Who starts at G opposite Nelson?

[ty4atd]

Between Mewhort, Smith and Slauson who starts at RG?

[coltsfanmurf]

I think Slauson is penciled in for now.  Smith could give him a run though.

[CheezyColt]

Hopefully Smith earns it. Both have that nastiness and would help transform the entire unit. 

[Track Guy]

Mewhort probably has the highest ceiling for '18, Smith probably the highest ceiling beyond that... Slauson is the most sure to be ready to start. So any of these 3 are possibly, let's see who earns it?

[ty4atd]

I think hopefully if he's healthy it'll be Mewhort and Smith as the main backup and Slauson as our backup C since I believe he's played there before.

[Archer]

Jack Mewhort, at least until he gets injured in the 2nd or 3rd game...

[KB]

I hope Mewhort goes back to LG. That's where he has played his best football. Nelson should be fine at RG since he is a generational talent. Only question is RT. 

[NewColtsFan]

I think they want Smith to win the job...

 

But he has to beat out Mewhort and Clausen...    easier said than done.

 

[stitches]

4 hours ago, coltsfanmurf said:

I think Slauson is penciled in for now.  Smith could give him a run though.

I disagree with this one. Slauson seems like competition and depth to me. I think they will let them compete and push eachother... and let the best one win the spot. 

[IndyScribe]

Probably Mewhort. I think Slauson is good depth if/when Mewhort is injured. Smith can definitely challenge at guard if he doesn't play as a tackle.

[tvturner]

It'll be Smith

Ballard doesn't take him that high and say he's gonna be great for us for a few years if he doesn't have plans of him starting

[Colt Overseas]

You would have to thunk Smith given that we took him so high when there was other quality options there. Colts must have graded him really high.

[richard pallo]

It's Good.  That's a no brainer.  He won the job last year.  They want Smith at RT. 

[Luck 4 president]

Slausen has started every game he’s played in his career up to this point with OLs much better than what we’ve seen in Indy. I think it’s his spot to lose, but I hope Smith earns it. 

[wig]

Best case scenario?  Mewhort is healthy and plays lights out.  Smith is really good behind him. Mewhort leaves for a big contract in FA, and Smith starts in 2019 without missing a beat. 

[Gigc]

I think Mewhort if his knee is OK. I think they may start Smith at RT. That would make Haeg the swing guy. 

[jvan1973]

7 hours ago, Colt Overseas said:

You would have to thunk Smith given that we took him so high when there was other quality options there. Colts must have graded him really high.

It's not unusual for rookies to not start immediately. 

[2006Coltsbestever]

I wonder who we play at RT?

[ty4atd]

2 hours ago, 2006Coltsbestever said:

I wonder who we play at RT?

Right now my best guess is we let Haeg Good and I guess Smith battle it out. As long as we have a more uptempo offence and get it out of Lucks hand that should be good.

[richard pallo]

2 hours ago, 2006Coltsbestever said:

I wonder who we play at RT?

For what it's worth  Polian said he was drafted to play RT. 

[2006Coltsbestever]

1 minute ago, richard pallo said:

For what it's worth  Polian said he was drafted to play RT. 

I think he can, he's a large guy. Slauson maybe will be the other Guard. I am not sure Mewhort can stay healthy?

[Creekside]

Ballard said Smith is playing guard

[richard pallo]

14 minutes ago, 2006Coltsbestever said:

I think he can, he's a large guy. Slauson maybe will be the other Guard. I am not sure Mewhort can stay healthy?

Good won the RG job last year then got injured.  I think he will start out as the frontrunner and I think they are hoping he takes the job.  I really see Mewhort and Slauson as veteran backups now.  I think Smith can be the RT.  He looks quicker on his feet than Good that's why I like Good at RG. 

[Four2itus]

3 hours ago, jvan1973 said:

It's not unusual for rookies to not start immediately. 

Exactly. Rookies have more than just skills to acquire before starting on a pro line.

[Creekside]

5 minutes ago, richard pallo said:

Good won the RG job last year then got injured.  I think he will start out as the frontrunner and I think they are hoping he takes the job.  I really see Mewhort and Slauson as veteran backups now.  I think Smith can be the RT.  He looks quicker on his feet than Good that's why I like Good at RG. 

 

Yesterday Ballard said,

 

"We thought he (Smith) was the last starting -level guard. Pairing him with Nelson gives us two young guards going forward for many years to come."

