5/16/13: There is no doubt that Indianapolis surprised everyone last year with a winning record and a trip (however short lived) to the playoffs - especially after a dismal 2-14 record in 2012. So the Houston Texans are officially on notice that their reign as AFC South champions may be temporary. The Colts bring back almost everyone, minus Dwight Freeney. But the biggest question mark is who will be the starting running back this season. The choices are the Donald Brown and Vick Ballard. This will be a fun contest to watch throughout all of training camp.

5/9/13: Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne wants to join an exclusive group of players that reach 1000 yards receiving at age 35 or older. It may be hard to believe that Wayne is in his mid 30's. It does not seem like too long ago he was the number two guy, fresh out of the University of Miami, to star wide out Marvin Harrison. Others in the 35/1000 club are Jerry Rice, Tim Brown, and Terrell Owens - pretty good company. Only 12 players have made this club, and Wayne wants to go down in history as the 13th.

5/2/13: Indianapolis crushed the draft last season, though that was pretty easy by simply selecting Andrew Luck as the heir to Peyton Manning. But they were better than advertised and made the playoffs. Now there is an interesting rivalry in the AFC South with the Houston Texans. Indy is trying to build up their defense, and took a big step by drafting one of Florida State's many star defensive linemen, Bjorn Werner. Werner, who is from Germany, only concentrated on football in college, where he became a sack and tackle machine. The best news is that he can still improve. The bad news is, well the bad news is for Arian Foster and Matt Schaub.

4/25/13: Everyone knows how the Colts immediately improved last year the moment they drafted QB Andrew Luck with the first overall pick. The team went from two wins to the playoffs, and now the expectations are skyhigh, like in the Peyton Manning years. With a year of NFL experience under his belt, and a lot more time with his receivers, expect Luck to improve and for the Colts to challenge the Texans for the AFC South crown. The Colts do not have a lot of draft needs, but could use a good running back, an eventual replacement for WR Reggie Wayne, and of course, a replacement for Dwight Freeney.

4/18/13: While Andrew Luck is off preparing for the season and trying to get the team better, the backup quarterbacks, Matt Hasselbeck and Chandler Harnish were shooting basketballs to decide who gets to wear number 8. Hasselbeck bet Harnish $8,000 for the number if he hit a half court shot. So of course the former Mr. Irrelevent nailed the shot and Hasselbeck has to pay up. Not to worry, he is making almost $4 million this year to hold a clipboard. Harnish is not keeping the money, he is donating it to his high school as a scholarship.

4/11/13: The Colts draft should be pretty interesting this year. The team is now the poster child of why teams need a franchise quarterback. A season after finishing 2-14 and starting a who is who, no really, who is that of no name QBs, Andrew Luck came in and led the team to the playoffs. The team is pretty set, but could use replacements for wide receiver Donnie Avery and defensive tackle Dwight Freeney. They could also use a better running back. But the team is set to overtake Houston and regain their rightful place at the top of the AFC South.

4/4/13: The Colts finally signed their Donny Avery speedster replacement with former Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey. Bey was selected before more accomplished receivers like Michael Crabtree and Dez Bryant a few years ago because then-owner Al Davis loved his speed. He has turned into a solid WR. H started 14 games last season and had 41 catches for 606 yard, plus a career high five touchdowns. DHB will join long time Colt Reggie Wayne as the starting WRs next season, giving QB Andrew Luck a few good options, especially when his tight ends are considered in that conversation.

3/28/13: The Colts may have been surprised to see speedster wide receiver Donnie Avery leave the team via free agency for Kansas City, but reports are that they have identified a replacement in former Oakland wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey. DHB was the Raiders' first overall pick a few years ago when then-owner Al Davis fell in love with his speed and took him over Michael Crabtree or Dez Bryant. But Oakland cut him last week, despite not having many receiving weapons. DHB has been good but not great. He may excel if he gets to play with an elite quarterback.

3/21/13: General Manager Ryan Grigson did not win the NFL's Executive of the Year last season by making dumb moves or throwing a lot of big contracts at aging free agents. He made the obvious choice of selecting Andrew Luck with the first pick, nabbing other talented players in the draft, and making some trades to solidify the secondary. So it is no surprise that he is taking a very strategic approach to free agency and going after under the radar player who will not destroy cap room. With a year under his belt, Luck may well lead the Colts back to the AFC South Crown.

Your team might not have made the Super Bowl, but that doesn't mean you can't have a great time at the Super Bowl. Check out more info on Super Bowl 2013 tickets over on the SeatGeek Blog.

