As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of the game
being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests that players from
different eras cannot be compared. However, I have decided to defy that
notion.
Considering that the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts were founded in 1953,
the task becomes quite challenging. Today, I have taken on the daunting
task of compiling an All-Time Colts team. The franchise called Baltimore
home from 1953-1983 before moving to Indianapolis without any
public announcement. Remember the Mayflower moving trucks being
loaded up and pulling out of town in the middle of the night while the
city of Baltimore was asleep?
While in Baltimore, the Colts won NFL championships in 1958, 1959 and
1968. However, the 1968 version was sullied by their 16-7 loss in Super
Bowl III as a heavy favorite against the New York Jets. Two years later, the
Colts defeated the Dallas Cowboys 16-13 in Super Bowl V. The franchise
remained a contender until 1977. From 1978-1994, there was just one
playoff appearance. Since then, however, the franchise has been to the
postseason 18 times, winning Super Bowl XLI, 29-17 over the Chicago
Bears thus ending the narrative that quarterback Peyton Manning and head
coach Tony Dungy “can’t win the big one.”
There are some rigid criteria in making this team. The player needed to have
played at least four seasons as a Colt. Since the free agency era began 30
years ago, that standard needs to be in place. Two-year rentals don’t make
this list. Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team.
This is football, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame is the
first consideration coupled with impact on the franchise. The number of
All-Pro seasons are a top consideration with longevity also helping
immensely. While I understand it is hard to compare eras, I’m not going to
convolute this discussion.
Generational reminders
All eras matter. Being on the Colts from the Golden Age does not get you a
hall pass on this team. Winning or losing eras, all high-level performers
get considered.
To further the challenge, we are constructing the roster in two-deep format,
which means some worthy players get left off the list. So, if you want to
make a case for a player being on the team, don’t just tell me who should be
there and why, tell me who you would remove. Before you make a case to
put someone on the list, ask yourself, “Who do I take off the list at that
position?”
OFFENSE
QB -- First team: Johnny Unitas. Honorable mention: Peyton Manning.
You could pick either one to be No. 1 and not be wrong. Unitas is in the
Hall of Fame, Manning will be the moment he becomes eligible. Unitas
was a Colt for 17 years. He was a ten-time Pro Bowler, eight-time All Pro
(five as a first-teamer) and the three-time NFL MVP. Both led the Colts to
a Super Bowl title. Unitas also piloted the Colts to three NFL championships
before the Super Bowl era. Manning holds numerous NFL records. In 14
years as a Colt, Manning was a Pro Bowler 11 times, eight-time All Pro
(five as a first-teamer), four-time NFL MVP and NFL Offensive Player of
the Year in 2004. Manning led the Colts to their 2006 Super Bowl title.
Manning spent his last four years (2012-2015) as a Denver Bronco. Unitas
gets the nod because he revolutionized the game for the modern day
quarterbacks and played at a time when offenses had a “run first” mentality
and when defenses were more hard-hitting. Unitas also guided the Colts to
two NFL titles to go along with a Super Bowl.
RB -- First team: Edgerin James, Eric Dickerson. Honorable mention:
Marshall Faulk, Lenny Moore.
James is the franchise’s all-time leading rusher and also caught 356 passes
in seven seasons. James is a Hall of Famer and was the NFL Offensive
Rookie of the Year in 1999 and twice led the NFL in rushing. James is a
four-time Pro Bowler and All Pro (twice as a first-teamer). After a
contentious contract dispute with the Los Angeles Rams, Dickerson was
traded to the Colts and pumped life into the franchise. Dickerson is a Hall
of Famer and spent five years as a Colt. Dickerson is fourth in franchise
history in career rushing yardage. In a Colts uniform, Dickerson was a
Pro Bowler three times and two-time All Pro. He led the NFL in rushing
in 1988. Faulk is most remembered for his time as a St. Louis Ram but his
first five with the Colts were spectacular. Faulk was a complete back and is
a Hall of Famer. He is the franchise’s No. 3 career rushing leader and
caught 297 passes. Faulk was a Pro Bowler three times as a Colt. Moore
is a Hall of Famer who played 12 years with the Colts from 1956-1967.
He helped lead the franchise to back-to-back NFL titles in 1958-1959.
Moore is No. 5 in franchise history in career rushing yardage. He was the
NFL Rookie of the Year in 1956, NFL Comeback Player of the Year in
1964, seven-time Pro Bowler and All Pro (five as a first-teamer).
FB -- First team: Allan Ameche. Honorable mention: Randy McMillan.
Ameche’s signature moment came in the 1958 NFL championship game
(known as the Greatest Game Ever) when his 1-yard touchdown run in
overtime sealed the Colts 23-17 overtime win over the New York Giants.
