2001 Indianapolis Colts season

49th season in franchise history August 2023 March 2026 Indianapolis Colts 2001 6–10 4th AFC East Did not qualify Jim Mora Bill Polian Jim Irsay RCA Dome WR Marvin HarrisonTE Ken Dilger Colts seasons The 2001 Indianapolis Colts season was the 49th season for the team in the National Football League (NFL) and 18th in Indianapolis. The Colts failed to improve on their 10–6 record from 2000 and finished the season with a record of 6–10, finished fourth in the AFC East division, and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1998. In the process the Colts allowed 486 points in sixteen games, an average of 30 points per match and the franchise worst since the 1981 Colts who allowed 533. At the time only the aforementioned Colts, the 1980 New Orleans Saints and the 1966 New York Giants (in a 14-game schedule) had ever allowed more points.Over 450 points allowed in regular season This would be the last time the Colts would miss the playoffs until 2011 and the only time in the 2000s decade in which they didn't qualify. This was the Colts' final season as a member of the AFC East, as they would move to the newly formed AFC South in the 2002 league re-alignment. It was also the final season Mark Rypien would play in the NFL. Offseason Additions SubtractionsDT Christian Peter (Giants) QB Kelly Holcomb (Browns)LB Sean Harris (Bears) S Jason Belser (Chiefs)DT Mike Wells (Bears) LB Cornelius Bennett (retirement)LB Ryan Phillips (Giants) DT Larry Chester (Panthers) NFL draft 2001 NFL draft 2001 Indianapolis Colts 1 30 Reggie Wayne WR Miami (FL) from NY Giants yes no yes 2 37 Idrees Bashir FS Memphis from Dallas yes no no 3 91 Cory Bird SS Virginia Tech from NY Giants yes no no 4 118 Ryan Diem OT Northern Illinois yes no no 5 152 Raymond Walls CB Southern Mississippi yes no no 6 193 Jason Doering FS Wisconsin from NY Giants yes no no 7 220 Rick DeMulling OG Idaho yes no no Undrafted free agents + 2001 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeNick HarperCornerbackFort Valley StateAaron JonesWide receiverUtah StateDave MeyerQuarterbackVirginia TechDominic RhodesRunning BackMidwestern StateDwayne WilmotWide receiverMaine Personnel Staff 2001 Indianapolis Colts Owner and chief executive officer – Jim Irsay President – Bill Polian Director of football operations – Dom Anile Director of pro player personnel – Clyde Powers Assistant director of football operations – Chris Polian Director of player development – Steve Champlin Coordinator of player personnel – John Becker Director of college scouting – Mike Butler Head coach – Jim E. Mora Assistant head coach/defensive backs – George Catavolos Offensive coordinator – Tom Moore Quarterbacks – John Hufnagel Running backs – Gene Huey Receivers – Jay Norvell Tight ends – Tony Marciano Offensive line – Howard Mudd Defensive coordinator – Vic Fangio Defensive line – Todd Grantham Linebackers – Mike Murphy Defensive assistant – John Pagano Special teams – Kevin Spencer Strength and conditioning – Jon Torine Assistant strength and conditioning – Richard Howell Roster Indianapolis Colts 2001 final roster Quarterbacks 18 Peyton Manning 16 Mark Rypien Running backs 36 Jim Finn FB 43 Kevin McDougal 44 Wes Ours 33 Dominic Rhodes KR 30 Shyrone Stith Wide receivers 88 Marvin Harrison 83 Trevor Insley PR 12 Desmond Kitchings 15 Tony Simmons 87 Reggie Wayne 80 Terrence Wilkins KR/PR Tight ends 49 Joe Dean Davenport 85 Ken Dilger 81 Marcus Pollard Offensive linemen 64 Rick DeMulling G 71 Ryan Diem G/T 78 Tarik Glenn T 74 Waverly Jackson G/T 76 Steve McKinney G 73 Adam Meadows T 50 Larry Moore C/G 63 Jeff Saturday C Defensive linemen 93 Lionel Barnes DE 92 Chad Bratzke DE 62 Ellis Johnson DT 91 Chukie Nwokorie DE 67 Hans Olsen DT 99 Brad Scioli DE 90 Mark Thomas DE 96 