The New York Jets face off against the Indianapolis Colts this weekend. The Colts represent a blueprint that the Jets do not want to copy.
The New York Jets take on an ironic opponent this week when they face the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium. It’s not only because they face the Colts on the week they are celebrating the Super Bowl victory over the Colts, albeit the Baltimore ones.
The irony comes in how the Colts were put together over the last few years. They represent a team that the Jets should have no interest in copying. Ever.
Back in 2012 the Colts were looking for a franchise quarterback. They were trying to get out from under the Peyton Manning injury and they needed a new franchise quarterback to help them do so.
There was a highly-touted prospect out of Stanford who graded out extremely well by anyone’s standard. The Colts made him the first pick of the draft. Of course his name is Andrew Luck.
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After leading his team to three straight 11-5 records, the injury bug started to hit.
Luck hasn’t played a full season since. His injuries took him out for an entire year in 2017.
He had an issue with his throwing shoulder that started in 2015 but really manifested itself into the need for surgery after the 2016 season.
He practiced in 2017 but was unable to get ready for games.
Why did this happen? Did Luck forget how to protect himself?
It was none of that. The problem was in how the Colts were put together around Luck.
Specifically, they did not protect their investment by building an offensive line around him.
According to Football Outsiders, Luck was sacked 102 times over his first three seasons.
That’s a bad recipe for anyone.
It didn’t stop there. Luck was sacked 15 times in the seven games he played in 2015. When you put that in perspective, the injuries come as no surprise. If he hadn’t gotten hurt after all of those sacks, it would be a bigger story.
Indianapolis has not invested in quality offensive linemen. Quentin Nelson, their first round pick in 2018 has been by far the biggest player they have selected along the line since Luck entered the league.
That is not the way to protect your franchise quarterback investment. Guys like Nelson should have been selected from minute one.
The Jets must avoid this blueprint. Starting with the 2019 offseason and draft they must invest in the offensive line.
Mike Maccagnan has to protect the investment, especially during his rookie contract years. They have the window and the money to become a winner. But, they must do it the right way.
Not the Colts way.