Indianapolis Colts

2012 REGULAR SEASON: 164-91*-1 (.643) PLAYOFFS: 7-3 (.700) SUPER BOWL: 1-0 (1.000) COLTS PREDICTIONS: 13-4 (.765) Life isn't easy for a Predictificationist - especially during this NFL offseason. After I correctly predicted the Baltimore Ravens as Super Bowl champions (not to mention predicting the Patriots and Falcons losses in the Conference Championships) before the season started last August my email, twitter and cell phone have been ringing off the hook! (yes, I'm aware that email and twitter don't 'ring') It's because of superior Predictification powers that I've been buried in questions all offseason: "Who are the Colts going to sign, Nick?" "Who are the Colts going to draft, Rags?" "Which team will win the Super Bowl this year, Predictificationist? "Hey, can you give me the winning PowerBall numbers?" I guess I should have seen it coming (I am a Predictificationist after all). To be honest, there is a part of me wanted to simply drop the mic and walk off stage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=zIdUlp3QAsk I mean could it get any better? I need to remind you (as I did last year), the power of these predictions often cause people to lash out. This isn't a bad thingt - heck, even encouraged. Do you know how many people mocked my Ravens pick last year? Look at the comments section for a good laugh (TY46, LuckSCI12, Bruce_Wayne, SpanishColtsFan, ColtsFan1345, profootballfanatic, ohsnap12, and James Busch... I've got a video for you!). Some people can't handle the power of Predictification. But, alas, I've decided to share my gift with you for another season. You're welcome. (SPOILER ALERT! The entire NFL season is revealed below!) AFC EAST New England Patriots 12-4 (y) Miami Dolphins 7-9 New York Jets 3-13 Buffalo Bills 2-14 AFC NORTH Baltimore Ravens 11-5 (x) Pittsburgh Steelers 11-5 (x) Cincinnati Bengals 9-7 Cleveland Browns 6-10 AFC SOUTH Houston Texans 11-5 (x) Indianapolis Colts 9-7 (x) Tennessee Titans 4-12 Jacksonville Jaguars 3-13 AFC WEST Denver Broncos 13-3 (z) Kansas City Chiefs 6-10 San Diego Chargers 6-10 Oakland Raiders 6-10 (z - home field, y - first round bye, x - wildcard round) Division winners: Broncos, Patriots, Texans, Ravens Wildcards: Steelers, Colts NFC EAST New York Giants 10-6 (x) Dallas Cowboys 9-7 Washington Redskins 8-8 Philadelphia Eagles 6-10 NFC NORTH Green Bay Packers 12-4 (x) Chicago Bears 10-6 Minnesota Vikings 7-9 Detroit Lions 6-10 NFC SOUTH Atlanta Falcons 13-3 (z) New Orleans Saints 11-5 (x) Carolina Panthers 6-10 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5-11 NFC WEST San Francisco 49ers 12-4 (y) Seattle Seahawks 11-5 (x) St. Louis Rams 7-9 Arizona Cardinals 5-11 (z - home field, y - first round bye, x - wildcard round) Division winners: Falcons, 49ers, Packers, Giants Wildcards: Saints, Seahawks WILDCARD ROUND: Colts over the Texans Ravens over the Steelers Packers over the Saints Seahawks over the Giants DIVISIONAL ROUND Broncos over the Colts Patriots over the Ravens Seahawks over the Falcons 49ers over the Packers CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS Broncos over the Patriots 49ers over the Seahawks SUPER BOWL Broncos over the 49ers So, there you have it. Peyton Manning will win his second ring and beat Andrew Luck, Tom Brady and Jim Harbaugh in the process. Couldn't get much better than that, could it? (Well, for Peyton Manning at least) I'm sure that you are all much smarter (since you've been reading my articles) this year and won't say ANYTHING about my spotless predictions.... or will you? Be on the lookout for the article next week where I will go into detail on my predicted 9-7 season for the Colts, including projections for Andrew Luck for year two. It will be amazing (of course). Questions, comments, concerns? Leave me something below in the comments or shoot me an email to predictification@gmail.com. Want more of me in

The Colts continue to look for diamonds in the rough that will, hopefully, make their 2013 pass rush a bit more sparkly. Indianapolis has signed outside linebacker Caeser Rayford, formerly of the CFL and, most recently, of the AFL's Utah Blaze. To make room for Rayford on the team's 90-man roster, the Colts waived linebacker Jake Killeen. If you have no idea who Jake Killeen is, that's OK. I follow pretty much every move this team makes. I dissect every decision they finalize. I write, and write, and write some more... and yet, I had no idea a guy named Jake Killeen was even on this team. Now, there's Caesar Rayford, a 267 pound outside linebacker who stands a staggering 6'7! How the hell can a guy who is 6'7 can play outside backer? I guess we'll see. Per Colts.com, Rayford played 35 games at the University of Washington. He earned just 13 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, four passes defensed, one forced fumble, and blocked a kick. Like former Army standout Josh McNary, who was signed by the Colts as a free agent before the 2013 NFL Draft, Rayford seems like a project player. So, don't get too excited about his chances of making the 53-man roster in August. Then again, 2012 leading tackler Jerrell Freeman was a project player last year. I guess anything is possible.

