FanHouse AntoineBethea

The Montana-Young 49ers, the '70s Steelers, the '70s Dolphins, the '90s Cowboys, the Belichick-and-Brady Patriots: what do they all have in common? They are all-time great NFL teams that racked up many wins in a handful of seasons. You know what else they have in common? None of them have ever put together as impressive a regular season resume as the current Peyton Manning-era Colts.

That's right, after beginning this season 5-0, the Manning-era Colts are now 80-21 since the beginning of 2003. The '70s Steelers went 87-27-1 from 1972-1979. From 1981-1998, the 49ers were always pretty stout, but they never put together a six-plus season run where they played close to .800 ball like the current Colts (they came closest from 1987-1992 when they went 75-20). The '90s Cowboys went 70-20 in their best stretch. From 2001-2007, the Patriots went 86-26. Shula's '70s Dolphins, at 67-16-1, check in as the best competition.

So, these Colts should go down as one of the best teams of all-time, right? Uh, no. Not yet, at least.

Though many of the players from the perennially playoff-bound Indianapolis Colts are still around, it's a new era in Colts camp these days. The turnover on the coaching staff has been vast, especially for a team who has seemingly gone 12-4 in their sleep for all of recent memory -- and it goes all the way to the top. With a new head coach and two new coordinators, the players have some adjusting to do.

On the defensive side of the ball, former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Bob Sanders appears to believe in his new defensive boss, former Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Larry Coyer.

Every off-season NFL players receive performance-based bonus checks based on a comparison of playing time and the player's adjusted regular-season compensation.

According to the Indianapolis Star, "[g]enerally, individuals who receive the largest checks played a prominent role for their team while earning low base salaries." This explains why rookie safety Antoine Bethea, who started 14 games, pulled down an extra $259,249, the league's fourth-highest bonus.

It also sheds some light on backup quarterback Jim Sorgi finding a $189 check in his mailbox. That's right, $189, or roughly $115 after taxes.

Sorgi's minuscule check was a result of him getting on the field for just one play during the 2006 regular season -- as a holder on an extra point against Houston. Quarterback Peyton Manning took all 1,011 offensive snaps.

I wonder if these checks are itemized. I ask because Tony Romo's statement is sure to have a line for "botched hold on game-winning field-goal attempt during playoffs: -$189."

Previously at FanHouse:
Ravens Safety Dawan Landry Pockets $366,017 Bonus

We all know about the presence Bob Sanders has in the secondary when he's on the field. However, the Colts have another very exciting player in the secondary to play along side of Sanders. In the last 4 NFL drafts, the Colts have had 7 picks in the first two rounds. 5 of those 7 picks have gone into drafting a defensive back.

Not one of those picks was Antoine Bethea. He was the Colts 6th round (207th overall pick) out of Howard University in the 2006 NFL draft. Bethea has 50 tackles which ranks third on the Colts, which puts him behind linebackers Gary Brackett and Cato June, who are #1 and #2 in the NFL in tackles. Bethea started early during weeks 1 and 2, the only weeks in which Bob Sanders, Mike Doss, and Antoine Bethea were all healthy. This proves Coach Dungy's confidence in Bethea over Doss. Now that Doss is out of the picture for the rest of this season, Colts fans should start getting used to seeing Bethea and Bob Sanders next to each other in the secondary.

Oh, and by the way, in Bob Sanders return to the lineup for the first time since week 2, Bethea had his best week of the season by accumulating 9 tackles and picking off the "great" Tom Brady. Coincidence? I think not. Chemistry.

Here it goes...

Offense: Nothing much has changed here Manning is still leading the offense which should finish ranked top 5 in the league. The receiving core in Indy is deadly. Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne are both coming off 1000+ yard seasons. Brandon Stokley has recently returned to practice and should be ready to go for the regular season. The running game is still in question, however. Dominic Rhodes will see the bulk of the carries until Joseph Addai can prove himself as a starting back. To be honest, the run game has shown us nothing during the preseason. Also, The offensive line is mediocre at best. We all know what happened between them and Peyton after the Pittsburgh game last year. However, they always seem to find a way in protecting Peyton and expect that to stay the same. As for run blocking, we'll have to see.

