An Ode to ‘NFL Street’: Picking the Indianapolis Colts’ All-Time 7-on-7 Playground Squad

It’s a blast from the past! Since it’s the dog days of the offseason, where it’s too early to start talking about training camp, I decided to take a pause and write an article just for fun here.

Some of you may remember ‘NFL Street,’ a popular 7-on-7 recess style pickup arcade football video game that was released in 2004 by the EA Sports BIG label—roughly twenty years ago. It was the brother game of the renowned banger ‘NBA Street’ game which was released a few years earlier.

NFL Street featured some of the game’s best players of the time (and some unlockable NFL legends including Barry Sanders, Lawrence Taylor, Ken Stabler, William ‘The Fridge’ Perry, Howie Long, Larry Czonka, Lester Hayes, and Ronnie Lott).

The major kicker of the game being that your chosen players had to play both ways, offense and defense, with no special teams—and in various playground environments including at a beach, city, rooftop, in the snow, etc. It was the first to scoring 35+ points wins! Running the ball for a score for the PAT was one-point, passing the ball was two points respectively. First downs were also third yards, if I correctly recall.

On offense, you had a quarterback, running back, two outside receivers, and three offensive linemen. On defense, you had a free safety, a linebacker, two outside cornerbacks, and three defensive linemen.

For the avoidance of doubt, there are two things of note: 1) no Baltimore Colts were eligible or chosen for this exercise, just Indianapolis, and 2) each Colts player was selected under the presumption of how good they were during their peak years as a Colt to-date.

Without further ado, let’s get drafting the players:

QB: Anthony Richardson

I know what you’re thinking, “How does the greatest quarterback in Indianapolis franchise history (i.e., Peyton Manning) not make this team? Well, the answer is simple, because he has to play on both sides of the ball.

Don’t get me wrong, back in this video game’s hay day, I loved drafting Manning, sacrificing my defensive secondary and loading up on two superstar wideouts if they were available in that particular pickup game’s available player pool (Randy Moss, Marvin Harrison, Terrell Owens, Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, etc.) to establish a prolific pure passing game.

After all, Peyton was one of my favorite players! I rode or died with him all day, everyday.

However, maybe others played it differently and I was a novice, but I always ran to set up the pass, not passed to set up the run. The pass game was too risky because non-receivers didn’t run routes as crisp, and you could risk passes being deflected for interceptions. Remember, it’s the first to score 35+ points, so it’s important to control the ball and not turn it over. Running the ball consistently generated positive yards which moved the sticks and led to touchdowns.

Further, Manning’s defensive limitations make him a liability out there. The video game’s default was to hide non-mobile quarterbacks at nose tackle, surrounded by a ‘defensive end’ on either side (remember this is 7-on-7!) or you could stick them at one-man deep safety. Either way, Manning is a liability defensively. His 4.8 forty time is too slow for a free safety, and when you see what I plan on doing at linebacker, I can’t afford to hide him there and risk him being a sieve or blown off the line in run defense.

Manning may be the sentimental play, but when actually playing the game back then, star quarterbacks of the day like Mike Vick, Daunte Culpepper, and Donovan McNabb with some mobility and upgraded athleticism may have actually been the better picks when considering defense.

It really came down to Andrew Luck vs. Anthony Richardson. Luck provides more of a an accurate precision passing game, and while he has some wheels of his own, he isn’t as much of a natural threat rushing the football to the same dynamic dual-threat level that is AR. In the end though, I want to establish a dominant running game, so I went with Richardson, as well as for defensive considerations, which I’ll get to.

Regardless of whatever Colts franchise great running back is paired with him, Richardson should be dominant running the option, the QB wham play (direct snap to QB and get out of the way), and getting outside the tackle box to take off, extend, and make big plays. He’s also got a bit of a stronger arm than Luck to stretch the field when opposing defenses load the box and hit a big-time receiver, even if it comes with less accuracy collectively.

