Indianapolis' NFL Spotlight in 2012

On the first day of the year, the the Colts loss @ Jax ensured a prize in Andrew Luck. On the second day, the Greatest NFL GM of all time was fired. And his son. And the whole Coaching staff. Next, Peyton's younger brother beats Peyton's arch nemesis in the Superbowl that Peyton brought and Indy hosted marvelously. Then College all-stars strutted their stuff in the annual Combine. And yet through all this, Peyton Manning's health has been dominating the headlines and airwaves while the owner hints at cutting the greatest QB? and Pierre Garcon, Dallas Clark, Joe Addai and Jeff Saturday?

Manning ranked Most Powerful Athlete

When you think of the biggest name in sports, who comes to mind? Tiger? LeBron James? Both athletes took a major publicity hit this past year, which anointed a new King of the Jungle: Peyton Manning. 

The NFL's top player distanced himself from all others last year when he won his record-setting 4th NFL MVP and led his team to another Superbowl. He's also about to receive the league's highest paid contract - for the 2nd time. Aside from his amazing on-the-field prowess, Manning also sets himself apart because he's marketable ($15M in endorsements in 2010) and universally well-liked. 
He currently ranks 3rd or 4th on all major career passing records.

Colts in 2010 ProBowl & SB

We all know that Manning, Clark, Wayne, Freeney, Mathis and Saturday are the best at their position.

Antonie Bethea (2nd-best among AFC FS's in both tackles and interceptions) should get in behind Ed Reed and Brian Dawkins. Melvin Bullitt is available on Special Teams. Pat McAfee, Gary Brackett, Raheem Brock and Clint Session all deserve consideration too. Now if you're thinking "whoa, Clint Session? c'mon Pete, quit bein a homer" - Sessions has 76 tackles (2nd among all AFC players) and returned one last week to clinch the game. Fun Fact: Only 3 AFC players have at least 60 tackles and a score, rookie CB Jacob Lacey also holds that honor.

NFL Defenses Power Rankings

1. Baltimore - Ed Reed and Ray Lewis... need I say more?
2. NYJ - new DC Mike Pettine (former Ravens LB Coach) allowing only 9 ppg
3. NYG - has recorded only 3 sacks so far, but plenty of playmakers and championship experience
4. Philly - league-leading 9 takeaways and 10 sacks; lots of points given up but they have DeSean Jackson returning punts
5. Minnesota - Jared Allen & Co are hitting on all cylinders (ground-breaking journalism!)
6. Pittsburgh - DPoY Harrison & Co are missing Troy Polamalu's drive-stopping ability
7. Denver - under 6 ppg allowed thus far, albeit vs JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn
8. Chicago - Brian Urlacher out for the season, but they've rallied and will not break
9. Indy - the #1 DE combo and loads of talent in the secondary, but major weakness at LB
10. Tennessee - 71 points allowed in just 3 games has the divisional favorite winless thus far

11. Green Bay
12. Seattle
13. New England
14. San Diego
15. Miami
16. San Fran
17. Dallas
18. Carolina
19. Cincy
20. New Orleans
21. Buffalo
22. ATL
23. Oakland
24. Arizona
25. Tampa Bay
26. Washington
27. Jacksonville
28. Detroit
29. Houston
30. St Louis
31. Kansas City
32. Cleveland

NFL Week 3 odds

Games I'm staying away from:

Cleveland +13½ @ Baltimore

Chicago -2½ @ Seattle

Atlanta +4 @ New England

Games I'm taking but don't love:

Dallas -9½ vs Carolina

San Francisco +7 @ Minnesota

NY Jets -3 vs Tennessee

Houston -4 vs Jacksonville

Green Bay -7 @ St Louis

Games I like a lot:

NY Giants -7 @ Tampa Bay

Detroit +6½ vs Washington

New Orleans -6 @ Buffalo

Pittsburgh -4½ @ Cincinnati

Oakland +1½ vs Denver

Games with lines unannounced:

Indianapolis @ Arizona

Miami @ San Diego

Kansas City @ Philadelphia

Top10 NFL fanbases

1. Washington Redskins - the most loyal and patient fans of any NFL franchise (327 consecutive sellouts) still sport the traditional (and now un-PC) feathers & facepaint, dresses, and pigmasks... even at opposing stadiums

2. Pittsburgh Steelers - They've got the 2nd longest streak of sellouts (308), plus generations of champions with just 3 head coaches in 40 years = six-year waiting list for season tickets

3. Dallas Cowboys - America's Team has (just) 154 consecutive sellouts but their fans are located worldwide. You'd have a hard time finding one that hated you, even in their new billion dollar home.

4. Indianapolis Colts - Within the Dome, the fans were so loud they were accused of piping in sound to disrupt the opponents. While the new Stadium can't offer that anymore, Indy still provides jealousy from others, at least until they aren't winning 12+ games every year

5. Green Bay Packers - They oughta be ranked higher, however they handled that Brett Favre situation poorly, and then took frustration out on Aaron Rodgers.

6. Kansas City Chiefs - The Green Bay of the AFC, their fans are the loudest and they play outdoors

7. Cleveland Browns - Losing the team in '95 hurt the Browns Backers substantially, but they still can be seen at some remote bar in just about every American city on a Sunday afternoon

8. New England Patriots - ranked this low due to lack of loyalty, creativity and national presence

9. Philadelphia Eagles - Nobody gets on their own players as much as these guys do, often to a fault. Maybe the biggest base among non-transplant cities (sorry Miami, Denver, San Diego, Phoenix, etc)

10. Chicago Bears - These faux-blue-collarians are fair weather and delusional

Honorable mention: Oakland Raiders - more of a Sunday morning Halloween party than anything, but they still HATE like none other

Rodney Harrison: Hall of Famer?

The former Patriots and Chargers safety has announced his retirement after 15 seasons in the NFL, and now plans to join Tony Dungy in the booth at NBC.The 36-yr-old holds an NFL record 30½ sacks for DBs; and has 34 ints, making him the only player with 30+ of both. While he has been voted to the Pro Bowl twice, he's also been widely regarded as the league's dirtiest player. He's been fined over $200K for what he calls "passionate play", including the helmet-to-helmet hit on Jerry Rice. In 2007, he was suspended four games for using illegal steroids. Hall of Famer? I hope not