Oehser on the Tackles

Continuing his excellent series

* What the offseason might bring: There could be flickers of news at this position in the coming weeks. Johnson is a restricted free agent, and it would be surprising if the team didn’t extend a tender offer to keep him on the roster next season. Such an offer wouldn’t necessarily ensure him a starting position, but considering he has started at both tackle positions and guard during a four-year career, it’s hard to imagine the Colts not wanting him in some capacity. One of the main offseason storylines at the tackle position may be something that takes a while to flesh out and that’s the philosophical approach in the absence of Howard Mudd, who planned to retire following Super Bowl XLIV. Under Mudd, the Colts utilized lighter-then-normal offensive linemen with an emphasis on pass protection. The emphasis on pass protection likely won’t change with QB Peyton Manning around, but considering a failure to convert 3rd-and-short has been costly the past two postseasons, an issue during the offseason will be whether the Colts plan to get a bit bigger and more physical up front. If they do, that could spark a longterm change of approach at every position on the line, including tackle.

* Feeling the draft: This is where the position could get interesting this offseason. With Diem in his 10^th season and with Ugoh not starting this past season, this could be the year to again address the tackle position. If the Colts do, the question becomes when. Getting a big-time left tackle often is something that must be done in the first 10-to-20 players and since the Colts likely can’t trade to get near there, the question becomes will a big-time player drop to the last few selections of the first round. This is considered a strong year for tackles in the draft, so it’s possible a solid one could slip within range of the Colts. If that happens, trading up wouldn’t be far-fetched. That’s all assuming we know what President Bill Polian’s thinking, which of course, around the draft very few do or will.

Johnny O doesn’t see this as a trouble spot, but the Colts were good running up the middle, but among the worst teams in football running right and left.  The tackles were the weak link.