Defensively though, we all know Andrew Luck can tackle. That being said, I’m sticking this non-Manning quarterback here at one-man deep safety. They’ve got to have some speed as the ‘last line of defense,’ even if they aren’t Ed Reed. Richardson ran a shockingly fast 4.43 forty time at the 2023 NFL Combine compared to Luck’s 4.67 forty time back in 2012.

Coupled with Richardson’s elite leaping ability, AR has the ability to make some plays in coverage as a bit of a rangy ballhawk, relatively speaking of course. Some may disagree with this selection, but let’s look at this squad as a whole before completely criticizing it.

Defensively: Safety

Also Under Consideration: Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck

Running Back: Edgerrin James

Look this is a loaded candidate class for the Colts in a Hall of Fame group that also includes Marshall Faulk, Eric Dickerson, and the potentially Canton-bound Jonathan Taylor. Whoever is chosen here would have significant success, particularly in the RPO game with Richardson and behind what I believe will be a strong offensive line, which we’ll get to.

What separates James here for me is on when looking at A) his best season as a Colt (either 1999 or 2000, take your pick, pre-ACL tear, when he rushed for over 1,500 yards and had 13 rushing touchdowns, as well as amassed 60+ receptions, +550 receiving yards, and 5+ touchdown receptions) and B) his elite pass catching chops, which Manning, his longtime teammate, always lauded.

Whatever running back is chosen has to play CB2 defensively for me by default. I need some ball skills, with the ability to generate interceptions out there. Both Faulk and James fit the bill best in that regard. From that sense, both Taylor and Dickerson were quickly eliminated.

However, James’s best season as a Colt trumps Faulk, who was known more at his pinnacle as a St. Louis Ram than Colt (where he was a Super Bowl Champion, NFL MVP, 3x NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and 3x NFL First-Team All-Pro). I also want some speed, where James’s forty time of 4.38 seconds was only slightly slower than Faulk’s San Diego State Pro Day of 4.35—as both were blazing fast for backs coming out of college respectively.

Look, I don’t love having a running back at CB2, and if there was a surprisingly convenient engineering flaw to fire two photon torpedoes into this defensive ‘Death Star,’ this would probably be it for its immediate self-implosion.

This is like sticking ‘King Boo’ at third base in Wii Mario Baseball, you love the power bat, but just hope nothing gets hit to him too sharp at the hot corner—or there’s going to be some extra bases given up.

Defensively: Outside Cornerback #2

Also Under Consideration: Marshall Faulk, Eric Dickerson, and Jonathan Taylor

Outside Receiver 1: Marvin Harrison

This is a no brainer for me. There’s been some other great wideouts in Indianapolis franchise history, namely Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton, but Marvin Harrison was hands down the best when looking at his peak and complete body of work for the Colts.

(You could also make the case for Michael Pittman, if you’re really looking for a physical and tenacious run blocker on the outside.).

Harrison had elite speed, acceleration, hands, and route-running. He’s a Top 5 NFL wideout all-time in league history in my mind, and any Colts’ assembled ‘NFL Street’ squad that doesn’t have him on it isn’t maximizing the franchise’s available talent pool (and especially given the franchise’s relative lack of elite cornerback play historically all together).

Here, Harrison teams up with Richardson to give him an elite deep threat and such a polished route runner overall to take some pressure off the young quarterback in the passing game. Richardson doesn’t have to be perfect because Harrison will elevate him out there and catch almost anything thrown in his general vicinity.

Here’s where things get tricky, or potentially bad defensively. Harrison will also be the defense’s CB1 where he forms a cornerback tandem with a fellow triplet, Edgerrin James.

However, given Harrison’s speed, hands, range, and ball skills, I have less doubt than James that he’d be a successful cornerback for this playground style game. I’m thinking Champ Bailey light here, with Harrison being unsurprisingly sticky in coverage with his ability.

