Can Joe Philbin solve the Colts offensive line woes?
By Evan Reller
Green Bay Packers, 2008-2011 – Rodgers Era
- 2008 – 19th in run blocking, 14th in pass protection
- Colts – 23rd in run blocking, 1st in pass protection
- 2009 – 9th in run blocking, 30th in pass protection
- Colts – 23rd in run blocking, 1st in pass protection
- 2010 – 23rd in run blocking, 21st in pass protection
- Colts – 22nd in run blocking, 1st in pass protection
- 2011 – 16th in run blocking, 21st in pass protection
- Colts – 25th in run blocking, 18th in pass protection
More from Horseshoe Heroes
- Colts explored hiring former quarterback and current ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky
- When is the NFL Combine 2023? NFL Combine schedule, events, how to stream
- Latest NFL mock draft has Colts trading up to No. 1 for star QB
- Eagles offensive free agents that could follow Shane Steichen to Colts
- Here’s why Colts linebacker Shaq Leonard is going to love Shane Steichen
If you needed more evidence that sacks are mostly a product of the quarterback, look no further than the 2010 season for the Colts. They had a terrible offensive line, but Manning took just 16 sacks. They then went from first in protection with Manning for three years, to 21st when he was out all of 2011.
This also applies to Rodgers, who has taken a lot of sacks in his career. One of the few knocks on him is that he has a tendency to hold onto the ball for too long, especially early in his career. Rodgers can extend the play but sometimes gets into trouble by doing so, Luck has this same issue. While in Philbin’s system, Rodgers had a sack rate of 6.8 percent, but not that different than his 6.95 percent since Philbin left.
But even when the line wasn’t very good for the Packers, they still managed to win the Super Bowl in 2010.
Next: Head Coach at Miami