The 2013 organized team activities are in full swing for the Indianapolis Colts, and with them we start to see what this new roster could perhaps morph into for the upcoming regular season. Last year this time, we wrote a ton about how the team was unrecognizable. The coaches were new. Most of the players were new. The quarterback was a 23-year-old kid not-named Peyton Manning. Fans were abandoning the franchise. Irsay was lashing out on Twitter. Fun times. This year, it's actually almost deja vu all over again! While we might view general manager Ryan Grigson and head coach Chuck Pagano as friendly faces, both brought in thirteen free agents, drafted seven new players, and signed fifteen undrafted rookies. That's 35 new players that did not play a down of football for the Colts in 2012! Add in the potential returns of nose tackles Josh Chapman and Brandon McKinney - both of whom were lost last season to knee injuries - and that number jumps to 37. Gone is franchise stalwart Dwight Freeney, recently signed by the San Diego Chargers for reasons that baffle the mind. Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano is the younger brother of Chuck, and Chuck's defense in 2012 wasn't the best fit for Freeney. Also, gone are Jerraud Powers, Donnie Avery, Moise Fokou, and Winston Justice. In many ways, the 2013 Colts are a totally new team from the 2012 squad almost as much as the 2012 squad was from the 2011 crew. Knowing this, here are the three stories us nutballs at Stampede Blue are following all throughout OTAs and into training camp: The Relationship Between Chuck Pagano and Pep Hamilton No, Pep Hamilton is not yapping again about using Andrew Luck in the read-option, but we still find it interesting that the Colts hired a West Coast Offense guru (who is open to using read-option) to replace Chuck Pagano's good friend, Bruce Arians. Pagano and Arians shared the same beliefs in terms of coaching philosophy, and Arians is on record as saying he hates the West Coast Offense and read-option. Also, Pagano has spent a lot of time this offseason explaining to people that the Colts aren't really running a "pure" West Coast scheme, almost as if he's apologizing for it. He's seemingly gone out of his way to note that the Colts will run the ball and "take their shots" down the field. Basically, he's saying that the Colts will retain some of Arians' scheme from last year. However, Andrew Luck has already said that 75% of this new Colts offense is the Stanford offense he once ran for Hamilton. Left tackle Anthony Castonzo said this is the third offensive terminology and system he's had to learn in three years in the league. This offense is indeed new. West Coast. "No Coast." Whatever. It is NOT Bruce Arians' offense. At least, from what the players are saying, it doesn't sound like it. Obviously, this doesn't mean there's friction, finger-pointing, or haymakers being thrown between Pagano and Hamilton. What is interesting is that these guys have never worked together, and I get the distinct impression that it was not Pagano that hired Hamilton. If he did, why did he hire someone he has no previous NFL coordiantor experience to run an offense that isn't suited for the personnel the Colts drafted in 2012? If Pagano didn't hire Hamilton - and by that I mean he didn't personally reach out to the coach, bring him in, and convince management he's the guy - then who did? Grigson? Irsay? The working relationship between these two coaches absolutely is fascinating. Hamilton is considered a rising star as a coach in both college and the NFL. Stanford's David Shaw is also someone many feel will one day make the leap to the NFL. Pagano only coached five games in 2012 (including the playoffs), and went 2-3 in those games. He is a defensive-minded coach who seems to have a very dated sense of what it takes to score points in the modern NFL. If the Colts struggle in 2013, and especially if the defense

