The Tantalizing Ten: Rams Edition
Intro: Each week, we will take a look at 10 players that will have a big impact in the game. Who are the "Tantalizing Ten" when the Colts travel to St. Louis for preseason game No. 3?
Eight snaps of work is what Ballard saw last Saturday, after missing nearly two years of football. Ballard should see more playing time in the next two preseason games with the Colts trying to evaluate what they have at running back behind Frank Gore and Boom Herron.
When the Rams line up in their base defense on Saturday, former No. 2 overall pick Chris Long should be lined up across from the Colts right tackle. Mewhort will get a chance at redemption this weekend, after he struggled a bit to start last week's contest. Mewhort's adaptation to a full-time tackle role will get a stern test this week before the live action begins in two weeks with two very disruptive defensive lines (Bills and Jets).
By all accounts, it's been a very solid camp/preseason for Luck from a ball protection standpoint. When the Colts starters have been led by Luck, the offense has also excelled in third-down situations, a definite area of focus for the Colts. Keeping Luck upright is an obvious key on Saturday night thanks to the vaunted Rams defensive front.
Carter might as well represent all the Colts players that will spend the next week fighting for a roster spot. With starters playing into the second half on Saturday, the reps will be minimal for the fringe roster guys to make an impression before 15 players are cut next Tuesday. Carter himself was a clear camp standout but that hasn't translated to the preseason.
Anthony Castonzo should see plenty of Quinn across from him on Saturday night. Quinn and Robert Mathis were dueling head-to-head back in 2013 for the sack title that was eventually won by the Colts outside linebacker. Quinn is a rare edge rusher with a speed/power combination that makeups an array of pass rushing moves.
Two carries. That was the extent of Frank Gore's workload on Saturday night. Colts fans certainly liked what they saw from Gore, and the new running back appreciated the reception he received. Will Gore see a similar number of reps this weekend in St. Louis? Coming into this preseason, Gore had a total of 11 carries in the three previous preseasons.
The Rams offense has really struggled after two preseason games. Led by Foles, the starting offense has produced just three points. Foles came over to St. Louis in the offseason in a trade for former No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford.
The Colts pass rush has been a bit quiet with their starting units after two preseason games. Of course, any unique blitz looks will probably be reserved for the regular season. Newsome was the Colts leader in sacks last year, finishing second to the Rams' Aaron Donald in rookie sacks. How the Colts define Newsome's backup role this year is one to watch, particularly until Robert Mathis returns to game action.
Donald was a demon from the interior of the Rams defensive line last year. The 2014 rookie led all first-year players in sacks last season. The Colts interior offensive line had a nice outing last week. They will have a stiff challenge this weekend from Donald and the Rams defensive tackles.
The Rams defense has arguably the most talented line of any in the NFL. On the Rams defensive line, five players were drafted in the top 14 picks of their respective drafts. Holmes is still the Colts starting center, but we did see Jonotthan Harrison play some with the first-team last week.
