2002 Results

Coach: Tony Dungy Record: (10-6) Passing Offense: 4th, 253.4 yds/gm, 27 TDs Rushing Offense: 26th, 97.6 yds/gm, 12 TDs Scoring Offense: 17th, 21.8 pts/gm Team Leaders Passing Att Comp Yds TDs INTs Rating Peyton Manning 591 392 4200 27 19 88.8               Rushing Att Yds Avg TDs Long   Edgerrin James 277 989 3.6 2 20   James Mungro 97 336 3.5 8 49   Peyton Manning 38 148 3.9 2 13                 Receiving Rec Yds Avg TDs Long   Marvin Harrison 143 1722 12 11 69   Reggie Wayne 49 716 14.6 4 49   Marcus Pollard 43 478 11.1 6 41   Edgerrin James 61 354 5.8 1 23   Troy Walters 18 207 11.5 0 27   James Mungro 13 81 6.2 0 11

2003 Results

Coach: Tony Dungy Record: (12-4) Passing Offense: 1st, 261.2 yds/gm, 29 TDs Rushing Offense: 19th, 105.9 yds/gm, 16 TDs Scoring Offense: 2nd, 27.9 pts/gm Team Leaders Passing Att Comp Yds TDs INTs Rating Peyton Manning 566 379 4267 29 10 99.0 Brock Huard 3 2 22 0 0 88.2               Rushing Att Yds Avg TDs Long   Edgerrin James 310 1259 4.1 11 43   Dominic Rhodes 37 157 4.2 0 25   Ricky Williams 48 155 3.2 2 19   James Mungro 24 60 2.5 2 9   Peyton Manning 28 26 0.9 0 10                 Receiving Rec Yds Avg TDs Long   Marvin Harrison 94 1272 13.5 10 79   Reggie Wayne 68 838 12.3 7 57   Marcus Pollard 40 541 13.5 3 70   Troy Walters 36 456 12.7 3 46   Dallas Clark 29 340 11.7 1 42   Edgerrin James 51 292 5.7 0 17   Brandon Stokley 22 211 9.6 3 37   Ricky Williams 22 157 7.1 1 17

2004 Fantasy Outlook
Coaches: Tony Dungy (HC), Tom Moore (OC), Ron Meeks (DC)
Passing SOS: 4th (1 = Easy, 32 = Difficult)
Rushing SOS: 24th (1 = Easy, 32 = Difficult)

Could we see some NFL passing records set in Indy this year? Manning is in his prime and seems to have few obstacles in his path. The offense remains basically intact. Reggie Wayne has emerged as a #2 threat and Brandon Stokley (when healthy) did an adequate job in '03 filling the slot role. Both Tight Ends are great pass-catchers and Edgerrin James is a proven veteran that must be respected by the defense. The offensive line which only gave up 19 sacks last year, remains intact only losing Adam Meadows to Carolina.

“Tom’s always been about the weapons we have, but I really feel like this year – top to bottom, at the major skill positions – we’re as deep as we ever have been.” If this quote from Manning proves to be true, records will fall.

Quarterbacks: Peyton Manning Cory Sauter, Jim Sorgi®
As if Peyton Manning needs any more help, check out that projected Passing Strength of Schedule above... yikes. Although, he might have a tussle out of the gate with road games against New England & Tennessee, at home for Green Bay, then on the road again against Jacksonville. Still you can't really hold a tough early season schedule against a guy that has thrown for over 4,000 the last five seasons.

The Colts were forced to pay for that consistency this offseason and thanks to the whopping contract given to Manning (including a $34 million signing bonus) the Colts have been relatively quiet on in the free agent market. But its nice to know that you've got a perennial 4000-yd, 28+ TD Quarterback guiding your team... I guess.

Manning has been among the top 3 fantasy QBs (standard performance scoring system) the last 3 years and to expect something different this year would be foolish. He's got one of the best wide receivers in the game, two capable pass-catching TEs that could both finish in the top 20, and a healthy Edgerrin James entering the last year of his contract. The stability of the offensive personnel and Manning's knowledge of Tom Moore's system could lead to some big numbers for this passing game. Only his negligible rushing statistics keeps him from being my #1 fantasy QB in '04.

