Colts Offensive Line Must Improve Pass Protection

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Aug 22, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) runs onto the field during introductions before their pre-season game against the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s face it, the Colts offensive line got beat by a four-man pass rush with simple head-to-head assignments… That is just not acceptable.

The greatest concern of the Colts offensive line performance was highlighted by Holder, “But one of the most disconcerting aspects of the pass-protection failures was the fact that they came against basic, one-on-one pass rushes. None of the pressures given up came against a stunt or twist. In none of the aforementioned instances were the Colts fooled by a creative blitz.”

I could not have said it better myself.

If the Colts are indeed to become the juggernaut offense they are expected to be, they must shore up these mistakes now and figure out exactly how they will counter those dialed-up blitzes that their opponents will throw at them this season.

The Colts have advanced deeper into the playoffs each year under the Grigson-Pagano-Luck era. A setback this year, with expectations so high, could be harmful to Grigson’s future and Pagano by proxy.

Now is not the time to panic, they are still ironing out issues and getting much-needed reps but they must focus on cohesion now and not pass it off as a non-issue. If the Colts front office and coaches want to see Andrew Luck and company run out of the tunnel in Santa Clara, then they had best get to work on the offensive line now.

I think it is time to stop giving Herremans rest days, no matter his age. He needs the snaps and reps with Mewhort everyday left of the preseason if those two are to bolster the right side and keep Luck on his feet. Luck is one tough son-of-a-gun, but if the hits keep piling up eventually his body will wear down and his performance will suffer. Let’s see what the Colts do to address the offensive line between now and their Saturday night game at St. Louis. Perhaps another week of focus is all they will need. Now we can cross our fingers and toss the salt, for maybe just one more week.

Next: Andrew Luck Impresses the Bears Defensive Unit

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