Colts preview

Tip to Chad, the 5th down blog previews the Colts

Many fans see that Manning was sacked just 10 times last season and assume Indy’s pass protection is elite. It’s not. If anything, it’s below average. But Manning’s pocket awareness always keeps the aerial attack afloat. Give credit to the receiving corps, too. Reggie Wayne is a gifted athlete and the soundest wideout in football. When Wayne is double-covered, tight endDallas Clark becomes Manning’s primary option. Clark is the X-factor. His ability to play off the line of scrimmage or out of the slot creates mismatches and forces defenses to be reactive.

The ancillary wideouts – Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie and Anthony Gonzalez – benefit greatly from Wayne and Clark. Garcon has made monumental progress in terms of mechanics and football IQ. He should be the No. 2 receiver on opening day. He has the speed to stretch the field, though his greatest asset is the raw strength that makes him difficult to corral when running after the catch. Collie is as polished as any second-year pro can be. Gonzalez, back from an ’09 knee injury, is a former first-round pick who has good hands and catch-and-run abilities.