Defense still wary of Colts’ attack

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Ryan Clark respects Peyton Manning, and he feels for the Indianapolis Colts as they continue to search for traction and an identity while their franchise quarterback recovers from neck surgery.

Still, the Steelers safety isn’t exactly complaining about taking on the winless Colts (0-2) without Manning on Sunday, and Clark’s source of glee has nothing to do with facing Kerry Collins instead of the three-time MVP.

Collins has a better record (3-2) against the Steelers than Manning (2-2), a better completion percentage (64 to 60), and a better touchdown/interception ratio.

The one thing Collins doesn’t have on Manning? Acting ability.

Taking on the Colts without Manning means not having to endure 20-25 seconds of the quarterback standing at the line of scrimmage frantically barking out orders as if he was playing some football version of charades.

“Thank God because that is so boring,” Clark said with mock exasperation. “Such a theatrical performance.”

Clark was kidding. Sort of. Clark is pretty sure there was some football involved in Manning’s gestures. He’s also pretty sure some of it was simple gamesmanship.

“It got talked about so much and people loved it so much I think Peyton even kind of fed into it, ‘I’m going to keep doing this because people think I’m doing a lot at the line,”’ Clark said.

The Colts have been more deliberate through the first two weeks as Collins — plucked out of retirement by coach Jim Caldwell a month ago — learns the system Manning has orchestrated for 13 seasons.

That’s fine by the Steelers, particularly guys like nose tackle Casey Hampton. He’s used to playing maybe 15-20 snaps against the Colts because he’s not quite fit enough to dash on and off the field while Manning operates out of the no-huddle even if Hampton, like Clark, is suspect of Manning’s motives.

“Do you know he’s really getting guys lined up and doing that? You never really know what he’s doing,” Hampton said.

Collins isn’t familiar enough with the Colts’ offense to play those kind of games. It doesn’t mean he hasn’t been effective against the Steelers. He beat them the first three times he faced them, including a 17-point whipping in 2008 while playing for Tennessee. And even at 38-years-old, the Steelers believe Collins can get operate quickly if not quite as efficiently as Manning.

“They’re not going to run the same offense that Peyton runs, because there’s only one Peyton, but they’re still running their offense,” defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said. “And they’re still running no-huddle, and we’ll have to be ready for a lot of snaps and getting our calls in at the ball.”

Pittsburgh will likely be without defensive end Brett Keisel, who missed practice again on Thursday with a knee injury. Third-year man Ziggy Hood will get the start.