Colts could actually luck out with Myles Garrett’s defensive alignment
By Jerry Trotta
The Colts may not have an impossible task ahead of them with blocking Myles Garrett.
The Indianapolis Colts’ remarkable streak of consecutive games starting the same five offensive lineman will unfortunately come to an end this weekend as left tackle Anthony Castonzo was ruled out with a rib injury he sustained in the Week 4 win over Chicago.
We all know that LT is one of the most important positions in football, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Colts are 3-9 without Castonzo since he entered the NFL as a first-round draft pick (No. 22 overall) back in 2011. The grizzled veteran’s absence truly couldn’t come at a worse time as Indianapolis is arguably facing its toughest opponent to date in the Browns, who are currently riding a three-game winning streak.
On top of getting the running game established, the most prominent concern among Colts fans has been how on earth will they be able to slow down Myles Garrett, one of the league’s superior pass rushers.
It’s been widely theorized that 2016 third-round Le’Raven Clark will have to face off against the Browns superstar, but Andrew Walker of Colts.com mercifully pointed out that Garrett primarily lines up on the left side of the defense, meaning that he’ll square up against trusted right tackle Braden Smith for most of the snaps on Sunday.
Seeing some references to Myles Garrett lining up against a new Colts left tackle in Le’Raven Clark, who is likely filling in for Anthony Castonzo.
— Andrew Walker (@AWalkerColts) October 9, 2020
No doubt Garrett will likely move around some, but @PFF indicates he primarily lines up over the right tackle.
What makes Garrett so invaluable and impossible to stop is his versatility. The 2018 Pro Bowler is just as comfortable lining up at the RDE position, and you better believe that Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods will look to isolate him against Clark on numerous occasions through the game.
All told, Smith isn’t the most dependable blocker when it comes to pass protection as he, according to Pro Football Focus, conceded the fifth-most pressures by a tackle last season and was penalized five times. With that being said, however, Cleveland would obviously much rather line Garrett up against a player in Clark who’s started just 12 games across the first four years of his career.
News: Colts LT Anthony Castonzo officially ruled OUT for Sunday's game vs. Browns. Le'Raven Clark will start in his stead.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) October 9, 2020
Same with LB Darius Leonard.
Colts will be without two of their very best players.
Still, the fact that Garrett prefers lining up at LDE undoubtedly softens the blow of Castonzo being out. Through four games, the former No. 1 overall pick currently leads the league in sacks (five) and forced fumbles (three), so the Colts will need to put forth a collective effort to ensure he doesn’t add to those numbers.
Here’s to hoping that Smith and Clark are both up for the challenge.
