When the Super Bowl kicks off late Sunday afternoon in Miami, everyone is expecting a lot of offensive fireworks from both teams. The Saints come into the game with the highest scoring offense in the league and the Colts enter the contest with Peyton Manning at the helm. ‘Nuff said.
While the four time MVP is lauded for his ability to read defenses, make pinpoint accurate throws and perform at his best when the game is on the line, he couldn’t do all those things without the stellar play of his offensive line.
The Colts front five, featuring Pro Bowl Center Jeff Saturday, guards Ryan Lilja and Kyle DeVan along with tackles Ryan Diem and Charlie Johnson have provided Manning with protection few NFL quarterbacks are afforded. They’ve allowed just 10 sacks all season and four in the playoffs.
This is not a monster sized wall of human flesh, but rather a group of athletic quick footed pit bulls who battle with their opponents to give Manning that extra fraction of a second to find an open receiver downfield. And in the NFL, that extra fraction can be the difference between the Super Bowl and being 6-10.
The line has allowed Manning and his receiver corps of Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Pierre Garcon, and Austin Collie to take center stage while they do the dirty work that no one sees but is indispensable. Garcon has become a big play receiver after just four catches in his rookie year a season ago and Collie stepped in as a rookie with 60 receptions and 11 more in two playoff games. Wayne and Clark are both 100 catch receivers this season. That’s a lethal combination.
There may not be much of a running game in the Colts attack, but only three times this season has Joseph Addai even carried the ball 20 times. Combine his pass receiving and he averages 4.3 yards per touch. Good enough for Indy.
The Saints are a defense built on speed and blitzing. Defensive coordinator Greg Williams has publicly stated he intends to have his players put the hurt on Manning and pressure bad throws. The Jets tried the same strategy and look where it got them.
A final note about the Colts offensive line, proving as well as they’ve drafted over the years, building your team isn’t all about the draft. Three of the starters were undrafted, the other two were fourth and sixth round selections. You think Peyton Manning will care as he lines up behind center on Sunday?
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