Pagano: “Imperative” to Get Colts Offensive Line Together

The biggest flaw of the Indianapolis Colts offense has been the play of the line. Aside from left tackle, the offensive line has been a turnstile of players being plugged in week to week.

A lack of consistency has hurt the run game and led to Andrew Luck taking far more hits than coaches are happy with. Some of the line problems are due to a lack of talent, while others are related to injuries, and of course there have been instances of players being benched for unknown reasons.

The Colts’ brass has talked about settling the offensive line and building some measure of consistency. Right now, it appears that the team only has two positions settled, LT with Anthony Castonzo and LG with Jack Mewhort, but Mewhort might slide over to right tackle if Gosder Cherilus isn’t healthy by camp.

Last season, the right side of the line was a mess. Heading into training camp, the Colts don’t appear to have anything settled but coach Chuck Pagano is hoping that will change quickly. He spoke with Colts.com’s Kevin Bowen about solving the line problems as soon as possible once the players report for camp.

"“I think the biggest question mark might be that group right now,” Pagano said of the Colts offensive line at the end of the team’s mini-camp. “It seems to be the group we talk about the most.”“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,” Pagano said after the team’s mini-camp.“From a communication standpoint, it’s great for the quarterback. It’s great for everybody.”"

Pagano also spoke about the rollercoaster of health that has been the offensive line, especially as it relates to the competition to the starting five spots.

"“We do have a lot of guys that have played a lot of football and there’s going to be a ton of competition at a bunch of spots, especially those interior spots, those guard spots and that center spot,” Pagano said.“Everybody is wondering who that right tackle is going to be, but we’ve got a bunch of guys who have played quality snaps at those spots. It’s going to be interesting and I can’t wait to see what the final product is.”"

The Colts are loaded up with weapons heading into 2015, but it won’t matter much if they can’t protect Luck or give Frank Gore running lanes.