3/14/13: Donnie Avery had a resurgence of sorts last season with the Colts, turning in a solid performance as one of QB Andrew Luck's favorite targets. Avery has speed to burn, and was the first wide receiver taken five years ago by the St. Louis Rams. He was often injured and inconsistent, and eventually found his way to Indianapolis. With the development of T.Y. Hilton, he was expendable, and just signed a free agent deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. Indy, meanwhile, signed tackle Gosder Cherilus away from the Detroit Lions for a lucrative five year contract.

3/7/13: Jeff Saturday played last season with the Green Bay Packers after 13 years with the Indianapolis Colts. He announced his retirement after this season, but will return to Indy to sign a ceremonial one-day contract with the teams so he can retire as a Colt. No date has been announced, but Colts owner Jim Irsay says it will be soon. Additionally, Saturday will stick around and has a job waiting for him with the organization. The details of that position have not been released but he could be a coach or special adviser to his long- time franchise.

2/28/13: The Indianapolis Colts look like they are committed to the West Coast Offense, at least in the near future. Head coach Chuck Pagano cites the high completion rate associated with shorter passes. This type of offense is often compared to having an extended running game, particularly when small, quick swing passes can get the ball into the hands of speedsters who can pick up ten yards at ease. Pagano also mentioned that he wants the team to resign kicker Pat McAfee, who has been very strong in pinning opposing teams within the 20 yard line in his career.

2/14/13: The Colts were THE feel-good story of the 2012 season. Story lines ranged from the number one overall draft pick (QB Andrew Luck) living up to the hype and taking the team to the playoffs, to head coach Chuck Pagano's battle with leukemia where he returned to coach the last few games, to assistant coach Bruce Arians assuming the head coaching duties during Pagano's absence and leading the team to a 9-3 record during that time. Arians even won the NFL's Coach of the Year award, and landed the head coaching position in Arizona. Expectations will be high next season, and the Colts have proven that they can challenge the Texans for the AFC South crown.

2/7/12: Well this is a first. Getting odds from Vegas on Bruce Arians being named the NFL Coach of the Year back in August was probably impossible. After all, he was an assistant coach. Then head coach Chuck Pagano was diagnosed with leukemia and stepped aside for most of the season. Arians filled in and rattled off nine wins in 12 games behind a rookie quarterback. He was awarded the Coach of the Year award, while Pagano finished second. His work earned him the head coaching job in Arizona as Ken Whisenhunt's successor - though this time he has no quarterback to work with.

1/31/13: Give the Colts some credit. Last offseason, the team cleaned house. They cut future hall-of-famer Peyton Manning - one of the best QBs ever - to go with an unproven Andrew Luck. That worked out well as Luck had a Pro-Bowl season and led the team to the playoffs. But they also dismissed Bill Polian. Polian won the NFL Executive of the Year award six times, twice with the Colts. His replacement, Ryan Grigson did well, and was awarded his first top Exec award. Not a bad job replacing with stars for the Colts last season.

1/24/13: There was much speculation about Andrew Luck taking the reins as the starting quarterback for the Colts. Indy had one of the greatest QBs of all time for 13 years in Peyton Manning. Manning was of course traded last off season after he missed all of the 2011 season with major nerve damage in his neck. Luck is expected to be the face of the franchise for the next decade or so, and he is off to a good start. When Tom Brady backed out of the Pro Bowl, Luck was tapped as his replacement. So one year in and one Pro Bowl appearance - and probably many more to come.

1/17/13: By any measure, offensive coordinator Bruce Arians did a magnificent job this season. First he was in charge of developing highly touted rookie quarterback Andrew Luck into a franchise cornerstone. Then he had to restore an offense that was laughable last season and had many personnel losses. And finally, he was given the reins to the team when head coach Chuck Pagano left to be treated for leukemia. He led the team to the playoffs and is now a hot candidate for several head coaching positions. He was hospitalized right before the Colts' playoff game with Baltimore, and here's hoping that his recent health issues do not affect his candidacy for a head coaching position.

1/10/13: The Colts splendid and surprising season came to an end in Baltimore Sunday, as the Ravens handled Indy 24-9. Baltimore, inspired by Ray Lewis announcing his retirement following the season, put on a vintage defensive performance. Indianapolis was limited to just three field goals. Andrew Luck and the offense simply could not get much going. Reggie Wayne did have 114 yards receiving, and moved in to second all time for playoff receptions with 92 (59 behind leader Jerry Rice). But the foundation is set in Indianapolis, and the Colts should be very competitive for several years.