Defensively: Outside Cornerback #1

Also Under Consideration: Reggie Wayne, T.Y. Hilton, and Michael Pittman Jr.

Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images

Left Tackle: Quenton Nelson

There were some more natural left tackles also under consideration here, namely both Tarik Glenn and Anthony Castonzo to neutralize edge rushers. However, Nelson already showed he can play offensive tackle at the NFL level—albeit in limited snaps a few years ago, and does anyone really doubt the 4x NFL All-Pro would struggle in this type of recess style pickup game, still left of center?

(Maybe some throw out Jeff Saturday here, but I think he may be a bit undersized—although that didn’t stop him in his Hall of Fame worthy career either).

Big Q is already one of the most decorated NFL offensive linemen in Colts history and hasn’t even hit the age of thirty yet. Nelson is a powerful run blocker, who is more than capable of establishing and setting the edge, which is important in this pickup style game as outside runs are your bread-and-butter for generating big plays. In NFL Street, running ‘West and East’ was always easier than ‘North.’

Nelson can climb the latter as a run blocker too and get to the second level of the defense. Pass protection should be no problem for this left bookend too, as Nelson’s strength, athleticism, and technique are top-notch—supremely protecting Richardson’s blindside.

What really separated Nelson from Glenn and Castonzo, even more so, is how he projects defensively. Nelson would be overly physical and project some of that same pancaking and calculated body slamming physical violence to the defensive side of the football—particularly in run defense.

I’m thinking a poor man’s former Minnesota Vikings’ All-Pro Chris Hovan here as the nose tackle defensively (*at the very least, their comparable eye black checks out). Nelson has more than enough strength to occupy blocks in the middle for run defense and maybe at least a few credible moves in his arsenal for some sort of interior pass rushing push.

Defensively: Nose Tackle

Also Under Consideration: Tarik Glenn, Anthony Castonzo

Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images

Left Defensive End: DeForest Buckner

If you wanted to go all-in on offensive line blocking either Tarik Glenn or Anthony Castonzo could also be in play here, but remember, they also have to play defense too.

Instead, I elect to reinforce the defensive line, adding the top defensive tackle in Indianapolis franchise history. While the Colts have had some other, more short-lived standouts at the position, the late Tony Siragusa, Anthony ‘Booger’ McFarland, and Grover Stewart included, Buckner has had the best career seasons for the Horseshoe to-date (as well as much greater overall longevity).

Built like an NBA power forward at 6’7,” 295 pounds, featuring freakish tentacle like arms, in addition to his unique combination of power, athleticism, and quickness, Buckner should have no problems playing both ways. We all know about his pass rushing prowess, so he should have no issue sliding over to a defensive end spot for this playground game, especially with Buckner being surprisingly fleet of foot with his size.

He’s also built like an offensive tackle too, so I don’t think Buckner should have any issue manning the right tackle spot, especially against the opposing team’s weaker pass rusher. Again, the size, length, athleticism, quickness, and footwork are already elite here.

Offensively: Right Tackle

Also Under Consideration: Tarik Glenn, Anthony Castonzo, Tony Siragusa, Booger McFarland, and Grover Stewart

Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Right Defensive End: Dwight Freeney

This team needs an alpha-dog pass rusher, so why not add the greatest pass rusher in Indianapolis franchise history? Freeney has great speed, acceleration, surprising strength for his size, and a diverse pass rushing repertoire—including his patented spin move (and bull rush). Like Chris Ballard, I’m building this thing through the defensive trenches.

‘West-and-East’ running games typically fared better than ‘North and South,’ and having an end like Freeney, who can get wide, narrows the field for the opposing offense. However, his best calling card will be getting after the other team’s quarterback off the edge.

He made fellow Hall of Famers like Jonathan Odgen look bad in their prime, so any opposing team without an elite left tackle to hold their own may get consistently wrecked and have a bad day.

