Colts should focus on defense

Big numbers are fun.
Playoff wins are better.
NFL free agency begins at 4 p.m. today. And as the signing period nears, rumors fly about which players will land with what teams.
One of the names that has been tossed around most often in connection with the Indianapolis Colts is wide receiver Eric Decker of the Denver Broncos.
The addition of another receiver joining T.Y. Hilton and Reggie Wayne along with tight ends Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen wouldn’t hurt. But if another offensive weapon is the main goal not just for the fans, but for the organization, Indianapolis won’t take the next step any time soon.
Offense, especially passing offense, is not the problem for the Colts. And with the exception that one lost year when Peyton Manning was hurt and before Andrew Luck arrived, it never has been.
The Colts need to focus on defense. More specifically, they should set their sights on stopping the run.
Indianapolis ranked 26th in the league against the run last season. That was actually an improvement from being ranked 29th in both 2011 and ’12.
In fact, Indianapolis has been 24th or worse for six straight seasons.
It’s become an epidemic. It’s who the Colts are now.
If the Colts ever expect to have a serious chance at winning a Super Bowl, it’s time to redefine that identity.
Signing D’Qwell Jackson after Cleveland released him was a good first step. He was one of the few players the Browns could count on over the years, having recorded at least 100 tackles in every full season he’s played.
But the Colts shouldn’t stop there.
They need to continue to add players on the defensive side of the ball, whether they are big-name talents like Buffalo Bills safety Jairus Byrd and Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Michael Bennett or lesser-known guys like run-stuffing linebacker Jon Beason of the New York Giants.
Occasionally a weak defensive team like the 2010 Green Bay Packers and the 2006 Indianapolis Colts sneak through and win it all. But more often when it comes down to great offense against great defense, the defense wins out. Just ask Peyton Manning and his Denver Broncos.
So while a guy like Decker would be a lot of fun and would help Luck continue to put up gaudy numbers, Indianapolis would be smart to spend its money on defense.
Substance, not style, will lead to playoff success.[[In-content Ad]]