Like most teams, the Indianapolis Colts have several roster battles going on in camp this year. Unlike most teams, those fights are happening at more key positions, and are often for the starting gig. We'll start to see some clarity in tonight's first preseason game versus the Ravens.
Well, maybe we will. That is, unless one player or another completely stinks up the place in Baltimore. Even then, the way some of these battles have been going, the player who shines tonight could be just as bad next week against the Packers. That's why they play three games, after all. If you can't figure out who your starters are after weeks of practice, you need every opportunity you can get.
While most teams have a solid picture of who will start at center, weakside linebacker, and especially at quarterback, head coach Shane Steichen seems to have little clue as to who will ultimately get the starting nods. Injuries have played a role in that indecision, sure, but at some point, you have to build some cohesion with these units. It is a team sport, after all.
The Indianapolis Colts need to identify their starters in three key roles
Center: Tanor Bortolini, Danny Pinter
That cohesion is more important on the offensive line than at any other position. Yes, it's important for every unit, but you can freelance at other spots. At times, it's even required. But the offensive line needs to play as one five-man group (or more, depending on who's staying in to block).
The center is the player who makes it all go. He calls adjustments to the blocking scheme, reacts to defensive adjustments, and may even change things up based on his QB's audibles. There's a lot going on.
And he better be able to block, too. So far this offseason, it's been a toss-up between last year's fourth-round pick Tanor Cortolini and Colts veteran Danny Pinter, who's now entering his sixth season with Indianapolis.
They've been sharing snaps on the first unit, so tonight could give one or the other a leg up in the competition. Or maybe Steichen goes with some weird "personal center" scheme, like a knuckleballer has one designated catcher. That would be terrible, but at this point, who knows?
Will Linebacker: Jaylon Carlies, Cameron McGrone
The Colts' middle linebacker is set with Zaire Franklin, although he'll likely miss more action in the preseason. He's not getting replaced unless he winds up on injured reserve, and there's very little chance of that happening. Thank goodness, as the team clearly needs him on the field and in the locker room.
When he does return, who knows who will be lined up next to him? Second-year backer Jaylon Carlies looked like the man for the job, but off-season shoulder surgery cost him valuable time in camp, and he's still battling injuries.
In his absence, fourth-year player Cameron McGrone has stepped in and looked solid in camp. He's never gotten a start but has over 300 snaps on special teams. Is he ready? We may see him take that next step tonight.
Quarterback: Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones
And now we come to the big question. Do the Colts ride the athletic ability of the physically gifted phenom Richardson? Or do they rely on the (relative) accuracy of Jones? The former Giants QB is a career 64.1 percent passer and has a 1.5 to 1 TD to INT ratio.
Richardson is a career 50.6 percent passer and was a league-low 47.7 percent last year. His TD to INT ratio is a dismal .85 to 1, and that's with just 11 touchdown passes in 348 attempts.
However, Richardson at least gets the ball downfield. His average depth of target is 11.1 yards, while Jones' is only 7.3. Out of 341 attempts last year, Jones only completed eight of 31 deep passes per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Compare that to Richardson, who out of 264 attempts, completed 13 of 50. It's not a lot better, but it's better.
The real key there is that Jones only connected on eight of his 216 completions on the long ball. Richardson hit on 13 of his 126 completions. That shows a massive difference between their ability to stretch the field. That, of course, opens up the entire field for passes everywhere, and the running game as well. Assuming Richardson can complete more passes, that is.
So, how will Steichen make the call? In the worst possible way. Richardson will get the bulk of the action tonight versus Baltimore, while Jones gets the nod against Green Bay next week. Both teams will be in pretty vanilla schemes, but they have vastly different personnel. The only guaranteed losers here are the Colts fans, as we'll get no closer to a valid answer at quarterback.