Colts’ quarterbacks least of concern in loss to Rams

St. Louis Rams running back Keith Toston, bottom, scores on a 5-yard touchdown run during the third quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Indianapolis Colts Saturday, in St. Louis.

ST. LOUIS – The most misguided approach to assessing the Indianapolis Colts during the preseason would be to focus too long on the quarterbacks.

It makes no real difference whether Curtis Painter throws a pick, as he did almost immediately in the Colts’ 33-10 loss to the St. Louis Rams on Saturday night at Edward Jones Dome, or a long completion to Pierre Garcon. (Painter did that, too, setting up a field goal.) Ditto for Dan Orlovsky, who topped Painter in picks but added a touchdown pass to Taj Smith. Nate Davis didn’t get much time, either on the field or in pass protection, until very late.


The only quarterback who matters is not yet in uniform. We’re still waiting on Peyton Manning to trade his polo shirt and jeans for game-day pads. A truth: If any of those other quarterbacks are playing in the regular season, trouble will be brewing, along with a high draft pick next spring.


The fact the Colts played Painter only two series Saturday shows me they don’t really believe they’re going to use him when it counts.

There are valuable insights to be gained during the preseason, in addition to the obvious point that the Colts couldn’t care less about the score.

"We’re not quite where we’d like to be right now," Colts coach Jim Caldwell said in an early candidate for understatement of the preseason.

Some areas of interest, and initial insight, from Saturday night:

RUNNING BACK

Donald Brown sure looked like he was running for his job. In four carries for 21 yards, he hit the openings hard and showed a nice reverse-field move when a block failed.

Brown has not been able to live up to his first-round status and as he hits his third season, he needs a major production boost. Delone Carter could be at his heels and threatening to be the short-yardage power back, although Carter didn’t show much in his debut until a 16-yard gain late against questionable opposition. Darren Evans carried eight times for 52 yards, with a late 23-yarder.

LEFT TACKLE

Jeff Linkenbach started in the position with rookie Anthony Castonzo entering in the second quarter. It’s apparent that the Colts are intent on making Castonzo earn his spot by proving he knows the blocking schemes, pass protection, etc. He initially looked quite good in protecting Orlovsky, leading to a couple of nice completions.

But, later in the game, Castonzo got worked over and Davis nearly paid the price. The price of the lockout for the Colts, meanwhile, could come in how long it takes Castonzo to develop. Castonzo said he felt he was operating "too fast" at times.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

New acquisition Jamaal Anderson did not dress for the game. The other new acquisition Tommie Harris didn’t get to show anything. Presumed starter Fili Moala was out with a slight injury. Rookie Drake Nevis looked quite nimble, even making a tackle from behind. But he missed some tackles, too, and a couple of runs by Jerious Norwood looked reminiscent of Colts’ run defense of years past. Those are not fond remembrances.

How this position shakes out will be crucial to the run defense. We’ll have to watch for continuity and consistency the next two weeks. The new guys theoretically have a lot to prove. They need to start doing so.

This has been a problem area for the Colts for about 17 years. Chad Spann, a rookie from Northern Illinois, has a great attitude and a willingness to work and learn. But he’s not going to be long for the Colts if he keeps letting the football bounce off his chest trying to field it. Spann had a smooth 28-yard return on the opening kickoff, and then looked discombobulated on subsequent plays.

The Colts are fairly unforgiving with unproven kick returners. Spann’s erratic debut might be his last chance. Fellow rookie David Gilreath took over the second half with little impact.

You would think the Colts would place a premium on kick returners, given the benefit of providing Manning with good field positions. The Colts keep looking for that diamond in the rough. The search remains on.

It’s sometimes tough to tell exactly what the Colts coaching staff is thinking during the preseason. Why do they play Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Austin Collie and Joseph Addai for only one series? How does that help, other than them escaping injury-free?

Perhaps it doesn’t matter. As long as the quarterback position remains on hold, what really matters are the spots beyond the veteran starters.