New York Jets: Meet the Indianapolis Colts

Sep 13, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) throws a pass during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Colts 27 to 14. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Week 1 is in the books. The New York Jets posted a big victory against the Cleveland Browns in their home opener, and will take the show on the road in Week 2. The Indianapolis Colts on the other hand, were defeated in big fashion by the Buffalo Bills on the road in Week 1.

The Jets will take on the Colts in their home opener, in front of a hostile fan base who are hungry for a victory. Of course, the Jets are hungry too, a 2-0 start would be an ideal way to start this year. A victory here, would build confidence and set the team up for further success.

It’s a big game for both teams, so let’s take a look at the Colts and what they plan to bring against the Jets in Week 2 action.

Next: Offense

Sep 13, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Donte Moncrief (10) scores a second half touchdown against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Colts 27 to 14. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Offense

The Colts’ offense starts off with quarterback Andrew Luck. Luck has lit the NFL up with his arm after being taken in the first round by the Colts. Luck has all the tools, his size is ideal at 6’4″ and 240 pounds, he’s accurate, has the arm strength to make all the throws and can beat you with his legs as well.

Since entering the NFL, Luck has led the Colts to three playoff appearances, including two divisional titles as well. Luck has been a phenom for the Colts, he’s a smart football player that reads defenses with ease. Given time to throw the football, Luck may be the most dangerous quarterback in the league.

The Colts’ offensive line had their hands full against the Bills last week, but they are a talented group. Anthony Castonzo anchors the left tackle position. Castonzo is a former first round pick of the Colts in 2011, entering his fifth NFL season as he has lived up to his draft selection. Last season he played the most offensive snaps of any offensive lineman in the NFL.

At right tackle the Colts feature Jack Mewhert. A second round pick in 2014, Mewhert stands 6’6″ and weighs in at a big 312 pounds. Entering just his second season, Mewhert has established himself as an anchor on the right side of the Colts’ offensive line. He had an outstanding performance against the Bills.

According to ProFootballFocus.com, Mewhert received an outstanding rating of +2.6 overall and an excellent +3.6 in the pass blocking category. That’s pretty darn good for a young player appearing in just his second start in the NFL.

Lance Louis is the Colts starter at left guard. Louis has bounced around a bit after being drafted by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Louis did stints with the Bears and the Miami Dolphins. Louis was signed by the Colts in 2014 and appeared in nine games for them last season, seven as a starter. Louis is formidable, standing at 6’3″ and weighing in at 323 pounds.

The right guard position is held by Todd Herremans. Herremans is a former fourth round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2005 NFL Draft. He played ten seasons for the Eagles before being signed by the Colts in free agency this year. Herremans is a stout offensive lineman with plenty of experience as he measures out as 6’6″ and 320 pounds.

Khaled Holmes is the man under center for the Colts once again. He’s a former fourth round pick of the Colts in the 2013 draft. Holmes debuted for the Colts in Week 15 of his rookie season. Holmes has been the anchor for Luck ever since. Weighing in at 309 pounds and standing at 6’3″ tall, Holmes is a very good center.

Moving onto the wide receiver group, the Colts offer up a very talented group. The starters are listed as T.Y. Hilton and Andre Johnson on the Colts’ official depth chart. Hilton is a former third round pick of the Colts in the 2012 NFL Draft. Hilton is a speedster as he turned in a 4.34 forty time in the NFL Combine.

Hilton measures out at 5’10” and 185 pounds, and is a real threat when on the field. Johnson is a veteran receiver in the NFL, and was brought in by the Colts this season to bolster Luck’s receiving corps. Drafted by the Houston Texans third overall in the 2003 NFL Draft, Johnson is known by all as a formidable receiver.

Behind the starters the Colts offer up plenty of options on offense. Donte Moncrief backs up Hilton on the Colts’ depth chart, but still sees plenty of action. Moncrief was drafted by the Colts in the third round of the 2014 draft and had an immediate impact. Moncrief posted 32 receptions for 444 yards and 3 touchdowns in just his rookie season.

