INDIANAPOLIS – It’s probably the biggest ‘upgrade’ Philip Rivers will experience in now playing for the Colts.
The offensive line of the Colts is viewed as a strength.
The same cannot be said for that position group of the Chargers.
“It’s a heck of a group. That was on the list of pluses for wanting to be a part of this team,” Rivers says.
“I think the thing that stands out to me is all 5 of them played all 16 games together (last season). There’s a great deal of continuity there you can tell in the way they play, and how they play. I’ve heard so many great things about those guys and have seen it on tape, so definitely looking forward to working with that group.”
No Colts player or coach has spent more time with Rivers than Nick Sirianni, who was with the Chargers from 2013-17.
Sirianni, who was Rivers’ position coach in 2014 and 2015, knows a great recruiting chip the Colts had in in getting this marriage to happen.
“I think the big part of Philip being here is Anthony Castonzo, Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, Braden Smith, Mark Glowinski,” Sirianni says. “Those guys are our studs.
“That’s something he kept mentioning after we signed him of how valuable those guys were to him.”
Such an attractive situation for Rivers with the Colts also means an immense amount of pressure on the starting offensive line in Indy.
For one, the Colts have zero proven offensive line depth behind the returning starting lineup.
Not a single backup offensive lineman currently on the Colts 90-man roster played an offensive snap in the NFL last season. After pondering the thought of drafting one earlier, the Colts waited until Round Five of the 2020 Draft to take an offensive lineman, and that selection (Danny Pinter) will be making a position switch in the NFL.
Second, the Colts now have a quarterback under center who is not known at all for his mobility, or escapeability.
The Colts holding up in pass protection takes on even more of an onus with Rivers now working behind them.
Now, Rivers is different from Jacoby Brissett in his willingness to get the ball out quicker, thus avoiding sacks at a better rate.
What the Colts are betting on with Rivers is playing behind a sturdier offensive line will get him back playing at higher level.
It’s on the Indy offensive line to do its part.
