Most of the assistant coaches who worked with Tony Dungy the last seven seasons -- such as offensive coordinator Tom Moore, offensive line coach Howard Mudd and running backs coach Gene Huey -- are expected to stay. Wide receivers coach Clyde Christensen recently interviewed for the offensive coordinator job with the San Francisco 49ers and defensive coordinator Ron Meeks resigned and took the same title with Carolina.

"I'm in the process right now of visiting with each one of our staff members. It may take me a couple days just to talk to them about some of the issues, some of the things that we have planned, the direction of the program," Jim Caldwell explained.

"There are a number of things that could occur. In this game, there are always some changes. We have a lot of quality coaches on our staff and some of them are being pursued by other organizations. So that could play into it as well. Frank (Reich) will move into my (former) position, but the other things have not been determined as of yet."

Also, the league's veteran free-agent signing period begins Feb. 27, but the Colts seldom get involved when big names are available and prices are steep. They again likely will focus on retaining their free agents, most notably C Jeff Saturday and CB Kelvin Hayden. Each would like to return but could command a hefty salary on the open market.

"I'm always optimistic, but you never know," team president Bill Polian said about the likelihood of Saturday and Hayden returning. "You have to be optimistic, and I am, but you have to be realistic and understand that maybe you don't get them both back. We'll try our darnedest to make that happen."

UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACKS: Starter -- Peyton Manning. Backup -- Jim Sorgi.

After a slow start to the 2008 season due to pre-training camp knee surgery (infected bursa sac), Manning went on to win his third NFL Most Valuable Player award as he led the Colts to a 12-4 record and nine straight wins at the end of the regular season. With a new head coach and an early exit from the 2008 playoffs, he'll be a man on a mission heading into 2009. Sorgi played well in his only extensive playing time of the season, going most of the way in the regular-season finale against Tennessee. There are no other quarterbacks on the roster at the current time, although the team will most likely add one or two during the offseason in order to help to ease Manning's workload during the spring OTAs.

RUNNING BACKS: Starter -- RB Joseph Addai. Backups -- RB Dominic Rhodes, RB Chad Simpson, RB Lance Ball. Injured reserve -- RB Mike Hart.

Addai and Rhodes split most of the duty during the regular season. Addai struggled with various injuries during the year, slowing his overall effectiveness. Rhodes played well when called upon, both as a runner and as a receiver out of the backfield. Simpson displayed flashes in short-term duty, as did Ball and Hart. Hart, especially, was an up-and-comer before suffering a season-ending knee injury against Baltimore. He could push for more playing time in 2009 as a short-yardage and goal-line back.

TIGHT ENDS/H-BACK: Starter -- Dallas Clark. Backups -- Gijon Robinson, Jacob Tamme. Injured reserve -- Tom Santi.

Clark had another big year in 2008, setting franchise records for catches in a season and yards receiving by a tight end. Unfortunately, he didn't get a lot of help from his backups. Robinson struggled at times as an end-line blocker, although he showed great improvement as a receiver as the season progressed. Tamme and Santi were slowed by injuries as rookies but both are expected to make bigger impacts next year.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters -- Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne. Backups -- Anthony Gonzalez, Roy Hall, Pierre Garcon.

Wayne and Gonzalez both figure to be mainstays in the Colts passing attack for the next several seasons. The question remains the future of Harrison with the team. The franchise's all-time record holder in several receiving stats had his worst full season with the team. He was healthy all year but his production failed to match previous seasons. Harrison could prove to be a salary-cap casualty. He will count $13.4 million against the 2009 cap. Indianapolis can free up approximately $6 million under the cap by terminating Harrison's contract. Hall missed most of the season as he recovered from a hamstring injury and knee surgery. Garcon needs more work in learning the offense and the position.

OFFENSIVE LINE: Starters -- LT Tony Ugoh, LG Charlie Johnson, C Jeff Saturday, RG Mike Pollak, RT Ryan Diem. Backups -- C/G Jamey Richard, T/G Dan Federkeil, G/C Steve Justice. Injured reserve -- OG Ryan Lilja.

