Colts' Midseason Report Card

We have reached the halfway mark of the 2009 season, and the Colts are 8-0 (yawn). However, even with teams that are undefeated, there are always areas to criticize..

Colts overall ranks: Total Offense 6^th (27.1 ppg), Total Defense 2^nd (13.5 ppg)

RUSH OFFENSE: D+ Rank: 29^th (85.4 ypg)

Say what you want about their paltry overall production, but the rush offense has been an upgrade over the nightmare of 2008. The Colts are averaging 3.7 ypc, which is up from their 3.4 ypc last season. Addai’s yards-per-carry is identical to last season, but it feels like he’s running better. This rush offense only has to be better than terrible, and so far it’s just been bad, not terrible.

PASS OFFENSE: A Rank: 1^st (302 ypg)

Peyton Manning has once again been spectacular and the Colts have gotten great contributions from both Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie. Dallas Clark has taken his game to a new level production-wise, and Reggie Wayne is still playing on a Pro Bowl level despite seeing consistent double-teams

RUSH DEFENSE: B- Rank: 14^th (108.1 ypg)

If you take out the 239-yard game in Miami, the Colts are giving up only 89 yards per game on the ground which would rank them third in all of football. I know you can’t take that game out, but it warrants mentioning. Indy has been burned on some big plays and some long runs, but overall, I think the Run D has been pretty solid. It’s by no means great, but it’s leaps and bounds better than what we saw from this unit earlier in the decade.

PASS DEFENSE: A Rank: 9^th (195.3)

While they may rank 9^th in yards given up per game, the Colts have only yielded an NFL-best four touchdown passes through eight games. This is one of the premiere units in the league once again, and has been for years. Considering all the injuries in the secondary, it’ll be interesting to see whether or not they’re able to keep up this pace.

SPECIAL TEAMS: C Rank: 24^th in KR, 27^th in PR (5.1 ypa)

Where have you gone Clarence Verdin? I’d give them an A for kick/punt coverage and an F for kick/punt returns. This return game is a joke (Jamie Silva? Seriously?) and always has been. Matt Stover (6/6 FG, 8/8 XP) has filled in nicely for Adam Vinatieri and Pat McAfee (43.7 avg, 11 TB) has impressed as a rookie.

COACHING: A

What can you say? Jim Caldwell is 8-0 and that’s a better start than I thought he was going to have. Larry Coyer has done a wonderful job with an injury-riddled defense. There’s some improvement in the Special Teams under Ray Rychleski. Howard Mudd, Tom Moore, Clyde Christensen are all doing great jobs as per usual. The Colts are lucky to have such a great staff.