Johnson started 12 games this past season, and played well at times, but there is a feeling among many observers that he ideally is the Colts' top reserve lineman and that the Colts ideally would upgrade the left tackle position. Considering the team traded a 2008 first-round selection for Ugoh in 2007 he essentially is a first-round selection, which means the team would like that upgrade to come from improvement that Ugoh has yet to show.
Ugoh started four games in place of Johnson last season, and seemed to play well at times, but there never was an indication the team had thoughts of re-inserting Ugoh in the lineup. Colts President Bill Polian said shortly after the Super Bowl the plans for next season likely would include Ugoh, but it remains to be seen if he can reemerge as a starter and first-round level left tackle.
BREAKING DOWN THE OFFENSIVE TACKLE POSITION . . .
* The roster: RT Ryan Diem (10), LT Charlie Johnson (5), Tony Ugoh (3), Dan Federkeil (4), Michael Toudouze (3).
* The breakdown: Diem is likely to remain the starter at right tackle, and the team has given no signs of a change at left tackle, either. Then again, there were no outward signs last year until training camp that the team had moved Johnson into the starting role and that decision was made early in the offseason. The Colts understandably don't announce such moves until necessary. Ugoh played well at times last season when given the chance, but hasn't shown signs yet of becoming a long-term starter, much less a core player at the level of an early-drafted left tackle. Federkeil has finished the last two seasons on injured reserve, but the team likes him as a reserve because of his versatility. Toudouze has been on and off the practice squad and he finished the season on the active roster after Federkeil was place on injured reserve.
* What the offseason might bring: There could be flickers of news at this position in the coming weeks. Johnson is a restricted free agent, and it would be surprising if the team didn't extend a tender offer to keep him on the roster next season. Such an offer wouldn't necessarily ensure him a starting position, but considering he has started at both tackle positions and guard during a four-year career, it's hard to imagine the Colts not wanting him in some capacity. One of the main offseason storylines at the tackle position may be something that takes a while to flesh out and that's the philosophical approach in the absence of Howard Mudd, who planned to retire following Super Bowl XLIV. Under Mudd, the Colts utilized lighter-then-normal offensive linemen with an emphasis on pass protection. The emphasis on pass protection likely won't change with QB Peyton Manning around, but considering a failure to convert 3rd-and-short has been costly the past two postseasons, an issue during the offseason will be whether the Colts plan to get a bit bigger and more physical up front. If they do, that could spark a longterm change of approach at every position on the line, including tackle.
* Feeling the draft: This is where the position could get interesting this offseason. With Diem in his 10th season and with Ugoh not starting this past season, this could be the year to again address the tackle position. If the Colts do, the question becomes when. Getting a big-time left tackle often is something that must be done in the first 10-to-20 players and since the Colts likely can't trade to get near there, the question becomes will a big-time player drop to the last few selections of the first round. This is considered a strong year for tackles in the draft, so it's possible a solid one could slip within range of the Colts. If that happens, trading up wouldn't be far-fetched. That's all assuming we know what President Bill Polian's thinking, which of course, around the draft very few do or will.
* Free agency status: With Johnson likely to become a restricted free agent in March, his status will be newsworthy during that period, but it's reasonable to expect the Colts to extend him a tender offer. Don't look for much activity from the Colts at this position or any other in free agency.
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