via arenafootballone.com As reported last night and by Josh Wilson via twitter: The #Colts signed 6-7, 265 lb OLB Caesar Rayford. Has spent time in both AFL and CFL. Recorded 22.5 sacks and 6 blocked kicks past 3 years.— Josh Wilson (@Coltsfanwilson) May 24, 2013 A quick stat run down by the Colts: Rayford, 6-7, 265 pounds, spent the last three seasons with the Utah Blaze of the Arena Football League where he totaled 68 tackles, 22.5 sacks, 26.5 tackles for loss, 16 passes defensed, seven forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and two interceptions returned for touchdowns. He also blocked six kicks, including an AFL single-season record five in 2011. In 2012, Rayford started all 18 games and recorded 21 tackles (17 solo), 7.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, three passes defensed, one forced fumble and one blocked kick. Prior to joining the Blaze, he played for the Spokane Shock of the AFL and the B.C. Lions of the Canadian Football League. Rayford played in 35 games at the University of Washington and recorded 13 tackles (seven solo), 5.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, four passes defensed, one forced fumble and one blocked kick. As a senior in 2007, he tallied career highs with 10 tackles and 4.0 sacks in 13 games. With this move, the Colts cut LB Jake Killen. This seems like a signing that will help bring some more competition to the Colts defense this training camp, especially to the OLB position. Rayford has spent his AFL time as a defensive end, which would mean another DE converted to OLB for the Colts. He has some pretty impressive stat lines, and all of the passes defended, forced fumbles, recoveries, and TFL lead me to believe he has the athleticism to make the transition (I know, it's the AFL, but still...). Here is a highlight video you can find him in: Utah Blaze vs. Georgia Force Highlights 6/23/12 (via utahblaze) Overall, he seems like a nice guy who loves the sprt of football and is very grateful for the oppurtunity, ready to work his ass off and try to make the team: God works in amazing ways truly blessed. Got a call from the Indianapolis Colts leaving today for a workout wish me luck #TeamBringIT!!!!!— Caesar Rayford (@CaesaRay85) May 22, 2013 I like to first of all thank The Lord because thru him I can do anything and it's been a long journey but Feeling so blessed right not INDY!— Caesar Rayford (@CaesaRay85) May 24, 2013 Inside Blaze Training Camp 2012 with DE Caesar Rayford (via utahblaze) I like these signings a lot. They add competition; which only leads to increased talent and work ethics overall (imagine a guy most likely making the team getting pushed around and sweating because of a no-namer out of the AFL - LOVE IT), open the door for a diamond in the rough with little to no impact cap-wise, and most importantly gives us something to talk about during the boring months of late May and June. via arenafootballone.com As reported last night and by Josh Wilson via twitter: The #Colts signed 6-7, 265 lb OLB Caesar Rayford. Has spent time in both AFL and CFL. Recorded 22.5 sacks and 6 blocked kicks past 3 years.— Josh Wilson (@Coltsfanwilson) May 24, 2013 A quick stat run down by the Colts: Rayford, 6-7, 265 pounds, spent the last three seasons with the Utah Blaze of the Arena Football League where he totaled 68 tackles, 22.5 sacks, 26.5 tackles for loss, 16 passes defensed, seven forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and two interceptions returned for touchdowns. He also blocked six kicks, including an AFL single-season record five in 2011. In 2012, Rayford started all 18 games and recorded 21 tackles (17 solo), 7.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, three passes defensed, one forced fumble and one blocked kick. Prior to joining the Blaze, he played for the Spokane Shock of the AFL and the B.C. Lions of the Canadian Football League. Rayford played in 35 games at the University of Washington and recorded 13 tackles (seven solo),

Fans of the Indianapolis Colts seemed fairly excited after the team picked up Josh Chapman in the fifth round of the 2012 draft. After missing his entire first year, the excitement has continued to build in anticipation for his first game on the field in the NFL. A knee injury sidelined Chapman all last season, but now things are looking up. According to Craig Kelley of Colts.com, Chapman is completely healthy. Chapman apparently said that he's "full go" and "100 percent" heading into OTAs starting on Monday. Apparently, the team likes Chapman enough to have him working with the first team once OTAs begin. At 6'0'' and 316 pounds, the defensive tackle will be looking to earn a starting job with the team. It will be no easy task for Chapman, as he will be facing some stiff competition. He will be competing for a starting job along with Aubrayo Franklin and Brandon McKinney. At Alabama, Chapman showed off tremendous strength. Combining that with his big size helped him fill lanes and disrupt plays with ease. He has a good football IQ for a defensive tackle, meaning that he understands his job on defense isn't always making tackles or sacks, but often opening up plays for the linebackers. Stamina was an issue in college, but hopefully Chapman has worked on that while trying to get healthy. He was consistently a two-down player in college, but hopefully the Colts can find ways to use him even more. There's a lot of hype surrounding Chapman now that he is returning, and that is both a blessing and a curse for the young player. It's good in the sense that he's getting an opportunity to start, but a problem because he could end up disappointing a number of people. No one knows for sure how well he will play in 2013, but a lot of fans are certainly rooting for him.

