1999 record: 13-3, first in the AFC East.

Last five years: 37-43.

Coach: Jim Mora (16-17 in two years with Indianapolis, 109-95 in 13 NFL seasons as a head coach).

Playoff past: The Colts are 6-8 in postseason play since the merger but have qualified for postseason play only four times since moving from Baltimore to Indianapolis in 1984. The team has just two division titles since the relocation, but last year's 13-3 record, after a 3-13 mark in 1998, established a record for the greatest one-season turnaround in league history. Indianapolis advanced to the AFC championship game in 1995 but lost 20-16 at Pittsburgh.

Outlook

It is tres chic among NFL experts to tab the frisky and immensely talented Colts as the early-line favorite to represent the AFC in Super Bowl XXXV, certainly to dominate the division for perhaps the next several seasons, and a look at the versatile offense certainly justifies the lofty expectations attached to this team.

In the tradition of the famed Dallas Cowboys "triplets," after all, Indianapolis possesses the trio of quarterback Peyton Manning, tailback Edgerrin James and wide receiver Marvin Harrison, and the average age of the threesome is a peach-fuzzed 24.7 years.

But if the Colts are to advance beyond their 1999 choking point, a home loss to Tennessee in the division round of the AFC bracket, Indianapolis must accomplish two things: Developing another wide receiver, someone who can complement the frequently double-covered Harrison, figures to be less difficult, given that there are a number of worthy candidates. Solidifying a defense that in '99 ranked in the middle of the pack but that still appears to lack upfront beef after a spring in which management didn't do much to address the size problem, likely will be much tougher.

"We're still a little light in the (rear ends)," said coach Jim Mora, "and we have to get tougher in the front four and at linebacker. Our guys play hard, no question about that, but we don't have the widebodies up front. Over the course of a game, some of our people wear down a little."

The only addition along the defensive line was former New York Giants backup Bernard Holsey, who is projected as a starter but who is in the smallish mold of colleagues Chad Bratzke, Ellis Johnson and Bernard Whittington. Average weight of the likely starters in the front four is just a shade over 280 pounds. While the Indianapolis linemen are very active, the group also has a penchant for being rag-dolled by more physical, roadgrader offensive linemen.

The question mark at linebacker isn't really one of physical size, but rather the abbreviated NFL resumés the starters might carry into the regular season. One projected starter, weakside 'backer Mike Peterson, has just one season of league experience. Another, middle linebacker Rob Morris, was the team's first-round draft choice this year. Indianapolis desperately needs future Hall of Fame candidate Cornelius Bennett to return from a late '99 knee injury. Bennett is the spiritual leader of the defense and, even at age 34, still has something left in the tank.

No doubt the Colts will rank again among the NFL's most explosive offenses. But come playoff time, when the style of play characteristically gets more physical and the scores are tighter than in regular-season play, Indianapolis must demonstrate the ability to bully opponents with defense as much as they blister them offensively.

"You can't count on your offense putting up 30 (points) every week in the playoffs," said safety Jason Belser. "We've have to be able to knock the other guy's offense off the field, you know?"

Schedule preview: A notoriously poor September team in the past, the Colts open the season against four legitimate playoff contenders. In their third game, the Colts play host to Jacksonville in a Monday night contest that could be a preview of the AFC championship game. Unfortunately for Indianapolis, its "bye" week comes early, on Sept. 17.

1999 offensive ranking: No. 4 overall, No. 19 rushing, No. 4 passing.

1999 defensive ranking: No. 15 overall, No. 18 vs. the rush, No. 19 vs. the pass.

Key players lost from 1999: RB Fred Lane (deceased), MLB Mike Barber (released), QB Steve Walsh (released), RB Darick Holmes (released).

Key additions for 2000: DE/DT Bernard Holsey (Giants), RB Karim Abdul-Jabbar (Browns).

