STEELERS 101

For a quick glance at what the Indianapolis Colts look like in 2012, Chuck Chapman, the editor at Colts 101, swung by to give us a breakdown.

 When the Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts meet at Heinz Field Sunday night, Steelers fans won’t recognize the team they beat in Indianapolis back in week three of 2011. After finishing tied for the worst record in the NFL at 2-14, owner Jim Irsay pretty much blew up the roster that had previously taken the Colts to nine consecutive playoff appearances and two Super Bowls. Of the 90 players on the Colts preseason roster, only 28 were on the team that finished 2011.

Of course, the most radical change is at quarterback, where future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning was allowed to depart to finish his career in Denver. In his place is number one overall draft pick Andrew Luck out of Stanford. Irsay loved the symmetry of replacing Manning 14 years later with a virtual clone: a strong-armed, cerebral quarterback who is the son of a former NFL quarterback. To this point, Luck has not disappointed.

In his debut last week against the St. Louis Rams, Luck completed 10 of 16 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns. He even matched Manning’s debut by throwing a touchdown on his first pass as a Colt. Some rookie quarterbacks look like rookies, but Luck isn’t one of them.

Only Reggie Wayne and Austin Collie remain from what was once one of the NFL’s most prolific offenses. A host of young receivers and tight ends join them including TY Hilton, LaVon Brazill, Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen.

Steelers fans will recognize the Colts offense though as it’s being directed by Bruce Arians. That means a lot of pre-snap motion, bunched wide receiver sets, misdirection and heavy use of the tight ends. On defense, new head coach Chuck Pagano has brought over his hybrid 3-4 scheme from Baltimore. Greg Manusky is the new coordinator, preaching a desire for “violence” on every play. The switch in scheme means that long time stalwarts at defensive end, Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, are now playing as stand-up outside linebackers.

Cory Redding and Tom Zbikowski came over as free agents from Baltimore to join Pagano in Indy and provide some veteran experience. Most of the rest of the Colts defense involves younger players and free agents trying to earn a spot on a rebuilding unit. Last week they held the Rams to only a field goal.

Injury note: Former Steeler running back Mewelde Moore is unlikely to see action with bruised ribs.

Tags: Andrew Luck, Bruce Arians, Colts 101, Football, Indianapolis Colts, Jim Irsay, Mewelde Moore, NFL, Peyton Manning, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Steelers, Reggie Wayne

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