In 2012, Indianapolis had a new QB, a new coach and a cause. The Colts in-depthrallied around Chuck Pagano when he was diagnosed with leukemia and rode the emotion to an 11-5 record and a first round playoff game. Some doubted the team was really nine games better than the disastrous 2011 2-14 campaign, but Indy followed up in 2013 with another 11-5 season and an exciting playoff comeback win against Kansas City.

This team, however, is far from a finished product. When Reggie Wayne went down with a knee injury, Andrew Luck struggled to find his consistency. The switch from Bruce Arians to Pep Hamilton as offensive coordinator proved at times a challenge. And there are holes on the offensive line and the defensive side of the ball that must be addressed.

Still, with some well placed pieces and some good fortune, Colts Authority Editor Kyle Rodriguez says the Colts aren’t far from joining the league’s elite teams in a deep playoff run.

Zoneblitz: What is your overall assessment of the 2013 Colts season that saw two playoff games and a division title?

Rodriguez: In the end, the 2013 Colts were a team that fought through injuries and questionable coaching to moderate success. Winning the AFC South is nice, but the division is terrible. Winning a playoff game is great, and it was an incredible one, but Kansas City was an incredibly flawed team.

The 2013 Colts team wasn’t a great team, but they had a few outstanding performances from individuals that gave them a punchers chance in just about any game. Robert Mathis had a historic year, Andrew Luck continues to progress and T.Y. Hilton developed into one of the most explosive weapons in the league.

Zoneblitz: Since he missed much of 2012 fighting leukemia, 2013 was Chuck Pagano’s first full season as coach. What did you think of his performance?

Rodriguez: Very questionable. The team didn’t adjust well to injuries, continuing to attempt to use the same systems and philosophies even though it didn’t have the right personnel. They didn’t look prepared for just about any game in the second half of the season. But, Pagano did keep them composed, and the players love playing for him.

Coaching has many different facets to it, and Pagano is fantastic at some of those. But he also struggles in other key areas and is stubborn to adapt at times. His run-first philosophy could be something that holds the team back long term.

Zoneblitz: What are your thoughts on the Trent Richardson move and how much are the Colts relying on him now with Donald Brown gone and Vick Ballard coming off injury?

Rodriguez: I have zero expectations for Richardson. I’ve accepted the fact that the trade was a bad one, and that he’s not a good player right now. Could he become a good player? That’s possible, but I’m not expecting it.

But, the Colts may be. Richardson very well could enter camp as the No. 1 back, with both Ballard and Ahmad Bradshaw coming off of season-ending injuries. Bradshaw is the best of the bunch, but is habitually injured. If he can stay healthy and allow Ballard to ease into things, great. Richardson may be greatly improved after this offseason, but I’m not going to count on it.

Zoneblitz: Hakeem Nicks was one of the more interesting signings this offseason. He’s had a couple down seasons – what are you expecting out of him this season?

Rodriguez: I put together a comprehensive breakdown of Nicks a couple weeks ago, and I think he really fits what they needed, which was a possession receiver to work the intermediate parts of the field. As bad as Nicks’ numbers have been, he still has reliable hands and does a good job of getting separation at the line of scrimmage, something the Colts’ young receivers struggled with last year. I expect him to be a third wide receiver at worst, and potentially start if Reggie Wayne is slow to come back from an ACL tear.

Zoneblitz: What do you think of Andrew Luck’s progress in year two and about the offense after Pep Hamilton replaced Bruce Arians?

Rodriguez: After the first seven games of the 2013 season, Andrew Luck looked like he was going to possibly be an MVP candidate, outside of Peyton Manning’s run. But then Reggie Wayne got hurt, and Luck’s efficiency plummeted. Hampered by Hamilton’s questionable play calling, the offense was as inconsistent as it gets in the second half of the season, culminating in the playoffs with the first-half deficits and subsequent comebacks.

Hamilton has to find a way to overcome a questionable offensive line and have a reliable offense.

Zoneblitz: The Colts moved from 21st to 9th in points allowed in 2013. What improved on that side of the ball and what still has to get better?

Rodriguez: The defense wasn’t as improved as it seemed, to be honest. The points allowed stat was better, but that was because they played some terrible offenses. The defense finished 19th in weighted DVOA from Football Outsiders, which is a better indication of their actual strength. The defense really struggled against Kansas City and New England in the playoffs.

That being said, the secondary did improve, with Vontae Davis stepping up and LaRon Landry being an upgrade over Tom Zbikowski. The team’s secondary depth was better as well, and the run defense, while still below average, wasn’t the liability it was in 2012. The Colts still need help across the board on defense, especially at cornerback, safety, inside linebacker and pass rush.

Zoneblitz: Substantial money was spent in acquiring LB D’Qwell Jackson and DE Arthur Jones. What will their roles be and what do you think of the moves?

Rodriguez: I’ve done extensive film reviews of both Jackson and Jones as a part of our Colts Authority Charting Project, and both bring very different skill sets to Indianapolis. Jones, for example, is an extremely strong run defender, while Jackson has really struggled there in recent years. Jackson, however is very good in coverage. Jones is a decent pass rusher as well, although he likely won’t be a game-changer in that regard. Where Jackson struggles on the field, he should make up in intangibles, he’s an exceptional leader on and off the field.

I like the Jones move, but Jackson seems like a step in the wrong direction for the money he received. Regardless, he’ll be an upgrade over the Colts’ rotation last season.

Zoneblitz: How far are the Colts from a deeper playoff run?

Rodriguez: Not far. Injuries really hurt them last season, and at some point the injury gods have to smile on Indianapolis… right? The roster will be improved this season for the second-straight year, although it might not show up in the win total. But, the team should be stronger as a whole, and another year of experience for Andrew Luck is only a good thing for the Colts once the playoffs come around.

Zoneblitz: Who on the roster are you looking at as potential breakout candidates for the upcoming season?

Rodriguez: LB Josh McNary could be a surprising contributor behind Jackson and Jerrell Freeman. He’s a very versatile piece on defense that allows the Colts to do many different things in nickel.

On offense, LG Donald Thomas has a chance to really earn some recognition after being out for the entire season last year.

Zoneblitz: What else would you like to see Colts do in the rest of free agency and then in the draft?

Rodriguez: They still need a starting center, as well as competition at the center position after Phil Costa unexpectedly retired. In addition, I’d like to see them draft long-term starters at cornerback and wide receiver.

Follow Kyle Rodriguez on Twitter at: @ColtsAuth_Kyle
Follow Colts Authority on Twitter at: @ColtsAuthority
Follow Zoneblitz.com on Twitter at: @ZoneblitzCom

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