Andrew Luck is Hurt So Who Deserves the Blame?

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Feb 19, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts general manager Ryan Grigson speaks to the media during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Is Andrew Luck battered and bruised because of his gutsy tendencies? Is it because the play calls are not good enough or does the blame lay with the one who builds the rosters and has yet to protect number 12? That would be you, Mr. Grigson

They say, “W’s erase everything.” So, no one should be complaining after their 4th quarter rally in Tennessee, right? Well yes and no. No one complains if there is a win, until the franchise quarterback gets hurt and suddenly, for just an instant, fans begin to feel the bottom begin to quake right before it completely falls out. This shoulder injury needs to be a wake-up call to several individual including the one who put this offensive line together, general manager Ryan Grigson.

Let’s face facts. Andrew Luck is not playing against Jacksonville because he is hurt. He is hurt because he gets hit too often. He gets hit too often because he is playing behind an inferior (at best) offensive line. It is inferior because, for three years, Ryan Grigson has failed to add the right pieces. Consider this offseason. Now, I was a fan of Phillip Dorsett at #29 because he can be a big playmaker down the road, but let’s face it. It will be hard for Dorsett or any receiver to make plays if Luck is on the ground.

It isn't that Grigson hasn't tried to upgrade the offensive line, it's just that all those moves failed to injury or bad talent eval. #Colts
— Evan (@ereller25) September 27, 2015

The Colts passed on several offensive linemen in the draft. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted two starting linemen in the second round. Then there was the La’el Collins situation made it obvious. Collins was wrongly skipped by every team because of last-minute allegations surrounding the death of an ex-girlfriend. Collins’ alibi was airtight. It was just a matter of the police needing to clear his name “officially”. This was a golden opportunity for Ryan Grigson. Collins was heading to the supplemental draft. A first round talent came down to a bidding war.

Admittedly, the Colts might have lost a subsequent draft pick, but you can’t fool us, Mr. Grigson, all of the offseason veteran signings are for win-now scenarios not down-the-road. Did the Colts acquire Collins? obviously not. They were outbid by the Dallas Cowboys who have arguably the best offensive line in football. That is a fail. What happens next? Nothing a big fat glaring nothing. They kept Donald Thomas until all possible replacements are gone and then cut him. It’s worth noting that Thomas played two games in three seasons with the Colts has yet to make a roster since his release.

Jake Long an all-pro tackle sat in free agency until the falcons picked him up in week two. That’s right, week two after Luck had already been smeared by the Bills. Several serviceable veterans were available in free agency, but the money was spent elsewhere. He’s tried to improve the offensive line, but at some point the checkbook has to come out instead of flipping over rocks. One should not be bargain shopping for the players most integral to protecting a franchise quarterback.

The Colts have spent $17 million annually on their offensive line since drafting Andrew Luck, 4th-least in the NFL.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 1, 2015

So far this season Grigson has traded two late-round picks for a defensive end (Billy Winn) and a linebacker (Sio Moore). So why hasn’t Grigson tried to make a trade? After all if we can send a first round pick for the worst running back in NFL history can’t we send one for a right tackle or right guard? Sadly, most teams aren’t trading their offensive line players mid-season. So that’s another fail.

Where does the blame lay? In the end, the blame should be laid at the feet of the former executive of the year, who has done nothing to protect his franchise quarterback. Grigson’s hubris has caused him a very obvious blind spot. Being a former lineman and scout Grigson assumes he can find a diamond in the rough in the trenches. Sadly, that hasn’t happened and now Luck suffers for Grigson’s failings. Thanks so much Mr. Grigson now we get to see our 40-year-old backup try to eek out a divisional matchup at home. Instead of watch Andrew Luck blow up their defense for 35+ points. To sum it up, in the words of Doctor Evil, “Way to go you freakin’ moron!”

Next: Luck will not play vs. Jags

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