Insiders Zak Keefer and Joel Erickson look back at the Colts' playoff loss and look ahead to the offseason. Clark Wade, Clark.Wade@Indystar.com
INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts offense had to be a resourceful bunch last season.
Only a handful of the key components — Andrew Luck, Eric Ebron, Quenton Nelson, Nyheim Hines, Chester Rogers and Braden Smith — were available for every game, and Smith’s value didn’t become apparent until he joined the starting lineup at right tackle in Game 5. Indianapolis dealt with injuries at running back, wide receiver, tight end and across the offensive line.
By the season’s midpoint, though, Indianapolis had sorted out most of the key roles, and under the leadership of Luck and Frank Reich, turned into a multi-faceted, dangerous unit, capable of beating teams in a bunch of different ways.