With the uncertainty of the health of quarterback Peyton Manning, the focus of the Indianapolis Colts' offense under veteran Kerry Collins will be getting the ground game more involved.
Under Manning, the Colts have always used the passing game to se up the run. Now that Manning may miss games, the running backs will have to take some pressure off Collins and the wide receivers. With the signing of fullback Chris Gronkowski, who was waived by Dallas, Indianapolis currently has five running backs on the 53-man roster. Chad Spann survived the final cuts over the weekend, but was placed in the injured list and then released to free up a spot for Gronkowski.
Joseph Addai, Donald Brown and rookie Delone Carter should carry the load, and Darren Evans should remain on the active roster for now. Evans was the most productive back in the preseason with 96 yards on 25 carries. Carter had 92 yards on 22 carries, while Addai and Brown played sparingly, as did most of the Colts starting backs and receivers.
Indianapolis had a more balanced offense during the Marshall Faulk and Edgerrin James years, but after James' departure, Manning and the Colts have sustained a pass first attitude on offense. The Colts didn't expose their primary rushers in the four preseason games, with Addai and Brown combining for 25 carries. Last year, they were near the bottom of the NFL in rushing with 1,483 yards. Addai's neck injuryin Week 6 limited him to 495 yards in eight games. Brown rushed for 497 yards on 129 attempts. Entering his third season, the pressure is mounting on Brown, to prove he is worthy of his draft status. His first two seasons have been disappointing, considering he was a first round selection in 2009.
Addai's role has been more of a blocker and pass catching threat, compared to most featured backs. Indianapolis and Manning had to come from behind in several games last year, and they had no choice but abandon the run on many occasions. A healthier and more productive Addai could go a long way in making the Colts' offense a more balanced unit.
The drafting of rookie offensive linemen Anthony Castonzo and Ben Ijalana in the first two rounds was clearly a sign that president Bill Polian is determined to make Indianapolis a more productive rushing team. Either way, Colts' center Jeff Saturday said that with the addition of Collins, combined with the urgency of improving the run, the offensive line will be the key. With Collins still learning the offense, Sunday's regular season opener at Houston will give the running game a good test. Saturday indicated that the new offensive line is still a work in progress
"We have to keep maturing and keep working," he said. "We'll work on the little details and hopefully be better for Houston."
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