Projected Stats
Peyton Manning - 4,422 yds, 28 TDs, 8 INTs; 52 rush yds, 0 TDs; 338.3 FF Pts

Running Backs: Edgerrin James, Dominic Rhodes, James Mungro, Brian Allen
Fullbacks: Tom Lopienski, Carey Davis
Edgerrin James turned in a solid fantasy season in '03 cranking out close to 1550 total yds and 11 TDs but missed three games early due to back problems. He seems to be in good health thusfar and is now 2+ years removed from his ACL injury. There's no questioning this kid's talent, he's got the moves and possesses great hands out of the backfield making him a perfect back in the Colts' style of offense. I'm still a little concerned with James' ability to stay healthy in recent years but considering his strong second half a year ago, and this being a contract year, you can easily make a case for Edgerrin being a top 5 fantasy back. With Manning currently in his prime and the multiple receiving weapons at his disposal, I think a 1700-yd rushing season is out of the question for James but 1300-1500 is certainly within reach provided he can stay healthy.

Dominic Rhodes rushed for 1,104 yds, 9 TDs in 2001 but missed all of 2002 with a torn ACL. After stumbling through last season less than 100% Rhodes feels like his knee is healthy and should be a viable handcuff to James now that he is two years removed from his ACL injury. Dungy said while Rhodes’ knee is still monitored by team physicians, and while the recovery process is still ongoing, “I think he’s going to be much better than last year. We saw that with Edgerrin and I think we’re going to see the same thing with Dominic.”

The Colts will be adding a "fullback" wrinkle to their offense. From a fantasy perspective, I wouldn't be too concerned until we see in the preseason how they intend on using Lopienski.

Projected Stats
Edgerrin James - 1,230 yds, 10 TDs; 50 rec, 315 yds, 1 TD; 220.5 FF Pts
Dominic Rhodes - 150 yds, 0 TD; 13 rec, 57 yds, 0 TDs; 39.7 FF Pts

Wide Receivers: Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Brandon Stokley, Troy Walters, Aaron Moorehead
Although Marvin Harrison had a "down" year in '03 he continues to be one of the best receivers in the game. What exactly constitutes a "down" year for Harrison? How about 94 catches, 1272 yds, & 10 TDs. Safe to say this guy is still a top fantasy WR and will be among the first 3 WRs taken in your league, without a doubt. One of the reasons for Harrison's slightly decreased production has been the help of his supporting cast. Reggie Wayne looks to have finally filled the #2 slot in this system and Brandon Stokley is a nice fit in the slot position. He could easily surprise with some big numbers if he can stay on the field. Stokley missed the entire off-season last season with a foot injury and didn't get completely healthy until late last year and carried that strong play into the playoffs. Troy Walters filled in nicely for Stokley during '03 and and Aaron Moorehead gives Manning a big target in the redzone. This is a solid unit with three viable fantasy options.

Projected Stats
Marvin Harrison - 101 rec, 1,329 yds, 13 TDs; 210.9 FF Pts
Reggie Wayne - 68 rec, 867 yds, 3 TDs; 104.7 FF Pts
Brandon Stokley - 29 rec, 338 yds, 2 TDs; 45.8 FF Pts
Troy Walters - 19 rec, 312 yds, 2 TDs; 43.2 FF Pts

Tight Ends: Marcus Pollard, Dallas Clark, Ben Hartsock®
Dallas Clark was having a fine season before a season-ending knee injury in late November and has a shot to outperform the veteran Pollard this year. Marcus is in the final year of his contract and the drafting of rookie Ben Hartsock probably means this is Pollard's last year in a Colts uniform. Considering the Colts would like to involve Clark more around the goaline, its only a matter of time (probably around mid-season) before the Colts look to the future and start using Clark as the #1 TE. You can't discount Pollard's past production and he is still one of the better receiving TEs in the game; just be prepared for what is coming down the line.

Projected Stats
Marcus Pollard - 49 rec, 596 yds, 3 TDs; 77.6 FF Pts
Dallas Clark - 39 rec, 435 yds, 4 TDs; 67.5 FF Pts

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