Colts links: Luck in new ad, Indy players in top 100, more
Some new Colts-related links today, including Andrew Luck channeling his inner Joe Namath in a new BodyArmor sports drink ad:
Luck definitely moves up the rankings in the fashion department with that, right? How about back on the field? CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco released his top 100 players in the NFL, and Luck comes in sixth:
"He carries the Colts on his right arm. They came within a game of the Super Bowl last season with a lot of flaws because of him. Entering his fourth season, it's scary how good he can be."
The five players ahead of Luck on the list (in order): J.J. Watt (Texans), Aaron Rodgers (Packers), Tom Brady (Patriots), Ndamukong Suh (Dolphins) and Rob Gronkowski (Patriots).
Three other Colts made Prisco's top-100:
40. Vontae Davis, CB, Indianapolis Colts: He had four picks last season and did a great job in man coverage. The Colts can lock him up on top receivers and not worry if he will do the job. He is their best defender.
66. T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts: His big-play ability is huge in the Colts offense. He is small at 5-9, but he can fly. He averaged 16.4 per catch last season with seven touchdown receptions. With more weapons this season, those numbers should go up.
98. Robert Mathis, OLB, Indianapolis Colts: He is coming off a season lost to suspension and a torn Achilles tendon. But he is expected to be ready to go for the 2015 season and he should be back to his double-digit sack ways.
Another top 100 list, but of a slightly different variety: USA TODAY Sports' Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz ranks the top 100 most anticipated player performances in the NFL this season. Luck comes in sixth on this list as well, right behind Peyton Manning:
"Luck is likely on the precipice of awards territory, and the Colts have given him reliable weapons in the offseason. Expectations are high, but Luck has cleared the bar almost every time thus far in his career."
There are five other Colts on the list, including two new additions from this offseason:
27. Andre Johnson, WR, Colts: Johnson's separation from the Texans and subsequent signing with the division rival Colts is an all-timer for vindictiveness. Expect the seven-time Pro Bowl pick to play with an edge similar to the one Steve Smith showed with the Ravens last season.
49. T.Y. Hilton, WR, Colts: Hilton is among the diminutive receivers who have shown that size isn't a prerequisite for success at the position today. Even with Andre Johnson replacing the heavily targeted Reggie Wayne, Hilton should carve out a significant role this season.
58. Frank Gore, RB, Colts: An about-face from agreeing to a deal with the Eagles to signing with the Colts made Gore one of the offseason's more bizarre stories. The Colts should give Gore plenty of opportunities to prove what he has left at 32 and with 2,442 career carries to his name.
61. Vontae Davis, CB, Colts: Davis approached shutdown corner status at times last season. He'll once again benefit from a soft schedule in the AFC South, but he's one of the most important assets when the Colts take on the league's best.
78. Robert Mathis, OLB, Colts: A torn Achilles cost Mathis his follow-up campaign to a 19.5-sack year in 2013. Mathis, 34, might not return to Pro Bowl form, but the Colts need everything he can muster against opposing quarterbacks.
How about some Super Bowl odds? The Golden Nugget sportsbook has Indianapolis making it to Santa Clara, with a Colts-Seahawks matchup most likely at 10-1: