Indianapolis Colts: A look back at Philadelphia and a look ahead to the Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts RB Joseph Addai (AP Photo)

Indy Football Report Editor John Oehser takes a final look at the Indianapolis Colts' 23-15 preseason loss to the Philadelphia Eagles this past Thursday takes an early look ahead to Saturday afternoon's preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich. . . .

OFFENSE

Looking back: The offense hardly could have been happier with the second preseason game -- particularly the first-team offense. The unit played three series, and except for a sack-fumble allowed by left tackle Charlie Johnson, the unit was efficient and productive. Colts QB Peyton Manning threw touchdown passes of three yards to WR Anthony Gonzalez and 76 yards to WR Reggie Wayne, and the offensive line -- disappointed with its performance the preceding week -- showed signs of making the improvement of which they have talked since last season. Looking ahead: The storyline for the Colts' offense this week will be the same as it is for nearly every NFL team entering the next-to-last preseason game -- how the unit looks in its most extended preseason playing time. The offensive line will remain a huge story, particularly the left tackle position, and a focus will remain on the team's running game.

DEFENSE

Looking back: As was the case offensively, the Colts made major strides defensively -- particularly on the interior of the line of scrimmage. Colts DTs Antonio Johnson and Ed Johnson, the likely starters for the regular season, played together for the first time and after allowing 198 yards in the preseason opener, Indianapolis allowed just 23 yards to the Eagles on 17 rushes. Looking ahead: The focus will continue to be getting players healthy, with several front-line players -- DEs Raheem Brock and Robert Mathis, Ss Antoine Bethea and Bob Sanders and CBs Kelvin Hayden -- missing the Philadelphia game with injuries or as precautionary measures.

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SPECIAL TEAMS

Looking back: Rookie P Pat McAfee again drew the praise of Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell, and the team seems more and more convinced he's a signifiant upgrade at the spot. Caldwell said the kickoff coverage team could have been better against the Eagles, but the return of fourth-year returner T.J. Rushing from a knee injury that kept him out of last season could make things interesting later in the preseason. Shane Andrus, filling in for K Adam Vinatieri, made three of three field goals. Looking ahead: The focus in the final two preseason games almost certainly will be kickoff coverage, a troublesome area at times in the past and one Caldwell has said must improve.

QUARTERBACKS

Looking back: Peyton Manning, after completing one of two passes for six yards in the preseason opener, wanted more playing time against the Eagles. He got it, and after being sacked three times in six plays in the opener, he also got time to throw against Philadelphia. The result was 10 completions in 14 attemps for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Rookie reserve Curtis Painter continued to show good poise as he fights for a roster spot. Looking ahead: Manning will get his most extensive playing time of the preseason Saturday against Detroit. A focus here, too, will be if backup Jim Sorgi can play after missing two weeks with a hamstring injury. He's returning to practice this week and is expected to try to play.

RUNNING BACKS

Looking back: The prime-time running backs didn't play much against Philadelphia, but when they did play, Joseph Addai and Donald Brown played well. Each ran effectively at times, and as importantly in the Colts' offense, each caught the ball out of the backfield. Reserve Mike Hart sustained an ankle injury and reserve Chad Simpson sustained a shoulder injury. Looking ahead: Fans might get their best preseason chance on Saturday to see how Brown and Addai will be used during the regular season. Still, don't expect the Colts to show much -- it's still only preseason. Saturday will be a major opportunity for reserve Lance Ball. With Hart out and Simpson injured, he likely will get extensive action.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Looking back: Anthony Gonzalez and Reggie Wayne caught touchdown passes of three and 76 yards, respectively, and the more you watch Gonzalez, the more you realize he'll be fine as the starter opposite Wayne, a three-time Pro Bowl selection. Rookie Austin Collie caught two passes for 32 yards against the Eagles and seems to be solidiying a key role as the slot receiver. Looking ahead: Wayne and Gonzalez will play extensively against Detroit, and QB Peyton Manning almost certainly will use the first half to continue developing timing with not only Gonzalez, but Collie and WR Pierre Garcon. Garcon has dropped a couple of passes in preseason and Saturday could be the perfect time for him to get the necessary experience.

