Has passing the ball gone out of style in Indi without 18?

by Cincicougar on Sep 6, 2011 2:11 PM EDT

Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon are really the only starting-caliber Colts wide-outs to play during the pre-season. Collie had a couple appearances, but did not practice or play for various reasons. Gonzo was "missing-in-action" and Blair White only came of the PUP a few days ago, and has yet to be seen on the field in 2011.

For a team that derives a large portion of its offense by throwing and catching the ball, the question marks in the WR corps are only eclipsed by the question marks at QB.

The Colts claim a FB (Gronkowski) off waivers and have several strong, between-the-tackles-type running backs.

The Questions after the jump ...

THE QUESTIONS TO ASK:

1) Why are there only two physically ready starting WRs just five days before the opening game of the season?

2) Why does the starting quarterback have less than two weeks experience in arguably the most complicated (to operate) offense in the NFL?

3) Why are there only two WRs on the practice squad? Only one of which - Gilreath - who could be expected to contribute anything if they had to play. Williams couldn't even get the correct alignment in half the plays he was in against the Bengals.

4) Does Clyde Christensen expect to just play four TEs with Gronkowski at FB and run power-I plays against the Texans?

5) Could anyone have foreseen these issues and planned accordingly?

6) Is there some other plan in place (signing Donnie Avery would be a start) that will make all these questions moot and result in the Colts going at least .500 until Manning is able to return?

Your thoughts?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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I think you'd have to ask the father-son combo in our front office (much like you bungals fans i starting to think neoptism isn't always the best way) now i don't think they will respond to any of the questions so.

i think we were going to sign a WR in FA (Housch or somebody) but the 4 million for Collins put that idea to rest, we have some decent recievers on the practice squad who knows if they get moved up next week, but i know running has finally after 4 years become a priority for the colts so yes expect to see more running. Also look at Tom Brady’s #s last year in 2TE 2WR formations, he destroyed the league…just saying you don’t always need 3WR sets to pass the ball a lot

by PeytonIsGOAT on Sep 6, 2011 2:25 PM EDT reply actions

Chances are they intend to have collins using collie Clark and pass plays to running backs until they figure out whether the line is capable of blocking anyone. The two outside are going to largely irrelevant I think. Short routes are within Collins comfort zone, whereas 40 yard bombs are less so. Since the offense is going to have to be very efficient to make up for lack of explosiveness, they can’t really risk garcons hands or testing Wayne’s speed.

by Passdinho on Sep 6, 2011 2:42 PM EDT reply actions

Are we thin at WR?

Definitely, especially now for week 1… Gonzo has basically been hurt for the last 2 seasons, White has yet to train with the team this season, Collie apears to be hurt too…

Is it the end of the world for us? I don’t think so… we have the power to run 2 TE formations now with two legit receiving TEs… even if none of the receivers mentioned above plays on week 1 and we want to play 3 WR sets we can still do it, Clark can line up in the slot and we would still have a decent threat at TE (Tamme)… not to mention the possible use of our RBs on the passing game…

So yeah, we’re thin at WR for now, but we should be fine in the long run as long as no other of our current receiving threats (Garcon, Wayne, Clark and Tamme) gets hurts…

by Mvbastos on Sep 6, 2011 5:59 PM EDT reply actions

Brooks was added

to the practice squad …

by Cincicougar on Sep 7, 2011 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions

How much of the playbook will they have to adjust

to accommodate the fact the Collins has only been there two weeks?

Will this throw off the other offensive players?

UTD whoosh

by Marzindells on Sep 6, 2011 6:06 PM EDT reply actions

If running is the new thing in Indy than the colts are screwed

I'm a brony and proud of it.

by wimpiam on Sep 6, 2011 8:31 PM EDT reply actions

Run more slot plays with TEs

A team like SD and ATL have been doing it consistently with Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez, Colts will need to do the same, especially if Collie, Gonzo are sitting and White is just shaking off the rust. Tamme had a breakout season, run plays for Clark and Tamme, but Gronkowski? I didn’t understand the point of picking him up. I can’t remember the last time Colts ran a play featuring a fullback. Maybe that’s because Gijon Robinson sucked the big one, but ok whatever. So essentially we have Clark, Tamme, Eldridge, Gronkowski, and McNeill. That’s 2 too many TEs. I would’ve rather had Gronkowski and McNeill off the team and get Chris Brooks and David Gilreath in. People said Colts are thin at WR, well now they really are.

by KBUnitz on Sep 6, 2011 10:16 PM EDT reply actions