On the offensive end though, I’m slotting in Freeney at starting center. He’s a little undersized there, but again, so was Jeff Saturday. I like his deceptive strength, quickness, and low center of gravity to hold his own there—and I’m not sure he’d have the ideal size and length to play ‘offensive tackle’ as well as DeForest Buckner could otherwise.

Offensively: Center

Also Under Consideration: Robert Mathis, Jeff Saturday

Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Linebacker: Bob Sanders

At 5’8,” 206 pounds, Sanders may be undersized (except regarding those bulging biceps), but I want him as close to the field as I possibly can and near the box, with his supreme range and ability to make sideline-to-sideline plays, turnovers, and big hits.

This is the reason why Quenton Nelson at nose tackle is so important in this defense, to keep opposing offensive linemen off Sanders and from climbing to the second level to block him—allowing him to simply be a defensive playmaker out there and do what he does best as ‘The Hitman’ or ‘The Eraser’ (i.e., a heat-seeking missile). Call him a catalyst or the engine that drives this defense, but Sanders is critically important here.

Former Colts 4x NFL All-Pro linebacker Darius ‘Shaq’ Leonard is also under consideration here, but Sanders remains the only NFL Defensive Player of the Year in Indianapolis franchise history—and this defender also has to play on offense too.

That’s where I’ve got Sander penciled in as my WR2. It’s not necessarily ideal, but with 6 career interceptions, there’s some ball skills there and definite speed, having run a 4.35 forty time back at the 2004 NFL Combine.

He can be another deep threat to test Richardson’s rocket launcher arm downfield and to pair with Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, who’s the WR1.

Offensively: Outside Receiver #2

Also Under Consideration: Darius ‘Shaq’ Leonard

Photo by Joey Foley/FilmMagic

Final Squad:

Offense

QB- Anthony Richardson

RB- Edgerrin James

WR1- Marvin Harrison

WR2- Bob Sanders

LT- Quenton Nelson

C- Dwight Freeney

RT- DeForest Buckner

Defense

S- Anthony Richardson

LB- Bob Sanders

CB1- Marvin Harrison

CB2- Edgerrin James

RE- Dwight Freeney

NT- Quenton Nelson

LE- DeForest Buckner

Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Final Verdict

Offensive Strengths:

With dual-threat Anthony Richardson, franchise career rushing leader Edgerrin James, and what I consider a standout offensive line (with Big Q, Dwight, and DeFo), relatively speaking, this offense is built to run the damn ball as it’s ‘bread-and-butter.’

Featuring deep speed with Marvin Harrison, who will have to help carry the receiving game, as well as the blazing fast Bob Sanders, Richardson can keep opposing defenses honest from simply loading the box against the running game.

Offensive Weaknesses:

We’re purely going off Richardson’s limited rookie season, which while tantalizing, wasn’t a complete debut campaign given his season-ending shoulder injury. With just Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison in the fold, was enough done here to elevate him in the passing game? The running game will have to be absolutely dominant, putting a lot of pressure on it.

Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Final Verdict

Defensive Strengths:

This team is built to win within its ‘front-four’ featuring 3 former NFL Defensive First-Team All-Pros: Dwight Freeney, DeForest Buckner, and Bob Sanders. Nelson isn’t too shabby in the interior either, bring his ‘Wrestlemania’ body-slamming style in the interior and eating blocks. Sanders should be absolutely flying to the football! This defense should shut down the opposing team’s ground game which is key, while being an absolute menace up-front.

Defensive Weaknesses:

This secondary is a bit suspect, so it’s imperative that both Freeney and Buckner can deliver consistent pass pressure off the edge to make their lives easier and shorten passing windows. While he should hold his own, Marvin Harrison is ideally suited as a defense’s CB2 and Edgerrin James is probably better off being hidden more at safety. However, there’s some clear athleticism and speed in this secondary with both James and Richardson, even if they aren’t at ideal defensive playing positions. If they can avoid giving up the big play and can simply keep their receiver in front of them, there’s enough talent here to survive.