Originally Posted by Metaphors

I think the real question is if the replacements at DT and OT can hold their own and gel with the players around them. Essentially just avoid being a glaring weak link that requires adjustment from the rest of the unit to avoid disaster.

With this in mind, I think the Colts should be able to juggle their tackles reasonably well without impacting the overall offense (no long passes, keeping extra TE/RB in to protect, running to the opposite side, etc.). Not that I think Glenn's performance can be replaced this year...just that the Colt offense can absorb the relative drop in productivity from the LT without collapsing.

The situation at DT is a little more dicey. How many players will the Colts have to put in the box to compensate for DT? Will the DE's have to hesitate a half-second to avoid huge draw plays? Will the safeties have to make a living 5 yards from the line of scrimmage? Will this leave the new starters at corner on an island more they would like?

Remember the Pats were a "1992 Steve Martin" from potentially winning 4 in a row. Not that he was a bad player (ok, he was), but his inability to do what was expected of him forced the entire defensive unit to adjust.

The Colts face a litany of teams with solid running games + defenses good enough to prevent a shoot-out:

DEN, @JAX, @CAR, NE, @SD, JAX, @BAL

There is also a reasonable chance that the Colts will need to get through 2 or 3 of those AFC teams in the playoffs to get back to the SB. I'm not predicting the Colts will suck, but I'm also questioning the prevailing sentiment in the media that the Colts can withstand almost any loss (outside of Manning, Freeney and Sanders). They are paper-thin right now and will need some good fortune to have the type of season expected of them.

The JAX/CAR/NE/SD stretch is in consecutive weeks just after their bye. That gives them a reasonable amount of time to get everything sorted out. If they don't (and don't at least split those 4 games), that may be enough to cost them home field, first round bye or even their division. So look for how the overall Colt defense is performing in the 1st five games. Deep passes allowed, sacks, completion percentage, etc. If those opposing offenses seem comfortable, watch out.

Originally Posted by DaBruinz

Personally, a LOT depends on the LT. Manning is an extremely good QB, but if Ugoh or Johnson can't step up and be adequate on a regular basis, then Manning isn't going to have the time to throw the ball that he needs. And, with the plethora of outstanding DEs that the Colts are going to face, its pretty certain that their entire offense hinges on that position. If Manning gets sacked more than 20-25 times this season, there's a good chance that he'll be disrupted enough where the offense won't click.

Originally Posted by DaBruinz

A very good synopsis, Metaphor.

Personally, a LOT depends on the LT. Manning is an extremely good QB, but if Ugoh or Johnson can't step up and be adequate on a regular basis, then Manning isn't going to have the time to throw the ball that he needs. And, with the plethora of outstanding DEs that the Colts are going to face, its pretty certain that their entire offense hinges on that position. If Manning gets sacked more than 20-25 times this season, there's a good chance that he'll be disrupted enough where the offense won't click.

The LT position was also the side where the Colts ran the ball the best last year. With both Rhodes AND Addai.

So, a LOT is riding on Ugoh and/or Johnson.

Originally Posted by Bo0MeR

I believe you are overestimating the importance of one position. Manning calls his own plays, if he see's Ugoh isn't handling pressure very well he will *shock* not run plays where the LT position will seriously compromise himself. When has Manning ever been sacked 20-25 times in a season??

Originally Posted by Bo0MeR

I believe you are overestimating the importance of one position. Manning calls his own plays, if he see's Ugoh isn't handling pressure very well he will *shock* not run plays where the LT position will seriously compromise himself. When has Manning ever been sacked 20-25 times in a season??

Originally Posted by BelichickFan

There's only one way to gameplan to offset a bad LT in the passing game, that's to give him help which is a detriment to what they're trying to do. I'm not saying the LT will be bad, I have no clue, but the Colts will have to move protection over there if that's the case. On the running thing, DaBruinz' point was the stats say he was their better run blocker - that's why the RB had better success to that side.

Originally Posted by DaBruinz

5) To answer your question since you don't know your own team, Manning was sacked more than 20 times in 98,2000,2001, and 2002.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/foo.../players/4256/

The Colts record those years: 3-13, 10-6, 6-10, 10-6. Respectively.
Its also interesting to note that 1998, 2001, and 2002, were Manning's worst years in terms of interceptions thrown.

Now, even if we discount 1998 and 2000 and just look at 2001 and 2002, we see that Manning had 53 TDs, 42 INTs and took 52 sacks.

Originally Posted by DaBruinz

1) How am I over-estimating the importance of the offensive tackle protecting Manning's blind-side?

2) I know that, for better or for worse, Manning calls his own plays. And when they fail its not his fault. Its always someone else's. Also, if Manning has to shift the play calling away from that side, it actually helps the defense because it limits Manning's options.

3) If the LT is failing, Manning won't have the time to run plays anywhere because he'll be on his back.

4) I said IF (do you understand what that word means) Manning gets sacked 20-25 times this season, there is a good chance he'll be disrupted enough where the offense won't click.

5) To answer your question since you don't know your own team, Manning was sacked more than 20 times in 98,2000,2001, and 2002.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/foo.../players/4256/

The Colts record those years: 3-13, 10-6, 6-10, 10-6. Respectively.
Its also interesting to note that 1998, 2001, and 2002, were Manning's worst years in terms of interceptions thrown.

Now, even if we discount 1998 and 2000 and just look at 2001 and 2002, we see that Manning had 53 TDs, 42 INTs and took 52 sacks.

BTW, If you look at last year's rookie OTs, the best one still allowed 5 sacks. IF Ugoh does unbelievably like McNeill, then there will be no worries. But I don't know if a guy like Ugoh can pick up all the correct blocking assignments in the Colts complicated offense that easily.

If he does, bully for the Colts. But, if not, then there'll be issues.

Originally Posted by Bo0MeR

I believe you are overestimating the importance of one position. Manning calls his own plays, if he see's Ugoh isn't handling pressure very well he will *shock* not run plays where the LT position will seriously compromise himself. When has Manning ever been sacked 20-25 times in a season??