Losing Colts search for answers

Despite their season success, the Colts are enduring another early playoff exit.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Peyton Manning winced. Mike Vanderjagt slammed his helmet in disgust. Tony Dungy looked on in disbelief, and the rest of the Indianapolis Colts searched for answers after another early playoff exit.
It was not supposed to end this way this time.
"I talked to the players about the difference between disappointment and discouragement," coach Tony Dungy said Monday. "I talked about Philadelphia and Tampa as teams that stayed the course and got things done. But it's hard to stay up there year after year and not win it."
Most people figured the Colts' fate would change this year.
Indianapolis played 3 1/2 months of perfect football, opening the season with 13 straight wins. By clinching home-field advantage with three weeks left in the regular season, the Colts seemingly had the one missing element that derailed their previous postseason aspirations -- staying indoors through the Super Bowl.
Steelers spoil bid
But Pittsburgh ruined their coronation. The Steelers' blitzes turned Manning into more of a sprinter than a quarterback Sunday, and an uncharacteristic rash of penalties and miscues helped the Colts self-destruct. Afterward, Manning said, "Let's just say we had some problems with protection."
On Monday, shocked fans were more interested in assessing blame for yet another playoff failure than recounting the story lines that dominated the season -- the pursuit of perfection, Manning's chase for a third straight MVP, the improved defense and the death of Dungy's 18-year-old son, James.
Instead, those subplots were overshadowed by a 21-18 loss that seemed as shocking as it was heartbreaking for the Colts (14-3). The impact is sure to linger.
"It takes time to move on from a game like this, make peace with the football gods and move on to next season," Manning said Sunday.
Manning dropped to 3-6 in the playoffs and made it clear he is tired of his annual explanations heading into the off-season.
First miss at home
Vanderjagt, the NFL's most accurate kicker, was virtually inconsolable after badly missing a 46-yard field goal with 17 seconds left that would have forced overtime. It was his first miss at home all year.
Even the usually stoic and optimistic Dungy, who has endured his own series of postseason misery, acknowledged the obvious: The defeat made it a lost season.
"You come in and the idea is that you want to make the playoffs and win the Super Bowl, and we didn't do that. So it is a failure," he said.
Four starters -- running back Edgerrin James, receiver Reggie Wayne, linebacker David Thornton and defensive lineman Raheem Brock -- could all become unrestricted free agents this year. Vanderjagt, too, may join them on the open market.
Feeling of loss
"It feels kind of like college when you're losing your seniors," Manning said. "I liked our team this year. I liked our guys."
So did Dungy, who said Monday he hoped the Colts could bring everyone back.
The question now is whether Dungy will be around to coach them.
Despite signing a three-year contract extension in September and winning his 100th game less than two weeks after turning 50, Dungy seemed conflicted about whether to stay on the sideline.
He wants to balance family with football, but his son's death Dec. 22 changed his perspective and could force him to at least reconsider coaching.
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