The most obvious former Colt to have a shot at the Hall of Fame also finds himself on a list of position players that have often been held back and overlooked, when it comes to enshrinement. Wide receiver Marvin Harrison will be officially available for Hall of Fame consideration next year. During his 12-year career, Harrison was an eight-time Pro Bowler. Harrison was named as Receiver of the Year in 2002, and was also named to the 200s All-Decade team. Harrison holds almost every receiving record in the history of the Indianapolis Colts, but may find himself held back for a few years, due to his position. Receiver Lynn Swan, a four-time Super Bowl Champion, waited on the list for 14 years, before getting inducted.

Speaking of the “Triplets” from the Indianapolis Colts team of the early 200s, running back Edgerrin James could also find himself in the NFL Hall of Fame one day, beside Harrison and Peyton Manning. James was the only player in NFL history to lead the league in rushing during his first two seasons. James is also a member of the All-Decade team for the 200os. James leads the Colts in all-time rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, and is currently 11th on the list for All-time leading rushers in the NFL.

One of the least-talked about, but most deserving Indianapolis Colts to be considered for the Hall of Fame is former offensive tackle, Tarik Glenn. Glenn played only nine years in the NFL, but was a catalyst for the successes of Harrison, James, and Manning. Had it not been for Glenn, Manning would have spent much more time on his back, rather than becoming one of the least-sacked quarterbacks in the league. Glenn, a three-time Pro Bowl player, was truly the unsung hero of the Indianapolis Colts, for the better part of a decade.

This honor is only selected for about five players a year. As the times draws near for several of the Indianapolis Colts of the late 90s and early 2000s to be considered for induction into the Hall of Fame, it should definitely be appreciated that this team was one of the best in the league for a long time. Sooner than later, we may (and should) see a few more horseshoes in the Hall of Fame.

The induction honor for James is well deserved. In 1999, James won offensive rookie of the year, and the Colts’ record went from 3-13 in 1998, to 13-3 with James in the backfield. In his first two seasons as a pro, James led the NFL in rushing, becoming the first player in history to win the rushing title in his first two seasons. James left the Colts in 2006, as the all-time leading rusher in franchise history. James is listed as 11th all-time in the NFL in rushing yards.

After the Colts won Super Bowl XLI in 2006, the franchise decided to send James a Super Bowl ring, in respect for the efforts he put in as a Colt. When history looks back on the rise of the Colts in Indianapolis, Edgerrin James will no be considered as a major factor in the team’s success. Marvin Harrison was inducted into the Ring of Honor last season. One day, Peyton Manning will be there too, once again right beside Harrison and Edgerrin James.

Colts great Edgerrin James retired this week.

Edgerrin James announced his retirement this week amid the hurricane of free agent signings and player rumors that accompanied the end of the NFL lockout.  I didn’t want to let the moment slide too far into the rearview mirror before reflecting on this Indianapolis Colts great and the legacy he left in the Circle City.  So, where does James rank among running backs in Indy history?   Well, as an original member of the Count On Losing This Sunday club, I probably have a different perspective than many modern Colts fans, but below is my top five.  Throw eggs if you will; these selections are from my Blue blood, with scant consideration for statistical analysis.

1. Eric Dickerson (1987-1991)  :   Before Dickerson arrived in 1987, the Colts were an absolute laughing stock in the NFL, and probably even Baltimore wouldn’t have taken them off of our hands.   His arrival brought instant excitement and, yes, credibility, to this franchise.  We knew he was a potential troublemaker, but who cared?  We had a real superstar in town, and he delivered big time, in both personal stats and wins.   He got the Colts to the playoffs and was Indy’s first franchise changer.
2. Marshall Faulk (1994-1998)  :  Marshall Faulk was the man in town before Peyton Manning got here, and he welcomed Number 18 to the fold.  We all loved his multifaceted game, but didn’t really appreciate him until he left for St. Louis.  Faulk proceeded to set the wold on fire during Manning’s breakout 1999 season, and even though James proved himself a worthy replacement, many couldn’t help thinking that Faulk would have helped us get all the way to the Super Bowl.
3. Edgerrin James (1999-2005)  :  James is undeniably the most prolific rusher in Indianapolis Colts history, he defined the running game through the heart of Peyton Manning’s career and he is, by all accounts, a great guy, to boot.  He left town the year before the Colts finally won the Super Bowl, but not a day goes by when a Colts fan somewhere doesn’t wish that Joseph Addai could morph into a primetime James.
4. Joseph Addai (2006-present)  :  At least I hope he’s still here when this season starts.    Addai is not the most spectacular runner the world has ever seen, but he fits the Colts system well, and he provides more protection for Manning than most realize.  There would have been no Lombardi Trophy without him, and he, too, will be missed when he is gone.
5. Curtis Dickey (1984-85) : Dickey actually played second fiddle to Randy McMillan that first year in Indianpolis (1984), but he was the closest thing we had to a star that lean season.  With Baltimore in 1983, Dickey ran for more than 11oo yards, and still managed to put up 500 in 1984.   It was pretty much all over after that, and he was traded to Cleveland part way through the `85 season before retiring.   For one glorious season, though, I could look at that gaudy number on the back of his football card while watching him rumble for the hometown team on TV.   Indy was in the big leagues!