The Story Of The 2015 Indianapolis Colts

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In the 2015 NFL season, the Indianapolis Colts finished a disappointing 8-8. There was a lot of hype at the beginning of the season, especially considering the Colts were Super Bowl favorites according to networks like ESPN and the NFL Network due to the Colts picking up outside linebacker Trent Cole, former Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson, and former 49ers running back Frank Gore. Unfortunately, Cole and Johnson did not live up to expectations. Not only did Cole receive a pay cut this off-season, but Andre Johnson's future with the Colts got cut short after being released. Fore Gore on the other hand, seemed to turn back time by running for a 1,000 yards with what could be consider the worst offensive line in the NFL.

Turned out health played a major role with the Colts in 2015 as their 8-8 record would suggest. Their franchise quarterback Andrew Luck played hurt with a bad shoulder his entire season, which came to an end on week nine against the Denver Broncos. Luck took an extremely hard hit from linebacker Danny Trevathan which exacerbated his kidney. This would be the final action Luck would see for the rest of the season. And the only backup quarterback on the Colts roster with any significant NFL experience, was 40-year-old Matt Hasselbeck. But Hasselbeck was able to rise to the occasion. He finished the 2015 season with a 4-3 record. Hasselbeck did take a lot of big hits which took its toll on him as the season rolled on, so much so that he missed the final game of the season. Which is why now he's retired and working for ESPN as an analyst for football.

Poor offensive line play was a big part of the Colts disappointing season. The Colts entered the 2015 season with injuries that didn't help either. Both Jack Mewhort and Joe Reitz played well above expectations in 2015. As far Anthony Castonzo, who got a big contract this off-season, played poorly at times, getting called for too many penalties and being injured. Khaled Holmes and Jonathan Harrison performed so terribly for the Colts in 2015 and should not be on the roster for 2016. Denzelle Good, a seventh-round draft pick, was a pleasant surprise and should be back.