2003 COLTS
	Edgerrin James struggled last season, rushing for just 989 yards.
	Head coach: Tony Dungy (2nd year). 2000 record: 10-6. AFC South finish: 2nd. Season opener: Sept. 7 at Browns Schedule | Depth chart

Already with one of the NFL's most potent offensive attacks, the Colts would love to open things up a bit further. Offensive coordinator Tom Moore envisions using his running backs out of the backfield more as well as getting the ball to tight ends Marcus Pollard and Dallas Clark on a more consistent basis.

A lot depends on just how quickly the Colts' defense comes together this season. Indianapolis' offense should continue to be one of league's most prolific, especially if running back Edgerrin James is completely back after knee surgery and assorted other injuries that kept him from breaking out in 2002.

Offense
Quarterbacks: As always, Peyton Manning will be the Colts' main man behind center. Manning has put in plenty of extra work this summer and during the preseason with quarterback coach Jim Caldwell in an attempt to try to cut down on unforced turnovers. There's a real scramble for the primary backup job. Brock Huard was sidelined for the first two preseason games with a cracked index finger on his passing hand. Former Arena League signalcaller Jim Kubiak and undrafted free agent James MacPherson have split playing time in Huard's absence, with MacPherson showing some moxie despite his relatively short stature (5-foot-11).
Grade: A-minus.

Running backs: James appears to be back to the form that made him one of the NFL's dominant rushers in 1999 and 2000. It appeared as if the Colts would have outstanding depth at the position, but preseason injuries to backups James Mungro (ribs) and Ricky Williams (sprained knee) and the slow recovery of third-year running back Dominic Rhodes from knee surgery has put a damper on those plans. Brian Allen, forced to sit out his rookie year with a training-camp knee injury, has been impressive in limited duty. Former Titans running back/fullback Mike Green has been signed as a free agent. Detron Smith and rookie Tom Lopienski are the top candidates to play fullback, although Green can also fill that role if needed.
Grade: B.

Receivers: Marvin Harrison caught 143 passes a year ago, but Tony Dungy actually envisions the Colts' All-Pro receiver averaging 10 receptions a game this year. Harrison figures that he should have had at least 150 catches in 2002, so that total of 160 receptions may not be that so farfetched. Former first-round draft pick Reggie Wayne figures to be Indianapolis' No. 2 receiving option, but he needs to develop more consistency. Brandon Stokley will be ready to play in the slot or on the outside. He has been recovering from offseason foot surgery and hasn't been able to do much. Troy Walters, Drew Haddad and Adam Herzing are the top candidates to fill the Colts' final two receiving spots. Marcus Pollard will be the starting tight end, but 2003 first-round pick Dallas Clark will see plenty of playing time in Indianapolis' two-tight end alignment. Joe Dean Davenport is probably the best blocker among the tight ends.
Grade: B-plus.

Offensive linemen: There was a big shakeup along the offensive line midway through training camp as third-year pro Ryan Diem was moved into the starting lineup at right tackle, replacing veteran Adam Meadows. Meadows had an up-and-down year in 2002, and Diem, who had started at right guard last year, was moved out to tackle, his college position, as an experiment during the Colts' May minicamp. The rest of the Colts' offensive line returns intact, with center Jeff Saturday, left guard Rick DeMulling and left tackle Tarik Glenn. Meadows will back up both right and left tackles. Rookie guard Steve Sciullo, Indianapolis' fourth-round pick this spring, has been inserted in Diem's old right guard spot. Tupe Peko, Hans Olsen and rookie free agent Rex Richards are expected to fill in as the primary backups at center, right guard and left guard, respectively.
Grade: B.

Defense
Defensive linemen: Perhaps the biggest question on the Colts' defensive line concerns where veteran lineman Chad Bratzke ends up playing. Bratzke has been a starter at right end since he first entered the NFL in 1994. He moved over to the left side last year to accommodate the arrival of 2002 first-round draft choice Dwight Freeney, who responded by picking up a team-record 13 sacks despite starting just half of the season. Brad Scioli, who split time between defensive end and defensive tackle a year ago, is now the starter at left end heading into the regular season. Larry Tripplett and former Broncos backup Montae Reager have pretty much taken over the starter's roles at left and right tackle, respectively. Raheem Brock, rookie free agent Dante Booker and Josh Williams are expected to fill primary backup roles at end and tackle.
Grade: B.

Linebackers: Middle linebacker Rob Morris has been hurt throughout most of the preseason, and David Thornton is in his first year as a starter in the Indianapolis lineup. Morris has had knee problems during training camp and isn't expected to see much playing time until at least the final preseason game with Cincinnati. Thornton has played well on the strongside so far. Marcus Washington is back for his third year as the Colts' starting left-side linebacker. Washington showed glimpses of what he is capable of last year but needs to show a little more consistency this season. Former Vikings special-teams standout Jim Nelson will back up both Morris and Thornton, but Nelson has been slowed this preseason with a broken hand. With the injuries to Morris and Nelson, rookies Gary Brackett, Keyon Whiteside and Cato June have showed enough potential to warrant longer looks.
Grade: B.

Defensive backs: Cornerback Walt Harris and free safety Idrees Bashir appear to be the only locks as starters at this point. Harris has been slowed by a gimpy knee in the preseason but is expected to start at left cornerback. Former Canadian League standout Nick Harper is battling incumbent starter David Macklin and 2002 draft pick Joseph Jefferson for the right-side job. Mike Doss, the Colts' second-round draft pick this spring, is starting to make a move for a starting job at strong safety. Doss missed most of the team's summer-school workouts due to academic requirements at Ohio State and sat out the first three days of training camp but has come on strong in recent weeks. David Gibson, picked up midway through the 2002 season from Tampa Bay, is the current starter at strong safety. Cory Bird, Jason Doering, former Rams and Titans reserve Rich Coady and rookie free agent Anthony Floyd round out the key backups.
Grade: B-minus.

Special teams
Placekicker Mike Vanderjagt has struggled to make a field goal in the preseason amid a perceived competition with veteran placekicker Brett Conway. Vanderjagt, however, remains the most accurate kicker in league history and is expected to be booming them once again for the Colts this season. One area of concern remains the depth of Vanderjagt's kickoffs. He has improved a bit in that area over last year. Punter Hunter Smith has become more adept this year at pinning the ball deep, giving up average for field position in order to help the Colts' defense. Troy Walters was Indianapolis' primary punt and kickoff returner a year ago, but Walters had a problems with holding onto the football from midseason on. Running backs Brian Allen and Ricky Williams will get a long look as kickoff returners, while Walter and wide receiver Drew Haddad could return punts.
Grade: B.

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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