Dallas Clark knows it's a good time to be a tight end in the NFL

They have attempted 6,746 passes, fourth-most in the league during that 12-year stretch. It might take that many attempts this season to keep Manning's receiving options satisfied.

It's a deep, proven group, one that must find room -- and reps -- for Anthony Gonzalez. The team's 2007 first-round draft pick is back running, cutting and catching on the Anderson University practice fields after missing virtually all of 2009 with a knee injury.

"It's got to be the best in the league," said Dallas Clark, the Colts' Pro Bowl tight end who moonlights as a receiver. "We've got a lot of guys who can just make a lot of big plays at any point. A lot of good threats."

Those threats have been on constant display during the first two days of training camp: Reggie Wayne, Clark, Gonzalez, Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie. They've combined for 253 starts, 1,237 receptions and 122 touchdowns during their careers.

"I look at all of those guys as starting receivers," Manning said. "It's really whoever is lined up out there. I'm going to have 100 percent confidence in all of them to throw it to them on any down and distance."

The trick for first-year offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen, who wasn't made available for comment for this story, figures to be finding enough playing time to keep everyone happy.

Wayne, a Pro Bowl selection the past four seasons, and Clark likely will be on the field the vast majority of the time. Gonzalez hopes to challenge for his old right-side starting spot, where Garcon took over last year, but might find himself pushing Collie to be the primary slot receiver.

"It's not really a problem," insisted Gonzalez, who appears completely healed from the ligament damage to his right knee in the '09 opener and a hamstring issue that limited his availability during the Colts' offseason work. "It's figuring out how to make the best of a really good situation."

Collie agreed. He made an immediate, significant impact in '09, when he led all rookie receivers with seven touchdowns and tied for No. 1 with 60 receptions.

"You can't go wrong with having too much talent on the team," Collie said.

Again, the "problem" is maximizing that talent. Manning routinely works Donald Brown out of formations that utilize two wide receivers and Clark. Frequently, a slot receiver makes it a foursome.

Keep in mind, we're talking about a collection of five sets of hungry hands. Even though the Colts move their receivers around -- split wide, in the slot, on the left, on the right -- and have been adept at getting their best players on the field, someone is going to have to deal with a diminished role.

 Dallas Clark  knows it's a good time to be a tight end in the NFL. No longer are tight ends viewed as glorified offensive linemen, but rather an integral part of an offense. And Clark loves it.

Clark, the starting tight end for the Colts, is coming off an outstanding year in 2009 when he had 100 catches for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has helped set the standard for the new wave of tight ends in the NFL, and he sees the position growing, which is a benefit for Fantasy owners.

"It's changed a lot," Clark said. "The position has gone in a direction where it has given people like me – I'm not 270 (pounds) or a glorified tackle. I'm not going to be blowing any defensive end off the line of scrimmage or driving anyone back. It just gives us a chance to give the Donald Brown offense a different option and defenses a different thing to try to defend."