Collins, Manning and a Fullback, Oh My: 3 Ways the Colts Offense Will Change

It's a dark, chilly day in Indianapolis. And it's not just the cloud cover and unseasonably cool temperatures. Colts fans found out today that Peyton Manning will miss the season opener against the Houston Texans this Sunday. Not only that, but there is also speculation that he could miss much more time in the wake of a surgery on his neck that has not rehabbed as quickly as anticipated.

While we can only watch and hope that Manning will return in a few games rather than being put on IR for the season, we also know that the Colts without Peyton still have a fighting chance to make some noise in the AFC South.

The defense will be improved in 2011. In addition, the Colts receivers are healthier than last year and will be ready to make things happen in the passing game.

But it won't be easy to replace a guy who will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Let's take a look a few ways that the Colts offense will need to change as the reality sets in that Kerry Collins slinging the ball instead of Manning.

The Colts Will Emphasize the Running Game More to Start the Season

While the Colts haven't had a truly effective running game since their push to the Super Bowl in 2006 and 2007, they do have backs who can carry the rock effectively.

Last year, they were ranked 29th in the league running the football, but their potent aerial attack compensated for their paltry yards-per-carry and yards-per-game. The Colts have been at the leading edge of the wave of pass-first offenses, and with Manning at the helm, theirs is the most efficient pass attack in the league.

With Collins under center, the Colts will need to rely more heavily on their running game. They have historically been a good situational running team.

Joseph Addai is an excellent all-around back who blocks well, catches passes with alacrity out of the backfield and has good field vision. Donald Brown has not performed as well as his first-round draft status should warrant, but he does have good acceleration and has the strength to run through would-be tacklers.

These two guys need to step up their games in 2011. Addai got a new contract to continue to be Manning's security blanket, so he should feel well-appreciated.

Brown knows he has to be better this season. He needs to improve how he sees the field and how he blocks for the passing game. He survived cut day, though, so the Colts are clearly giving him the chance to prove himself before he becomes a free agent. I expect him to be a better back in 2011.

Rookie Delone Carter looked strong in preseason, and as a more powerful, bruising back, he'll bring a new dimension to the running game this year. Undrafted free agent rookie Darren Evans made the team as a fourth string back. He'll probably be spotted on special teams most of the time, but he demonstrated good cutting ability and quick feet the past couple months.

Collins will need to rely on these backs to rip off good yardage so that he's not forced into frequently converting 3rd and longs. If opposing teams' defense know that it's an obvious passing situation, they will bring a heavy rush. Collins just isn't fast enough in the pocket (and he doesn't have as quick of a release as Manning) to avoid the pressure consistently. 

Another wrinkle that we'll see from the Colts this season is the addition of a fullback to the running game. The team picked up Chris Gronkowski off of waivers earlier this week. Gronkowski played for the Dallas Cowboys last year and is a big body who can help to open holes for the Colts halfbacks.

The Colts haven't had a fullback on the roster very often with Manning under center. They really only have one true blocking tight end (Brody Eldridge) and so Gronkowski will have an immediate and important role on the team.

Look for a much higher yards-per-carry for the Colts this year as they try to balance their offense to compensate for a less effective passing game.

Passing Game Will Feature More Dump Offs and Short Passes

When the news hit that the Colts had signed Collins, Reggie Wayne infamously said, "we ain't vanilla, man, we ain't no simple offense."

He was right, of course. With Manning changing the calls at the line of scrimmage based on what he saw from the defense, the Colts had an array of offensive options ready for different situations. Wayne spoke up to defend third-string QB Curtis Painter by intimating that at least Painter knew the offense from being the backup for the past two seasons.

The problem with that logic, however, is that knowing the offense and being able to execute the offense are very different things. Painter never showed that he could actually get the job done. He pocket presence is deplorable and he hasn't met a bad decision that he didn't make.  

Collins performed well in his Colts debut against the Cincinnati Bengals in the last preseason game. He still has great arm strength and good accuracy. As a grizzled veteran, he has seen all sorts of coverages and defensive packages.

Despite all these good aspects of Collins' game, the Colts will still need to adapt the passing game to his skill set. He's just not as proficient at getting rid of the football quickly and finding the right receiver as Manning is.

I expect to see more dump offs to the running backs (all of whom are good pass-catchers) and more tight end targets. Collins won't have the deep understanding of each receivers' style to start the season like Manning does. He'll need to rely on Dallas Clark's soft hands and Austin Collie and Reggie Wayne's precise routes over the middle.

Fortunately for Collins and the Colts, their receivers and tight ends are excellent at finding holes in coverage, and that part of the game will be reliably excellent to start the year.

Colts Offensive Line Will Need to Be More Effective

Along with the defensive secondary, the Colts offensive line has the most question marks heading into 2011.

After being one of the best pass-blocking units in the NFL during the middle part of the past decade, they have steadily gotten worse. After Tarik Glenn retired at left tackle in 2007, the Colts have been unable to develop young talent along the line.

This year will be transitional for the Colts O-line. Rookie Anthony Castonzo is in at left tackle. He was hit and miss during preseason, and he's likely to struggle at times at one of the more difficult positions on the field. Ryan Diem has been moved from right tackle to right guard, and unproven second-year man Joe Reitz will be the left guard. Jeff Linkenback and Ben Ijalana will probably split time at right tackle, and as younger players, neither of those guys will be amazing this year.

Despite all these new faces, the O-line will need to step up with Collins under center. They need to develop that nasty attitude that is needed to effectively run block and push around defensive linemen. Pass blocking takes more finesse and technique; run blocking is more about strength and "want to."

Offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen and head coach Jim Caldwell won't be able to rely on Manning's incredible field vision, leadership and quick decision-making. Having Collins under center will mean that the coaching staff will need to become a bit more vanilla in their play-calling. 

This doesn't mean that they will be terrible, as many pundits have suggested.

The defense will be much better this year. They are stronger at defensive tackle than they have ever been (Drake Nevis will be a beast this year, I guarantee). Linebacker additions Ernie Sims and Adrian Moten will be nice players and their secondary certainly can't be ravaged as horrifically as it was in 2010.

A Manning-less Colts team will be different, but there is still reason for hope that they will make the playoffs due to a more effective O-line, an efficient short passing game and a better running game.