Stampede Blue
Indianapolis, IN — For the first time since Andrew Luck’s second year in the NFL, the Indianapolis Colts start their season with a 1-0 record after besting the Miami Dolphins 33-8 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
It was both an important and monumental day for the organization. Not only has the aforementioned curse finally been lifted, but the franchise honored its late, great owner in Jim Irsay, by inducting him into the Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor during halftime of the game. Notable Colts players from all eras were in attendance to show their support, from Peyton Manning to Pat McAfee and everyone in between. Emotions were high and expectations low; therefore, the end result was just as shocking as it was impressive.
Not only did Shane Steichen and DC Lou Anarumo have these guys playing as together and inspired as we’ve seen in recent memory, but complementary football was on display. Most importantly, there was down-to-down consistency on the offensive side of the ball. This newfound sense of self resulted in a historical showing from the Colts’ offense, and although expectations need to be proactively tempered, there now lies concrete proof that this offense has a respectable ceiling, and that is thanks to the recent last-ditch effort of a marriage between three parties: GM Chris Ballard, HC Shane Steichen, and QB Daniel Jones.
It sounds laughable to suggest that Daniel Jones could be the missing piece to this impossible puzzle that’s been the Ballard era Colts, but Week 1 suggested, potentially fraudulently due to a subpar opponent in the Dolphins, that Indy may have found something by pairing Jones with Steichen and then meshing them with the respectable offensive weapons littered amongst the Colts offense.
It’s been regurgitated ad nauseam that the recent influx of successful reclamation projects at quarterback across the NFL. From Geno Smith to Sam Darnold and everyone in between, this recent reminder to not give up on young players has allowed faltering organizations to retool as opposed to accepting a full-blown rebuild. As with the case of Daniel Jones in Indianapolis, this marriage of sorts has an asterisk due to the overarching nature of said move. Yes, like the other examples, Jones was to be given a fresh start to right his wrongs, but with a twist. He, too, is responsible for the future(s) of Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen. Given that this season has been regarded as the last year for this regime to figure it out, the clock is ticking for all parties involved.
Since this timeline in Indianapolis had all but run its course heading into the season, skepticism toward the franchise’s uncharacteristic notion of ‘going all-in’ was more than valid. While some masochist fans wanted to see their team historically fail so that this regime in question can receive a fitting end, the majority of the fanbase had checked out entirely, not necessarily hoping for a collapse, but rather expecting one.
Fast forward to the conclusion of Week 1, Steichen and Co....
