>> Getting sharper
We're expecting more from QB Andrew Luck and most of the front-line players. Luck led a 12-play, field goal-producing drive in the opener against the New York Jets and could see his workload double against the Giants.
The idea, though, isn't so much about how long Luck and the starters are on the field. It's about how efficient they are. Get your work done, take a seat. Ideally, the Luck-led offense will encounter a smorgasbord of situations ? third-and-short, third-and-long, red zone, goal line.
Last week, offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton went no-huddle and complemented RB Trent Richardson with WRs T.Y. Hilton and Hakeem Nicks and TEs Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener. Maybe he dips into his bag of tricks and goes more conventional and accentuates the running game against the Giants. If there's one word to describe Hamilton's offense, it's diversification.
>> Safety first
We're expected to get our first preseason look at S LaRon Landry and CB Vontae Davis. Each was limited in training camp by groin injuries. But while it's important for Landry and Davis to knock off the rust with a series or two, it's more pressing for the Colts to come out of the game with a clearer view of who's going to emerge as Landry's sidekick. Delano Howell entered camp as the front-runner, but he was kept out of recent practices after experiencing stiffness in his neck. While that's never a good thing, it sends up red flags when you recall Howell missed the final 10 games last year due to a neck injury.
Landry and Mike Adams might get the starting nods against New York, but the overall structure of the position has to worry GM Ryan Grigson and his personnel staff. The first roster cut, from 90 to 75, is Aug. 26. The final cut to 53 is Aug. 30. No one should be surprised if the Colts upgrade the position following roster cutdowns.
>> Center of attention
C Khaled Holmes' preseason experience probably will consist of the seven snaps he delivered to Luck versus the Jets before spraining his left ankle. The team hopes he's able to return to practice in time to regain his conditioning and technique and be in the lineup for the Sept. 7 opener at Denver.
While Holmes mends, all eyes are on backup Jonotthan Harrison. The undrafted rookie out of Florida gave in to jitters and launched a couple of errant shot-gun snaps last week, but settled down and played well. Harrison was on the field for 42 plays, the most by an offensive player. There's a reason. He needs the work.
In a related note, LG Jack Mewhort has been experiencing issues with his right knee, which required arthroscopic surgery in June. He probably won't play, which will provide Lance Louis with extended work.
>> Eli's comin'
There will be a Manning in the house. Eli, not Peyton. The youngest of the Manning quarterbacking royalty will start and play a few series. Although it's the preseason, it's an important time for Manning. Not only is he attempting to rebound from a horrific 2013 ? 57.5 completion percentage, 27 interceptions, a 69.4 passer rating ? he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle in April.
Eli will know his way around Lucas Oil. He was MVP of Super Bowl XLVI when the Giants defeated New England 21-17. He was also in town in 2010 for Manning Bowl I, when the Peyton-led Colts hammered Eli and the Giants 38-14.
Once Manning's night is over, coach Tom Coughlin will turn to Curtis Painter. It will be interesting how the Lucas Oil crowd responds. To refresh everyone's memory, Painter was the 2009 sixth-round draft pick. He not only was thrust into an untenable situation with the Colts' perfect season on the line in game 15 of the 2009 season ? Jets 29, Colts 15 ? but he went 0-8 as a starter in 2011 when the team was trying to deal with life without Peyton Manning.
It's uncertain if Painter has leap-frogged Ryan Nassib on the depth chart behind Eli, but he's having a solid preseason. He's 10-of-10 for 94 yards, one touchdown and a 139.2 rating.
>> Reunion(s)
Painter isn't the only player likely to encounter an occasional flashback.
WR Hakeem Nicks and RB Ahmad Bradshaw had decorated careers with the Giants. Nicks should have the opportunity to work against his former employers, but Bradshaw might be another week away from seeing preseason action.
And let's not forget another pair of Giants. DE Mathias Kiwanuka was a Cathedral High School standout. S Stevie Brown attended Columbus East and saw action in eight games with the Colts in 2011.
Each had to dole out more than a few tickets.
"I think we're in the 30s at this point,'' Kiwanuka said during the week. "It's a unique opportunity to play close to home. It's a big deal for me. That's where I grew up. I spent 18 years of my life there."
Added Brown: "Everybody that's going to be there has a No. 27 jersey. My grandparents will be there, my dad will be there, my brother will be there ... it's going to be a big crowd."
