INDIANAPOLIS -- Football is back!
The Indianapolis Colts are just weeks away from the regular season, but there are plenty of things to watch for through training camp and the five pre-season games leading up to kick-off.
Here's a look at the top storylines to follow:
- Andrew Luck is healthy - It will be good to see him at the helm full-time again, and you'll want to watch him shake off the dust at camp and in pre-season games, but his time may be limited and more cautious with the quarterback quoted as saying he'll be looking to take less high-impact hits.
- The Colts new offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski and a bevy of other new coaches will have to finish installing the system they want to see out of the squad this year. Watch closely for adjustments from them.
- Injuries - The Colts were fortunate last year to minimize injuries during camp. The only listed injury is to defensive end Henry Anderson, who is still recovering from ACL surgery in 2015. Combined with Arthur Jones' suspension for the first four games, the defensive line will be a squad to watch closely for who emerges in the depth chart.
- The new guys: First Round draft choice Center Ryan Kelly has all but secured the starting job, giving Andrew Luck more security in front of him. Also worth watching is which linebacker will pick up the slack in the absence of Jerrell Freeman? Free Agent acquisition Patrick Robinson, a cornerback who can play just about everywhere, will also be a name to get to know.
- The running game: Will this team be able to put a balanced offensive showcase together? It's on the minds of the entire staff following eight straight seasons without a 1,000 yard rusher, and a disappointing effort following the addition of Frank Gore last year.
- The offensive line: This was the biggest sticking point for last year, and became a rallying cry for Colts fans' disappointment last year, epitomized by Andrew Luck's multiple injuries. They've made some additions (as mentioned above in the "The new guys"), but cohesiveness is key. Keep a watchful eye to the front five in the first few weeks. If they're doing well, this team will do well. If they're struggling, we're in for a wild ride once more.
