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Indianapolis Colts 2009 midseason report (part one): Offense
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Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 2009 MIDSEASON REPORT | OFFENSE
INDY FOOTBALL REPORT Editor John Oehser examines the Indianapolis Colts' offense through the first eight games of the 2009 NFL season (PART ONE OF TWO PARTS) . . .
PART TWO: DEFENSE
Quarterback: What can you say? Colts QB Peyton Manning last season won his third Most Valuable Player Award in six seasons, and through eight games, he is playing at at least as a high a level. Through six games, the nine-time Pro Bowl selection was playing at a level few at the position ever had reached, and if he seems to have fallen off the last two weeks, it's equally true that even in the last two games he is playing at a higher level than most. The Colts haven't been as efficient in the red zone the last two weeks and Manning has thrown just one touchdown in that span, but consider his statistics against San Francisco and Houston: 65 of 98 passing, 665 yards and a touchdown with one interception. He has thrown for 300 yards in seven of eight games, but instead of listing superlatives just know he has played without WR Anthony Gonzalez all season and his team is 8-0. Looking forward: A real chance for a fourth MVP.
Running back: This area has been analyzed and scrutinized and will continue to be so through the season. Joseph Addai has started eight games, and in the last two games has thrown a touchdown pass, run for a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass. With Donald Brown out the last two games, Indianapolis' run game doesn't have the breakaway potential it had with him, but Addai ran ran hard and effectively this past week against the Titans. Looking forward: If Brown gets healthy and Addai remains so this tandem should remain potent – if the line can improve run blocking.
Tight end: Dallas Clark is on pace to set an NFL record for receptions by a tight end. Even if he doesn't do that, he seems destined for an overdue first Pro Bowl appearance. Clark began his career in an offense in which the tight end was a something of a complimentary position and as he has developed, it has become a focal point of one of the NFL's best offenses. Looking forward: A Pro Bowl trip for Clark seems likely, but will defenses adjust to stop him?
Wide receiver: Reggie Wayne seems on his way to another Pro Bowl, and he is playing at a level few receivers reach. He, Clark, Manning and DE Dwight Freeney are the most irreplaceable players on the roster, and he continues to be as reliable, productive and professional as any player at the position. What has made the Colts' start particularly impressive is they have done it without any experienced depth behind Wayne at the receiver position. Manning has done a remarkable job squeezing production from second-year veteran Pierre Garcon, who has been inconsistent at times, and rookie WR Austin Collie has been a major factor early. Collie may not have had his best game Sunday against Houston, but rookies don't have their best games every week. That's why Manning talked shortly after Gonzalez's injury about the importance of getting him back. He gives the Colts a reliable presence opposite Wayne, and the Colts seem to have missed that in recent weeks. Looking forward: Getting Gonzalez back could be the critical storyline entering December.
Offensive line: This group spent the offseason vowing improvement from a year ago, and while they have taken strides, they're not yet thrilled with the progress. They're also still searching for a permanent lineup, which perhaps they found this past week. Kyle DeVan, a guard/center who signed from Arena Football League 2 in the offseason, had been sharing time with second-year veteran and 2008 second-round draft pick Mike Pollak for much of the season, but DeVan started Sunday and played throughout. That comes after Charlie Johnson – a 2006 sixth-round selection was moved into the starting lineup over 2007 second-round selection Tony Ugoh in the offseason. That makes the offensive line RT Ryan Diem, DeVan, three-time Pro Bowl C Jeff Saturday, G Ryan Lilja and Johnson going forward. The unit has allowed five sacks in the last two games after allowing two in the first six games, and while there were reasons for several of the sacks – read: quality coverage – this group never is happy when Manning gets hit. The major issue remains run blocking. The Colts have shown signs of improving in the running game, and against Houston,they were effective in the fourth quarter, but they're still ranked No. 29 in the NFL and when you talk to the offensive linemen, they're still not happy with the area. Looking forward: The improvement of the running game will remain a focus for this area.
Reviewing Bill Polian’s Weekly radio show:
Part 1: Bob Sanders likely to return. Here
Part 2: “We are always going to want the football” Here
Part 3: Matchup with New England Patriots “One of 16″ Here
Part 4: Jerraud Powers Rookie of the Year? Here
RECENT COLTS NEWS
* S Bob Sanders placed on injured reserve. Here.
* LB Tyjuan Hagler on IR. Here.
*** CATCH UP WITH ALL THINGS COLTS ON INDY FOOTBALL REPORT. HERE
*** READ JOHN OEHSER'S INDIANA PACERS COVERAGE. HERE.
*** COFFEE WITH THE COLTS: NEXT DAY LOOK AT COLTS-TEXANS. HERE
*** TEXANS-COLTS GAME STORY. HERE (INCLUDES PHOTO GALLERY)
*** QUOTING THE COLTS. WHAT THEY WERE SAYING AFTER HOUSTON. HERE
*** IFR EDITOR JOHN OEHSER ON COLTS DE DWIGHT FREENEY: HERE
MAGNIFICENT SEVENS: WEEKLY COLTS THOUGHTS . . .
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
Magnificent Seven V: On S Melvin Bullitt and QB Peyton Manning
Magnificent Seven VI: On RB Donald Brown and the start of the season . . . at last
Magnificent Seven VII: On WR Reggie Wayne, the OL and blitzing
Magnificent Seven VIII: On WR Reggie Wayne, QB Peyton Manning and DE Dwight Freeney
Magnificent Seven IX: On DE Robert Mathis, S Bob Sanders and DE Dwight Freeney
Magnificent Seven X: On QB Peyton Manning's start and life without DT Ed Johnson
Magnificent Seven XI: On RB rotation, DE Dwight Freeney and S Bob Sanders
Magnificent Seven XII: On WR Reggie Wayne, TE Dallas Clark and running game
Magnificent Seven XIII: On offensive balance and resting QB Peyton Manning
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