Colts Offensive Line Must Improve Pass Protection
By Dave McKee
Aug 22, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck is sacked by Chicago Bears linebacker Pernell McPhee (92) at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
The major story line following the game was the sub-par cringe-worthy performance of the Colts offensive line. In the Colts first two possessions, Andrew Luck was hit three times and sacked twice.
What everyone will remember from this game will be the back-to-back whiffs on the right side of the Colts offensive line during their first series. On the first play, Bears DE/OLB Pernell McPhee used a quick outside move and then cut inside finding an wide-open corridor to Luck. The following play, McPhee used a speed rush around the edge to pressure Luck, flushing him out of the pocket and forcing him to throw it away on 3rd & 14.
Let’s focus on this series first. At first glance, McPhee’s contract with the Bears seemed high for a backup. McPhee was the #3 rusher for the Baltimore Ravens playing behind Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil. His performance against Indianapolis makes his recent 5-year $38 million contract look like a bargain. McPhee put on a clinic across from second-year right tackle Jack Mewhort – who switched from left guard to RT in the offseason.
We must allow for the fact that the Colts’ first team offense practiced for two days this week against the Bears first team defense. I can guarantee that McPhee must have seen something in practice that he knew he could exploit on Mewhort when it was game time.