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For Colts, Protecting Andrew Luck Remains a Concern

By Luke Schultheis

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The Indianapolis Colts can have all of the offensive weapons in the world, but it won’t matter for their star quarterback Andrew Luck if they can’t actually keep him upright.

According to Football Outsiders Scott Kacsmar, Luck has led the league in QB knockdowns over the past 3 seasons:

If Saturday’s preseason loss to the Chicago Bears was any clear indication, he may be in-line for his 4th straight season as the NFL’s leader in QB knockdowns. An honor that Luck likely admittedly doesn’t want to receive again.

Even with veteran offseason addition Todd Herremans at starting guard and Jack Mewhort sliding over to starting right tackle in a re-constructed Colts offensive line, Luck was still hit entirely too much once again (via ProFootballTalk):

"“Mewhort was beaten for a sack by Pernell McPhee on the second play of the game and then gave up another pressure to McPhee on the next snap. Herremans allowed pressure up the middle and Jared Allen hurried Luck after navigating his way around left tackle Anthony Castonzo. Luck wound up sacked once and hit twice, which isn’t what coach Chuck Pagano wants to see.”"

For those keeping track at home, Luck was sacked and hit twice on his 1st five pass attempts. That’s not exactly a recipe for success during the upcoming season.

Protecting the health of the Colts franchise player in Luck is of the utmost importance going forward, as he’s clearly indispensable to the team.

Something that head coach Chuck Pagano is already stressing to his team:

"“We’ve got to be able to protect the quarterback,” Pagano said via ESPN’s Mike Wells. “Pass [protection] at times was okay and at times has got to be better, got to get it shored up.”"

Rightfully so too, as the success of the Colts season could ultimately depend on it.

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