TIGHT ENDS

Looking back: After Dallas Clark, Tom Santi and Jacob Tamme missed the preseason opener, Clark and Tamme returner against Philadelphia, and the position immediately became more productive. Tamme, a second-year veteran, led the Colts with five receptions for 60 yards and Clark caught two passes for 25 yards. Looking ahead: It will be interesting to continue watching how the Colts may use Tamme, a receiving tight end with potential to make a regular-season impact. Also worth watching is whether second-year veteran Tom Santi returns from a shoulder injury.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Looking back: After being frustrated and furious after allowing three sacks in six plays in the preseason opener, the first-team line improved dramatically against Philadelphia. They allowed just one sack and allowed QB Peyton Manning time to throw for 167 yards and two touchdowns. LT Charlie Johnson, making his first start after missing the preseason opener after offseason pectoral surgery, allowed a first-quarter sack to Eagles DE Jason Babin. The line also run-blocked effectively early. Looking ahead: This will remain a major storyline throughout the week and the major area to watch offensively Saturday. The left tackle position remains an area of interest with Johnson allowing the sack and with Tony Ugoh -- a starter in 2007 and 2008 -- still competing for the job.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Looking back: The Colts wanted to improve against the run against the Eagles, and they did, allowing 23 yards on 17 carries. Ed Johnson and Antonio Johnson likely will be the starters at tackle, and the duo performed well Friday. DE Dwight Freeney, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, had his first sack of the preseason when he stripped Eagles QB Donovan McNabb of the ball in the first half. Looking ahead: DE Raheem Brock is expected to remain out the rest of the preseason with a hand injury, but the rest of the preseason will be about sorting through a deep depth chart at both end and tackle. Robert Mathis and Freeney will start at end, with the Johnsons in the middle, but beyond that, it's likely players with potential to contribute could be released on cut-down day. Saturday's game could be where some of those decisions get made.

LINEBACKERS

Looking back: One of the few areas where everyone played against Philadelphia. Jordan Senn, a special teams ace a year ago, made six tackles, and may have solidified a roster spot when the team released veteran free-agent signee Adam Seward Saturday. Another player to watch is rookie Ramon Humber, who made two tackles on defense, but added three on special teams. Looking ahead: The focus remains the same, because everyone wants to know just how much this unit will blitz in defensive coordinator Larry Coyer's new scheme. When will that be known? Not likely until September 13 against Jacksonville. That's the regular-season opener.

SECONDARY

Looking back: As was the case the previous week, how do you judge an area when almost no starters play? CBs Kelvin Hayden and Marlin Jackson were out for a second consecutive week, as were S Bob Sanders and S Antoine Bethea. S Melvin Bullitt and had three tackles and a sack. Looking ahead: Jackson was a game-time decision last week and the Colts probably would like him to play in the third preseason game. He missed the last half of last season with a knee injury. Hayden is expected to be out through the preseason, and Sanders is still on the PUP list. One area to watch is the return of S Antoine Bethea, who has been out with a hand injury. This is a deep area, so it can withstand injuries, and CB Jerraud Powers has used two starting opportunities to develop.

MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

Magnificent Seven I: Seven training camp thoughts and observations

Magnificent Seven II: On the Colts' defensive tackle position and WR Reggie Wayne

Magnificent Seven III: On a pair of running backs and the Colts' offensive line

EXAMINER SERIES: TWENTY QUESTIONS WITH THE COLTS . . .

1) Will Jim Sorgi be the backup quarterback?

2) Will Special Teams be Special?

3) Who will be the Colts' breakout player in 2009?

4) Will loss of former Head Coach Tony Dungy hurt in 2009?

5) What will defense look like in 2009?

6) Will DT Ed Johnson impact the defense in 2009?

7) How important is the return of OG Ryan Lilja in 2009?