Coffee with the Colts: A look at the Indianapolis Colts' 23-15 victory Thursday over Philadelphia

Indianapolis Colts WR Reggie Wayne (AP Photo)

Indy Football Report Editor John Oehser takes a next-day look at the Indianapolis Colts' 23-15 preseason victory Thursday over the Philadelphia . . .

The major story entering the game was the offensive line, and following their 23-15 victory Thursday over the Philadelphia Eagles the members of the offensive line were happy. Happier, anyway.

And with reason.

A week after the first-team offensive line allowed three sacks in six plays in the preseason opener, the line looked substantially better against the Eagles. The unit allowed one sack -- and that sack led to a lost fumble -- but it also gave Colts QB Peyton Manning time to throw two first-quarter touchdown passes.

"It was really good," Colts center Jeff Saturday. "Obviously, there are going to be things to improve on, but it was much better than last week. I thought we blocked them pretty well up front. That's what you want to do in a preseason game, come in and play well and get everybody out and stay healthy."

Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell said afterward the line improved.

"They protected well, which is obviously very, very important to us," Caldwell said.

Said Saturday, "We have some great players on the line right now. All five guys are playing well and that's really want you want. We're deep and right now, that's what you want heading into the season."

SOME QUICK LINKS . . .

1) Here's one to BigBlueShoe's thoughts on the game on Stampede Blue. As usual, the "Shoe" does a great job of breaking down the game and raising some intruiging questions. I will say this: while I love BigBlueShoe -- and while mentioning him so high in this post shows how highly I consider his views --Stampede Blue has done a lot of questioning of Caldwell's handling of the Tony Ugoh-Charlie Johnson situation at left tackle. I find the handling interesting, too, but while BigBlueShoe is questioning Caldwell's competence and saying he looks inept and ridiculous, I'm not quite ready to paint it like that. Johnson didn't look great against Houston Texans DE Jason Babin Thursday, but Ugoh really didn't, either. Typically around the Colts a major decision such as changing left offensive tackles isn't going to be made whimsically by one person in the organization. There are long discussions, meetings and evaluations each offseason, and from what Caldwell has said about the timing of the decision to start Johnson -- it was made well before OTAs starting in May -- the Ugoh-Johnson decision was made sometime around those meetings. The long and short of this entry is pretty simple and that's that clearly the decision to start Johnson is a hot-button issue, but if Johnson is still starting in early September, it doesn't mean Caldwell's incompetent.

2) Here's one to Mike Chappell's game story in the Indianapolis Star . . .

3) . . . and one to Bob Kravitz's column. He, too, says QB Peyton Manning has to be a bit concerned about the left tackle situation.

QUICK HITS (I.E., SOME QUICK THOUGHTS . . .)

1. On WR Pierre Garcon. He had a nice catch and short gain on a pass from Manning early in the first half and dropped a quick screen for a second consecutive week. Not sure what to think about Garcon right now. He has looked great in practice, and you have to think that will translate, but he hasn't gotten into a groove in the preseason. One thought is that because Garcon is more of a speed guy who will play the outside he may improve once the season begins and the play-action pass becomes integral to the offense I.

2. On the "bubble" screen. Interesting comment by FOX analyst Daryl Johnston Thursday on the "bubble" or quick screen. His view is that it's a difficult play in the NFL because of the speed with which defenders react and run. I've always agreed with that. The Colts run it well at times, but so often in the NFL the play gets blown up because of the speed with which the defense pursues. Johnston's correct when he says it's a better college play than an NFL play.

3. On T.J. Rushing. He averaged 30.5 yards on two punt returns. He appears to be returning to full health, and if that's true, he'll push for a roster spot and change the dynamic in the reserve cornerback decision in a few weeks.

4. Shane Andrus has looked better than anyone had a right to think. He made all five of his kicks Friday night, and although Andrus is filling in for injured K Adam Vinatieri, you hope the league is watching and he gets a chance somewhere sometime soon.

5. TE Jacob Tamme looked good in preseason last season, but with five catches and 60 yards Friday, I think he's going to play a bigger role this season than most expect.

6. One final quote from C Jeff Saturday, "We're a different offense. Marv (wide receiver Marvin Harrison) is gone. We're moving guys along the offensive line. We've got a new back. We've got new receivers coming in. It's a completely different offense. You have to work together to get an understanding of what we look like. . . . We just need time to go do it. Jim (Caldwell) is very bright about when he wants us to play, how he wants us to play and then get us out and keep us out.:

6. Thanks to all of those fans who commented and asked questions on my Examiner page on Friday.

TRAINING CAMP NEWS

K Adam Vinatieri says he'll be ready for regular season

Colts becoming Head Coach Jim Caldwell's team

WR Reggie Wayne continues to be team leader

Magnificent Seven I: Seven training camp thoughts and observations

On Colts RB Joseph Addai

Defensive coordinator Larry Coyer says no Blitzburgh necessary for Colts

Moore, Mudd together just one more year

Magnificent Seven II: On the Colts' defensive tackle position and WR Reggie Wayne

Indianapolis Colts offensive line moving forward with lineup few expected

Colts Uncertain when Bob Sanders will return