Colts Release First Depth Chart for 2011

The Indianapolis Colts today released the first version of their depth chart for the 2011 season as the team heads towards their first pre-season game, in St. Louis this Saturday.   While it’s still really early in the process, and nothing too shocking jumps out at you, there are a few items of note to take from the projected lineup as of today.

• Jeff Linkenbach is the starter at LT.   This is as the Colts said it would be, with rookie Anthony Castonzo relegated to backup duties, but I wouldn’t be entirely surprised to see Castonzo start on opening day.
• Jacques McClendon is the starter at LG.   McClendon is something of a work in progress, very strong and smart, but not very polished.  The Colts continue trying to bolster the offensive line, and McClendon at least brings some much needed size (6’3″, 324 pounds).
• Ernie Sims is all the way down at number four among right LBs, but of course, that’s probably due as much to his appendectomy over the weekend as anything else.
• Nate Davis is listed as the fourth quarterback.    Again, no shocker to me, but a lot of folks really seem to think Davis has a future here as, I guess, Manning’s backup.  There is a healthy dose of local bias in that particular viewpoint, and I really don’t see him doing much better in Indy than he did with the 49ers.

The depth chart that we see today is about as real and lasting as a confession written in the sand at the bottom of White River, but it sure is good to see the business of the NFL churning along again.   It also gives us something to pick apart while we wait for that first snap.  Enjoy!