FanHouse Indianapolis Colts

Retired NFL quarterback Trent Green is the first-ever guest columnist of MMQB, filling in while Peter King is on vacation. Green provided an interesting read on subjects relating to the league's personal conduct policy, concussions and the expanded season. And of course it wouldn't be a MMQB without a healthy dose of Favre thrown in for good measure.

What jumps out of Green's article is his prediction that 10 quarterbacks will have over 4,000 yards passing this season. He says six are a lock to do it (Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Kurt Warner, Phillip Rivers and Aaron Rodgers), and seven have the potential to do it (Jay Cutler, Matt Cassel, Carson Palmer, Matt Schaub, Donovan McNabb, Tony Romo, Matt Hasselbeck).

Let's put this prediction in context:

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.

The Indianapolis Colts looked to have suffered some significant downgrades to their coaching staff over recent months. Veteran assistant coaches Tom Moore (offensive coordinator) and Howard Mudd (offensive line) retired from the team this spring, reportedly over issues with the league's pension plan.

The Colts were prepared to move on without Moore and Mudd, but they don't have to just yet. The team has announced that both will return as consultants.

Sports Illustrated's Don Banks has thrown out a topic guaranteed to stir up a lot of passion and a lot of hate by ranking the 32 NFL teams over the past decade. That leads to the bigger question: is the title of team of the decade still up for grabs?

The Packers were the team of the 1960s, the Steelers claimed the 1970s, the 49ers dominated the 80s and the Cowboys were the team of the 1990s (even if their domination lasted for only the first half of the decade). Heading into the final year of the decade, the Patriots are the clear leaders to earn the title "Team of the 00s" with three Super Bowl rings and four Super Bowl appearances, but Banks argues that the Steelers could end up stealing that moniker with a second-straight Lombardi Trophy that would also give them three rings this decade.

And Banks even goes as far as saying that the Colts could move into the argument with their second Super Bowl title since they could end the decade with a better record than the Patriots.

This is sure to rile up the natives but, well, Rodney Harrison built a career around that -- along with late hits, blows to the head, and 15 years of some pretty solid football.

Earlier today he announced his retirement from tackling fat guys for a living, as well as his plans for the future: studio analyst for NBC's Football Night in America, along with recently retired Colts coach Tony Dungy.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Since Jim Caldwell is a native of Beloit, Wis., just a few fast breaks away from Marquette basketball territory in Milwaukee, he sort of knew where I was going on Tuesday afternoon.

I think.

The man is in trouble.

Then again, that's only true if Caldwell doesn't understand a few things in sports history involving mere mortals replacing earthly gods.

The Indianapolis Colts are one of the premier franchises in the NFL at the present. Since 1999, they've made the playoffs and won 10 games in all but one season. They've won at least 12 games in the past six. They've had offensive coordinator Tom Moore and offensive line coach Howard Mudd in place during that entire timespan. Tony Dungy was the head coach for the past seven. All three have now departed.

Their replacements are Jim Caldwell (head coach), Clyde Christensen (offensive coordinator) and Pete Metzelaars (offensive line coach). Translation: The Colts just drastically downgraded at three very important coaching positions.

There are several wide receivers who are on the free-agent market. Let's take a look at some who are available and where they could go.

The Indianapolis Colts have already had to replace their head coach this off-season. Now they're in danger of losing two of their most important assistants as well.

This is the kind of information that can only help Michael Vick in his efforts to get back into the NFL. According to John Clayton of ESPN.com, the jailed former Falcons quarterback met with former Colts coach Tony Dungy today at the federal prison in Leavenworth, Kan. to "discuss life after he gets out of prison."

Vick, who is scheduled to leave Leavenworth in two weeks and serve out his sentence at home, is interested in a return to the NFL. Commissioner Roger Goodell has said he'll be looking for "genuine remorse" from Vick regarding his dogfighting crimes when considering reinstatement. Seeking counsel from somebody as universally respected as Dungy is can only help Vick in the eyes of the commissioner as well as the public.