2007 Previews: Indianapolis Colts

Note: This is a team-by-team look previewing the 2007 season. These are my official thoughts on how I think things will play out.

Last year: 12-4 (Super Bowl champs)

Best addition: Anthony Gonzalez (WR, 1st round draft pick out of Ohio State)

Key personnel losses: Mike Doss (S, Vikings) and Cato June (LB, Buccaneers)

2007 outlook: With the proverbial monkey finally off the backs of Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy, what will the Colts do for an encore? Well, when the only impact pickup in the offseason is another weapon for Manning, Colts fans have to be thinking about a repeat. And they have no reason to think otherwise, at least as far as the offense is concerned.

Defensively however, this will be a brand new team - which may not be a bad thing given the Colts previous shortcomings in this area. Gone are leaders like June and Doss but it was apparent that Bob Sanders was really the glue that held that unit together as they markedly improved when he came back from injury and the Colts always seem to have another LB ready when a top flight one departs. And with Dungy's penchant for building defenses, it seems to not matter who is back there, they will be good enough to keep their offense from being outscored.

Key to success: All eyes will be on 2nd year RB Joseph Addai and how he takes to the role of being the sole back. He was drafted last year to replace the departed Edgerrin James and between him and the recently departed Dominic Rhodes they actually did what James could not and get to a Super Bowl. But now Addai has to go it alone and while it may be unreasonable to expect the Colts to repeat, if they do it will be because Addai was more than adequate at replacing both James and Rhodes.

Against Washington: The Skins probably should have beaten the Colts last year given the position they were in at halftime and the beating they had dished out to Manning but Indy came to life in the second half and beat Washington 36-22. The two teams do not meet this season.

Fantasy sleeper: Ben Utecht. While Dallas Clark gets most of the pass catching responsibilities in this offense, Utecht is actually in the same role Clark was when Marcus Pollard was still in Indy. Utecht has the ability to catch and get open and with defenses focusing more on Clark, he should be able to find ways to contribute in the two-TE sets Indy runs. With TE always being a position of peaks and valleys, Utecht may prove to be better than most of the regular starters in the league.

2007 Preview: Arizona Cardinals

Last year: 5-11 (fourth in NFC West)

Best additions: Ken Wisenhunt (head coach) and Russ Grimm (offensive line coach)

Key personnel loss: Leonard Davis (OT, Cowboys)

2007 outlook: A classic group of underachievers, if Wisenhunt and Grimm can't get this offensive group to live up to its potential I doubt any one could. The tools are, and have been, in place and this has to be the year the group steps up. The last time Arizona went to the playoffs Jake "The Snake" Plummer was the QB so you can bet fans are eager to see another winning squad especially with all of the young talent this group has.

On defense, there should be enough talent there now that the Cardinals can win close games but the development of the younger players will be key. Neil Rackers and Scott Player provide a solid kicking game and rookie Steve Breaston should excel in the return game.

Key to success: If the Cardinals want to make it to the playoffs, the offensive line needs to step up. Arizona had one of the worst rushing offenses last year and running back Edgerrin James was not the problem. If the line can move people off the ball, Arizona should win more than five games. The development of first round pick Levi Brown will also be key as he will probably break camp as the guy protecting QB Matt Leinart's blind side.


Against Washington: Arizona comes to town October 21, the Skins' sixth game of the season. This could be a tricky game for Washington though as they could potentially be looking ahead to week seven's game at New England. Last year Arizona couldn't run the ball and Washington couldn't rush the passer so this could be interesting. The two teams last faced each other in 2005, a 17-13 road victory for the Skins.

Fantasy sleeper: Matt Leinart. Arizona has the receivers that are annual fantasy studs and since someone has to throw them the ball, Leinart could benefit from the stellar play of Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. It doesn't help Leinart will be learning his second offense in two years but despite all of Arizona's under achieving, Boldin and Fitzgerald continually rank among the top receivers meaning Leinart will should get a boost from their production. He is at least worth taking a look as your No. 2 QB.