2002 RECORD: 10-6 TEAM RANK (NFL): Defense (9th); Offense (8th) ADDITIONS: Free agents -- DT Montae Reagor (Broncos), S Rich Coady (Titans), LB Jim Nelson (Vikings), WR Brandon Stokley (Ravens). Draft picks -- 1. TE Dallas Clark (Iowa); 2. Mike Doss (Ohio State); 3. CB Donald Strickland (Colorado); 4. G Steve Sciullo (Marshall); 5a. DE Robert Mathis (Alabama A&M); 5b. ILB Keyon Whiteside (Tennessee); 6a. S Cato June (Michigan); 6b. OT Makoa Freitas (Arizona). SUBTRACTIONS: WR Qadry Ismail (released), DT James Cannida (released), OL Waverly Jackson (released), OL Curt McGill (released), S Jermaine Hampton (released), S Joe Walker (released), S Brian Leigeb (Bengals), FB Jim Finn (Giants), LB Mike Peterson (Jaguars), DE Chukie Nwokorie (Packers). Team news | Roster | More on Colts draft

		Wed., June 25 Have the Colts added enough playmakers or will Dungy's defense remain mediocre at best? It's hard to say that the Colts defense is mediocre when it ranked eighth last year, though those numbers are admittedly a little misleading. When you have as much offensive talent as the Colts, a mediocre defense is good enough to get you to a Super Bowl. A tight salary cap prevented the Colts from adding playmakers on defense. They added a big one last year when Dwight Freeney, defensive end, turned into one of the league's best pass rushers as a rookie. They have to hope that safety Mike Doss develops into a ballhawk who can create some turnovers either by interceptions or fumbles. The key for the Colts is making sure they don't give up more than 20 points a game. Offensively, the Colts are good enough to score points, particularly now that Edgerrin James is back at full speed and power two years after his knee reconstruction of 2001. The Colts learned in 2001 that a team can't survive trying to win games 31-30 or 31-28. The Colts didn't add impact to the defense, but that's not going to prevent them from going to the playoffs and beyond. What must happen is that the team must get better in stopping the run. They need a good season out of defensive tackle Larry Tripplett to help that. The addition of Montae Reagor will help the tackle rotation. Linebacker David Thornton or Jim Nelson must make sure there isn't a dropoff at the outside linebacker spot vacated by Mike Peterson

To "D," or not to "D"? That was the question facing Tony Dungy in his first season as head coach in Indianapolis. While the Colts' defense rose from the No. 29 unit in 2001 to eighth in 2002 (allowing an average of 50.4 fewer yards and 10.8 less points), its climb up the defensive charts was a bit misleading. Look no further than the 41-0 shellacking by the Jets in the playoffs last season. The Colts still couldn't stop the run, and the Cover 2 scheme Dungy prefers (a zone system that places a premium on athleticism and toughness, enabling the defense to face up, eye the quarterback and ball, swarm, gang-tackle, recover fumbles, deflect passes and pick off passes) -- the same one the Bucs used to completely discombobulate Rich Gannon and dismantle the Raiders' horizontal offense in Super Bowl XXXVII -- lacked the personnel to be fully effective.

What they've added?
The Colts' primary focus was defense, defense and defense -- specifically finding players with the requisite skills to play Cover 2. Strong safety Mike Doss (second-round pick) was a ball magnet on Ohio State's national championship team and should help shore up a secondary that recorded only 10 interceptions a year ago. David Gibson, who showed good playmaker skills, accounted for one of those picks and re-signed. He is currently at the top of the depth chart, while Cato Juno, a versatile, athletic safety out of Michigan (a potential sixth-round steal), could earn a spot in "nickel" packages and on special teams. Former Titan and Ram Rich Coady figures to be in the secondary mix, as well as third-round draft-pick Donald Strickland from Colorado, a sure tackler that can stand his ground against the run.

In the trenches, the re-signing of defensive tackle Brad Scioli, along with the addition of former Denver lineman Montae Reagor, should provide Indianapolis with its best depth in years along the defensive front. Robert Mathis of Alabama A&M (a fifth-round pick who registered 17 sacks in 2002) also could be good as a situational pass rusher and special teams player.

