INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts want to spend this week protecting their big investment — Peyton Manning.
In past years they've drafted receivers, tight ends, even running backs to give the four-time league MVP more options on the field. Now they have a new mission to get Manning a second Super Bowl ring: fixing the aging offensive line.
"We have gotten older at some positions, and we are in the process of trying to meld that together," general manager Chris Polian said. "There have been injury problems; there have been misevaluations."
And the holes have become glaring.
Manning still ranks among the league leaders in fewest sacks, but he's taking more big hits each season — not an ideal situation for a 35-year-old quarterback who is likely to become the highest-paid player in league history.
Indy hasn't produced a 1,000-yard runner since 2008, and the inability to convert short-yardage plays, vice chairman Bill Polian said, cost them a second Super Bowl title after the 2009 season. The Colts have rotated guards, tried to put a successor to Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday in place and moved Charlie Johnson to left tackle after the botched experiment with Tony Ugoh.
"Obviously, [Ugoh] is not here and that did not work out and that has set us back," Chris Polian said.
Nothing has worked, but armed with the No. 22 overall pick Thursday night, the Colts hope some young blood can change things.
Most analysts expect at least one tackle with a first-round grade to be available at that spot. The most common names mentioned are Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi and Colorado's Nate Solder. Indy may also consider Baylor guard Danny Watkins and Mississippi State tackle Derek Sherrod.
The obvious choice is not necessarily the right one.
"If the need line crosses with the composite [grade], great, then make the pick," Bill Polian said. "But if you're passing a player with a higher composite grade to take a need, my experience is that it doesn't work out very well."
Where else might the Colts look for help?
They could have holes at running back, safety and linebacker. Joseph Addai, Melvin Bullitt and Clint Session — all starters — will become free agents when the lockout ends and it's unclear whether the Colts will be able to re-sign all three in what figures to be a wild sprint to the regular season.
Another complication will be the inability to sign undrafted free agents immediately after the draft, something Indy has relied on to get low-priced talent in place. Bullitt and running back Dominic Rhodes typify the big talents Indy has found once the draft ends.
But even with all the uncertainties over the lockout, the roster and where the biggest holes might exist, the Colts intend to stick to their usual draft weekend game plan.
"We've spent over $1 million and a lot of time and energy on establishing the board, and as [former player personnel director] Dom Anile used to say, ‘if you don't let the board speak to you on draft day, you really haven't exercised your chance to succeed,'" Bill Polian said. "We're not infallible, we make mistakes; Fate's going to intervene. It's not an exact science; in fact, it's not even a science.
"You say ‘Hey, get a good player everywhere, anywhere and it will help.'"
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