He has played longer in the Colts' offense than any player except Manning, and the two each have an advanced knowledge not only of the offense, but of opposing defenses. Most importantly, perhaps, Saturday has an advanced knowledge of what Manning is seeing and what he likely will call in response to what he's seeing.
In the Colts' no-huddle offense, that isn't to be underestimated.
Although many observers like to talk of Manning essentially being the Colts' offensive coordinator, that's not quite true. But it is true that Manning goes to the line with several options against any given defensive look, and that in the seconds leading to the play, he must choose that option. When Manning's doing that, Saturday must see what Manning's seeing, translate it, then make the Colts' line calls at the line of scrimmage. Just as the skill players and the offensive linemen talk of having instinctive trust of Manning at the line of scrimmage, linemen talk of knowing that if Saturday's making a presnap call, given his experience, it's almost certainly the right call.
How important is that? Consider:
The only time during the last seven regular seasons the Colts have truly struggled for an extended stretch was the first seven games of the 2009 season. It's true that Manning at the time was returning from offseason knee surgery, but but it's just as true that of the six regular-season games Saturday has missed since moving into the starting lineup in 2000, four came in 2008 – including the first two games of the regular season.
Manning's knee was an issue as the Colts found their way early in 2008, but watching the first two games of that season, it was striking the difference in the offense without Saturday.
With rookie center Jamey Richard playing center, the Colts played a normal tempo rather than the up-tempo, no- or quick-huddle approach to which they are accustomed.
The result was a team that just didn't look like the Colts.
Looking ahead to a time without Saturday doesn't necessarily mean a time in which the Colts will take that approach on a regular basis. Richard at the time was a rookie, and the absence of Saturday was unexpected. He had sustained a knee injury in the preseason. It also was a temporary absence. The Colts knew early last season Saturday would be back soon. When he is no longer around, they certainly will plan accordingly, and will run their up-tempo scheme with whoever is at center.
But without question, finding that right person will be critical, and the question of how soon to do it – whether or not he's on the roster – will be one that becomes a more important question in the coming seasons.
BREAKING DOWN THE CENTERS
* The roster: Jeff Saturday (12), Jamey Richard (3).
* The breakdown: Saturday is one of the NFL's best and may have been a bit wronged when he was left off the NFL's All-Decade team for the 2000s. He was that good for that long, making four Pro Bowls and having several other seasons when he played at a Pro Bowl level. Saturday played all 16 games this past season, and did so at a high level, which was newsworthy because after he missed more games – four – than at any other time in his career the previous season, durability was more of an issue entering last season than it had been previously. Richard started seven games as a rookie, but had a shoulder injury much of this past season. While he was active each game, with Saturday and guards Mike Pollak, Kyle DeVan and Ryan Lilja staying healthy throughout the season, he played sparingly on offense. Whether Richard figures prominently into the Colts' future at either center or guard may be something for which observers can get a better feel following the the upcoming offseason.
* What the offseason might bring: Like guard, this will be an area of interest in the offseason. Unlike last season, Saturday's contract isn't an issue and with Richard on the roster, there doesn't seem an immediate, pressing need for backup help. But there's always . . .
* Feeling the draft: When the Colts chose center/guard Mike Pollak in the second round in 2008, it was assumed by some he was the long-term replacement for Saturday. Pollak started at guard as a rookie, then was replaced in the lineup after seven games this past season by Kyle DeVan, but Colts President Bill Polian said shortly after the Super Bowl recently he expects Pollak back next season. He has second-round ability and was solid at times. It will be intriguing to see if he can develop into a starter again at guard and potential long-term center. Considering Saturday's age, it also will be interesting to see if the Colts consider this a draft-day priority. Stay tuned.
* Free agency status: With none of the Colts' centers a restricted or unrestricted free agent, it's unlikely there will be much movement at this spot. The Colts are rarely a player in free agency, and while they could sign a center later in the offseason to provide depth, it likely won't be a high-profile move.
DAILY DIGESTS:
WRAPPING UP POST-SUPER BOWL TALK: HERE
A REFRESHINGLY ACCURATE READ ON PEYTON MANNING. HERE
ON TEAM OF DECADE AND ED JOHNSON. HERE
A LOOK AT THE GARY BRACKETT NEGOTIATIONS. HERE.
ON THE DOUBLE-AGENT THEORY. HERE
OFFSEASON PRIMERS:
THE QUARTERBACKS. HERE.
THE RUNNING BACKS. HERE.
THE TIGHT ENDS. HERE.
THE OFFENSIVE TACKLES. HERE
THE OFFENSIVE GUARDS. HERE
MORE COLTS NEWS
POLIAN: THE PAST IS PROLOGUE. HERE.
THE WIDE RECEIVERS. HERE.
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