Injuries to Saturday and Lilja caused some upheaval along the offensive line in 2008. Saturday suffered knee and calf injuries, keeping him out of the lineup for four games. Lilja missed the entire season as he recovered from offseason knee surgeries. Johnson, a former tackle, moved inside and played relatively well in Lilja's spot. Pollak, a rookie, stepped in for former Colts guard Jake Scott, who was lost to Tennessee via free agency. Richard, another rookie, was a major find and could end up being a fixture somewhere on the offensive line for years to come. Justice, a third rookie, can play either guard spot or center. Federkeil did a nice job filling in as a tackle and at guard, where he started against San Diego in the AFC wild-card game.

DEFENSIVE LINE: Starters -- LE Raheem Brock, LT Eric Foster, RT Keyunta Dawson, RE Dwight Freeney. Backups -- DE Robert Mathis, DE Josh Thomas, DT Darrell Reid, DT Antonio Johnson, DT Daniel Muir, DE Curtis Johnson, DE Marcus Howard.

The loss of two key tackles early on -- Quinn Pitcock was an unexpected training camp retiree after only one season with the team while Ed Johnson was waived in September after being arrested for speeding and possession of a controlled substance -- forced the Colts to scramble looking for replacements. Foster, an undrafted rookie free agent, did a very nice job and started most of the year. Dawson continued to step up his play in his second season. Indianapolis picked up Muir from Green Bay and Antonio Johnson from Tennessee and they provided some help, especially Johnson. Reid remained a key backup who can provide valuable minutes when called upon. Freeney and Mathis both earned trips to the Pro Bowl while Brock moved back outside to end after playing tackle the last couple of seasons. Johnson and Howard are both raw talents, but with a lot of upside heading into 2009.

LINEBACKERS: Starters -- SLB Clint Session, MLB Gary Brackett, WLB Freddy Keiaho. Backups -- LB Tyjuan Hagler, LB Philip Wheeler, LB Buster Davis, LB Jordan Senn.

Brackett was hurt late in the regular season, suffering a broken right fibula. Had the Colts gotten past San Diego in the AFC wild-card game, he would have most likely been available for the rest of the team's playoff run. Keiaho started all year on the weak side, but moved to the middle for the postseason game with the Chargers. Session displayed a lot of ability and is a hard-hitter, but needs to develop more consistency in his overall play. Hagler was sidelined for half of the season with a torn pectoral muscle, but he can play all three of the team's linebacking positions. If he can stay healthy for a full season, he can be a force for the Colts. Davis took over in the middle after Brackett was hurt. He also needs to become more consistent. Wheeler was impressive as a rookie when called upon and should push for more playing time in 2009. Senn was a special teams demon and proved that he could play effectively on defense if needed.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters -- LCB Kelvin Hayden, RCB Tim Jennings, SS Bob Sanders, FS Antoine Bethea. Backups -- CB Keiwan Ratliff, CB Dante Hughes, FS Melvin Bullitt, SS Matt Giordano, SS Jamie Silva. Injured reserve -- CB Marlin Jackson, CB Michael Coe, CB Nick Graham.

Injuries played havoc with the starting lineup in the secondary. Hayden and Jackson were both hurt in 2008, with Jackson missing most of the second half of the season. Hayden became the Colts' best man-to-man corner and continues to improve his overall play. Jennings took over as a starter after Jackson was hurt. He played well most of the time, but had lapses on occasion. Ratliff proved to be a valuable backup, starting for Hayden at midseason and stepping in as the team's primary nickel back. Bullitt led the team in interceptions with four as he filled in for an injured Sanders, who missed 10 games due to ankle and knee issues. He is a valuable backup, as is Giordano. Both can play either strong or free safety. Silva did a nice job on special teams.

SPECIAL TEAMS: PK Adam Vinatieri, P Hunter Smith, LS Justin Snow, PR Keiwan Ratliff, KR Chad Simpson. Injured reserve -- KR
T.J. Rushing.

Vinatieri had yet another strong season, as did Smith. Vinatieri and Smith, who will be a free agent in the offseason, are the only kickers currently on the Colts roster. Ratliff took over as the team's primary punt returner. Simpson and Garcon split the kickoff return chores, although Simpson really gave the team a lift when he finally earned the job on a regular basis. An ankle injury late in the regular season slowed his effectiveness, however. Rushing is expected back in 2009, which could make things very interesting during training camp.