TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Peyton Manning looks around, sees all those new faces in the huddle and realizes it’s almost like starting over.
There’s a new left tackle, a cadre of young receivers and an old guard coming back.
To the three-time league MVP that can only mean one thing — it’s time to get to work tonight against Philadelphia.
“I think we kind of played a lot less than what we thought we were going to play on Friday,” Manning said referring to last week’s preseason opener for the Colts, a 13-3 loss to the Vikings. “They told us 12 plays and we got six. I think one thing that’s important — I think our coaches realized this after some of the older guys kind of made the point — this is a new starting unit.”
Yes, most of the names have remained the same, but their roles have changed.
Charlie Johnson moved from left guard to left tackle. Tony Ugoh, last year’s left tackle, is working out as the backup right tackle. Ryan Lilja, the starter at left guard, missed all of last season with a knee injury.
Anthony Gonzalez has been promoted to Indy’s No. 2 receiver, and three-time Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne has been lining up more in the slot at training camp.
So there’s a lot to learn, and last week’s results were not encouraging.
Manning was sacked three times in that six-play series and was concerned that he didn’t get another to work out some of the kinks.
Coach Jim Caldwell responded Wednesday by announcing the Colts starters would get about 20 plays this week.
JAGUARS
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Playing just three series in Jacksonville’s preseason opener, David Garrard was pressured often, knocked down several times and sacked once.
With Garrard under center, the offense managed just 28 total yards. He completed 4 of 7 passes for 22 of those yards and managed only one first down.
It was an ominous start for a team that opened training camp with hopes of casting aside last year’s troubles and getting back to being a physical offense capable of moving the ball in a variety of ways.
“We’re still working to be where we want to be,” running back Maurice Jones-Drew said. “Obviously, with some guys getting hurt and new guys stepping in, we’re a little behind.
“At the end of the day, we want to be the No. 1 offense in the league. Some of you guys don’t think we can do it. But that’s the beauty of the game — proving people wrong — so that’s what we’re going to do.”
Guard Vince Manuwai is still recovering from a knee injury, first-round pick Eugene Monroe is trying to get caught up after missing the first 12 days of camp because of contract negotiations, and Maurice Williams, Uche Nwaneri and others are switching positions almost daily.
The line received much of the criticism following Monday’s 12-9 loss to the Dolphins.
“If we keep me upright and do things protection-wise, it could be a great year for us,” Garrard said.
BILLS
PITTSFORD, N.Y. — A sprained toe will prevent Terrell Owens from practicing until next week, meaning he’ll miss Buffalo’s preseason game at Green Bay on Saturday.
Coach Dick Jauron ruled Owens out of playing this week after the receiver missed his second straight practice Wednesday. Jauron said Owens isn’t expected to resume practicing until “next week some time.”
VIKINGS
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — When Brett Favre walked into Vikings headquarters on his whirlwind first day in Minnesota, the first player to greet him was rookie Percy Harvin.
“Make me look good,” Favre told the flashy wide receiver as he shook hands with the first-round draft pick from Florida.
“I’ll do my best,” Harvin said, smiling back.
Favre’s arrival, however, should be more about making Harvin and the rest of the receivers better. Over a career that began three years after Harvin was born, Favre has helped his share of tight ends and wideouts reach the Pro Bowl or the 1,000-yard mark.
“I couldn’t be in no better situation, no better place right now,” Harvin said.
During a team drill Wednesday, Favre threw a ball behind the speedster as he ran a route across the middle. Harvin couldn’t quite readjust in midair to make the catch, and he hopped up and down in disappointment as if the drop were all his fault.
49ers-RAIDERS
NAPA, Calif. — JaMarcus Russell tried to sneak a pass into Zach Miller in a red zone drill only to have Nate Clements step in front of it for an interception.
On the next play, Russell threw behind Miller and Takeo Spikes deflected the ball into Diyral Briggs’ hands for another 49ers interception.
“I love it when they can’t compete!” Clements shouted out to his San Francisco teammates.
Bruce Gradkowski then replaced Russell and was picked off by Dre’ Bly and Clements again. That’s the way much of this joint practice between the Oakland Raiders and 49ers went on Wednesday. The Niners were making big play after big play on defense and making sure the Raiders knew all about it.
“They were feeding us. That buffet was good,” Bly said.
“They couldn’t respond. We just dominated in all areas. You would think that somebody would have stepped up on their side of the ball, would have been like, ‘Let’s go,’ or a coach would have fired at them, but they were just mellow. I don’t know what it was or why. I know on our side of the ball, that wouldn’t have went down.”
While the 49ers were hooting and hollering, the Raiders offensive players appeared mostly down during the drills. They trudged back to the huddle, had little to say in response to the Niners and struggled to show any semblance of a passing game.
DOLPHINS
DAVIE, Fla. — Veteran cornerback Eric Green has been released by the Miami Dolphins, leaving rookies Sean Smith and Vontae Davis to contend for a starting job.
Green had been a disappointment in training camp, and his contract was terminated Wednesday. He signed with Miami as an unrestricted free agent in March after four seasons with Arizona.
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