The Post-Peyton Era - An Indianapolis Colts Franchise (M12)

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Franchise Settings
Sliders: Blue Ninja's All-Madden Franchise Sliders
Quarter Length: 12 Minutes
Roster: Last Updated

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2011-2012 Season In Review

Without their leader Peyton Manning, the Indianapolis Colts were not at all the same. They finished 5-11, tied for last place in the AFC South, and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2001. Head Coach Jim Caldwell is expected to be fired after the season, and many of the veterans, including possibly Manning, will be traded/released in order for the team to start a rebuilding project.

League Awards

MVP:Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers
Offensive POTY: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
Defensive POTY: Lamarr Woodley, OLB, Steelers
Offensive ROTY: Cam Newton, QB, Panthers
Defensive ROTY: Ryan Kerrigan, OLB, Redskins
Coach Of The Year: Mike Tomlin, Steelers

NFL Playoffs

Wild Card
Titans 22, Texans 10
Chiefs 20, Patriots 13
Eagles 30, Redskins 27 (OT)
Lions 24, Falcons 19

Divisional
Steelers 27, Chiefs 12
Titans 41, Raiders 24
Packers 33, Eagles 28
49ers 31, Lions 7

Conference Championships
Steelers 28, Titans 9
Packers 30, 49ers 20

Pro Bowl
NFC 16, AFC 13 (OT)

Super Bowl

Packers 31, Steelers 24

Super Bowl MVP

QB Aaron Rodgers 26-41 406 Yards, 4 TD, 0 INT

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After 5-11 Season, Colts Fire Caldwell

In a move that surprised almost no one in the Indianapolis Colts organization, or outside of it for that matter, the Colts have fired head coach Jim Caldwell after an abysmal 5-11 season.

The Colts immediately hired Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers as their new head coach. The deal is worth $2.6M over 5 years.

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Collins Retires After 17 Seasons

After 17 seasons in the NFL, quarterback Kerry Collins has announced his retirement from the NFL. He spent the bulk of his career with the New York Giants, where he lead them to a Super Bowl in 2000, but also spent time with the Panthers, Saints, Raiders, Titans, and Colts, whom he last played with.

Other Key Retirements
Brian Dawkins, SS
Ronde Barber, CB
Terrell Owens, WR
Keith Brooking, MLB
Jon Kitna, QB
Jason Taylor, OLB
Mark Brunell, QB
Donald Driver, WR
Kevin Faulk, HB
Ray Lewis, MLB
LaDarius Webb, CB (Career Ending Injury)
Ricky Williams, HB
James Farrior, MLB
Hines Ward, WR
Jeff Garcia, QB
London Fletcher, MLB

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Re-Signings

Re-Signed
FB Chris Gronkowski (1 Year/720K)
WR Reggie Wayne (3 Years/9.00M/3.00M)
TE Jacob Tamme (3 Years/12.36M/4.92M)
C Mike Pollak (2 Years/3.00M/1.00M)
DE Robert Mathis (3 Years/23.52M/9.39M)
OLB Philip Wheeler (1 Year/720K)
CB Jerraud Powers (4 Years/27.16M/10.84M)
FS Joe Lefeged (1 Year/720K)
P Pat McAfee (2 Years/1.56M/480K)

Key Releases
QB Dan Orlovsky
HB Joseph Addai
WR Pierre Garcon
WR Austin Collie
C Jeff Saturday
G Ryan Diem
DE Jamal Anderson

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Colts Trade Manning To Broncos

With the Colts having their heart set on drafting a quarterback in the draft, they finally gave Peyton Manning his wish to go to another team. The Colts have traded Manning to the Denver Broncos in exchange for their next two 1st round picks and halfback Knowshon Moreno.

Though the Broncos still have Tim Tebow at quarterback, it is thought that Manning will be there to mentor Tebow, as well as compete for the starting position.

The Colts receiving the #12 overall pick as well as already having the #9 overall pick, puts them in position to possibly trade up to draft Andrew Luck if they choose to do so. However, it is thought that the Colts will possibly use both picks to address needs offensively and defensively.

Moreno is expected to compete for the starting job at running back, although it is expected that they will possibly sign a free agent running back or draft one.

Colts Receive
HB Knowshon Moreno
#12 Overall Draft Pick
1st Round Pick (2013)

Broncos Receive
QB Peyton Manning

Winner: Even
Denver gets a future Hall Of Fame quarterback to mentor Tim Tebow. At the cost of two 1st round picks and an injury-prone former 1st round pick, the Broncos put themselves in position to win now. The Colts getting the 1st round picks, however, make this trade even.

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Free Agency
QB Vince Young (5 Years/18.15M/13.00M)
WR Brandon Lloyd (3 Years/24.17M/7.65M)
WR Jacoby Jones (5 Years/7.11M/2.50M)
WR Lavelle Hawkins (5 Years/3.39M/1.15M)
TE Kellen Davis (5 Years/5.39M/2.25M)
LG Chester Pitts (2 Years/8.09M)
LE Adam Carriker (5 Years/15.43M)
ROLB Keith Bulluck (2 Years/5.43M)
MLB Kelvin Sheppard (4 Years/6.81M)
CB Richard Marshall (5 Years/22.63M)
SS Jason Babineaux (2 Years/5.19M)

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Pre-Draft Trades

Colts Receive
OLB Frank Zombo
CB Sam Shields
32nd Overall Pick (2012)

Packers Receive
DE Dwight Freeney

Winner: Packers

Dwight Freeney still has a lot left in the tank, and he fits perfectly in this Packers defense. The Packers are pretty content with Erik Walden at OLB, so losing Zombo doesn't hurt them too much, and while Shields is a solid nickel corner, he is easily replaceable.



Colts Receive
OLB Keith Rivers
WR Jerome Simpson
SS Taylor Mays

Bengals Receive
FS Antoine Bethea

Winner: Colts

Bengals traded way too much for Bethea. They lose an up-and-comer at linebacker in Rivers, and a solid receiver in Simpson.