With the final day of the Indianapolis Colts' 2010 organized team activities at hand, Indy Football Report Editor John Oehser takes a look at 10 key storylines that will be issues entering 2010 training camp . . .
1. Is K Adam Vinatieri ready for a full, productive season? The 15-year veteran looked healthy during OTAs, and not only said he felt healthy, said he wanted to play several more seasons. Fans liekly will take something of a wait-and-see approach, but whereas last season the talk around Vinatieri was off-season surgery and projected return dates, this off-season was about getting ready for next season. A significant difference.
2. Can Tony Ugoh make an impact at guard? If he can, the Colts will get some value out of their 2007 second-round draft selection. Ugoh, who started at LT in 2007 and 2008 before moving to a backup role last season, said all the right things about working at guard this off-season, and seemed enthusiastic about the move. If it works, the Colts could make their desired improvements on the interior of the line.
3. Can QB Peyton Manning keep getting better? He has been the NFL AP MVP four times, including each of the last two seasons, and a question asked during last weekend's mini-camp was, 'Doesn't he have to stop improving eventually?” Of course he does, but Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell said he doesn't think that time is soon, and so far in his career, Manning has done a lot of things no one else has. Who's to say he can't play at a high level longer than most, too?
4. Will the Colts extend Manning's contract before next season? The guess here is they will. Colts Owner and Chief Executive Officer Jim Irsay has said he wants to get the deal done this off-season. Historically, when Irsay has said such things, such things get done.
5. Will Donald Brown move past Joseph Addai at running back? A lot more will be known in training camp and preseason, but Addai had perhaps the best of his four NFL seasons last season and Brown didn't really seriously push for the starting job. Brown said he was focused on improving all aspects of his game – running, receiving, pass blocking – and he may push for more playing time, but Addai's versatility works well in the Colts' offense and they were a better offense with him on the field last season.
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