1/3/13: Head Coach Chuck Pagano returned to the sidelines for the first time since early in the season. He has been battling Leukemia, and was finally permitted by medical personnel to resume his coaching duties. Indy finished up their season hosting and beating Houston. The win denied the Texans a bye week and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Instead, the Texans will be the 3 seed in the AFC. The Colts will be the fifth seed, and will go Baltimore for their wild-card game. This is the first time in NFL history that three rookies will start playoff games (Andrew Luck, RG3, and Russell Wilson).

12/27/2012: Only a year ago the Indianapolis Colts were the worst team in the league, earning them the number one draft pick in April's draft. That draft pick, of course was franchise QB Andrew Luck. A year later and the Colts are in the playoffs. A 20-13 victory in Arrowhead Stadium secured a wild card spot on a late touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne. Luck threw for only 205 yards, but came through when it mattered most. The Colts can rest easy, as they are pretty much locked into the No. 5 seed. The final game of the regular season will be at home against the Texans, which may be a preview of a playoff game in a few weeks.

12/20/12: The Colts have remained pesky all year, and went into a Week 15 showdown with the Texans having an outside chance to steal the division. But the Texans showed that the Colts just are not quite ready for primetime in a 29-17 Houston win. The Texans defense was relentless and constantly swarmed Andrew Luck who only threw for 182 yards and two TDs. The Colts, now 9-5, are still in the hunt for a wildcard spot, and can pick up an unexpected 10th win against the Chiefs on Sunday. They will face the Texans again in Week 17.

12/13/12: The Tennessee Titans may be out of the playoff hunt, but that did not mean they would not give their best game to the Colts. Fortunately for Indy, rookie quarterback Andrew Luck is getting used to fourth quarter comebacks - leading the Colts to a dramatic 27-23 come from behind win. The Titans took a 20-7 halftime lead but couldn't hold as Luck generated enough offense to drive the Colts to field goals twice in the fourth quarter. Indy looks like a playoff contender at 9-4 right now, and can clinch in the next few weeks. They play the division leading Texans next week and again in week 17.

12/6/12: Andrew Luck showed precisely why he was the No. 1 pick in draft and is the right man to replace legend Peyton Manning in Indy. Luck lifted the Colts to a stunning come-from-behind victory with a last second touchdown, in a game the Colts had no business winning. Detroit dominated the game throughout, and had a 30-21 lead going into the fourth quarter. But the Colts would not be denied and outscored the Lions 14-3 in the final frame to keep their playoff hopes alive. Indy is a surprising 8-4 now, and could win the AFC South if they keep winning and Houston stumbles. The Colts host a struggling Tennessee Titans team this Sunday.

The Colts, who moved to Indianapolis in 1984, have been one of the best franchises since the start of the new century. With Peyton Manning at the helm, the Colts set a record with seven straight seasons with twelve plus wins from 2003-2009, including their first Super Bowl win since their move to Indianapolis in 2006 and another trip to the Super Bowl in 2009. The Colts now play in beautiful Lucas Oil Stadium, which features retractable windows. Every NFL fan should get Colts tickets and watch a Colts game to experience the new Lucas Oil Stadium.

2011 Update--Colts Tickets

The season has yet to get underway and so do the real ticket sale frenzies, but the Indianapolis Colt's players are anxious to start preparations for their season. If the NFL and the players can resolve the controversial lockout, the Colt's will be looking to do big things. Quarterback Peyton Manning, returning from a neck surgery, is reportedly doing well. The Colt's 2011 regular season opener in Houston is scheduled for September 11.

Peyton Manning has proved he is one of the best quarterbacks of all time. Dare someone say that he's better than Johnny Unitas? He is undoubtedly a leader for the Colts and is looking for his second ring. His age may catch up but he gets smarter every year. The Colts have been trying to help him out. His receiving core consists of Anthony Gonzalez, Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, Blair White and Austin Collie. The best part is, he generally throws at least one ball to each receiver every game. Joseph Addai has been injured but is looking for another big year comparable to his rookie season. The defense has always tried to be just as dominant as the offense. Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis and Gary Brackett will do their best to improve and make the Colts as dominant in the NFL as possible.

Related Teams and Bands

• Baltimore Ravens
• Chicago Bears
• Miami Dolphins
• New England Patriots
• Denver Broncos