ESPN.com - Colts: Dungy in super position

ESPN.com: NFL Training Camp 2002

Tuesday, July 16, 2002
Updated: August 21, 6:50 PM ET
Colts: Dungy in super position

By John Clayton
ESPN.com

Tony Dungy put the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the NFL map and brought a winning formula that produced four trips to the playoffs in five seasons. His reward: being fired by owners who were wooing Bill Parcells. It's not out of the question for Dungy to have a better chance of getting to the Super Bowl in Indianapolis than Tampa. For one, he unites with the offensive coordinator (Tom Moore) he always sought. Moore recruited Dungy to play quarterback at the University of Minnesota. Under Moore and quarterback Peyton Manning, the Colts already are No. 2 on offense. All Dungy has to do is deliver a solid defense.

How can Dungy lose? The Colts were so bad on defense last year that any scheme will work. The Colts surrendered over 30 points a game. Tackling was a lost art because opponents ran up 132 yards a game against them. Dungy's system should stop that. His hope is that pass-rushing end Dwight Freeney and second-round tackle Larry Tripplett will bring the fountain of youth to a defensive line that created few turnovers. Early contributions by them should help a talented and young linebacker corps along with a secondary bolstered by the signing of former Chicago Bears cornerback Walt Harris.

	CAMP AT A GLANCE

	Big things will be expected of Tony Dungy in his first season with the Colts.
	Location: Rose-Hulman Institute, Terre Haute, Ind. Rookies report: July 28 Veterans report: July 28 Preseason schedule: Aug. 10: at Seattle Aug. 16: at San Diego Aug. 24: Kansas City Aug. 30: New Orleans

Offense is no problem. This is Peyton's place and the offense should be better than ever. Moore plans to use more three-receiver sets featuring Marvin Harrison, Qadry Ismail and Reggie Wayne. The Colts don't have to rush the return of Edgerrin James, who is coming off knee surgery, because of the development of Dominic Rhodes as an 1,104-yard backup. A couple of years ago, the Colts looked like a Super Bowl team. If Dungy can do his magic, they might become one.

Man in the spotlight
Manning is always the focal point in Indianapolis. He's established himself as one of the league's best talents. What he needs is a supporting cast on defense. The lack of defense last year caused him to force more throws last season. His 26 touchdowns were offset by 23 interceptions. But what's a quarterback to do when the offense is scoring 26 points a game and the defense is giving up 30. You've go to force more close throws in order to score point. Imagine a Manning team supported by a defense that gives up 15 points a game. He's good enough to convert those numbers into a 10- or 11-win season.

Key position battle
The key battles involve how Dungy sorts out the defensive line. He must decide if he wants to keep Chad Bratzke and Brad Scioli at left end in order to give Freeney a open shot at being the rushing threat at right end. Dungy also needs to decide how to rotate his four defensive tackles -- Josh Williams, Ellis Johnson, Larry Tripplett and James Cannida. In Dungy's defense, it's what's up front that counts.

Injury update
James will be given a free pass through training camp to strengthen his reconstructed knee. James is right on schedule to make a full recovery from major knee surgery, but it often takes running backs 18 months to regain their full explosiveness. Thanks to Dominic Rhodes, James' new backup, James won't be rushed and probably won't take many snaps in exhibition games. The only other concern is defensive tackle Ellis Johnson, who's been bothered by cartilage problems in a knee for a couple of season. Johnson should be okay, but he was allowed to rest during the minicamps. Linebacker Mike Peterson has recovered well from his PCL knee problems.

Rookie report
To no one's surprise, the Colts used seven of their eight choices on defense. Freeney and Tripplett will contribute immediately and could end up starting before the end of the season. Third-round choice Joseph Jefferson could develop into a third cornerback in the nickel.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.