QB challenges youngsters to emerge as 3rd WR

Colts QB Peyton Manning has noticed and, with the void created by Marvin Harrison's cost-cutting release in February, has served notice. "Every one of those guys, I've told them, 'There's a WR's spot open right now,' " Manning said earlier this week. The likely scenario in the base offense has Reggie Wayne lining up at his normal spot on the left side and Anthony Gonzalez replacing Harrison as the right-side starter. At issue is who assumes the #3 WR role -- either in the slot or split out wide -- that Gonzalez has handled for 2 years. The candidates, Manning said, "need to be saying, 'Hey, that's my job to go win.' It doesn't matter how old you are, how many years you've been in the league. If you win the job, it's yours." The presence of Dallas Clark mitigates the immediate concern over the absence of a legitimate #3 WR. He is a TE by trade but possesses receiver-like skills and can be a matchup nightmare when he lines up in the slot.