1) The offensive line. This is the crucial story of the Colts’ season, and while many of the questions won’t be answered for some time — i.e., can the unit stay relatively healthy for 16 games? — the preseason opener will feature the line at close to full strength. Guard Ryan Lilja likely will play Friday for the first time since the 2007 postseason and Johnson will make his first start at left tackle. The members of this unit have been forthright in saying they want to improve this season after the Colts ranked 31st in rushing offense a year ago. Although a few series in a preseason game won’t be enough to prove Indianapolis will have a dominant offensive line, players said this week the preseason opener will be another step toward regaining the consistency they had for the better part of a decade.
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