Ameche spent all six seasons (1955-1960) of his career with the Colts.
Ameche helped the Colts win back-to-back NFL titles in 1958-1959. He
was the NFL Rookie of the Year in 1955, four-time Pro Bowler and
four-time All Pro (twice as a first-teamer). McMillan played for 1981-1986
with his career overlapping both the Baltimore and Indianapolis eras.
McMillan drew comparisons early in his career to Ameche before injuries
cut his career short. McMillan rushed for 3,976 yards and scored 24
touchdowns.
WR -- First team: Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne. Honorable
mention: Raymond Berry, T.Y. Hilton.
Harrison and Manning formed one of the most prolific pass-catching
tandems in NFL history. Harrison and Wayne were each members of the
2006 Super Bowl champions. Harrison spent all 13 years (1996-2008)
of his NFL career with the Colts. Harrison is a Hall of Famer and
franchise’s all-time leading receiver in many categories. Harrison was an
eight-time Pro Bowler and All Pro (three as a first-teamer). Wayne played
14 years (2001-2014) and is No. 2 behind Harrison in many receiving
categories. Wayne was a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All Pro
(one as a first-teamer). Wayne is deserving of a Hall of Fame induction.
Berry was a Colt for 13 years (1955-1967). He is a Hall of Famer and
member of back-to-back NFL Champions (1958-1959). Berry was the
Colts all-time leading receiver until Harrison and Wayne shattered his
records. Berry was a six-time Pro Bowler and All Pro (four as a first-
teamer). Hilton recently completed his eighth season and is fast climbing
the charts in franchise history in terms of receiving numbers. Hilton is a
four-time Pro Bowler.
TE -- First team: John Mackey. Honorable mention: Dallas Clark.
Regardless of position, Mackey is one of the best players in the history
of the NFL. Mackey played nine years (1963-1971) of his Hall of Fame
career with the Colts. In that span, he caught 331 passes, which look
modest by today’s standards but he revolutionized the tight end position.
He was the second tight end in NFL history to get inducted into the Hall
of Fame. Mackey was a member of the 1970 Super Bowl champions,
five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All Pro. Clark was like a receiver
playing tight end. No tight end has caught more passes in franchise
history than Clark. He was a member of the 2006 Super Bowl champions
along with Pro Bowler and All Pro in 2009.
OT -- First team: Jim Parker, Bob Vogel. Honorable mention: Chris
Hinton, Tarik Glenn.
Parker is not only a Hall of Famer but one of the best tackles in NFL
history. Parker was a Colt for 11 years (1957-1967) and member of
back-to-back NFL Champions (1958-1959). He was an eight-time Pro
Bowler and nine-time first-team All Pro. Vogel was the No. 5 overall
pick in the 1963 NFL draft. Vogel was a member of the 1970 Super
Bowl Champions, five-time Pro Bowler and five-time All Pro. Hinton
played seven years (1983-1989) as a Colt but was drafted by the Denver
Broncos. When quarterback John Elway, who was drafted by the Colts,
did not want to play for the franchise, Elway was traded to Denver and
Hinton was part of the trade. Hinton, however, had a solid career in his
own right. As a Colt, Hinton was a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time
All Pro (one as a first-teamer). Glenn played ten years as a Colt (1997-
2006) and finished his career as a Super Bowl champion. Glenn was a
three-time Pro Bowler.
OG -- First team: Art Spinney, Alex Sandusky. Honorable mention:
Robert Pratt, Ron Solt.
Spinney had two stints with the Colts (1950; 1953-1960), in between,
he had military service. Spinney was a member of back-to-back NFL
champions (1958-1959), three-time All Pro and two-time Pro Bowler.
Sandusky played 13 seasons (1954-1966) and though he never earned
Pro Bowl recognition, he was a pivotal member of back-to-back NFL
champions (1958-1959). Pratt played eight seasons (1974-1981) and
was the definition of reliable, playing 105 consecutive games at one
point. He helped the Colts win three straight AFC East titles. The Colts
selected Solt with one of the picks that were part of the aforementioned
Elway trade. His stint with the Colts was short-lived, four years from
1984-1998. Solt’s best season was 1987, when he reached the Pro Bowl.
C -- First team: Jeff Saturday. Honorable mention: Ray Donaldson.
The Colts have a rich history at this position. Pun intended but Saturday
was dominant on Sundays for 13 seasons (1999-2011). Saturday anchored
a line that allowed Manning to dominate as a passer and James to do the
same as a running back. Saturday was a member of the 2006 Super Bowl
champions but a week earlier in the Colts come-from-behind 38-34 win
over New England in the AFC Title Game, he recovered a fumble in the
end zone for a touchdown. Saturday was a five-time Pro Bowler and four-
time All Pro (two as a first-teamer). Donaldson played 13 seasons (1980-
1992) with his career overlapping the Baltimore and Indianapolis eras. As
a Colt, Donaldson was a four-time Pro Bowler.
