INDIANAPOLIS –The 2017 Training Camp is a little more than two weeks away.
On Saturday, July 29, the Colts will report to work at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, for their first Training Camp “at home” since moving to Indy in 1984.
Over the next week and a half, Colts.com will take a look at the "Burning Questions" for all position groups heading into the 2017 Training Camp.
Here's a look at the offensive line burning questions with the 2017 season nearing:
- Has the offensive line been set?
The Colts say not yet.
But the offseason program painted a slightly different picture.
When Jack Mewhort (knee) was participating this spring, the Colts had a clear-cut starting five up front.
It looked like this: LT-Anthony Castonzo, LG-Jack Mewhort, C-Ryan Kelly, RG-Joe Haeg and RT-Le'Raven Clark.
One should understand the Colts' reluctance to name a starting O-line too early.
Full pads aren't worn in the spring. They will come in early an August, allowing for more evaluation for the most scrutinized position group on the roster.
The Colts are desperate for continuity in front of Andrew Luck, and it's looking like they have that going into their Training Camp, something that could not be said in years past.
STAT TO NOTE: Since Andrew Luck was drafted in 2012, the Colts have had 35 different starting offensive line combinations.
- Is Le'Raven Clark ready to be a full-time starter at right tackle?
Of the current starters, Clark is easily the least experienced.
But Clark handled his sudden starting duty late last season more than adequately well.
Clark, the team's 2016 third-round pick, played just six total snaps in the first 14 weeks of his rookie season.
He then started the final three games, and gave up no sacks and just one hit to close out the 2016 campaign.
The Colts knew they would have to be patient with Clark and it looks like that paid off.
A right-side combination of Joe Haeg and Clark, both second-year players, is really the only uncertainty left for the 2017 offensive line.
Both did enough as rookies to have fans feeling much better about the line this time of year.
STAT TO NOTE: Joe Haeg started at left guard, right guard and right tackle last season. He became the NFL's first rookie offensive lineman to do that since 1999.
- What will the depth look like in the offensive trenches this year?
Let's say the Colts do start the five guys mentioned above.
Atop the depth behind the starters has to be Denzelle Good and Brian Schwenke.
Good, who has played both right guard and right tackle, is the biggest threat to push the right-side pairing of Haeg and Clark.
In the interior is where Schwenke, who has 28 career starts, will provide depth.
If you are looking to fill out a 53-man roster, rookie tackle Zach Banner and guard Jeremy Vujnovich should be in line.
Defining depth spots along the offensive line is a little murky right now because Good and Schwenke missed some time during the spring, and Banner's rookie development is still up in the air.
STAT TO NOTE: Ryan Kelly became the fifth rookie lineman in Indianapolis Colts history to start all 16 games in his first professional season.
The analysis from those producing content on Colts.com does not necessarily represent the thoughts of the Indianapolis Colts organization. Any conjecture, analysis or opinions formed by Colts.com content creators is not based on inside knowledge gained from team officials, players or staff.
