Although he is listed as a backup for the Colts, Philip Wheeler is a capable starting 4-3 outside linebacker in the NFL. The book on him is that he is solid but really nothing more than that. We've been waiting for a breakout season from him, but we probably won't get that. Still, all we can ask for in a player is that they are valuable to the team in some way or another. Last week, Wheeler was one of the only players on the Colts defense who wasn't smoked.

Wheeler was a third round pick in 2008 out of Georgia Tech, and he was a Second-team All-ACC player in the years 2006 and 2007. The problem, however, is that Wheeler has had some trouble showing that he is consistent enough to be a starter. The talent is certainly there, but sometimes you just sit there and wonder if this guy will ever get it. I think this year should be his year to break out, and Bill Polian certainly has high hopes for him.

Joe's Week 2 Picks

Raiders over Bills
Lions over Chiefs
Saints over Bears
Browns over Colts
Bucs over Vikings
Packers over Panthers
Steelers over Seahawks
Ravens over Titans
Redskins over Cardinals
Jets over Jaguars
Cowboys over 49ers
Bengals over Broncos
Patriots over Chargers
Texans over Dolphins
Eagles over Falcons
Giants over Rams

Jeff's Picks (My colleague)

Bills over Raiders
Chiefs over Lions
Saints over Bears
Browns over Colts
Vikings over Bucs
Packers over Panthers
Steelers over Seahawks
Ravens over Titans

Redskins over Cardinals
Jets over Jaguars
Cowboys over 49ers
Bengals over Broncos
Patriots over Chargers
Dolphins over Texans
Eagles over Falcons
Giants over Rams

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Posted By: Joe Soriano - Category: NFL Player Profiles, NFL Predictions, Colts, Bill Polian, Philip Wheeler

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8/2011 Team Scope: Indianapolis Colts

August 8th 2011 14:08

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.