The result of a Colts/Patriots AFC Championship Game would be the same as last year. The Colts would win a close game and advance to and then win the Super Bowl. Why? Not because of Peyton Manning and Co., because the Patriots will never have the chemistry that they once had or that the Colts have now.
The Pats have brought in expensive free agents with tons of talent, but no rings. Randy Moss is a great player when he wants to be, but who knows when that will be. Maybe Bill Belichick can get through to him but who knows? It doesn't matter because Marvin Harrison is still the best, most consistent receiver in the league.
Wes Welker is a good slot receiver but the Colts drafted Anthony Gonzalez in the first round to replace Brandon Stokely in the slot. A-Gon is a better, faster version of Welker. Donte Stallworth, when healthy is explosive. Reggie Wayne is always healthy and more explosive.
How about running backs? Lawerence Maroney was nicked up last year but was impressive, Joseph Addai split carries with Dominic Rhodes last year but eventually literally took the ball and ran with it. Addai is poised for a breakout season, watch out.
As for the defense, the Pats have been and always will be better but who sealed the victory for the Colts in last season's AFC Championship? Cornerback Marlin Jackson. The same Marlin Jackson who, along with Kelvin Hayden(he of the INT return for a TD in the Super Bowl)will replace Jason David and Nick Harper. Bob Sanders should be healthy all year and we all saw what a difference he made during the playoffs.
As for chemistry, not only have the Pats brought in a bunch of new faces, one of the old ones is threatening to sit out until Week 10. Asante Samuel, the best player in their secondary, wants to get paid and won't play until he sees the $$$. Dwight Freeney was in the same kind of contract dispute but showed up to mini-camp and never said a word about, now he is the highest paid defensive player in NFL history.
The Colts lost Dominic Rhodes, Cato June, Montae Reagor, Nick Harper, Jason David and Tarik Glenn. Addai should take over for Rhodes with ease, Freddy Keaiho is a better tackler than June, Quin Pitcock and a full season from Booger McFarland should compensate for the loss of Reagor, Jackson and Hayden are better than Harper and David, and Tony Ugoh and Charlie Johnson, who dominated Alex Brown in the Super Bowl, are expected to try the fill the mighty big shoes of Glenn.
The Pats are good but the Colts are great and they have that winning taste in their mouth. Oh, and they have that funny guy from Saturday Night Live and all those commercials. I hear he has a laser-rocket arm.
