FanHouse GaryBrackett

Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.

The Indianapolis Colts are one of the league's marquee franchises in the present tense. In 2008, they won 12 games -- their baseline figure for the past six seasons. No one else in the NFL can stake that claim. In fact, they've made the playoffs in nine of the last 10 seasons overall, another league-high in that span.

The problem, as has been the case far too many times for these Colts, was that they came away empty-handed in the postseason.

For years we've seen different Colts myths exploded.

First it was that Peyton Manning couldn't win the big game, but now that he's wearing a Super Bowl ring, it's hard to say that.

Along the way, we also found that the undersized Colts defense could stop the run. And we've discovered that Reggie Wayne can fill the No. 1 wide receiver role that used to be Marvin Harrison's domain.

But even now, there is a general understanding that the key to the Colts defense is safety Bob Sanders. When Sanders is out, the Colts defense is soft, but Sanders' tackling and his ability to play in the box gives the Colts a toughness that otherwise is lacking.

It sounds great, but this year, it just hasn't been true, at least statistically.

While there were some nice offensive stats -- Peyton Manning went 26-for-32 for 277 yards and three scores -- the story of this game was the Indianapolis defense. After losing Gary Brackett, the rest of the Colts defensive personnel stepped up their game with five sacks, four takeaways, and a touchdown. The Bengals managed only a field goal.

Obviously, we can qualify all of the above by saying the Bengals are quite the embarrassing football team at this point -- being spared much ridicule in light of the Lions' woes -- but you can only play the competition put in front of you. The Colts have now won six straight games. They get the Lions at home before traveling to Jacksonville in Week 16. Really, it's hard to see how this team gets tripped up before the last week, which means they'll be bringing an 11-4 record home to face Tennessee.

The only item of concern has to be the running game. Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai combined for only 57 yards on 20 carries. When Jeff Saturday comes back some of this should be resolved, but they can't go into the playoffs without the ability to run the football.

At least not if they expect to go anywhere.

Every Thursday we'll take a look at the battle at the line of scrimmage in one game. Check back every week for a new edition of Between The Lines.

We've heard all about the Colts' offensive injuries, and how losing center Jeff Saturday and tight end Dallas Clark has left Indianapolis struggling to get back to the dominance they showed two years ago.

All of that may be true, but as we saw on Sunday, the Colts have a much bigger problem. The run defense, which was always the team's biggest problem, but one that was finally fixed in 2006, has fallen apart again. The Jaguars rushed for 236 yards, averaging 4.9 yards per carry.

That's a whole lot of yards, but the 4.9 yards per carry is right in line with what the Colts have given up this season. It wasn't a case of outsmarting the Colts--there are high school offenses that are more complex than what the Jags did on Sunday, but the Colts had few answers. The Jags used a two-tight end, two-back formation with the lone wide receiver going in motion to eventually line up as an H-back just off the line. When the Jags bunched up in this formation, the Colts would bring 10 men up into the "box." It's a formation many teams use in goal line situations, but the Jaguars were happy to run it on first and 10. If Knute Rockne watched, he'd recognize what he was seeing.

Training camps are underway, the NFL season is a month off, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterbacks: Peyton Manning is returning from injury, and if he doesn't in time the Colts are in serious trouble. Jim Sorgi hasn't shown himself capable in the pre-season while working with the machine known as the Colts offense, and you can't trust Jared Lorenzen as far as you can throw him (love to see anyone try that, by the way). Of course, it's Peyton ... don't worry. He doesn't miss regular season games. Heat Index: 9

As late as last evening, Coach Tony Dungy stated that Marvin Harrison would not suit up until the team's third pre-season game. Well, Harrison must own some custom-made healing potion -- from Belgium, of course -- because less than an hour ago an announcement was made that Harrison will go tomorrow night in Carolina.

" ... the eight-time Pro Bowl receiver participated in two practices in a day for the first time Thursday and came away wanting to play.

"He actually wanted to work those two practices, made it through OK, felt good, wants to get a little bit in," Dungy said.

You don't need me to tell you that this is big news for the Colts. This is only the second pre-season game for the horse, and they get an extra one because of their inclusion in the Hall of Fame Game. With three more exhibitions coming after this one, why push Harrison if he's not ready?

Exactly.

Going into last season one of the main questions facing the Colts was how well Gary Brackett would fill in at middle linebacker. Rob Morris had gone beyond underachieving at the position through 2004. Actually, he was pretty much useless.

The transition worked out better then anyone could have imagined. Brackett finished the 2005 campaign with 131 total tackles and 3 interceptions. Not to mention that Brackett was the one who forced the fumble on Bettis in final seconds of the Steelers playoff game. Thanks Vanderjagt...

This season, the Colts are in a nearly identical position. However, this time it is at OLB. After losing David Thorton to the Titans in the off-season, the Colts now look to Gilbert Gardner. He is the current "default" for the spot. Gardner has never played in a starting roll before so it will be interesting to see how he performs.

The odds are very low that Gardner will pull off what Brackett did last year but let's at least give him a fair chance. At some point the "fill in at linebacker every year" mentality that the Colts seem to have might catch up to them. But for now it seems to be working.