FanHouse NFL Season Preview: Indianapolis Colts - Under the Radar?

Training camps are underway, the NFL season is a month off, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterbacks: Peyton Manning is returning from injury, and if he doesn't in time the Colts are in serious trouble. Jim Sorgi hasn't shown himself capable in the pre-season while working with the machine known as the Colts offense, and you can't trust Jared Lorenzen as far as you can throw him (love to see anyone try that, by the way). Of course, it's Peyton ... don't worry. He doesn't miss regular season games. Heat Index: 9

Running Backs: Mike Hart's pre-season emergence pushes this already formidable bunch to new heights. Kenton Keith showed himself an able-bodied backup to studly Joseph Addai last season, but with Dominic Rhodes back in the house and Hart joining the fray he could be out of a job. That's how good the quality and depth is here. Heat Index: 9

Receivers: Marvin Harrison is back from off-season surgery. Reggie Wayne has become one of the elite wideouts in football. Anthony Gonzalez started to break through as a quality option late last season. Dallas Clark is one of the better pass-catching TEs in football. On top of all those mainstays, rookie TE Jacob Tamme hauled in two TDs in the last preseason game. Remember, the Colts like to use two TE sets frequently. Stacked, once again. Heat Index: 9

Offensive Line: It's easy to just assume every aspect of this juggernaut offense is stellar, but the line is actually helped by many factors which make them appear better than they are. Manning has a knack for avoiding sacks by releasing the ball at the right instant and Addai is adept at finding the right holes. That being said, this group of offensive lineman, headed by center Jeff Saturday, is a quality one. Look for LT Tony Ugoh to improve greatly as he enters his second season in replacing Tarik Glenn. Heat Index: 7

Defensive Line: Dwight Freeney should be back full-speed by the time the season begins, but the lingering effects of the dreaded lisfranc injury could hamper him a bit. Personally I think he'll be good enough to attract the attention needed, which will enable Robert Mathis and Raheem Brock to do their thing on the opposite side. Heat Index: 7

Linebackers: Gary Brackett is the heart and soul of this defense from the middle, as well as a big play creator. The second best player of this bunch is Freddie Keiaho, which means -- while it's not bad by any stretch -- this is a weakness. Heat Index: 6

Secondary: Bob Sanders is back after missing camp, but he's used to that. Don't expect a slowed step this season as he defends his Defensive Player of the Year award. While his fanfare in Indianapolis has probably spiraled a bit high, I have to admit that everything on the defense works with him in the lineup. Marlin Jackson is a solid all-around corner, and Antoine Bethea has developed in just two seasons into a decent ballhawking safety. This young secondary is only going to get better. Heat Index: 7

Special Teams: Adam Vinatieri is still clutch and reliable, though he's aging. Kick coverage has been a problem in the past, but they are improving steadily. Hunter Smith rarely gets used due to the offense, but he is a quality NFL punter. T.J. Rushing has explosive potential as a returner, and he did take one back last year. Heat Index: 7

Coaching: Tony Dungy is a leader. Period. The relationship he has with his players -- the mutual respect and all -- is not common around the league. He's obviously a great motivator and a preparation guru as well, because the Colts -- in the past five seasons, at least -- rarely lose games they shouldn't. Tom Moore is one of the best offensive coordinators in the business as well. Heat Index: 9

Intangibles: This team is close-knit, and without prima donna issues being played out in the public eye. They are going to come out this season with something to prove after being overshadowed by the Patriots last year and losing at home to the Chargers in the playoffs. Having many stars hurt in the off-season actually should help morale in the end because they are all coming back either on schedule or ahead of schedule. Heat Index: 9

Total Heat Index: 79

That's the highest heat index so far, and it's hardly surprising. The Colts were actually neck and neck with the Patriots until a huge 3rd down completion by Tom Brady to ice the game in the now extinct RCA Dome in week 9, only to be followed up with an uncharacteristic game at San Diego in which Manning threw six picks and Vinatieri missed a chip shot that would have won the game. Other than that, it was a pretty flawless regular season. There's a reason they have started at least 8-0 the past three years and won at least 12 games for the past five. Expect that latter trend to continue and the AFC South title to stay in Indy.

And still, they are being overshadowed in pre-season predictions by the Pats, Giants, Cowboys, and Chargers ... sometimes even the Jags. Could it be possible for the Colts to sneak up on some people this year? Nah ...