The Colts have a cap problem right now, and it will likely hit them in the next couple of years. However, as long as Bill Polian is still in charge, I except the Colts to be among the best teams in the league. Polian is the best personnel man in the league, and maybe ever. There is only one Colts player that is irreplaceable; as long as Manning is around, the Colts will be among the top teams in the AFC. Polian can replace any other player on the roster.
This isn't to say that some aren't more difficult to replace than others--Jeff Saturday, for instance, comes to mind as an extremely important player--but it can be done.
You gave me chills. For several years, Indy fans would get all worked up at the pre-season drafts and deals that seemed just ignorant. Then, as things panned out and the genius of the organization started to show, we just nod at almost anything they do. They seem to find the stars at draft time and pass on the problem kids with astonishing results. The team is STILL young.
The league raised an eyebrow when we let The Edge go. No problem. We let Stokely go. No problem. I could go on and date some of the real wowers, but you get the point.
What you said was spot on, however. All the eggs are really in one basket with Manning at QB.
As for the salary cap? I am constantly amazed at how the colts, players work with the owners to keep the team together. Going franchise here, moving incentives there. They really are a classy bunch that, for the most part, like playing together and for this team.
BTW - Jeff Saturday is one of my favorites and I agree, he will be very hard to replace. Folks do not understand just how important that position is. He is the QB of all the blocking schemes. When Manning changes the play, he has to change the blocking scheme (in a couple of short seconds and with input from other linemen that can see level 2.
I wish someday, they would mike a center and put it on the Internet, unedited. It would likely not be for children, but it would certainly explain a lot about all that noise that goes on right before the ball is snapped.
Thanks for the post.