of stalwarts Jonathan Joseph and Danieal Manning; I don't think their defense has the right personnel to successfully run the 3-4. I also think the Colts' offense is far more consistent and more potent. Even though the Colts don't have a dynamic back like Arian Foster, Joseph Addai is a more than capable player.

I don't think I even need to talk about the Colts' at quarterback. Peyton Manning is a beast, and he's going to play every game this season. If he somehow doesn't; then Curtis- well, we don't need to talk about that either.

I love the receiving weapons around Peyton because they are so diverse. Reggie Wayne is one of the best five receivers in the NFL, Pierre Garcon is a nice deep threat, Austin Collie is the best receiver out there at catching, and Blair White is a nice fourth option. We all know that Peyton loves to use his mind to create mismatches. Well, he's got two of the best receiving tight ends in the NFL to use to confuse and over-match defenses.

As far as the running game goes, the Colts need Addai to be healthy. He's really the only thing they have at running back, and he is a very underrated player. People are writing him off, but Addai is one of the top 20 backs in the league right now. Donald Brown and Mike Hart, on the other hand, are two liabilities in the running game. I've basically given up on Brown as a starting-caliber running back- or even a decent number two- in this league.

The offensive line, however, is a mess. Manning helps mitigate the concerns on the line, but the front office certainly knows how bad the guys blocking for Manning are. I should have said "the guys blocking for Addai", because it is Addai who suffers the most from the incompetent blocking up front.

Anyway, the Colts drafted Anthony Castonzo and Ben Ijalana, and they are both starters on the left side of the line. They both look like decent players, but they only good player on this line is veteran center Jeff Saturday. The other two starters, Mike Pollak and Ryan Diem, are liabilities.

The other line has improved from last season, and there's no doubting who the two most dangerous players on that line are. Newly signed backup end Jamaal Anderson has the versatility to play inside, as does backup end Eric Foster. Antonio Johnson, Fili Moala, rookie Drake Nevis, and recent signing Tommie Harris will get snaps at defensive tackle. Harris's career went on a strange decline, and it will be interesting to see how he does in Indy.

Clint Session moved on and is now playing with the Jags- I have no clue why they played only an average LB that much. It doesn't really matter much to the Colts, because they're already solid at the position. They signed Ernie Sims, but he's a subpar player who is worse than Session. He was terrible last year with the Eagles, but he is a legitimate downhill run-stuffer.

Gary Brackett is a leader on defense and a fixture at MLB. Young, speedy linebackers Pat Angerer and Philip Wheeler will both get significant playing time on the outside.

The Colts only have one corner that I like, and that's nickel corner Justin Tyron. He's a solid player who is their best player in coverage. Jerraud Powers is physical and can make plays, but he's a liability in coverage. I'm not a fan of Jacob Lacey, or really any other corner on this roster for that matter. I think the Colts are really going to struggle to hold down the opposition, because this defense just doesn't look that good.

Melvin Bullitt is a solid player who can hit and make tackles, but he can't cover all that well. Antoine Bethea is one of the best safeties in the NFL, and he is far and away the best player in this terrible Colts' secondary. Although he does have lapses in coverage, he can actually cover and makes a ton of plays. Bethea makes mistakes, but he is a difference-maker on defense.

As always, the Colts are going to score points, but they will also give up their fair share of points. And as always, their offense will score enough points for them to be a playoff team. The Colts aren't what they used to be, but they are still a good team with a high-powered offense.

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2011 NFL Draft Team Grades Part 2

May 3rd 2011 14:29

Detroit Lions B minus- Nick Fairley slipped, and the Lions knew that his value at the 13th pick was too good to pass up on. While he doesn't fill a need- the Lions are already beastly at D-Tackle with Suh, Corey Williams, and Sammie Lee Hill- Fairley was far too talented to not pick. Titus Young will definitely help out Matthew Stafford because Detroit's third receiver last year- Bryant Johnson- was horrendous. Mikel LeShoure will spell the end of Kevin Smith in Detroit.

Green Bay Packers B minus- Derek Sherrod was needed to bulk up the tackles, and Randall Cobb was a nice selection at the end of the second round. He's a playmaking receiver that will most likely replace James Jones. Cobb will probably handle returns, and he will also make an impact in the passing game because the Packers love their four receiver sets.To me, Davon House was the best pick the Packers made. Although they are already stocked at corner, House was a steal as a compensatory pick in the fourth round. House fits what Dom Capers does defensively, and he is another one of those really good press corners. D.J. Williams was a solid 5th round choice at tight end.

Houston Texans B I thought the Texans did a good job in the first round by making the safe choice and getting J.J. Watt. His pass rushing abilities will alleviate the pressure put on the corners to perform their pass coverage duties. Brooks Read is a huge upgrade over the Texans' other outside linebackers, and he will also make an early impact as a pass rusher. Brandon Harris was a solid pick, and he should be better than Kareem Jackson.

Indianapolis Colts A minus- I thought the Colts did a great job in this draft. Anthony Castonzo and Benjamin Ijalana were huge upgrades on the O-Line, and Delonte Carter brings another body into the running game. Drake Nevis is a great one-gap DT that fits the Colts' scheme perfectly. Getting him in the third round was a steal. Bill Polian is such a beast.

Jacksonville Jaguars D plus- I really didn't like this draft for the Jags. While Blaine Gabbert is good, and William Rackley is solid; there was nothing else I liked in this draft for them.

Kansas City Chiefs A I thought Scott Pioli and the Chiefs turned in another really good draft. Jonathan Baldwin was a huge risk, but he'll finally give them a big-play receiver. Justin Houston will give the Chiefs a nice pass rusher next to Tamba Hali. Rodney Hudson gives the Chiefs O-Line depth and will be a solid starter once Casey Wiegmann retires. Wiegmann will also mentor Hudson. Allen Bailey gives the Chiefs depth, and he fits their system well. Jalil Brown will give the Chiefs a lot of depth at corner, and Ricky Stanzi will develop into a good backup.

Miami Dolphins F plus- Mike Pouncey will come in and be a solid starter, and Edmond Gates is a sleeper receiver. However, there was nothing else that I even remotely liked about the Dolphins' draft.

Minnesota Vikings A If you think a QB can be that guy for your team, then take him the first chance you get to. Bill Musgrave runs a strict West Coast Offense filled with PA's and bootlegs. Ponder will succeed there, and he's the best WCO QB prospect we've seen in the last few years. Kyle Rudolph gives the Vikings another tight end option. Christian Ballard was a steal in the fourth round, and he can play end or tackle although his true position is tackle. 6th rounder Brandon Fusco is one of my sleepers. The center out of Slippery Rock gives the Vikes another O-Lineman on a terrible line, and I think he has a chance to start and play well at the end of the year.