Three Underwhelming Colts

Nov 3, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (14) runs the ball against New York Giants corner back Prince Amukamara (20) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Even the best team has their duds.

The Indianapolis Colts (6-3) have had an extremely successful season, cementing themselves among the NFL’s best teams. However, some members of this Colts squad have not lived up to their expectations and have often been a detriment to their team.

Let’s take a look at the three most underwhelming Colts this year:

Hakeem Nicks

The Colts knew that Nicks was a gigantic risk/reward option when he was signed. Nicks took a fairly cheap deal with the Colts with the possibility of not being able to regain his former self and not fitting into the offense. Brought in to be the third punch in combination with Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton, Nicks has played badly all season. After a good preseason in which he seemed to be Andrew Luck’s primary target, he essentially disappeared in the offense once Week 1 hit. He has 21 catches for 212 yards on the year and hasn’t been effective in the offense. When called upon to replace Reggie Wayne against the Steelers, Nicks couldn’t run correct routes and fans were calling for rookie sensation Donte Moncrief by the game’s end. What was once a great receiver has now diminished to the sixth most popular target on his football team. At the season’s halfway point, Nicks may already be looking at a tough free agency or may have to bite the bullet with a diminished contract with the Colts (similar to Ahmad Bradshaw).

Gosder Cherilus

The most un-talked about offensive lineman has been the most abysmal for the Colts. He’s been playing through some injuries which may be a reason for his lessened play but Cherilus has been beaten too much this season to be considered a top tackle. J.J. Watt destroyed him (but it is J.J. Watt), Von Miller gave him hell in Week 1 and he had no business stopping any pass rusher in Pittsburgh. Cherilus has been bad this season protecting Andrew Luck and has had to rely on an inexperienced interior to help him on nearly every play. This guy needs to figure something out soon if he still wants to be effective in the pass game.

D’Qwell Jackson

Jackson, the Colts’ biggest signing in free agency has been all but dominant at his middle linebacker position. Jackson was brought in to shore up a bad run defense (which has been admittedly better). However, he has since become a liability in the pass defense and hasn’t been good for the Colts in any intermediate coverage situations. He’s a great run defender and has even shown great ability to get to the quarterback on designed blitz packages. However, there’s a reason that the Colts are one of the league’s worst defending teams against the tight end and that’s mostly due to the inept pass coverage from Jackson at middle linebacker. The defense has been really good all season but has yet to blanket a good tight end.