DEFENSE
DE -- First team: Gino Marchetti, Dwight Freeney. Honorable mention:
John Dutton, Bubba Smith.
Marchetti is a Hall of Famer and one of the best defensive ends in NFL
history. Marchetti, who played 14 years (1953-1966), moved from offensive
tackle to defensive end as a rookie but by his own admission playing offense
made him a better defensive player because it taught him how to beat
blockers. Marchetti was an 11-time Pro Bowler, nine-time first-team All Pro
and member of back-to-back NFL championships. Freeney could fit as a
4-3 end or 3-4 linebacker. Freeney’s speed was a nightmare for opponents.
He is second in franchise history with 107.5 sacks. Freeney enjoyed a Hall
of Fame worthy career. He was a member of the 2006 Super Bowl
champions. As a Colt, Freeney was a seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time
All Pro (three as a first-teamer). Dutton played most of his career with the
Dallas Cowboys but his first four were as a Colt from 1974-1978. He made
the NFL All-Rookie Team and was a three-time Pro Bowler. Smith spent
his first six years (1967-1972) as a Colt and was a member of the 1970
Super Bowl champions. Smith was a two-time Pro Bowler and three-time
All Pro.
DT -- First team: Art Donovan, Gene Lipscomb. Honorable mention:
Fred Miller, Billy Ray Smith.
Donovan was known as a walking soundbite but on the field, he
produced. Donovan played ten seasons as a Colt (1953-1962). He was a
member of back-to-back NFL champions. Donovan made a key tackle in
the aforementioned win over the Giants to pave the way to win the title.
Donovan was a five-time Pro Bowler and six-time All Pro (four as a first-
teamer). Lipscomb played ten years for three teams with the middle part of
his career coming as a Colt (1956-1960). He was a member of back-to-back
NFL Champions. He was a Pro Bowler and first-team All Pro twice in a
Colts uniform. Miller played all ten seasons (1963-1972) as a Colt. He was
a member of the 1970 Super Bowl champions. Miller was a three-time Pro
Bowler and two-time All Pro. Smith play 14 seasons for three teams but ten
were as a Colt (1961-1970). He finished his career as a Super Bowl
champion. Smith was both a captain and mainstay for the Colts in that era.
OLB -- First team: Mike Curtis, Robert Mathis. Honorable mention:
Ted Hendricks, Don Shinnick.
Mathis was a career Colt from 2003-2016. He and Freeney were a dangerous
pass-rushing tandem even though Freeney cast a bigger shadow. Mathis is
the franchise leader with 123 sacks. Mathis was a member of the 2006 Super
Bowl champions, five-time Pro Bowler, first team All Pro in 2013 and
AFC Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. He forced 52 fumbles and
recovered 17 more. Curtis spent his first 11 seasons as a Colt (1965-1975),
one of which was as a Super Bowl champion. Curtis was drafted as a fullback
but moved to linebacker. He was a four-time Pro Bowler, two-time first-team
All Pro and NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1970. Hendricks, who
was nicknamed “The Stork,” is best remembered as an Oakland Raider but
his first five years (1969-1973) as a Colt were impactful. Hendricks played
on the 1970 Super Bowl champions. In his Colts career, Hendricks was a Pro
Bowler three times and All Pro twice (one as a first-team). Shinnick spent his
entire 13-year career with the Colts (1957-1969). He was a member of back-
to-back Super Bowl champions. Shinnick was second-team All Pro in 1959
and tied for the NFL lead in interceptions that season. He is No. 2 in franchise
history with 37 picks.
ILB -- First team: Dick Szymanski, Duane Bickett. Honorable mention:
Bill Pellington, Gary Brackett.
Szymanski played all 14 seasons (1955-1968) as a Colt but missed the 1956
season because of military service. Szymanski was a member of back-to-back
NFL champions and a three-time Pro Bowl performer. Bickett spent nine
seasons (1985-1993) as a Colt. He was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the
Year in 1985 and reached the Pro Bowl in 1987. Pellington played all 12
seasons (1953-1964). Though he received only one postseason recognition,
second-team All Pro in 1964, Pellington was a mainstay and part of back-
to-back NFL champions. Brackett made the team in 2003 as an undrafted
free agent and though he never received postseason recognition, he morphed
into a solid starter for eight seasons. Brackett was a member of the 2006
Super Bowl champions.
CB -- First team: Bobby Boyd, Vontae Davis. Honorable mention:
Milt Davis, Eugene Daniel.
