Starting positions in doubt

RB: Joseph Addai and Donald Brown
In the long run, Brown will probably be the better back, but the Colts are likely to ease him into the lineup in much the same way they did Addai in 2006. In that arrangement, Dominic Rhodes started every game, even though Addai was a more dynamic runner and receiver and outgained Rhodes substantially (1,406 yards from scrimmage as opposed to Rhodes’ 892) . It’ll be intriguing to see what the team does with them on third down. Although Brown is a more natural receiver, Addai is a far better pass blocker.

H-B: Gijon Robinson, Jacob Tamme and Tom Santi
Robinson did an okay job as a first-year starter, but the Colts didn’t draft Tamme and Santi to sit on the bench. It’ll be a great battle to watch. Robinson has the best hands and is probably the smartest football-wise, but is something of a plodder. Tamme offers the most as a receiving option, and Santi may be the most complete of them all. I know the fan favorite is Tamme, but it would be unwise to count either of the other two out.

WR: Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie
Okay, this isn’t really a starting position battle. But since the Colts use a third wide receiver on the majority of offensive plays, it’s a virtual starting position. Two of the top three will be Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez, but the other is in doubt. But the way Bill Polian is raving about Garcon, maybe it isn’t. No doubt Garcon is talented, but so is Collie — and he’s plenty NFL ready. It would surprise me if Garcon were to lose, but it could happen.

RDT: Antonio Johnson, Ed Johnson and Terrance Taylor
If Larry Coyer’s past and the Colts’ recent personnel moves are and indication, they are going to go with one stay-at-home nost tackle type and one quick, penetrator type. The big guy spot has three serious competitors. Antonio Johnson started four games last year, and the Colts showed a remarkable improvement against the run. But if Mookie was the answer, why did they draft two defensive tackles and re-sign former starter Ed Johnson? Big Ed’s not as big and strong as Mookie, but has more football smarts and has been productive for a longer stretch. And the wild card is Taylor, who was a rock against the run in college, but won’t add much pass rush. Most likely, the Colts will open the season with one of the Johnsons in the starting lineup, but don’t be surprised if Taylor’s holding down the spot when the playoffs begin.

LDT: Fili Moala, Keyunta Dawson and Eric Foster
The Colts invested a second-round pick in Moala, and expect him to contribute right away. But nothing is ever sure with rookies, and there are holes in his game. The Colts like both Dawson (14 starts last season) and Foster (11 starts), and they could be much more effective with a big-time nose man beside them. I’ll bet that Moala take the starting spot, but at least one of the little guys rotates in.

SLB: Phillip Wheeler and Tyjuan Hagler
Realistically, this is Wheeler’s job to lose. And if he did, it could cause projected weak-side starter Clint Session back to the strong side, with Freddie Keiaho or Jordan Senn stepping in on the weak side.

P: Pat McAfee and Tim Masthay
Yes, Pat McAfee was drafted to take the job, but Colts fans know drafted kickers don’t always work out, and undrafted ones sometimes do.

KR: TJ Rushing, Austin Collie, Pierre Garcon and Chad Simpson
We’ve discussed this before. I wouldn’t be surprised if it turns out to be Collie.

Of the other positions:

QB: Are you kidding?
TE: I think Dallas Clark’s pretty safe.
RT: Ryan Diem may be replaced, but not soon.
RG: I suppose Mike Pollak could falter, but it’s unlikely. Jamie Richard and Charlie Johnson wait in the wings.
C: Would they invest that much in Jeff Saturday if he wasn’t going to start?
LG: It’d cost too much to keep Ryan Lilja on the bench, and even more to cut him.
LT: People may want competition for Tony Ugoh, but there really isn’t any on the roster.
RDE: Dwight Freeney’s still a star.
LDE: Raheem Brock starts, Robert Mathis relieves, it’s a great system.
WLB: Session should thrive here.
MLB: Gary Brackett will be replaced eventually, but not this camp.
RCB: If he’s healthy, Marlin Jackson will start.
LCB: Kelvin Hayden’s spot, no question.
SS: Bob Sanders owns the spot when he’s healthy, Melvin Bullitt does when he isn’t.
FS: Antoine Bethea has done nothing to endanger his job, and there are no viable challengers.
K: Adam Vinatieri should pull through at least one more year.