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Colts Looking to Find 5 Offensive Lineman ‘Fast’ in Training Camp

By Luke Schultheis

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According to Kevin Bowen of Colts.com, the Indianapolis Colts and their head coach in Chuck Pagano are looking to find a starting 5 along their offensive line early in training camp:

"“It’s going to be imperative that once we get to Anderson on August 1st, we get, as fast as we can, five guys out there and get them playing together so there’s continuity together,” said Pagano via Bowen. “From a communication standpoint, it’s great for the quarterback. It’s great for everybody.”"

While Gosder Cherilus health remains the major question mark going into camp, the Colts offensive line possesses tremendous versatility. The team has 3 offensive lineman with right tackle experience in Jack Mewhort, Todd Herremans, and Joe Reitz. Right now, Mewhort remains the primary candidate to fill-in, but it’s still entirely up in the air.

Aside from Anthony Castonzo at left tackle, the entire Colts offensive line is in flux. Currently, Khaled Holmes and Jonotthan Harrison are battling it out for the starting center job, and guards like Herremans, Hugh Thornton, and Donald Thomas figure to be competing for potential starting jobs as well along the interior.

One thing is for certain; however, the Colts clearly know that protecting Andrew Luck is the top priority. It’s already something that has been firmly established into the Colts offensive line room heading into training camp:

"“Protect 12” is ingrained into the Colts offensive line room and is of heightened importance when looking at the potential of the entire offense in 2015,” writes Kevin Bowen."

For good reason too, as Luck has been pressured and hit entirely too much in recent seasons:

#12 is the Colts franchise player after all, and the Colts aren’t going to go very far unless he’s fully healthy. By minimizing his hits and keeping Luck upright, the Colts have a better chance of keeping him in good health. Conversely, they also know they’ll be maximizing Luck’s time in the pocket, which figures to lead to great things:

"“If Andrew has time,” said offensive line coach Joe Gilbert. “I really feel we have the guys at the skill positions that are really going to eat anybody up, if we give 12 time back there.”"

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