Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis

Peyton Manning is already one of the greatest players to ever play in the NFL, and he still has plenty of time left to play. Manning has been the foundation and the anchor for the Colts since his rookie year. He has showed that he has the ability to carry his team through the ups and downs of the season.

Manning has put up stellar numbers throughout his career. He has not had a quarterback rating below 95 since 2002 and there has only been one year in all of his career that his rating has dropped below 84. He has thrown for tons of yards and touchdowns each year. Furthermore, he has proven to be a durable quarterback that can play 16 games every year. The Colts can definitely expect a stellar season from Manning in 2010.

Every year the question is whether or not the defense will hold up their end of the bargain. The offense is sufficient on a yearly basis to win, but some years the defense just cannot get it done. One key for the team will be Dwight Freeney. Freeney has the ability to change the defense solely with his presence. If he is able to get back on track after his ankle injury last year the Colts will be in much better shape.

 Though the Indianapolis Colts currently have two premiere players at defensive end, (Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis), head coach Jim Caldwell said Tuesday that 2010 first-round draft pick Jerry Hughes could see the field in creative rushing schemes.

"He provides a little more flexibility for us," said Caldwell.

"Primarily because of the fact that now we have three rushers and there could be a scheme where we could possibly put all three of them on the field at the same time. So there is some flexibility there."

Monday afternoon, Indianapolis signed the defensive end out of Texas Christian to a five-year $12.67 million contract, which includes over $7 million in guaranteed money.

 After two days of practice Caldwell said he was pleased with Hughes's progress thus far.

Early reaction from fans and media alike is that Hughes is extremely quick on his feet. And like Freeney and Mathis, Hughes fits the Colts now prototypical makeup of a pass rusher— undersized but really fast.

"Obviously this is not the first time that we've seen him," Caldwell added.

"We've had a chance to see him all spring and I can tell you he's coming along and making really good progress. He's learning. There's a lot to learn. It's a very difficult position to play and play well, but he's got a couple guys in front of him that will set a good example for him."

"I want to learn my position, get familiar with it and learn the defense as much as possible," Hughes said Monday. "It's a big huge playbook, so these next couple weeks I will be able to take the time to learn the defense and the scheme of things. Also, I just learn the position. I am with Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, two guys who play the position fantastic. They are great All-Pro guys, so it gives me great stepping stones to learn the position."

Colts president Bill Polian said on Draft day in April that the franchise had been looking for a third pass rusher for a long time and that Hughes 'Fit that bill'.

"He can put his hand down and he can stand up in the 'joker' role," said Polian.  "He's a pure pass rusher.  That's what he does.  The sacks and statistics speak for itself.  He's done it against great competition.  He's a converted running back.  He was a running back in high school.  He was recruited to TCU as a running back.  They changed him over to defense the first day he got there.  He has performed admirably ever since."