One of the most intriguing stories of this NFL season was the Indianapolis Colts. After finishing last season with a disappointing 4-8 record, a future unknown from their franchise quarterback, and the newly appointed head coach getting cold feet on the job. 2019 looked like a rebuilding year, yet somehow with the help of general manager, Chris Ballard and the “second attempted” 2018 head coach Frank Reich, and a tad bit of luck (pun intended). This year’s Colts’ team orchestrated one of the quickest rebuilds in NFL history. Even though their season ended Sunday against a better, Kansas City team. The season was a win for the Colts.



On December 31st 2017, the Indianapolis Colts fired Chuck Pagano after a disappointing 4-12 season. A season that entailed zero games featuring their franchise quarterback who underwent surgery on a torn labrum in his shoulder in January of ‘17 and was unable to return to action throughout the season. Leaving his status for 2018 in doubt.



After waiting the duration of the Super Bowl week to announce, on February 6th the Colts made it official that New England Patriots offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels would become the next head coach. The same day McDaniels, after meeting with head coach and Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft, announced that he was backing out of the Colts head coaching job to remain as the offensive coordinator of the Patriots for many speculated reasons. A bizarre and rather taboo move.

Frank Reich

FIve short days later, the Indianapolis Colts hired Eagles’ offensive coordinator, Frank Reich as their next head coach. Reich didn’t get cold feet and became a blessing in disguise for the success and quick turnaround to the Colts organization.

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Frank Reich, walked into the organization as the best man for the job. He adapted an offense for Andrew Luck that contributed to him being sacked the least amount of times of all 32 NFL teams by creating a philosophy of quick passes and screens and establishing a run game that allowed for the Colts skill players to get into the open field quicker (the season prior the Colts were the most sacked team). The Colts finished the season ranked seventh in total offense which was up from their 31st ranking the season before. He helped revitalize Eric Ebron’s career and utilized skill position players that many fans had never heard of before the season. Luck’s average time to throw was ninth shortest from active quarterbacks at 2.63 seconds down from his 2.88 seconds in the 2016 NFL season (per Next Gen Stats).

Andrew Luck

Frank Reich’s offense helped Luck in a lot of ways but Andrew Luck was also healthy again and was, well, good. Luck finished the season fifth in passing yards with 4593 yards and second in passing touchdowns with 39. Although he looked shaky in the loss to the Chiefs in the Divisional Round. He made it through the season healthy and collected one playoff win on the road in the Wild Card Round. Now if he would just stay off of snowboards this offseason then I think this season has been a win overall for the Colts.

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Chris Ballard

Someone I don’t think we’re talking enough about and probably deserves the most credit for the fast rebuild by the Indianapolis Colts is their General Manager, Chris Ballard. Hired in January of 2017, Ballard has quickly turned the organization around. Here’s my case as to why Ballard should be the General Manager of the year: He traded down three spots in the draft to the New York Jets in return for two second-round picks (No. 37 and No. 49). Trading for more picks only works if you’re able to capitalize on those picks and he did just that. With the sixth pick, the Colts took Quenton Nelson, guard out of Notre Dame. Nelson has single handedly made offensive line something to watch for in games with his ability to throw around 280 pound defensive linemen. See below:

Nelson finished 1st Team All Pro.

With the 36th overall pick, The Colts took Darius Leonard, linebacker from South Carolina State. Leonard is an absolute monster and with a 82-1/8” wingspan is able to be all over the field. He finished the season first in tackles in the NFL with 163 (19 more than the second most). Leonard also was named 1st Team All Pro.



Leonard and Nelson would become the first rookie teammates to be named First-Team All-Pro since 1965, the Chicago Bears’ Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers.



Then with the very next pick, acquired from the Jets trade, took Braden Smith, Right Tackle from Auburn. Smith would go on to start for the Colts and tied for third (with Nelson) of Rookie Offensive Lineman per Pro Football Focus.



The Colts were ranked the eighth youngest roster in the league (Keep in mind, this data is slightly misdirecting since there Kicker is 46 years old!!). The Colts had four rookie starters: Nelson and Smith on the Offensive Line, and Leonard at Linebacker and Tyquan Lewis, Defensive Lineman from Ohio State). Ballard, completely nailed it with his draft picks.



When McDaniels backed out of the job, a lot of the assistants had already set up shop in the organization. One of which, Defensive Coordinator, Matt Eberflus. It would’ve been easier for Ballard to quickly rid Eberflus of his fast stint so the next Head Coach could bring in his assistants. However, Ballard didn’t do that.



The result? The Colts defense went on to finish 22nd on yards given up per game. Up from third most last season. Not only did the Colts offense pull a 180 this year but the defense was just as improved. Eberflus, who was interviewed by the Cleveland Browns for their head coaching position within the last few weeks. Had a defensive scheme with stuffing the A gaps and running confusing zones, a good reason why the defense became elite. To think Ballard could’ve just as easily kicked him out the door to allow Reich to bring his guys in he believed in Eberflus and keeping him on board.



Oh yeah, I haven’t even got to the most exciting thing about the Colts’ this offseason. They have the highest amount of cap space of all teams with $122,536,980 available. Worth noting that they also have their franchise quarterback locked up through 2022. Incredible. The team will be able to bring in more weapons on both sides of the ball and come back next season deeper and more experienced.

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Conclusion

Although just last year this team finished 4-12, had a coach debacle, and health concerns looming over their franchise QB. The Colts were young and inexperienced and started the season 1-5. They grew up fast as they finished 10-6 on the year and won on the road in the Wild Card round against divisional rival, the Houston Texans. Even though, the Colts were outmatched this past weekend to the Kansas City Chiefs. Ballard needed a one full season and six weeks to rebuild the Colts into a contender. One thing is certain: the future is bright for the Indianapolis Colts. An idea that seemed far fetched a year ago.

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