Moncrief stands at 6’2″ and weighs in at 221 pounds, making him a challenge for defending cornerbacks. He has speed, posting a 4.40 forty time and he has become a favorite target for Luck in this offense.

Philip Dorsett is a rookie wide receiver for the Colts. Taken by the Colts in the first round of this year’s draft, Dorsett promises to add even more to an already talented wide receiver group. Dorsett measures in at 5’10” and weighs 185 pounds. Dorsett offers up more speed for this team, as he turned in a lightning fast 4.33 in this year’s NFL Combine. His NFL debut was less then spectacular however, in his first game against the Bills, Dorsett muffed two punts and only posted two receptions for forty five yards.

Aug 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Byron Maxwell (31) defends Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Phillip Dorsett (15) during the first quarter in a preseason NFL football game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

At tight end the Colts have starters Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener. They are backed up by Jack Doyle at the position. Allen is a viable weapon in the Colts’ offense, and is capable blocker as well. Due to injury he lost his 2013 season for the Colts, but sprung back last season, posting 29 receptions for 395 yards and an impressive eight touchdowns in just 13 games.

Fleener came to the Colts as a second round pick of the 2012 draft. He’s a big target at tight end, measuring in at 6’6″ and weighing in at 251 pounds. In three season with the Colts, he’s provided the offense with 129 receptions, 1,663 yards and 14 touchdowns. Eight of his 14 touchdowns came last season.

Doyle went undrafted in the 2013 draft and was ultimately signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent. He was cut by the Titans at the end of the preseason and was quickly signed by the Colts. As a backup last season, he posted 18 receptions for a meager 118 yards, but managed to provide two touchdowns in the process. Doyle makes for a big target for Luck, standing at 6’6″ and weighing 267 pounds.

At running back, the Colts list Frank Gore as their starter, backed up by Vick Ballard. Gore is a seasoned veteran, drafted initially in the third round by the San Francisco 49ers. Gore has had a spectacular career, playing 10 seasons for the 49ers as he was signed by the Colts in free agency this year. Gore has posted 64 touchdowns in his career, and is looking to add to that total this season with the Colts.

Vick Ballard is entering his fourth NFL season. He was drafted by the Colts in the fifth round of the 2012 draft. Ballard had a good rookie campaign in 2012, but has been plagued by injuries through his young career. He lost his 2013 season due to an ACL tear, returned for his 2014 season, only to be lost again for the season due to an Achilles tendon tear. Dorsett is back, and hoping to contribute this year.

The Colts also offer up two rookie running backs in the form of Josh Robinson and Tyler Varga. Robinson played his college ball at Mississippi State and was drafted by the Colts in the fifth round of this year’s draft. Varga played his college ball at the University of Western Ontario and was signed as an undrafted free agent this year.

Luck and the Colts’ offense were stymied by a blitz heavy attack by Rex Ryan’s Bills in Week 1. The Colts have built their offense around Luck, and as we all have seen, they have a dangerous offense. The Colts are a very good football team, and will be out to bring home a victory in their home opener against the Jets. Offensively they have the weapons, watch for this offense to try to set things right against the Jets this week.

Next: Defense

Aug 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive end Kendall Langford (90) on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles in a preseason NFL football game at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles won 36-10. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Defense

Up front the Colts bring defensive end Kendall Langford to bring pressure. Langford is 29 years old and was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Langford played four years with Miami, before spending the last three seasons with the St. Louis Rams. Standing 6’6″ and weighing 305 pounds, the Colts signed him as a free agent this past off-season.

At nose tackle the Colts feature David Parry as their starter. Parry is a rookie, being drafted in the fifth round of the 2015 draft by the Colts. Measuring in at 6’2″ and weighing 310 pounds, Perry claimed the starting spot at nose tackle this summer in camp. Parry is experienced, but showed outstandingly well for the Colts this preseason,

At defensive tackle, Henry Anderson is the Colts guy. Anderson is a rookie taken by the Colts in the third round of this year’s draft. He played outstanding for the Colts during preseason and shined against the Bills. Against the Bills in his NFL debut, he recorded 8 solo tackles, 1 assist and 3 run stuffs. Standing at 6’6″ and weighing in at 300 pounds, he is a large body upfront for the Colts. Anderson has talent and the Colts are hoping he develops as the year goes on.

