Indianapolis COLTS   2002 Record: 10-6 Head Coach: Tony Dungy 64-48-0 overall, 2-5 postseason TEAM LEADERS   Passing Peyton Manning 392-591, 4,200 yards, 27 TDs, 19 INTs   Rushing Edgerrin James 277 carries, 989 yards, 2 TDs   Recieving Marvin Harrison 143 catches, 1,722 yards, 11 TDs   Kicking Mike Vanderjagt 23-31 FGs, 34-34 PATs, 103 points Schedule | Roster | Statistics | Stadium

By B. Duane Cross, SI.com

It's easier to get the "genius" tag than it is to hold on to it. For Tony Dungy, the latter is staring him in the face -- especially after that 41-d'oh shellacking administered by the Jets in the playoffs.

With three skill position superstars, Indianapolis didn't hire Dungy to spruce up its offense. Instead, he was charged with improving the Colts' defense. Indy ranked 8th in Total 'D' last season, but elevating -- even sustaining -- the unit in the wake of LB Mike Peterson's departure is a tall order.

The Colts' secondary needed an overhaul this offseason. The solution: sign free-agent safety Rich Coady -- and draft tight end Dallas Clark in the first round. Uh ... yeah.

OK, so Indy's war room came around in Round 2 with safety Mike Doss, but conventional wisdom is that Clark would have still been around in the second round. But before the Colts' No. 2 pick came, four other safties came off the board, including Ken Hamlin and Rashean Mathis.

Time will tell if Doss is better than the safties selected before him -- and if Dungy is still a defensive genius.

>> Impact Signing

WR Brandon Stokley -- The next in line to serve as Indy's "other" WR alongside Marvin Harrison, sixth-year receiver Stokley will try to accomplish what so many before him could not: provide Peyton Manning with a viable No. 2.

Signed as a free agent this offseason, Stokley was a fourth-round draft choice of Baltimore in 1999. He is coming off an injury-plagued 2002 season, but still tied his career highs with 24 catches and two TDs while setting a personal best with 357 yards.

If Stokley can become a trusted second option for the Colts' pass-happy offense, Indianapolis will be considered the odds-on favorite to win the AFC South. And the Colts will do it the new-fangled way: by outscoring opponents.

>> Impact Loss

LB Mike Peterson -- While the departures of Hugh Douglas (Philly to Jacksonville) and Takeo Spikes (Cincy to Buffalo) were bigger headlines, no team will miss its top defender more than Indy. Peterson led the Colts with 104 tackles (second-most in the AFC and fourth among NFL 'backers) and three INTs (30 percent of the team total). He was so busy in pass defense that it's easy to understand why he didn't have a sack.

>> Fantasy Stud

WR Marvin Harrison -- He doesn't have the size or the mouth of Randy Moss or Terrell Owens, but if you're looking for consistently excellent play, Harrison is your man. You can count on him at least 100 catches, 1,400 yards and 10 TDs every season. It helps to have such a skilled quarterback like Peyton Manning throwing to you, as well.

>> Fantasy Sleeper

TE Dallas Clark -- Manning also likes throwing to his tight ends, and the Colts have flourished in two tight end sets in past with Marcus Pollard and Ken Dilger. Clark, the first-round pick from Iowa, can fill Dilger's role and grab his share of catches, especially in the red zone.

>> Colts will not make the playoffs because ...

Tony Dungy's defense won't be able to keep pace with the frenetic pace of the Colts' point-a-minute offense. There's still work to be done with this 'D.'

 

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