We're expecting more from QB Andrew Luck and most of the front-line players. Luck led a 12-play, field goal-producing drive in the opener against the New York Jets and could see his workload double against the Giants.
The idea, though, isn't so much about how long Luck and the starters are on the field. It's about how efficient they are. Get your work done, take a seat. Ideally, the Luck-led offense will encounter a smorgasbord of situations ? third-and-short, third-and-long, red zone, goal line.
Last week, offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton went no-huddle and complemented RB Trent Richardson with WRs T.Y. Hilton and Hakeem Nicks and TEs Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener. Maybe he dips into his bag of tricks and goes more conventional and accentuates the running game against the Giants. If there's one word to describe Hamilton's offense, it's diversification.
>> Safety first
We're expected to get our first preseason look at S LaRon Landry and CB Vontae Davis. Each was limited in training camp by groin injuries. But while it's important for Landry and Davis to knock off the rust with a series or two, it's more pressing for the Colts to come out of the game with a clearer view of who's going to emerge as Landry's sidekick. Delano Howell entered camp as the front-runner, but he was kept out of recent practices after experiencing stiffness in his neck. While that's never a good thing, it sends up red flags when you recall Howell missed the final 10 games last year due to a neck injury.
Landry and Mike Adams might get the starting nods against New York, but the overall structure of the position has to worry GM Ryan Grigson and his personnel staff. The first roster cut, from 90 to 75, is Aug. 26. The final cut to 53 is Aug. 30. No one should be surprised if the Colts upgrade the position following roster cutdowns.
>> Center of attention
C Khaled Holmes' preseason experience probably will consist of the seven snaps he delivered to Luck versus the Jets before spraining his left ankle. The team hopes he's able to return to practice in time to regain his conditioning and technique and be in the lineup for the Sept. 7 opener at Denver.
While Holmes mends, all eyes are on backup Jonotthan Harrison. The undrafted rookie out of Florida gave in to jitters and launched a couple of errant shot-gun snaps last week, but settled down and played well. Harrison was on the field for 42 plays, the most by an offensive player. There's a reason. He needs the work.
In a related note, LG Jack Mewhort has been experiencing issues with his right knee, which required arthroscopic surgery in June. He probably won't play, which will provide Lance Louis with extended work.
>> Eli's comin'
There will be a Manning in the house. Eli, not Peyton. The youngest of the Manning quarterbacking royalty will start and play a few series. Although it's the preseason, it's an important time for Manning. Not only is he attempting to rebound from a horrific 2013 ? 57.5 completion percentage, 27 interceptions, a 69.4 passer rating ? he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle in April.
Eli will know his way around Lucas Oil. He was MVP of Super Bowl XLVI when the Giants defeated New England 21-17. He was also in town in 2010 for Manning Bowl I, when the Peyton-led Colts hammered Eli and the Giants 38-14.
Once Manning's night is over, coach Tom Coughlin will turn to Curtis Painter. It will be interesting how the Lucas Oil crowd responds. To refresh everyone's memory, Painter was the 2009 sixth-round draft pick. He not only was thrust into an untenable situation with the Colts' perfect season on the line in game 15 of the 2009 season ? Jets 29, Colts 15 ? but he went 0-8 as a starter in 2011 when the team was trying to deal with life without Peyton Manning.
It's uncertain if Painter has leap-frogged Ryan Nassib on the depth chart behind Eli, but he's having a solid preseason. He's 10-of-10 for 94 yards, one touchdown and a 139.2 rating.
>> Reunion(s)
Painter isn't the only player likely to encounter an occasional flashback.
WR Hakeem Nicks and RB Ahmad Bradshaw had decorated careers with the Giants. Nicks should have the opportunity to work against his former employers, but Bradshaw might be another week away from seeing preseason action.
And let's not forget another pair of Giants. DE Mathias Kiwanuka was a Cathedral High School standout. S Stevie Brown attended Columbus East and saw action in eight games with the Colts in 2011.
Each had to dole out more than a few tickets.
"I think we're in the 30s at this point,'' Kiwanuka said during the week. "It's a unique opportunity to play close to home. It's a big deal for me. That's where I grew up. I spent 18 years of my life there."
Added Brown: "Everybody that's going to be there has a No. 27 jersey. My grandparents will be there, my dad will be there, my brother will be there ... it's going to be a big crowd."