Backing up the starters for the Colts are Earl Okine at defensive end, Zach Kerr at nose tackle, and T.Y. McGill at defensive tackle. They are a young group that possesses potential. The Colts’ linebacker corps features Erik Walden and Trent Cole as outside linebackers. Inside they offer up D’Qwell Jackson and Jerrell Freeman. They are a good group in coverage and can bring pressure from the outside as well.

Walden stands 6’2″ and weighs out at 250 pounds. Walden entered the NFL as a sixth round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in the 2008 draft. He’s a seasoned veteran who has seen time with the Cowboys, Chiefs, Dolphins and Packers before signing with the Colts this year.

Cole was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 2005 draft. He measures out at 6’3″/270 pounds. Cole played for the Eagles from 2005 until 2014, when he signed with the Colts. Coles is 32 years of age, but he’s had a solid NFL career and brings a ton of experience to the Colts’ defense.

Jackson plays inside linebacker and measures out at 6’0″/247. Another seasoned veteran, Jackson was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2006 draft. Jackson played for the Browns from 2006 until 2014 when he signed with the Colts.

Jackson is 31 years old, but showed no signs of slowing down last year, he was named the defensive player of the week, in Week 13 last season. Against the Washington Redskins that week he posted, 12 tackles, 1 pass defended, 1 fumble recovery and a touchdown. In the AFC Championship game, he recorded an interception off of Tom Brady in a lopsided loss for the Colts. Jackson was selected as an alternate at the Pro Bowl last season.

Jerrell Freeman came to the Colts out of the Canadian Football League where he played for the Saskatchewan Rough Riders from 2009 to 2011. He joined the Colts in 2012 and has been solid inside for them. He initially entered the NFL in 2008 as an undrafted free agent of the Tennessee Titans. Freeman measures out at 6’0/240 pounds and has been a tackling machine for the Colts. He’s a very good coverage linebacker, with three interceptions to his credit since joining the Colts three years ago.

Backing up the linebackers and in the mix are Bjoern Werner at outside linebacker, Sio Moore at inside linebacker, Nate Irving at inside linebacker and Jonathan Newsome at outside linebacker. Further down the depth chart the Colts list Josh McNary and veteran Robert Mathis as third stringers.

The Colts’ defensive secondary is a veteran group with talent. They were inconsistent last season, struggling against top quarterbacks, but with new additions and another year playing together, the Colts hope this group will excel for them in pass coverage.

The Colts start Vontae Davis at right cornerback. Davis is a seven year veteran of the NFL. Davis entered the NFL as a first round pick of the Miami Dolphins. He was acquired by the Colts via a trade in 2012, which sent a second round pick to the Dolphins. Davis stands at 5’11/207 and had a spectacular season last year which resulted in his selection to the NFL Pro Bowl.

On the other side, the Colts play Greg Toler as their starter. Toler is another seven year NFL veteran. He measures out at 6’0″/190 pounds. Toler entered the NFL as a fourth round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in the 2009 NFL Draft. He signed with the Colts as a free agent in 2013. Toler played well for the Colts last season until he was placed on injured reserve after the wild card game with a groin injury.

Jan 18, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Brandon LaFell (19) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts cornerback Greg Toler (28) in the second half in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Backing up the starters and in the mix for the Colts this year are rookie D’Joun Smith, and Darius Butler. Listed as third stringers on the Colts official web site are Jalil Brown and Sheldon Brown.

At safety the Colts bring Mike Adams at strong safety and Dwight Lowery at free safety. Mike Adams is a 12 year veteran of the NFL, he stands at 5’11” and weighs 190 pounds. Initially entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent of the San Francisco 49ers after the 2004 NFL Draft. A native of Paterson New Jersey, Adams has played for the 49ers, Browns, and Droncos before joining the Colts in 2014. As a member of the Colts last season, his efforts earned him an alternate spot for the NFL Pro Bowl.