Rookies to watch: MLB Rob Morris (No. 1) is expected to start despite missing the first two weeks of camp in a holdout, and OLB Marcus Washington (No. 2) could push for playing time if he recovers from a training camp hamstring injury.

Offensive line: Perennially overweight left tackle Tarik Glenn has developed into a top notch player and would benefit from improved conditioning, but the unit's top performer remains right tackle Adam Meadows. Hardly a prototype strongside power blocker, Meadows is still a tough-minded performer and he has only permitted four sacks the past two seasons. The interior linemen are fairly ordinary, although center Larry Moore could move to the next level this season.

Wide receivers/tight ends: The big question remains who will line up opposite Pro Bowl star Marvin Harrison at wide receiver. Candidates include versatile second-year pro Terrence Wilkins, and third-year veterans Jerome Pathon and E.G. Green. But the coaches would prefer to use Wilkins, an exceptional return man, as the No. 3 receiver. For that to happen, either Pathon or Green, both often injured, will have to seize the No. 2 job. Tight end Ken Dilger is a tremendous in-line blocker and underused receiver. The Colts generally use a two-tight end formation, and former college hoops standout Marcus Pollard is excellent in his role as an H-back. He is an emerging force in this offense and Peyton Manning's pet project for this year.

Running backs: Offensive rookie of the year Edgerrin James had all but 13 of the team's carries by a running back in 1999 and, while he showed no signs of erosion during the season, coaches made it an offseason priority to acquire a veteran backup who could spell him. The tragic death of Fred Lane, however, forced the Colts to scramble for a replacement, and the best they could do was journeyman Karim Abdul-Jabbar. James is a workhorse and a surprisingly good receiver, but this team would be in trouble if he went down for a long stretch.

Quarterbacks: Talk about trouble! If anything ever happens to Peyton Manning, the Colts would immediately go from Super Bowl contenders to also-rans. The NFL's brightest young star is a take-charge player who commands respect from teammates and opponents alike. It's rare when you see Manning surprised by anything, but he was frustrated by Tennessee's blitzing defense in the Colts' playoff defeat. There is zero experience behind him, and the Colts are hoping that youngster Kelly Holcomb develops into a solid backup someday.

Defensive line: The unit mirrors the mentality of end Chad Bratzke and tackle Ellis Johnson, its two standout players. It is an active but undersized bunch that plays a one-gap style and tries to get upfield and disrupt an offense with penetration. Where the Colts have problems is when teams run right at them and power-block, especially against the left side of the Indianapolis line. It's a line that can be knocked back on its collective heels, and the addition of Bernard Holsey really didn't do much to address the concerns over a lack of size.

Linebackers: Much of the success of the linebackers depends on how successful a comeback strongside player Cornelius Bennett makes from a late-season knee injury that had him on the physically unable to perform list when training camp began. Weakside linebacker and second-year veteran Mike Peterson is a future star, but still is a defender who runs around too many plays and doesn't always hold up strong at the point of attack. The Colts drafted Rob Morris in the first round to start at middle linebacker, but his progress was stymied by a two-week holdout, and he missed the first 17 practices of camp.

Secondary: Neither of the cornerbacks, Tyrone Poole nor Jeff Burris, had very good years in 1999 but there are really no youngsters to push them. Poole is a feisty defender but only 5-8 and gets overpowered by bigger wideouts, especially in "red zone" situations. Burris always has been more of a safety lining up at cornerback. Safeties Jason Belser and Chad Cota are heady players who lack range but hit big. Look for third-rounder David Macklin, despite a height disadvantage, to eventually move into a "nickel" role.

Special teams: Kicker Mike Vanderjagt has made some clutch field goals in his two seasons with the team but remains a liability on kickoffs. Punter Hunter Smith gets good hang time and direction but doesn't have the strongest leg, even though he also handles the kickoff chores. The kickoffs are, indeed, a concern for the coaching staff because the lack of depth usually provides the opposition solid field position. The top player is return ace Terrence Wilkins, who challenges coverage units and always hits the crease at full speed.