Colts vs. Packers: What to Watch for in This Year's Hall of Fame Game
Everyone rejoice, because football is officially back once the Indianapolis Colts take the field Sunday against the Green Bay Packers at the newly remodeled Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
Of course, preseason games aren't the most exciting events and Brett Favre's Hall of Fame induction will overshadow the weekend's festivities, but it's still live football.
The mistake would be overlooking multiple intriguing storylines that will kick into high gear during preseason.
Even if the game can't be framed around a quarterback duel that would normally feature Andrew Luck and Aaron Rodgers, the competitions within the competition will create drama as multiple players battle for starting or roster spots.
The preseason is where hopes and dreams flourish before the hard realities of the NFL regular season occur.
Both teams look to rebound this fall after disappointing losses to end last season. The Packers suffered a 26-20 overtime playoff defeat to the Arizona Cardinals, while Luck's trip to injured reserve due to a lacerated kidney effectively ended the Colts' 2015 campaign.
Each of these franchises has high expectations this season, but they also have glaring holes which need to be addressed. Sunday's contest will be the first step toward finding answers.
Backup Plans
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Let's quickly get this one out of the way: Aaron Rodgers isn't expected to play Sunday, while Andrew Luck shouldn't be on the field for long, according to NFL.com's Marc Sessler.
Instead, NFL fans will be treated to a duel between a series of backup quarterbacks. Some might consider this a yawnfest, but it's an opportunity to see where both teams stand if their franchise stars suffer an injury. Recent history suggests that could become a reality.
Luck only played in seven games last season after suffering a lacerated kidney, and the Colts played four other quarterbacks in his place. Rodgers missed seven games in 2013 with a broken collarbone.
When an offensive line struggles—like both of these teams experienced last year—one hit to the quarterback can change a season. As such, it's important to see how the team's backups can handle the offense and perform under pressure.
The Green Bay Packers' Brett Hundley isn't expected to play due to an ankle injury. As a result, Joe Callahan and Marquise Williams will be showcased.
Meanwhile, the Colts' Scott Tolzien is a steady presence, but he's only made six regular-season appearances.
All of these young signal-callers need playing time to ready themselves for spot duty. And they'll likely get plenty of run in the preseason.
"It's hard to say workload with the amount of plays I've played the last few years in preseason," Rodgers said Monday, per ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky.
Neither Rodgers nor Luck should expect to play much this preseason. It's an unnecessary risk.
Eddie Lacy's Streamlined Physique
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The Green Bay Packers' Eddie Lacy couldn't take it anymore. Jokes and comments about his weight finally forced the running back to do something about his bulbous frame.
"I'm tired of talking about it," Lacy said after the Packers' first training camp session, per Yahoo Sports' Eric Edholm. "I'm pretty sure you all are tired of asking about it. I’m tired of hearing about it everywhere I go. I’m done with that."
Neither Lacy nor the team specified how much weight the running back lost, but he's noticeably trimmer during camp sessions. Fox Sports' Brett Smiley estimated Lacy lost 15-20 pounds.
How will the weight loss affect Lacy's play?
The Alabama product can no longer be considered a wrecking ball at running back. The slimmer version can be aptly described as a sledgehammer. In all seriousness, Lacy couldn't continue playing at a heavier weight.
Last year, the talented runner struggled through his worst season. He plodded through holes and didn't display the same explosiveness seen earlier in his career. As a result, he posted career lows in carries, yards and touchdowns.
Lacy at full explosiveness would make the Packers offense more dangerous. Aaron Rodgers is already one of the best quarterbacks in the business, but a consistent and dynamic running attack creates even more space for the passing game.
Green Bay's workhorse might only get a carry or two Sunday, but how he looks will be worth watching.
Different Stories for Fellow 1st-Round Picks
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One of the most exciting aspects of preseason is finally getting to see highly regarded draft picks in their new uniforms.
Ryan Kelly is no longer the Rimington Trophy-winning center for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He's Andrew Luck's new batterymate with the Indianapolis Colts.
Kenny Clark no longer dominates in the middle of the UCLA Bruins' defense. He'll now be asked to fill B.J. Raji's ample shoes as the Green Bay Packers' nose tackle.
Unfortunately, these two won't face each other Sunday.
Kelly missed practice this week due to a shoulder strain, and he won't play in the contest, according to the Indianapolis Star's Stephen Holder. Clark will play, and he appears ready to play at a high level.
"I think Kenny is doing a good job, but particularly at the line of scrimmage you can’t have enough reps with guys getting after it and getting their pads set and playing with triple extension throughout their ankles, knees and hips and getting their pads right and pad level down," Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tom Silverstein.