Lowery is another seasoned veteran for the Colts. Many Jet fans will remember him for his years of service from 2008 until 2010. He’s a former fourth round pick of the Jets in the 2004 draft and has played for the Jaguars and Falcons before signing this year with the Colts. He measures in at 5’11” and weighs 212 pounds. Lowery has eighteen interceptions and fifty pass deflections in his eight years in the league. He was a solid contributor for the Atlanta Falcons last year, replacing long term Falcon Thomas DeCoud.

Backing up the safeties are rookie Clayton Geathers at free safety and six-year veteran Colt Anderson at strong safety. Listed as third stringers for the Colts are Winston Guy and Sheldon Price.

The Colts’ defense is nothing to be sneezed at, while they didn’t show very well in Week 1, don’t underestimate this group. They possess both veteran leadership and youth in the mix. It’s weakness is against the run much more than it is in the passing game. They’ll need to clean things up from Week 1, but make no mistake, the Colts are no slouches defensively.

Next: Special Teams

Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri (4) makes a field goal against the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Special Teams

Special teams for the Colts features Adam Vinatieri for his twentieth NFL season. Vinatieri is now 42 years old, but still has plenty of leg left, and has shown little signs of decline. Vinatieri has played in five Super Bowls in his career, being on the winning end 4 times. He’s a three-time Pro Bowler, with his most recent selection coming in 2014.

Punting for the Colts this season is Pat McAfee, a seven year NFL Veteran. McAfee was drafted by the Colts in the seventh round of the 2000 draft, and has anchored the position ever since. McAfee won the NFL’s Special Teams Player of the Month in 2014 and was selected as the punter for last year’s Pro Bowl.

Punt return duty is currently being shared by rookie Philip Dorsett and four year veteran T.Y. Hilton. Dorsett’s 4.33 speed in the forty, makes him a threat to take it the distance. The Colts are extremely high on Hilton, believing he has superstar potential. Hilton also the speed NFL teams look for in a punt returner as he ran a 4.34 at his NFL Combine. Hilton inured his knee last week against the Bills, early reports have him out for this week’s game against the Jets.

Returning kickoffs for the Colts is Donte Moncrief, he is backed up by Tyler Varga. Moncrief enters his second year with the Colts after being selected in the third round last year by the Colts. Tyler Varga is an undrafted free agent who played running back for a Canadian University.

Matt Overton is the Colts long snapper, while McAfee is the holder for Vinatieri. That rounds out the Colts special teams.

The Colts are good football team overall. They possess a potent offense with veteran leadership and phenom Luck under center. This offense plays extremely well when the offensive line gives Luck time to settle down into a rhythm. When Luck is on, this offense can rack up points at a fast and furious pace.

The weakness to this offense is their run game, it produced little in Week 1, and allowed the Bills to consistently bring pressure on Luck. The offensive line will need to clean up some communication problems from last week, but overall they are a good group.

Sep 13, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri (4) misses a field goal as punter Pat McAfee (1) holds during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Defensively, the Colts will blitz its linebackers often. They are confident in their secondary and will often isolate their corners one on one against opponents receivers. The Colts have struggled in the run game over the past two years, the Pats scorched them on the ground in last season’s AFC Conference Game. The Bills picked up on it in Week 1, and had great success running the ball up the middle off the edge.

This week’s matchup between the Jets and Colts promises to be a tough one. The Colts will be looking to reestablish themselves as a contender in their division, and to restore their fan bases’ confidence with a victory in front of their home crowd. I expect this game to be hard fought, and it should provide a big test for both teams. A victory by the Jets would be a huge boost for their confidence, with a victory the Jets will be 2-0 and steam rolling into the rest of their season.

There’s a look at the Jets Week 2 opponent, the Indianapolis Colts. We here at The Jet Press value your opinions and look forward to discussing the Jets in the comments section below. So please leave us your comment and Let’s Talk Jet Football!!

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