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30 at 30: Number 28, Tackle Tarik Glenn

June 19th, 2013 at 12:48 PM
By Chuck Chapman

'Indianapolis Colts RCA Dome' photo (c) 2007, Josh Hallett - license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

Colts 101 is counting down the 30 most influential members of the Indianapolis Colts organization. Previously, we profiled number 29 on our list, TE Ken Dilger

In 1997, a year before Peyton Manning would become the “face” of the Colts’ franchise, Indianapolis drafted his protector with the 19th pick of the NFL Draft, left tackle, Tarik Glenn. Glenn would protect Manning’s blind side for nine seasons before abruptly retiring at age 31 after the Colts Super Bowl victory in the 2006 season.

Glenn was both durable and reliable during his career. He started all 16 games in seven of his 10 pro seasons, 154 in all. While he was at left tackle, Manning was sacked only 176 times, the lowest total in the NFL during that span. Glenn was rewarded with Pro Bowl nods three times, in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Glenn’s retirement came before training camp started in 2007. He cited a lack of passion for the game as the main reason for him leaving the game when he clearly had more left to offer. Glenn said that even the championship run the previous season was “draining” and at times he felt like he was just “going through the motions.”

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30 at 30: Number 29, Tight End, Ken Dilger

June 18th, 2013 at 10:28 AM
By Chuck Chapman

'Indianapolis Colts RCA Dome' photo (c) 2007, Josh Hallett - license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ Colts 101 is counting down the 30 most influential members of the Indianapolis Colts organization. See number 30, Andrew Luck.

Ken Dilger was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 1995 NFL Draft out of the University of Illinois. The Indiana native would take over the tight end position for the next seven seasons, becoming a favorite target for both Jim Harbaugh and Peyton Manning.

Dilger started 106 games in his Colts career, amassing 261 receptions for 3181 yards and 18 touchdowns. He earned a Pro Bowl berth in 2001, his final one in a Colts uniform. Only Dallas Clark and the great John Mackey have earned Pro Bowl honors at the tight end position while members of the Colts.

In 2002, as Tony Dungy moved from Tampa Bay to Indianapolis, Dilger made the opposite trip, taking over as the Buccaneers’ top tight end. Dilger’s arrival in Tampa couldn’t have been timed better as he helped the Bucs to the franchise’s first ever Super Bowl title.

Dilger retired from pro football after the 2004 season. He makes his home now in Indianapolis, working in the mortgage business. He also regularly makes appearances on local radio providing analysis on the Colts.

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Thirty at Thirty: the Most Influential Members of the Indianapolis Colts

June 17th, 2013 at 10:56 AM
By Chuck Chapman

'Indianapolis Colts RCA Dome' photo (c) 2007, Josh Hallett - license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

As the Indianapolis Colts prepare to embark on their 30th season in Indianapolis, Colts 101 would like to take a look back at the 30 most influential players, coaches and front office personnel that have shaped the past three decades of Colts football.

Whittling the list of people down to 30 wasn’t easy. There are those we left off the list who certainly could be argued to be worthy of inclusion. We invite your comments and debate as we unveil this list between now and the start of training camp on July 27.

Without further ado, at number 30 on our list:

Andrew Luck

Luck has only been a Colt for one season, but oh, what a season that was! Luck was the Colts’ first overall draft pick in the 2012 draft and took over a team that had finished 2-14 the year prior to his arrival. He proceeded to guide the Colts to an 11-5 record and an improbable wild card playoff berth.

In the process, Luck demolished Cam Newton’s record for rookie passing yards. Of course it was Newton who had passed Peyton Manning (think he’ll be somewhere on the list?) the year prior.

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Five Reasons Why the Indianapolis Colts Could Win Super Bowl XLVIII

June 16th, 2013 at 8:32 AM
By Chuck Chapman

'Lombardi Trophy 1' photo (c) 2003, youraddresshere - license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/Every NFL team begins the season with one vision, to stand on the platform at the end of the season, confetti raining down and holding the Lombardi Trophy. It doesn't matter what happened last year. The Colts last season, despite coming off a 2-14 season and new faces everywhere but in the owners' suite had the same dream.

Last year, of course, it was more of a pipe dream. That the Colts finished 11-5 and earned a wild-card playoff berth amid all that transition and their head coach's illness was nothing short of a miracle. This year, however, the Colts' hopes for hoisting the silver football aren't just the stuff of fantasy. It could happen.

Of course there will be 19-20 games to be played before that dream can become a reality and a lot can happen between now and then. The parity-filled NFL doesn't allow much margin for error. For the following reasons, though, the Indianapolis Colts very well could be hanging their second championship banner at Lucas Oil Stadium.

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Ryan Grigson Satisfied with Indianapolis Colts’ Progress…For Now

June 14th, 2013 at 8:00 AM
By Chuck Chapman

'Lucas Oil Stadium - Indianapolis Colts' photo (c) 2008, Josh Hallett - license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

Indianapolis Colts' general manager Ryan Grigson has had the opportunity over the past month to see the parts he's put together this off season. With mandatory mini-camp wrapping up Thursday, Grigson seemed satisfied with what he's seen. That satisfaction won't last long, however.

Grigson pronounced his team's off season a success to this point. They filled all the roles they were looking to fill and got the specific players they were after. In short, they accomplished Grigson's goal: to get better.

"It’s not some big grandiose plan. It’s a simple approach and that is to work every single day to get better. We had specific areas we wanted to address and we really targeted guys and pretty much got everyone. That was based off the film. It was based off of even opponents last year when we saw guys in games, even turning to Tommy Telesco one time like ‘We have to get this guy because he’s killing us.’ I don’t have any names but you can probably figure it out.”

Grigson isn't one, however, to ever rest on laurels. While this next month represents the last chance for NFL personnel to rest before starting the rigors of the season, Grigson is already getting into training camp mode. After watching last night's open practice, he's more excited than ever to get started.

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