[Coltsfanforlife12]

I think Mewhort or Slausen win the job.  I’ve heard rumors we see Smith as a tackle.

[richard pallo]

4 minutes ago, egg said:

 

Yesterday Ballard said,

 

"We thought he (Smith) was the last starting -level guard. Pairing him with Nelson gives us two young guards going forward for many years to come."

It looks like Ballard sees him as a guard.  If that's the case then Good should be our starting RT.  Camp and preseason will determine who plays where though.  What little I have seen of Smith he looks like he could easily play RT.  I wouldn't rule it out at this stage. 

[King Colt]

The Colts have been n the bottom six in QB hits allowed every year since 2012. Who gets the job? Anyone that ws nor on the team last year.. 

[Bluefire4]

I'm fine with just seeing whoever wins the job.

 

As Ballard said in his press conference yesterday, we literally had to bring people off the street to play in games with all the injuries we had on the OL last year.

 

It's not a bad thing to have depth that is good enough to start on the offensive line. And I'd be fine starting Denzelle Good(who played well in week 1 last year before getting injured), or Joe Haeg at RT if the other 4 spots are solidified. Especially in a new quick-pass offense.

[NewColtsFan]

I believe Smiths arms are 32.5 inches.   OK for guard, but not great for tackle.

 

I think hes a guard for the Colts...

 

[NorthernBlue]

You throw the bone and see who grabs it. Competition competition competition.

 

Also the Colts doubling down on Oline tells me they’re very confident Luck is back and that he can take this team far. By far the best supporting cast he’s had on offense I think.

[jameszeigler834]

On ‎4‎/‎27‎/‎2018 at 10:42 PM, Track Guy said:

Mewhort probably has the highest ceiling for '18, Smith probably the highest ceiling beyond that... Slauson is the most sure to be ready to start. So any of these 3 are possibly, let's see who earns it?

Mewhort wont last longer than a few games I think those knee's are still a problem.

[stitches]

Something that I noticed in Ballard's post-draft pressconference  - he said Braden Smith was the 'last starting guard' on their board. I don't know if we should over-analyze this but IMO they fully expect Nelson and Smith to start but I suspect they will make them win those starting spots vs Mewhort and Slauson. I also wouldn't be surprised if they moved Mewhort back to tackle. 

[jet1968]

He will end up starting before the year is up. Colts lineman can’t seem to keep from injuries. Before the year is up there might be someone on the field you never heard of

[krunk]

I dont want to see Mewhort back at Tackle

[stitches]

41 minutes ago, krunk said:

I dont want to see Mewhort back at Tackle

Whether we want to see him back at tackle is the wrong question - the better question is is there someone else you would rather see at RT? 

[krunk]

30 minutes ago, stitches said:

Whether we want to see him back at tackle is the wrong question - the better question is is there someone else you would rather see at RT? 

That person may not be on the team yet. Or we are hoping one of Clark, Haeg, Good puts it together. I dont think Mewhort moves well enough to be a tackle.

[richard pallo]

3 minutes ago, krunk said:

That person may not be on the team yet. Or we are hoping one of Clark, Haeg, Good puts it together. I dont think Mewhort moves well enough to be a tackle.

Good has already shown he's better than Haag or Clark at RT.  Hopefully his injury issues are over.  That's his issue.

[krunk]

4 minutes ago, richard pallo said:

Good has already shown he's better than Haag or Clark at RT.  Hopefully his injury issues are over.  That's his issue.

 

4 minutes ago, richard pallo said:

Good has already shown he's better than Haag or Clark at RT.  Hopefully his injury issues are over.  That's his issue.

Good is injury prone and inconsistent. Clark and Haeg can improve just like anyone else. You have to prove yourself year to year. New staff, New scheme. We shall see who gets the job.

[richard pallo]

11 minutes ago, krunk said:

 

Good is injury prone and inconsistent. Clark and Haeg can improve just like anyone else. You have to prove yourself year to year. New staff, New scheme. We shall see who gets the job.

Good has his injury issues but he's far from inconsistent.  He beat out both for the RT spot last year.  Clark and Haag couldn't stop a bull rush if there life depended on it and they were the higher drafted players.  Good has gotten better every year.  You can't say that about the other two.  But maybe a new staff and scheme will help them.  We shall see.  I see them both on the bubble right now.  Heck Haag couldn't even beat out Vuj!