A pre-training camp, position-by-position look at the 2009 Indianapolis Colts: The Centers

June 29, 12:50 PMIndianapolis Colts ExaminerJohn Oehser

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In the seventh of a position-by-position series, we'll examine the Indianapolis Colts' center position entering 2009 training camp . . .

The Indianapolis Colts' center position is a stable one entering 2009, with much of that stability coming from one early offseason move.

That move was the signing of three-time Pro Bowl selection Jeff Saturday shortly before the start of unrestricted free agency. The signing was possible because of a late increase in the NFL's salary cap, and the increase kept a player Colts officials and player believe is vital to the offense. Saturday is a veteran leader who calls blocking assignments at the line of scrimmage at the same time Colts nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback Peyton Manning is calling the offensive audibles, and Saturday's ability to read and decipher defenses quickly is key to the team's no-huddle offense. Saturday's re-signing give the Colts a quality front-line player at the spot, and the presence of not only Steve Justice, but Jamey Richard gives them some security if Saturday becomes injured. Justice played sparingly as a rookie, but Richard -- although listed as a guard -- started four games at center and can give the Colts quality games when called upon.

Breaking down the Colts' center positon . . .

Jeff Saturday, 11th season, North Carolina. If there was any doubt about Saturday's value to the offense it vanished early this offseason when the Colts made the major move of re-signing him. The team typically does not re-sign players with more than 10 years in the NFL, and when they give a veteran of so many years a multi-year deal it's almost always an irreplacable core player. Saturday made three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2005-2007 and there's little reason to think he wouldn't have made a fourth in succession last season if he hadn't missed four games with two separate injuries. Saturday is key to the Colts' offense not only because of his ability as a pass and run blocker, but because of his advanced knowledge of the offense. He knows what quarterback Peyton Manning's calling at the line of scrimmage nearly as quickly as Manning does, an important enough factor that the offense couldn't be run at its usual pace when he was out early last season. Outlook: Pro Bowl is a reputation award, so Saturday may have trouble returning this season because of a perception that he's past his prime. But make no mistake: his February re-signing was one of the two most important offseason moves for the Colts.

Steve Justice, second season, Wake Forest. Justice, a sixth-round selection in the 2008 NFL Draft, was an All-America center at Wake Forest, but he played more guard than center as a rookie. He started one game at guard early in the season then was inactive for two months before being re-activated for the regular-season finale and a playoff loss at San Diego. Outlook: He may need to show development from last season to secure a spot in the line rotation.

Jamey Richard, second season, Buffalo. He was mentioned in the position-by-position breakdown at guard, too, because as is the case with many members of the line he is considered more of an "interior offensive lineman" than any particular position. Richard said recently he'll start calling himself a "guard" or a "center" when he earns a position, but not before. He started seven games last season -- four at center in place of Saturday and three at guard, so if he doesn't earn a starting position soon, at the very least he's what winning teams and productive offenses must have: a reliable, multiposition backup who can play near a starter's level. Though not listed as a pure "center," it's likely he would move to center if Saturday were unable to play. Outlook: If he doesn't earn a starting job, it's likely he will play extensively somewhere as a backup.

Synopsis

The strength of this position depends largely upon the health of Saturday. As long as he plays, the Colts are as good here as any team in the NFL. If he's not on the lineup, the Colts' offense has trouble running its no-huddle offense as quickly as normal, and the offense's productivity dropped markedly when he was out last season.

Starter: Saturday.

On the roster: Justice, Richard.

THE POSITION-BY-POSITION PRE-TRAINING CAMP SERIES: 

• The QUARTERBACKS
• The RUNNING BACKS
• The TIGHT ENDS
• The WIDE RECEIVERS
• The OFFENSIVE TACKLES
• The OFFENSIVE GUARDS

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