2008 Indianapolis Colts

Even as we say “Congratulations” to the Pittsburgh Steelers, winners of the 2009 Super Bowl, we want to say a big “Thank you” to the Indianapolis Colts, who placed 2nd in the brutal AFC South, for the exciting season they had!

The Colts are expected to continue their offensive brilliance into 2008. Although receiver Marvin Harrison has had legal troubles and injuries, we’re hoping he puts those difficulties behind him and puts up another season of Pro Bowl numbers. Reggie Wayne has emerged as another pass-catching superstar, with Joseph Addai’s run strength and Anthony Gonzalez’s speed giving Peyton Manning a number of weapons at his disposal. The Colts defense showed great improvement in 2007. If Indianapolis can bolster their pass rush capabilities, we could see a Manning win the Super Bowl for the third year in a row. Tickets to Lucas Oil Stadium won’t be around for long, so get yours now and see if the Indianapolis Colts can make it back to the Super Bowl in 2008!

One thing to expect from the Colts: probably the best passing game in the NFL. That's the job of QB Peyton Manning plus Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark and Joseph Addai. Buy your Indianapolis Colts tickets and see it all for yourself!

Some Indianapolis Colts history: Colts football got its start in Baltimore. Professional football in Maryland dates to 1947, when the Miami Seahawks of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) moved to Baltimore and became the Colts. The AAFC folded and the Colts joined the NFL, but after two consecutive seasons with 1-11 win-loss records, the franchise was dissolved.

The Colts were reborn in 1953 when the NFL's Dallas Texans moved to Baltimore and took the name Colts. Owner and business executive Carroll Rosenbloom promptly engineered the biggest trade in league history -- a deal that sent five Colts to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for ten players, including defensive back Don Shula.

Following four seasons of rebuilding, the Colts captured consecutive NFL titles in 1958 and 1959 under head coach Weeb Ewbank. Baltimore's overtime defeat of the New York Giants in the 1958 NFL Championship Game is regarded as one of the greatest NFL contests ever played. A year later, the Colts again bested the Giants for the NFL crown.

During the 1960s Baltimore remained a dominant power in the NFL as quarterback Johnny Unitas continued to power the team. In 1960 he became the first NFL quarterback to pass for more than 3,000 yards in one season. Shula replaced Ewbank in 1963, becoming one of the youngest head coaches in NFL history at age 33. Over the next seven seasons, he steered the Colts to four first-place finishes in their division.

The Colts enjoyed an outstanding season in 1968, winning 13 of 14 games. Earl Morrall replaced the injured Unitas and produced an MVP season, leading the league in passing while throwing for nearly 3,000 yards. The NFL-champion Colts, however, were upset (16-7) by the American Football League (AFL) champions, the New York Jets, led by quarterback Joe Namath.

Shula left Baltimore in 1970 to take over the Miami Dolphins. His replacement, Dan McCafferty, put together the league's most powerful offense, and the team won the Eastern Division title. The Colts then advanced to the Super Bowl, where they defeated the Dallas Cowboys 16-13 on a last-second field goal by rookie Jim O'Brien.

After having endured seven straight losing seasons from 1978 to 1984, and faced with dwindling fan support, the Colts moved to Indianapolis. Led by running back Marshall Faulk and quarterback Jim Harbaugh, the Colts reached the AFC Championship Game in 1995, but they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 1999 wide receiver Marvin Harrison, running back Edgerrin James, and quarterback Peyton Manning led the team to the Eastern Division championship, but the Colts lost to the Tennessee Titans in the playoffs.