Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The Indianapolis Colts spent a lot of time and money this offseason in trying to improve their offensive line. In 2012, Colts rookie quarterback Andrew Luck was sacked 41 times, including at least once in every game.
With how Luck has become the franchise player, it’s never good to get him sacked every game and 41 times in a year. Luckily with how mobile Luck was in 2012, he hid a lot of the inabilities of the line. He would scramble out of trouble for positive gains and hide the weaknesses of the pressure he was getting.
Indianapolis signed tackle Gosder Cherilius and guard Donald Thomas, and drafted guard Hugh Thornton and center Khaled Holmes. Bringing in four new guys was supposed to give them more talent and depth at the position.
After today’s 21-17 victory over the Oakland Raiders, the line is a bit of a concern.
Luck was sacked a dismal four times today for 31 yards and was running for his life again. Luckily, he was able to evade the rush sometimes and had 38 yards, as well as the game-winning 19-yard touchdown on six attempts.
He was surrounded by at least three white uniforms on multiple occasions and had no one on his team around to protect. That can’t happen. That many guys getting free shots is dangerous. This is the guy that’s supposed to lead this team to Super Bowls. They can’t afford for him to be spending a lot of his time on the turf.
When the line was stellar, the Colts moved the ball with ease. After the first two possessions, they became very weak and couldn’t open up holes for a running game, and was allowing too much penetration into the backfield.
Obviously a win is a win and it’s only Week 1, but the line is something that’s going to have to improve as the weeks go on.
Eric Smith is the Colts Beat Writer for Rant Sports. He’s covered the team the last four seasons and is recognized as an accredited member of the media by the Colts. Follow him on Twitter @ericsportsguru
