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Indianapolis Colts OG Ryan Lilja (left) and TE Dallas Clark
--- John Raoux/AP Photo
In the sixth of a series, Indy Football Report Editor John Oehser continues to break down the Colts' roster entering the 2010 offseason . . .
PART SIX: THE OFFENSIVE GUARDS . . .
During the 2009 offseason, few positions on the Indianapolis Colts seemed so uncertain – and few caused fans more worry – than that of offensive guard.
The season may not have proven the position one of the team's strongest areas.
But it should have made the spot a bit less worrisome.
That's the gist of the onfield analysis on the Colts' guard position, but it's the underlying and surrounding story that made the position a fascinating one, because the way the Colts addressed the position – and the way it excelled – few could have predicted.
Remember? This time last offseason?
If you were following the Colts, you were preoccupied with the team's effort to re-sign CB Kelvin Hayden and C Jeff Saturday, not to mention bracing for the inevitable release of eight-time Pro Bowl WR Marvin Harrison.
But there also was the ongoing story of Ryan Lilja.
His return to health – and the surprise signing-as-free-agent then emergence of Kyle DeVan – made the Colts' guard position a feel-good spot in 2009.
This time last year, Lilja was recovering from a third knee surgery in less than a year. He had missed the entire 2008 season, and during much of a 2009 offseason in which he restructured his contract, Lilja said he legitimately didn't know if he would play again.
The knee began to show serious signs of progress, he said, during the team's offseason conditioning program, and in June – near the end of the offseason – he began to be cautiously optimistic he might be able to play in 2009.
He said entering training camp his goal was to not only play during the season, but to participate on a non-distracting basis. He wanted to be a regular at practice, and not spend his time rehabbing, or sitting in the training room, and with rare minor exceptions, he reached the goal.
He not only played and started every game for the Colts this season, he did not miss a practice with knee issues.
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