Boyd was a ballhawk throughout his nine-year career (1960-1968) as
evidenced by his franchise-leading 57 career interceptions. Boyd was a
five-time All Pro and two-time Pro Bowler. Vontae Davis spent six years
(2012-2017) as a Colt. He was a Pro Bowler in two of those years. Milt
Davis played just four seasons (1957-1960) as a Colt but long enough to
contribute mightily to back-to-back NFL championship teams. He was an
All Pro twice and led the NFL in interruptions on two occasions. Daniel
was a long-time fan favorite in his 13-year career (1984-1996). He never
earned postseason recognition but longevity gets him on this team. Daniel
is third in franchise history with 35 career interceptions.
S -- First team: Bob Sanders, Rick Volt. Honorable mention: Jerry
Logan, Andy Nelson.
Sanders was an incredibly active and high energy player against both the
run and pass in his seven years (2004-2010) as a Colt. Sanders was a vital
cog on the 2006 Super Bowl champions, two-time Pro Bowler, two-time
first-team All Pro and 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Volk spent
nine of his 14 years (1967-1975) as a Colt. In that span, he was a member
of the 1970 Super Bowl champions, three-time Pro Bowler and three-time
All Pro. Logan was a Colt for ten years (1963-1972). He is fourth in
franchise history with 34 interceptions. Logan was a three-time Pro Bowler
and member of the 1970 Super Bowl champions. Nelson was a Colt for
seven years (1957-1963). He helped the defense lead the team to back-to-
back NFL championships. Nelson was a two-time All Pro and one-time
Pro Bowler.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K -- First team: Adam Vinateri. Honorable mention: Mike Vanderjact.
Though Vinatieri is linked to his time of making clutch kicks for three New
England Patriots Super Bowl teams, he has spent 15 years with the Colts.
Vinatieri was a member of the 2006 Super Bowl champions and has
become the franchise’s all-time leading scorer. He holds numerous NFL
records, a Hall of Fame awaits Vinatieri when eligible. Vanderjact was
known for making asinine comments but he had a solid eight-year run as
a Colt. Vanderjact is the franchise’s No. 2 all-time leading scorer. He
was a Pro Bowler and All Pro in 2003.
P -- First team: Pat McAfee. Honorable mention: Chris Gardocki.
McAfee enjoyed an excellent eight-year run as a Colt (2009-2016). He
was on the NFL All Rookie Team in 2009, two-time Pro Bowler and All
Pro on one occasion. McAfee has a franchise-best 46.4 yards per punt
average. Gardocki played 16 years for four teams but enjoyed a solid four-
year run (1995-1998) as a Colt. He was a Pro Bowler and All Pro in 1996.
Gardocki owns a 44.8 yards per punt average as a Colt.
RETURN -- First team: Clarence Verdin. Honorable mention: Alvin
Haymond.
Verdin spent six seasons (1988-1993) as a Colt. Kicking the ball to him
was risky business. Verdin reached two Pro Bowls in a Colts uniform as
a punt returner. Verdin’s per return averages look modest, 20.2 on kickoffs
and 9.9 on punts but totalled five touchdowns in that span. Haymond
spent four years (1964-1967) as a Colt. Though Haymond did not return
any kicks for touchdowns, he averaged 8.4 yards on punt returns and
26.4 on kickoffs.
HEAD COACH -- First team: Tony Dungy. Honorable mention:
Don Shula.
You could put either one at No. 1 and not be wrong because both are Hall
of Fame coaches. After being dismissed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,
Dungy came to a ready made team. He was a defensive mind that inherited
a potent offense but suspect defense. The offense remained powerful and
the defense became respectable. The Colts recorded a mark of 119-34 under
Dungy including a Super Bowl title in 2006. His Colts teams never failed
to reach the postseason. Shula is mostly known for his career as the Miami
Dolphins head coach. However, he enjoyed a highly successful time as the
Colts head coach from 1963-1969. During which time, the Colts went
73-26. His finest hour was 1968, leading the Colts to a Super Bowl
appearance but losing to the New York Jets 16-7 as a heavy favorite.
TEAM -- 2006.
The modern day Colts were known for high-octane offenses but the defense
played an even bigger role in the franchise winning their second Super
Bowl, 29-17 over the Chicago Bears. The irony was that the Colts defense
had struggled entering the postseason. The 2006 campaign had its peaks and
valleys but in a sense the Super Bowl win had an anti-climatic feel. Two
weeks earlier in the AFC Championship Game, the Colts rallied from a 21-0
deficit to defeat their nemesis, the New England Patriots, 38-34. The Colts
won 12 games on the way to winning the AFC South but very few experts
picked them to win the Super Bowl. The Colts defeated the Kansas City
Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Patriots and Bears.
