Colts of the Decade

This decade Colts fans have been blessed with an unbelievable quarterback, a Hall of Fame coach, and a multitude of great players. From Gary Brackett to Dallas Clark many players have been apart of the rebirth of this proud Colts franchise. Although it has yet to be decided who the franchise of the decade will be, Patriots, Colts, Steelers, one thing we can be certain of is that Indianapolis has truly been blessed with a great football organization.

To end this decade I would like to take a step back and select the top players who went out everyday Sunday and represented our team and our city. 

5. Jeff Saturday: Saturday has been a member of this organization for 11 years now, and in that time has started 155 games, been named to four Pro Bowls, and one NFL All-Pro first team. He is the leader of the offensive line, and is responsible for the great connection between Peyton Manning and this standout line. Year after year Saturday has proven to be a pure professional who goes about his job with a desire to win. Although Manning gets a lot of the credit for this high octane offense, Saturday is a very smart lineman who helps keep everyone on the same page. 

4. Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis: These two come in a package for the simple fact that one would not be as dominant without the other. Freeney has been the one to gain the national exposure, and rightfully so tallying 84 sacks over his eight year tenure with the Colts. However, Mathis has always been the neglected child, but with this years Pro Bowl invitation Mathis will be joining Freeney on the AFC roster and finally earning the attention he deserves. These two have struck fear into the hearts of offensive coordinators for an entire decade, between the two of them they have a total of 147 sacks and counting. Although health has always been a concern, the impact that these two had when on the field cannot be argued.  

3. Edgerrin James: Now I understand that James was only a member of the Colts from 1999 until 2005. However, in that short span he ran for 9,226 yards and 64 touchdowns. James was not a member of the Super Bowl squad, but he did help lay the foundation that ultimately allowed the Colts to defeat the Chicago Bears on route to their first Super Bowl in Indianapolis. Edgerrin gave Peyton a potent running attack that allowed him time in the pressure and the ability to keep the defense guessing. Without James I believe that Manning would not be as great of a quarterback as he is today. Although his time in Indy was cut short because of free agency, I must say that James was one of key pieces of the puzzle for this great franchise. 

2. Marvin Harrison: Harrison began his tenure with the Colts in 1996, playing with the squad for a grand total of 13 marvelous years. After establishing his dominance in the 90’s there was no turning back for Harrison, who left the most recent decade as one of the greatest of all-time. From 2000 until 2008 he was able to garner 10,439 receiving yards to go along with an astonishing 95 touchdowns. Clearly Peyton Manning’s all-time favorite target, marvelous Marvin made it to 8 Pro Bowls and was named to the All-Pro First Team 3 times. Harrison was a safety blanket for Manning for years, and established himself as one of the greatest Colts of all-time. 

1. Peyton Manning: Was there really any doubt as to who would earn this honor? Manning has been the lifeblood for the Indianapolis Colts for 12 years now, and he doesn’t look to be going anywhere. With 9 Pro Bowl nominations and 4 First Team All-Pro honors, Manning has established himself as not only one of the greatest quarterbacks of the decade, but of all-time. Manning has been a statistical monster for the Colts, since 2000 having thrown for 42,159 yards and 314 touchdowns. Although he does not have the rings of a Tom Brady, Joe Montana, or Terry Bradshaw, in terms of what he brings to the table Manning is clearly one of the most dominant of all-time. Peyton Manning has been more than just a football player to this community, he has been a face that has united Colts fans throughout the state. Lucas Oil Stadium, a Super Bowl trophy, and economical boosts can all be tied back to this southern boy out of Tennessee University. 

I would like to thank all of the Colts, past and present, for what they have done for this community. They have turned a franchise headed in the wrong direction into one of the best of this decade, it has certainly been exciting to watch.