Defense: The entire defensive line returns for the 2006 campaign. Robert Mathis signed a large contract in the off-season. Expect to see a big year out of him. Dwight Freeney is once again the anchor of the line and will compete for being a top defensive end in the league. After this, the rotation style line kicks in. Look for Simon, Brock, and Reagor to all get a good amount of playing time on the line. Corey Simon looks like a more determined player in this years camp. He dropped a lot of weight in the off-season and I think he will be a huge asset to the run stopping defense. Gary Brackett returns as the anchor of the LB's, but there is still a question of how the open OLB position will fill in. The Colts defense is ranked around 5th in most fantasy leagues and I would say that is about right. I'd maybe put them at 6 or 7. My prediction for this years surprise on defense is Antoine Bethea.

Special Teams: The biggest change this off-season to the Colts special teams was the acquisition of kicker Adam Vinatieri. Despite claims that his ankle is broken, Vinatieri looks to be ready to go for the season opener versus the Giants. Adding Vinatieri gives the Colts new confidence when it comes down to clutch playoff kicks. Another addition to the special teams was the drafting of T.J. Rushing. Rushing has looked great on returns in the preseason and I expect him to take over the job very soon. The return game in the past has been downright brutal.

Prediction: I feel that the Colts will finish 13-3, winning the AFC South by 2 games over the Jags. I also feel that they will make it to the Super Bowl. However, I don't think they have what it takes to win the big game...yet. If the running game can prove me wrong, then I think they can, and will, win the Super Bowl. But until then, I don't see it happening.

Are you ready for some football?!

According to the IndyStar, rookie safety Antoine Bethea is making a serious push for the safety starting job opposite of Bob Sanders.

Last year, Bethea was starting at Howard University, a I-AA team. Pretty large swing of events I'd say.

"He's played very well,'' coach Tony Dungy said of the team's sixth-round draft pick. "He's been an eye-catcher in practice and in summer school and all the way through, and it's continued on.''

Bethea had stellar stats at Howard. In 31 games he had over 300 tackles, 7 interceptions, and 3 sacks. In his first preseason game with the Colts, Bethea lead the team in tackles and in his second he recorded an interception and a fumble recovery.

His competition? That would be Mike Doss (who has been suffering from a lingering calf injury) and Matt Giordano.

Don't be at all surprised to see Bethea in the starting lineup on opening day.

1st Round (30th) - Joseph Addai, RB, LSU

• Addai has some big shoes to fill. With Edgerrin James leaving for Arizona in the off-season, the backfield now consists of Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai. Addai is a 5-11, 215 lbs running back who ran a 4.49 at the combine. He has been praised for his pass blocking ability and field vision. On the other hand, he has been criticized for his upright running style and lack of explosiveness through holes. My guess is he will be the starter by week 8.
  

2nd Round (62nd) - Tim Jennings, CB, Georgia

• Jennings was a 3 year starter at Georgia. During his last 2 years he was all-conference. Despite his size at 5-8, Jennings has been praised for his athleticism. His main criticism stands with his ability to read the defense. Jennings will most likely not make a push for the starting job in 2006, but look for him as a surprise in '07

3rd Round (94th) - Freddy Keiaho, OLB, San Diego State

• Keiaho had 113 tackles in 2005, leading his team at SDSU. He was named to the first team all-conference as a starter during his senior year. One problem with Freddy is his size for a NFL style linebacker. He is only 5-11, 227 lbs. However, he could make up for this with his speed and field vision He is currently listed at 3rd on the depth chart for LOLB.

5th Round (162nd) - Michael Toudouze, T, TCU

• Toudouze is a 6-5 1/2, 303 pound tackle who has been a starter since his sophomore year. He was awarded all-conference honors while at TCU.

6th Round (199th) - Charlie Johnson, OG, Oklahoma State

• Johnson received all-conference honors at Tight End before he moved to OG as a senior.

6th Round (207th) - Antoine Bethea, S, Howard

• During his senior season at Howard, Antoine received first team all-conference honors.

7th Round (238th) - T.J. Rushing, CB, Stanford

• See my blog here about Rushing