Indianapolis Colts: How Jim Caldwell Can Improve the Run Game in 2011

The Colts are not built to be a top rushing team. With Peyton Manning slinging the football to his vast assortment of receiving weapons, yards on the ground often become an afterthought to them. It showed last year.

The Colts ranked 29th in the NFL in 2010 and averaged a paltry 92.7 rushing yards per game. In addition, their break-away threat was minimal, with only 10 runs that exceeded 20 yards.

The story in the passing game was vastly different, with the Colts ranking first in the NFL. With 288.1 yards per game through the air, Indianapolis used their potent passing to compensate for their meager rushing attack.

To become an even better offense in 2011, the Colts need to improve how they run the ball. Short yardage situations have been a continual bugbear for this team. They've often been unable to convert in 3rd (and 4th) and short situations because their running backs have had difficulty breaking through for those extra inches.

The offense needs to increase their efficiency this season, and the best way they can do that is to get better at running the football. Below is a short run-down (there's your pun for the day) of a few of the ways that head coach Jim Caldwell can improve the run game this season.

Give the ball to Delone Carter

4th round draft pick Carter showed up to play at camp and in preseason. He impressed the Colts staff with his acceleration and cutting ability. His strength and power at the point of attack are what the team really craves, however.

Carter should be able to come in immediately this year and help to push the pile in those short yardage situations. Since the Colts linemen aren't great at run blocking (their primary priority is keeping Manning upright) having a guy in the backfield who can bull through a few attempted tackles will be a fantastic asset in 2011.

Caldwell needs to give Carter shots at converting those short yardage plays early and often this year.

Get the best group of offensive linemen on the field together

In the wake of another uninspiring preseason, one of the biggest concerns heading into the games that count has to be the offensive line. These guys haven't come together well, and there will be at least three new faces in the regular rotation. 

Jeff Saturday will certainly anchor the middle of the line, as he has for the last decade. Beyond him, however, there will be lots of questions. How will Ryan Diem adapt to sliding over from right tackle to right guard? How will rookies Ben Ijalana and Anthony Castonzo perform in their first year? Will Joe Reitz hold his own at left guard?

If Caldwell can figure out the best crew of offensive linemen, the running game will improve. Last year, the line suffered from poor play and inconsistent blocking. The retooled offensive line needs to gel quickly in order to bust open holes for the running backs.

When the Colts won the Super Bowl after the 2006 season, they ran their way effectively through the playoffs, culminating in a fantastic showing from Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai against the Chicago Bears.

The Colts are at their best when the running game and the passing game complement each other.  

Use designed running plays with Brody Eldridge as a blocker

Unlike Dallas Clark, second year tight end Eldridge is a good blocker. Clark is a glorified wide receiver, which is excellent for the team. But for running situations, Caldwell can use the physical Eldridge to help to open holes as a lead blocker.

It seems unlikely the Colts will ever utilize a fullback in their offense. In lieu of the fullback, Eldridge can bring a similar toughness to the running game. Addai can be an effective back, but his tendency to dance behind the line can get him into trouble. If offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen can design a few plays that enable Addai to make one quick cut and then dive through a hole, the Colts running game will improve this year.

Set up the run with the pass

The Colts are a throw-first team. And why shouldn't they be? They have arguably the best passer in the history of the NFL.

This year Caldwell and Christensen can continue to be aggressive in the passing game. That way when they do run the ball, they will take teams who have back-loaded their defense for pass coverage by surprise.

I don't expect that the Colts will be significantly better in the running game this year. Respectable will be enough, though. If they can get better as the season progresses and do their best work on the ground in the playoffs, then they could make yet another run to the Super Bowl.

While their season truly hinges on Manning's health, an improved running game will certainly help the team (and Manning) in 2011.