<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>For years, the base offensive package for the Colts was a 2 TE offense, utilizing Dallas Clark and Ben Utecht. With Utecht in Cincy now, the Colts feel that the more second year slot receiver Anthony Gonzalez is on the field, the better their offense will be. Thus, more Gonzo than TE Gijon Robinson (who will likely replace Utecht this year). Reference the image below for how this base 3 WR offense looks: Now, notice our friend on the defense, Mr. Safety. Right away, without any pre-snap movement or other such foolishness, the Colts offense has an immediate advantage over this 3-4 defense. Slot receiver Anthony Gonzalez (#11) is matched up against a safety. Folks, that match-up will result in one of two things: A first down, or a touchdown. Anytime you have a WR matched up one-on-one with a safety, the QB is licking his chops. They can't get the ball snapped to them fast enough. Now, I think I know what some of you are thinking: Well, the defense will just substitute a corner for a linebacker. Ahhhhhhhhhh, no, no, no my friend. Not if the offense goes no huddle. If the offense goes no huddle and walks to the line, the defense cannot substitute. And even if they did, that would mean the 3-4 defense would no longer be a 3-4 defense. It would be 3-3-5 (3 linemen, 3 LBers, 5 defensive backs). This means fewer players that can rush the passer, and it means the defense's 3rd corner is matched up against Gonzo. In most cases, that's still a mis-match. Also, if the defense subs in a corner, the Colts can still RUN out of this formation. That means one less linebacker to tackle Joseph Addai; still a winning scheme for Indy. Because the Colts run so well out of this formation, it creates great opportunities for play action passes. It's this formation that drove the Patriots nuts in the AFC Championship game in 2006, but at that time Indy used TE Dallas Clark (#44) as the slot receiver. This took New England out of their comfort zone in their 3-4, allowing Peyton Manning to carve them up. What sets the Colts apart from most other offenses is not fancy scheming, short crossing routes (i.e., the West Coast offense), or spread formations with 4 or 5 wide receivers. The Colts offense has been the most prolific offense in NFL history because it is so simple; so coldly efficient. From this basic 3 WR formation, Peyton Manning can audible into dozens of plays, with receivers running multiple routes. He can cancel Addai's route on one play and make him a blocker. He can call on Gonzo to run a post pattern instead of a quick out. The key is that each individual team member must know exactly what their job is on any given play. If one receiver runs the wrong route or a back misses his blocking assignment... well, what we get is the San Diego game last year which saw Peyton Manning throw 6 INTs. Obviously, much of the offense's success is a result of Manning, but take note that the Bengals, Steelers, and the Patriots have adopted similar offensive philosophies. Wes Welker was the slot receiver last season in NE. Ben Roethlisberger had a career year in 2007 running a no-huddle attack implemented by Bruce Arians, Peyton Manning's former QB coach. And Cincy has long tried to mirror the Colts offense with Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, and Rudy Johnson. The one element they've missed is a good TE, which is why they grabbed former-Colts TE Ben Utecht this off-season.</div> Source
