It seems personnel-men around the league are shocked at the limited resources Indianapolis Colts GM Ryan Grigson has invested in protecting Pro Bowl, All Pro, All World quarterback Andrew Luck. Luck, currently dealing with an injured shoulder, missed the Colts' game this past week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. While Luck's injury may not be as severe as some have suggested, it seems the running for his life he did prior to his absence is likely to continue upon his return, thanks in large part to Grigson's swings and misses in personnel.
"If there's one main culprit for what's happened with the Colts, it's that general manager [Ryan Grigson]," an unnamed NFC scout told Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report. "I like him, but there isn't a personnel person in the league who doesn't wonder why he hasn't done a better job of protecting [Andrew Luck]. When you see your franchise [player] get the hell beat out of him the way he was for years, do a better job of protecting him."
In fairness to Grigson, it's not necessarily that he hasn't tried to do more to protect Luck, it's simply that, like many of his other recent personnel moves, the additions he's made along the offensive front just haven't worked out. Former Pro Bowl Eagles guard Todd Herremans was signed this offseason to help shore up the interior of Luck's line. Herreman has now been relegated to healthy scratch after already dropping to back-up duty. Free agent addition Lance Louis was sent to the bench and then the inactive list as well.
Grigson's second-rounder in the 2014 NFL Draft, Jack Mewhort, struggled mightily at right tackle and eventually gave way to Joe Reitz. Even the Colts best offensive lineman, Anthony Castonzo, he of the brand new, lucrative long-term extension, would be considered only a competent player on many NFL teams.
With Luck taking the majority of reps in practice for Indy this week, it's all-but-certain he'll suit up against the Houston Texans on Thursday. But that doesn't mean it'll fix what ails a Colts team that also just re-signed veteran backup Josh Johnson and barely escaped from Jacksonville with a win last week.