When transitioning from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense, often times the defensive line can be the hardest to work with because of the changes. The Colts defensive line played respectably last season, but it was evident that they still needed help along the defensive front. One of the first moves they made to do that was by signing the highly sought after Ricky Jean-Francois from the San Francisco 49ers. Jean-Francois was drafted in the 7th round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the 'Niners out of LSU, where he won a national championship with the Tigers and was even named the defensive MVP of the 2008 National Championship Game. According his LSU bio page, he also participated in track and field. In his four seasons in the NFL with the 49ers, Jean-Francois has played in 51 games (starting 5) and has notched 49 tackles, 3 sacks, forced a fumble and batted down 2 passes. He was a role player for the 49ers and backed up one of the best pass rushers in the NFL, Justin Smith. Thus saying that Jean-Francois' lack of starts means he isn't a good player is not a valid argument at all, as he was stuck behind one of the league's best. When Smith was injured this past season, RJF stepped in and played well. Following the 49ers' Super Bowl XLVII loss to the Ravens, Ricky Jean-Francois' contract was up and he was due to test free agency. A number of teams were reportedly interested in signing him, including the Titans, Browns, Packers, Ravens, and Eagles - plus the Colts, of course. His first visit once the free agency period began was to Philadelphia, and once he left there without a contract he headed to Indianapolis. The Colts reportedly very much wanted RJF and made a big push to sign him. He never left Indy without a deal - a very lucrative deal, I may add. General Manager Ryan Grigson gave Jean-Francois a 4-year, $22 million contract ($8.5 million guaranteed) that has him making $5.5 million this season. With 3 career sacks, the $22 million deal means that the Colts are paying RJF just over $7 million per career sack. That said, he is a solid player overall and a good run defender. Perhaps his biggest attribute is his versatility, however. Although he played just 27% of defensive snaps for San Francisco last year (because as we already noted he was behind Justin Smith), he played all three spots along the defensive line and played them well. He won't be the best at any one of those positions, but he is a solid player at each of them. Another positive to the Colts signing him is that he can help teach coordinator Greg Manusky's system to the younger defensive lineman, as Jean-Francois played for Manusky for two seasons in San Francisco (2009-2010). The Colts list him as a defensive tackle on their roster, but at 6'3, 295 pounds he would seem to project better as a 3-4 defensive end that could switch over to a DT in a 4-3. Again, however, he can play all three spots along the defensive line. The question is just where his primary position will be, and the Colts seem to think it will be at tackle. I'm not sure, but there's time to figure that out before the season begins. Quite a bit of time, actually. Last season as a part of the San Francisco 49ers, Ricky Jean-Francois was on a team that won the NFC Championship, played in the Super Bowl and came very close to winning it. The loss is still a sore subject for him. But when he signed with Indy, he was confident that before long, he'll get a shot at making up for the loss last year by winning it all. He's motivated to get back, and that's exactly the type of guy Ryan Grigson and Chuck Pagano want on their football team. And lastly, a profile on Ricky Jean-Francois wouldn't be complete without a link to his now famous Peanut Butter Jelly Dance. It's probably what he's most known for by fans throughout the league.

Indianapolis Colts RB Delone Carter has not been participating in organized team activities because of recent shoulder surgery. Huddle Up: At the end of the 2012 season , it was an ankle injury that sidelined Carter for the final 4 weeks of the season, and he finished with only 122 yards and 3 TDs on 32 carries. He could see goalline work this season, but should be no better than third fiddle behind Donald Brown and Vick Ballard.

A year ago, quarterback Andrew Luck was unable to attend the Indianapolis Colts’ organized team activity practices due to school commitments at Stanford. Luck, though, went on to have a stellar year for the Colts despite the lack of summer work with the team. Still, in a sense, he is a rookie during this year’s OTA workouts. “These are my first OTAs. I missed these last year, so I think it’s great. It’s great to get on the field with the defense and trouble-shoot some stuff. Obviously, some of us ran some of this stuff [offense] at Stanford [under new offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton]. But to get out there with the defense and trouble-shoot some stuff is good,” Luck said Wednesday as the team wrapped up its first week of on-field voluntary practice sessions.

USA Today Sports The sophomore slump, while it’s a bit of a cliche thing, it also seems to be quite real. Many young NFL quarterbacks struggle in their second season, or at least go through a rough patch early on in their career after a hot start. When it comes to hot starts as a rookie, look no further than Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck. Coming into the league as the No. 1 overall pick, and widely considered the best pure QB in his class, the expectations were high. But, Luck lived up the hype, and then some. After leading the Colts to 11 wins and a playoff berth, it’s fair to wonder if he can follow it up in 2013. Teams are going to be ready for him this time around, and a decline in production is a real possibility. From a statistical standout he’ll have to top 4,374 passing yards and 23 touchdowns. He does however have a lot of room to improve in completion percentage, as he only completed passes at a 54.1% clip during his rookie campaign. I’m confident he can improve in all of those categories, it’s the 11 wins I’m not sold on. When it comes down to it, that’s ultimately how Luck’s sophomore season will be judged. I think if he can lead the Colts back to the playoffs, that you’d have to deem it a success. There will be talk of Indianapolis winning the division, but I think it’s too early for that. This is still a young team, and while Luck seems to be quarterback with a great mind for the game, he’s got a hard road ahead this season. Odds of Luck having a sophomore slump – 13%. Follow Andrew Fisher on Twitter

Which other city can claim to be so fortunate? We looked at the four major sports and tried to find franchise building blocks 26-years and younger.