INDIANAPOLIS – To some, the Colts are in a bit of a rebuild mode heading into the 2017 season.
But that word should not be associated with this year's Colts, especially when you remember what is still there on offense.
A team that alone has an offense led by Andrew Luck is going to be a contender for postseason consideration year in and year out.
"The offense is pretty darn mature at areas where you have to be," Owner Jim Irsay said at last week's League Meetings.
When Irsay uses the term 'mature' he first references Luck and the stability the Colts have at the quarterback positon.
The owner also believes the offensive line is trending towards being a strength.
If that belief is fulfilled for the Colts, there's no reason this unit can't be one of the more potent attacks in the NFL.
"We really have a chance with the receivers and tight ends and running backs…I think we can put points up on the board," Irsay says. "We have some real pieces there."
Earlier this offseason, Chris Ballard went more in-depth on what he sees out of the offense.
- On Luck: "We all know the quarterback position is very important to have. When you have that it makes things a little easier going forward to build around him."
- On the wide receivers: "We have T.Y. Hilton who is a star, who is an explosive playmaker and a star. On the other side, we have (Donte) Moncrief, who is still a young player and developing. We want to see him come on and hit his ceiling as a player because he has a lot of talent. Then we have a young player in Phillip Dorsett, who we would like to see him come (on). He's got a lot of speed and deep receiving ability. We want to see him come to fruition."
- On Jack Doyle: "Jack Doyle was an important guy. He stood for everything we want to stand for. He worked. He earned his way. And had a really good season last year. I thought that deserved to be rewarded. And that's what I want our players to understand. When you do the right things and you produce, you're going to get rewarded for it."
- On Frank Gore: "You can't say enough about Frank Gore. He's a pro. He's what you want. And even at his age, he still finds ways, finds creases to run the ball."
- On the offensive line: "They did a good job with the offensive line."
This is not a rebuild in Indianapolis.
If the offense can reach the level Irsay and Ballard envision, it's a unit that can really ascend in Rob Chudzinski's second full season calling the plays.
"We've got a good young nucleus on offense and we want to continue to add to that," Ballard says.
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