The rookie's teammates already speak highly of the 20-year-old nose tackle.
"I think he's strong, and he plays really low off the ball," Green Bay offensive lineman J.C. Tretter said of Clark, per ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky.
While it would have been exciting to watch these two first-rounders clash, the Colts are going to play it safe with Kelly, whereas Clark is ready for his first action in a green and yellow uniform.
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Packers' 1st-Year Sensation Blake Martinez
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First-round picks are always fun to watch, because the team has big plans after investing a lot in them. However, the most important rookie on the Green Bay Packers roster this season just might be fourth-round pick Blake Martinez.
The Packers entered the offseason with a massive question mark at inside linebacker.
Would Clay Matthews remain inside or return to outside linebacker? Would general manager Ted Thompson address either linebacker spot in the draft? Who could the team find to immediately step in and not be overwhelmed?
With the 131st overall pick, Thompson chose the Stanford linebacker. Martinez excelled from Day 1 of training camp, and he's already working with the first team. The rookie especially excelled in pass coverage and found himself in the defense's sub-packages.
"Right now base and nickel, mainly, and then I've been running with the 1s in the dime package and stuff like that," Martinez said, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Bob McGinn and Tom Silverstein. "I've been working on it and doing what they need me to do, as long as I can get the job done."
Sunday's contest will be a chance to prove his play on the practice field translates during a live game. If Martinez isn't overwhelmed, he could be the team's answer at inside linebacker.
Colts' Running Back Rotation
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Frank Gore is 33 years old. He's no longer capable of being a workhorse running back, yet he's being asked to start another year for the Indianapolis Colts.
The Colts coaching staff is going to monitor his workload, though.
"I don't like the word 'pitch count,'" offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski said last weekend, per the Indianapolis Star's Stephen Holder. "But I think the word is that we have to be smart in making sure that we have a rotation that keeps [Gore] fresh and effective throughout the course of the season."
What other option does Indianapolis have? The team's running back depth chart outside of Gore is depressing.
General manager Ryan Grigson didn't make a significant upgrade even after finishing 29th overall in rushing offense last season. The organization signed Jordan Todman and Robert Turbin as unrestricted free agents—who combined to carry the ball 54 times for 221 yards a year ago—and added rookie Josh Ferguson after the draft.
Clearly, the organization felt bigger problems existed along the offensive line since the Colts selected four new blockers. Yet running back remains a gaping maw of uncertainty.
Gore will need help carrying the load.
Thus, Todman, Turbin, Ferguson or another running back on the roster needs to flash during preseason.
Packers' Secondary Concerns
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The Green Bay Packers secondary is in upheaval, but it's a good problem to have.
General manager Ted Thompson invested heavily in defensive backs over the last two years when he spent a pair of first-round picks and a second-round selection respectively on Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins. He also found a potential steal in undrafted free agent LaDarius Gunter.
Clinton-Dix is the one constant at free safety, while the other three continue to battle for starting spots.
"We want to try as many guys as we can, play them in all different positions," defensive coordinator Dom Capers said, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tom Silverstein. "Obviously, when you get into the season, an injury here and there, the more a guy can do. It’s one of the things we think we do have with both Damarious and Quinten."
Rollins has been the standout. Last year's second-round pick is finally coming into his own after playing basketball for four years at Miami University (of Ohio). Now in his third year on the gridiron, he's pushing for a starting spot opposite veteran Sam Shields or Randall.
Gunter is also staking his claim to be the team's nickel corner.
"I didn't think he would play as well inside as he has," cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt Jr. said, per the Journal Sentinel's Michael Cohen. "I've been really, really pleased with his understanding of the passing routes and working with the backers and safeties. I think he's done an outstanding job of that."
The competition between these three young cornerbacks will go well into the preseason and possibly even the regular season, but the team's rotation Sunday could indicate which one has the edge to start in certain situations.
Who Will Be the Colts' Starting Right Guard?
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Four of the five starting spots along the Indianapolis Colts offensive line appear settled, but right guard remains a thorny subject.
The offensive played a major role in why Indianapolis cycled through five quarterbacks last season and couldn't get the ground game going.
As a result, general manager Ryan Grigson spent four draft picks to address the problem. Yet a 2015 seventh-round pick appears to have the edge at right guard.
Mars Hill product Denzelle Good has received the "bulk of work with the first team", according to Kevin Bowen of the team's official site.
Offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski won't name Good the starter, though. He simply referred to Good as the "front-runner," per the Anderson Herald Bulletin's George Bremer.
The small-school product is outperforming expectations, but he's still a work in progress.
Good explained the process, per the Indianapolis Star's Stephen Holder:
"Playing tackle, you can have a guy lined up so wide that it’s like you're covering a receiver. But at guard, he's right in your face. As soon as we snap the ball, you have to get your hands up quick or you’re going to get driven right into the quarterback's lap. The pace of the game is a lot faster on the inside.
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Before the right guard competition is decided, 25-year-old veteran Hugh Thornton will be given an opportunity to earn the spot. The former third-round pick has already started 32 games, including 12 last year, and he's in the best shape of his life, according to the Indianapolis Star's Zak Keefer.
Rookie Joe Haeg and third-year blocker Jonotthan Harrison are also in the mix, but Good and Thornton are the primary options. Their play in preseason will likely be the deciding factor.
Richard Rodgers' Role Within Packers Offense
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To address lingering concerns at tight end, the Green Bay Packers dipped into free agency to sign veteran Jared Cook.
The team's homegrown talent didn't live up to expectations a year ago, as Richard Rodgers struggled to establish himself.
However, Rodgers isn't ready to take a back seat to Cook.
"Every position has competition," Rodgers said, per ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky. "But it's not like a personal challenge or anything like that. We know as a group it's going to be a group effort."
The younger tight end continues to benefit from Cook's absence, though. The offseason addition remains on the Packers' PUP list after having foot surgery in June.
"I'm not concerned [about Cook's health]," head coach Mike McCarthy told The MMQB's Peter King at the start of camp.
Right now, the team's free-agent signing isn't on the field, and Rodgers excelled in his absence. The Cal product is down 15-20 pounds from last season. This has allowed him to become more effective with his route running.
"It's not a huge difference, but it makes a big difference with the timing with Aaron [Rodgers] and getting used to it," Richard Rodgers told Wes Hodkiewicz of the team's official site. "Being able to run full speed the whole time instead of three or four plays just running full speed. Now I can run full speed every time I run a route."
The Rodgers-to-Rodgers connection has the potential to be successful if the tight end continues to perform at the same level throughout the preseason and into the regular season.
Quan Bray's Transition from Specialist to Legit Target
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Andrew Luck's top three targets are obvious with T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief and Phillip Dorsett, but the team's fourth option remains in question.
Last year, the Indianapolis Colts attempted to extend the depth chart with the signing of veteran Andre Johnson. That didn't go according to plan. Johnson set career lows in receptions and receiving yardage when playing a full 16-game slate.
The young targets must now take on bigger roles and make plays, while another receiver toward the bottom of the depth chart needs to make an impact. Quan Bray is the most likely candidate.
The second-year target served as the Colts' primary returner last season, but he didn't catch a single pass. His status should change this season.
"Quan Bray, who's been a great returner for us, has really stepped up," quarterback Andrew Luck said after the first week of training camp, per ESPN.com's Mike Wells.
Head coach Chuck Pagano added, "His skill set, we all know, is appropriate for the position. He can make plays and make-miss ability out in the open field."
Bray's ability to create after the catch can add a different dynamic to an already dangerous receiver corps with Hilton's all-around skills, Moncrief's size and Dorsett's speed.
Is It Jeff Janis' Time to Shine?
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jeff Janis is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.
At times, the young target looks like a bona fide stud—like he did against the Arizona Cardinals in the divisional round of the playoffs when he caught seven passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns in the Packers' overtime loss.
His raw physical tools are obvious. He's 6'3" and 219 pounds, and he was unofficially clocked with a 4.30-second 40-yard-dash at the combine (official 4.42).
Other times, he appears to be every bit the project many expected coming out of Saginaw Valley State.
"It's like a marriage. He's got to work through it," quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt said of Rodgers' relationship with Janis, per ESPN.com's Jason Wilde. "There's going to be bumps in the road. The longer you're together, the closer you become."
Part of the young receiver's maturation is getting in sync with his quarterback.
"[Rodgers will] go over after his set of reps and talk through it with them, especially with Jeff Janis," Van Pelt said. "They’re getting a good relationship now, working together and talking about what they expect from each other. So that’s been very positive."
Consistency is the key, because he faces stiff competition for Green Bay's third or fourth receiver spots with Davante Adams, Jared Abbrederis, Trevor Davis and Ed Williams in the mix.
Janis' preseason performance could determine whether he is a big part of the Packers offense this season or another case of lost opportunity.
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