Indianapolis Colts preseason primer, vol. 3: Five things to watch defensively against Detroit

Indianapolis Colts CB Marlin Jackson (AP Photo)

Indy Football Report Editor John Oehser breaks down the Indianapolis Colts' third game of the 2009 preseason: at Ford Field on Saturday afternoon against the Detroit Lions . . .

PART TWO: DEFENSE

The Indianapolis Colts' third 2009 preseason game is Saturday afternoon, and as is the case on offense, the first-team defense is expected to play into the third quarter. As also is the case offensively, that will represent the most extensive action for the first team in the preseason, with Indianapolis expected to hold many of its top players out of the preseason finale, reserving that game for a final preseason look at young players and veterans fighting for a roster spot.

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So what will be seen this week? What should fans be looking for when the Colts (1-1 in the preseason) visit the Detroit Lions (1-1) at Ford Field in Detroit Saturday at 1 p.m?

Without further delay, five things to watch Saturday when the Colts are on defense:

5) Will we see Marlin? Marlin Jackson, a starting corner the past two seasons, has practiced since the second week of training camp after missing the last half of last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. What Jackson has yet to do this preseason is play a game. Like a lot of Colts starters returning from offseason injuries/surgeries/rehabs, he was held out of the preseason opener as a precautionary measure, then he was a game-time scratch in the second preseason game. The Colts set an NFL record for fewest touchdown passes allowed in a season last season (six), but they are a better team with him in the lineup, and they probably would like him to get a bit of preseason action before the regular-season opener September 13.

4) Under wraps. The new, aggressive defense of first-year coordinator Larry Coyer has remained there (under wraps) during the preseason and it almost certainly will remain there during the rest of the preseason. The Colts rarely blitzed under former Head Coach Tony Dungy and Defensive Coordinator Ron Meeks and players have talked of a more aggressive scheme under Coyer. While the Colts have blitzed a bit during the preseason, they haven't shown much, and why would they in the preseason? The Colts starters will play extensively against the Lions, but expect the schemes to remain a bit plain until the games matter.

3) A deep group. They won't likely be blitzing, but the Colts' linebackers will continue to get experience on Saturday. For the starters, that's needed, because aside from MLB Gary Brackett it's a young starting group. WLB Clint Session started on the strong side last season and will enter his first season starting on the weakside. Brackett said this week he expects Session to flourish in the new role. Philip Wheeler, a second-year veteran, will become an NFL starter for the first time on the strong side and Brackett said he's still in a learning process but showing potential. As for the depth, with former starters Tyuan Hagler and Freddy Keiaho now backups, Brackett -- entering his fifth season as a starter -- said it's as deep a linebacker corps as the Colts have had in some time.

2) The right fits. A year ago, the Colts played a pair of 260ish-pounders at defensive tackle -- Eric Foster and Keyunta Dawson -- much of the season. This season, Foster is competing for a backup role at tackle and Dawson is competing for a backup role at end. In the middle are Ed and Antonio Johnson, each of whom play near or just over 300 pounds. They each have more than size, Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell said recently. They are athletic players who can go sideline to sideline and do more than plug running holes. They started next to one another for the first time last week and the Indianapolis running defense allowed just 23 yards on 17 carries. The Colts would like to see another solid, extended effort before the season opener.

1) Mano-a-mano. The Colts in recent seasons have played predominantly a Cover 2 defense, and as a result, the secondary mostly has played zone defense. Colts President Bill Polian said this week during an interview on the Dan Dakich show on 1070thefan that one of the benefits of Coyer's scheme has been a bit more of an emphasis on man-to-man coverage. Polian said the secondary has improved dramatically in that area -- perhaps even more than he thought possible. How much man-to-man the Colts use during the regular season remains to be seen, but the progess there remains an area to watch in the final two preseason games.

MAGNIFICENT SEVENS

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 the Colts' running backs and offensive line

Magnificent Seven IV: On the Colts' offense, OG Ryan Lilja and WR Anthony Gonzalez

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?