Josh Williams DT 95 Mike Wells DT Linebackers 94 Rob Morris MLB 51 Mike Morton OLB 52 Mike Peterson OLB 56 Ryan Phillips OLB 98 Sam Sword MLB 54 Donnel Thompson MLB 53 Marcus Washington OLB Defensive backs 28 Idrees Bashir FS 41 Cory Bird SS 26 Rodregis Brooks CB 20 Jeff Burris CB 37 Chad Cota SS 31 Clifton Crosby CB 34 Jason Doering FS 25 Nick Harper CB 27 David Macklin CB 42 Raymond Walls CB Special teams 17 Hunter Smith P 48 Justin Snow LS 13 Mike Vanderjagt K Reserve lists  2 Troy Albea WR (IR) 7px 69 Ben Gilbert G (IR) 7px 84 Drew Haddad WR (IR) 7px 47 Jermaine Hampton CB (IR) 7px 55 Sean Harris LB (IR) 7px 32 Edgerrin James RB (IR) 7px 86 Jerome Pathon WR (IR) 7px 97 Christian Peter DT (IR) 7px 72 Tim Ridder G (IR) 7px Practice squad 10 Isaac Jones WR 61 Rob Murphy G 11 Cory Sauter QB rookies in italics 53 active, 9 inactive, 3 practice squad Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 9 at New York Jets W 45–24 1–0 Giants Stadium 78,606 2DEN-IND The Colts were originally scheduled to host the Denver Broncos during Week 2 of the original NFL schedule (September 16) at RCA Dome. However, due to the September 11 attacks, the game was rescheduled to Week 17. September 23 Buffalo Bills W 42–26 2–0 RCA Dome 56,135 3 September 30 at New England Patriots L 13–44 2–1 Foxboro Stadium 60,292 4 Bye 5 October 14 Oakland Raiders L 18–23 2–2 RCA Dome 56,972 6 October 21 New England Patriots L 17–38 2–3 RCA Dome 56,022 7 October 25, 2001 at Kansas City Chiefs W 35–28 3–3 Arrowhead Stadium 74,212 8 November 4 at Buffalo Bills W 30–14 4–3 Ralph Wilson Stadium 63,786 9 November 11 Miami Dolphins L 24–27 4–4 RCA Dome 57,127 10 November 18 at New Orleans Saints L 20–34 4–5 Louisiana Superdome 70,020 11 November 25 San Francisco 49ers L 21–40 4–6 RCA Dome 56,393 12 December 2 at Baltimore Ravens L 27–39 4–7 PSINet Stadium 69,382 13 December 10, 2001 at Miami Dolphins L 6–41 4–8 Pro Player Stadium 73,858 14 December 16 Atlanta Falcons W 41–27 5–8 RCA Dome 55,603 15 December 23 New York Jets L 28–29 5–9 RCA Dome 56,302 16 December 30 at St. Louis Rams L 17–42 5–10 Trans World Dome 66,084 17DEN-IND January 6 Denver Broncos W 29–10 6–10 RCA Dome 56,192 Standings Game summaries Week 1: at New York Jets Indianapolis Colts 2001 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 1: Indianapolis Colts at New York Jets – Game summary September 9 1:00 p.m. EDT Colts 3 28 7 7 Jets 7 7 3 7 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey 78,606 Sunny, 81 F C Perry Havener CBS Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms and Armen Keteyian First quarter NYJ – Laveranues Coles 38-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (John Hall kick), 10:58. Jets 7-0. Drive: 3 plays, 39 yards, 1:28. IND - Mike Vanderjagt 37-yard field goal, 6:20. Jets 7-3. Drive: 10 plays, 53 yards, 4:38. Second quarter IND - Edgerrin James 29-yard run (Mike Vanderjagt kick), 14:55. Colts 10-7. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:28. IND - Edgerrin James 1-yard run (Mike Vanderjagt kick), 7:29. Colts 17-7. Drive: 4 plays, 22 yards, 2:17. NYJ - Curtis Martin 6-yard run (John Hall kick), 3:30. Colts 17-14. Drive: 1 play, 6 yards, 0:07. IND - Jerome Pathon 21-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Mike Vanderjagt kick), 1:29. Colts 24-14. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 2:01. IND - Terrence Wilkins 78-yard punt return (Mike Vanderjagt kick), 0:20. Colts 31-14. Third quarter NYJ - John Hall 22-yard field goal, 11:27. Colts 31-17. Drive: 7 plays, 15 yards, 2:42. IND - Marcus Pollard 5-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Mike Vanderjagt kick), 5:46. Colts 38-17. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:41. Fourth quarter NYJ - Richie Anderson 5-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (John Hall kick), 14:56. Colts 38-24. Drive: 10 plays, 64 yards, 5:50. IND - Chukie Nwokorie 95-yard fumble return (Mike Vanderjagt kick), 5:17. Colts 45-24. Drive: 11 plays, 65 yards, 7:20. Top passers IND - Peyton Manning - 22/32, 231 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT NYJ - Vinny Testaverde - 17/25, 175 yards, 2 TD Top rushers IND - Edgerrin James - 28 rushes, 135 yards, 2 TD NYJ - Curtis Martin - 20 rushes, 79 yards, TD Top receivers IND - Jerome Pathon - 8 receptions, 93 yards, TD NYJ - Anthony Becht - 4 receptions, 58 yards Week 2: vs. Buffalo Bills Indianapolis Colts 2001 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 2: Buffalo Bills at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary September 23 1:00 p.m. EDT Bills 7 10 3 6 Colts 14 21 7 0 RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana 56,135 Played indoors (domed stadium) Bill Carollo CBS Don Criqui and Steve Tasker First quarter BUF - Nate Clements 48-yard interception return (Jake Arians kick), 12:50. Bills 7-0. Drive: 4 plays, 15 yards, 2:10. IND - Edgerrin James 1-yard run (Mike Vanderjagt kick), 5:12. Tied 7-7. Drive: 10 plays, 90 yards, 5:29. IND - Jerome Pathon 60-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Mike Vanderjagt kick), 1:35. Colts 14-7. Drive: 2 plays, 76 yards, 0:52. Second quarter BUF - Travis Henry 4-yard run (Jake Arians kick), 12:00. Tied 14-14. Drive: 8 plays, 84 yards, 4:35. IND - Marvin Harrison 39-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Mike Vanderjagt kick), 11:19. Colts 21-14. Drive: 2 plays, 61 yards, 0:41. IND - Marvin Harrison 39-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Mike Vanderjagt kick), 9:11. Colts 28-14. Drive: 2 plays, 41 yards, 0:35. BUF - Jake Arians 48-yard field goal, 4:13. Colts 28-17. Drive: 9 plays, 31 yards, 4:58. IND - Marvin Harrison 7-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Mike Vanderjagt kick), 1:00. Colts 35-17. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 3:13. Third quarter BUF - Jake Arians 49-yard field goal, 10:35. Colts 35-20. Drive: 8 plays, 41 yards, 4:25. IND - Peyton Manning 1-yard run (Mike Vanderjagt kick), 5:57. Colts 42-20. Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 4:38. Fourth quarter BUF - Peerless Price 40-yard pass from Rob Johnson (pass failed), 1:25. Colts 42-26. Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 6:04. Top passers BUF - Rob Johnson - 24/37, 257 yards, TD, INT IND - Peyton Manning - 23/29, 421 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT Top rushers BUF - Rob Johnson - 5 rushes, 63 yards IND - Edgerrin James - 23 rushes, 111 yards, TD Top receivers BUF - Larry Centers - 7 receptions, 56 yards IND - Jerome Pathon - 9 receptions, 168 yards, TD Week 3: at New England Patriots Indianapolis Colts 2001 2;text-align:center; Week 3: Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots – Game summary autocollapse September 30 1:00 p.m. EDT Colts 0 0 7 6 Patriots 7 13 3 21 Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts 60,292 Cloudy, 59 F C Bernie Kukar CBS Gus Johnson & Brent Jones First quarter NE – Antowain Smith 4-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 4:23. Patriots 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:45. Second quarter NE – Adam Vinatieri 47-yard field goal, 5:50. Patriots 10–0. Drive: 7 plays, 37 yards, 3:11. NE – Otis Smith 78-yard interception return (Adam Vinatieri kick), 1:42. Patriots 17–0. NE – Adam Vinatieri 48-yard field goal, 0:00. Patriots 20–0. Drive: 4 plays, 23 yards, 0:21. Third quarter NE – Adam Vinatieri 35-yard field goal, 9:37. Patriots 23–0. Drive: 4 plays, −2 yards, 1:22. IND – Peyton Manning 10-yard run (Mike Vanderjagt kick), 0:53. Patriots 23–7. Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 3:30. Fourth quarter NE – Kevin Faulk 8-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 13:24. Patriots 30–7. Drive: 5 plays, 62 yards, 2:29. NE – Ty Law 23-yard interception return (Adam Vinatieri kick), 12:24. Patriots 37–7. IND – Marcus Pollard 17-yard pass from Peyton Manning (pass failed), 8:51. Patriots 37–13. Drive: 11 plays, 54 yards, 3:33. NE – Antowain Smith 2-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 3:39. Patriots 44–13. Drive: 8 plays, 52 yards, 5:12. Top passers IND – Peyton Manning – 20/34, 196 yards, TD, 3 INT NE – Tom Brady – 13/23, 168 yards Top rushers IND – Edgerrin James – 17 rushes, 55 yards NE – Antowain Smith – 22 rushes, 94 yards, 2 TD Top receivers IND – Marcus Pollard – 4 receptions, 63 yards, TD NE – Antowain Smith – 3 receptions, 58 yards Season summary The Colts suffered the second losing season of Peyton Manning's career. After opening with great wins over the Jets and Buffalo, the Colts were crushed twice in three games by the Patriots with a loss to Oakland in between. Two more wins followed to bring the Colts to 4–3, but they followed this up with two more losses heading into their matchup with the San Francisco 49ers at home on November 25. The 49ers entered the game having only lost twice to that point in the season, but had struggled to put up points and had barely beaten the Carolina Panthers, who would only record one win that season, the week before. The Colts, needing the victory, instead turned the ball over five times. Manning threw four interceptions, two to Ahmed Plummer and two more to Zack Bronson including one that was returned for a touchdown. The 49ers scored 23 total points off of the five Indianapolis turnovers. Despite outgaining the 49ers, the Colts lost the game 40–21 and after the game, head coach Jim Mora sharply criticized his offense's effort, especially Manning's four interceptions. During the press conference, a reporter asked Mora a question about the Colts' playoff chances now that the team was 4–6. Mora, who had not heard what was said, asked him to repeat the question. When the question was repeated, Mora responded by dismissing the suggestion that the Colts could make the postseason in the following manner: What's that? Ah, *garbled*, playoffs?! Don't talk about — playoffs?! You kidding me?! Playoffs?! I just hope we can win a game! Another game! A few days later, Manning spoke to reporters ahead of the Colts' next game with the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens and sharply criticized Mora's handling of the situation. He said that he did not appreciate being called out in public like he had been and that if Mora had a problem with him he should have spoken to him directly. This caused Mora to backtrack on his previous statements, but the damage was done.November 28, 2001 Manning airs out on Colts' Mora https://www.baltimoresun.com/2001/11/29/manning-airs-out-on-colts-mora/ https://web.archive.org/web/20230101014143/https://www.baltimoresun.com/ January 1, 2023 December 31, 2022 live The Baltimore Sun The Colts went on to finish 6–10 and Mora was fired after the season for refusing to fire then defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Mora felt the team needed better players on defense rather than fire Fangio as Mora could not fire a friend. Vic Fangio was fired anyway, and eventually became the defensive coordinator for the expansion Houston Texans the following year. Manning threw 23 interceptions during the season, the highest number of his career following his rookie season. He was sacked a career-high 29 times. See also Colts–Patriots rivalry History of the Indianapolis Colts Indianapolis Colts seasons Notes References Indianapolis Colts Category:Indianapolis Colts seasons Colts