It wasn't all about defense though. After losing both starting guards to free agency last year and then watching the level of play all along the line suffer, the Colts panicked and gave starting center Jeff Saturday a huge six-year, $20.4 million contract before free agency opened. Right tackle Adam Meadows, a model of consistency in the past, had a sub-par season and ended up splitting time with Waverly Jackson in the second half of last year. Rookie Steve Sciullo (a fourth-rounder from Marshall) could work his way into the rotation at one of the tackle spots.

Former Ravens wide receiver Brandon Stokley and top draft pick Dallas Clark from Iowa should provide Peyton Manning with some more passing options. Stokley is expected to compete with former first-round pick Reggie Wayne to be the backup behind four-time Pro Bowler Marvin Harrison. Clark won the John Mackey Award, given to the nation's top tight end, and has huge upside and potential. He will complement Marcus Pollard -- especially in two-tight end sets -- and almost certainly will contribute in his rookie campaign.

On special teams, Mike Vanderjagt had his worst season, missing eight of 31 field-goal attempts. He then caught a case of foot-in-mouthitis by making public his frustrations -- upsetting Manning and Dungy in the process. Though the rift seemingly is restored, Vanderjagt now will have to outkick Brett Conway in camp to keep his place-kicking job.

Fantasy Focus

Edgerrin James disappointed his fantasy owners last season by rushing for only 989 yards and scoring a measly three touchdowns. After all, James was one of fantasy's top players in 1999 and 2000 when he averaged 1,631 rushing yards, 590 receiving yards and 17.5 touchdowns. But he struggled with injuries in the past two seasons. An ACL knee injury knocked out James for 10 games in 2001 and more leg ailments limited his effectiveness last season. He never displayed the quick first step and explosiveness that he had before his injury. Can he approach his top form in 2003? Unlike in previous years when James skipped voluntary workouts in the offseason, he attended half of the Colts' four-week summer camp. With his renewed dedication, James says there's no comparison in his leg strength from last summer. He's been sharper in his cuts and will be closer to his pre-injury form than last season's. James remains a central figure in the Colts' high-powered offense. Draft James in the second round and expect him to gain at least 1,500 total yards and 10 touchdowns. -- Roger Rotter, ESPN.com Fantasy editor

What they're missing?
One of the more curious twists in free agency was the absence of effort to keep linebacker Mike Peterson, who went to the Jaguars without a fight. The decision to not replace Peterson, the Colts' second-best defender last year behind rookie Dwight Freeney, represents a huge vote of confidence for second-year linebacker David Thornton.

And finally, there's the health of Edgerrin James, who was a shadow of himself coming back from a knee reconstruction in 2001. Edge finished last season with 989 yards rushing and 3.6 yards a carry. He is close to fully recovered, and if he bounces back to All-Pro form -- along with the return of Dominic Rhodes from major knee surgery -- the running game should be more potent. That will keep opposing defenses honest (making them commit eight players in the box to stop the run), ease the pressure on Manning and open up the passing game -- giving the Colts a balanced attack, something they didn't have last season when the offense dropped from second to ninth in the NFL, scoring an average of four less points and rushing for 25.3 fewer yards.

What it all means?
Although the Colts have lost five straight postseason games, and Manning is still looking for his elusive first playoff victory, it's too early to dismiss him as the next Dan Marino -- a Hall of Fame quarterback with huge numbers but no ring.

Just as Dungy did in Tampa Bay, he is dedicated to building a strong "D" in Indianapolis. Even though the Colts don't possess the individual talent Tampa has, they do have a solid nucleus of players that already believes in the team defense concept Dungy professes. (Remember: One of the best defenses in NFL history was Miami's 'No-Name' defense.) With a potentially high-powered offense and disciplined special teams, the Colts have the makings of a legitimate contender. Now, it's just a matter of getting it done on the field.

Eric Ortiz is an assistant editor for ESPN.com.