D looks ahead

This unit is poised to take off

The Colts went 16 years — from linebacker Duane Bickett in 1987 to defensive end Dwight Freeney in 2003 — without sending a defensive player to the Pro Bowl.

Now they have four players with multiple Pro Bowl appearances: ends Freeney and Robert Mathis and safeties Sanders and Antoine Bethea. For a defense designed to attack the passer and not get beat over the top, all-star ends and safeties make a formidable combination.

Second-year defensive coordinator Larry Coyer sounded a note of caution.

“We’re blessed,” he said. “But that was. This is. I really believe that. That was great; you can call on those experiences. But this is. It’s what’s in front of you in football, not what’s behind you.”