Offseason Turnover could play factor in Colts season

The Indianapolis Colts have quietly had one of the busiest off-seasons’ in the NFL. No, they didn’t make a splash and sign a top free agent; they stuck to their typical offseason mantra of signing cheap players that nobody else wants. The big splash came in the coaching ranks for the 06 World Champions. Gone are offensive coordinator Tom Moore, offensive line coach Howard Mudd, and most notably, head coach Tony Dungy. They have all left for various reasons, Dungy wanted to spend time with his family, Mudd and Moore had a disagreement with the NFL pension policy.

This will be the first time that Peyton Manning, last season’s MVP, will play with a different offensive coordinator. Tom Moore has been a key component in running one of the best statistical offenses this league has ever seen.

Mudd is known for taking players that nobody wants (Ex. Jeff Saturday, cut by the Ravens before signing with the Colts) and turning them into pro-bowlers. He has coached some very good offensive lines, and has turned good players into great players.

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The move that sticks out the most has to be the retirement of Tony Dungy. He was more than just an average head coach, he was the spiritual leader of this franchise, and was the base that held this team together for so long. In comes Jim Caldwell, who has no prior head coaching experience in the NFL, to lead a team that still can contend for a Super Bowl.

There is a lot of pressure on this year’s Colts squad. These are moves that were not talked about much in the media, but can have a huge impact on a franchise. The value of a coach is sometimes forgotten about, but when a player has played for a certain coach for so long, they develop a chemistry that cannot be matched. The players will have to adjust to a new style of play, and it will take some time for everyone to get used to.

I am not saying the Colts are doomed by any stretch of the imagination. They still have the reigning MVP in Peyton Manning, and he is and always will be a winner. They still have a solid offensive line, with a good mix of veterans and young talent. The defense is even showing signs of improvement after a solid draft class. The Colts will still be the Colts, but if they come out of the gate stumbling, look to the sidelines full of fresh faces for the answers.

By Zach Bowman
ProFootball-fans.com Indianapolis Colts Correspondent