ESPN’s Ben Solak recently highlighted an unsung hero behind the Indianapolis Colts’ success on offense — and it’s not a player.
Solak wanted to shed some light on the work that’s been done by offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr.
A key contributor to the Colts’ high-powered offense has been the play of the offensive line unit, both in the run and passing games.
Through eight games, the Colts’ offensive line unit ranks third in ESPN’s run-block win rate metric, and they’ve surrendered the second-fewest sacks.
The Colts’ offensive line entered this season with some unknowns. After parting ways with Ryan Kelly and Will Fries in free agency, the team leaned on two first-time starters in Tanor Bortolini at center and Matt Goncalves at right guard. Goncalves was also making a position change, moving from tackle to guard.
However, you wouldn’t know that based on the play of these two second-year linemen.
“He (Bortolini) is the author of many of Taylor’s best runs, and while pass protection isn’t the strength of his game, he has improved from Week 1,” Solak wrote. “Goncalves hasn’t had as many eye-popping wins as Bortolini, but he doesn’t have many eye-popping losses, and that’s what you want from a first-year starter.”
Along with the play of Bortolini and Goncalves, the veterans of this offensive line group have been playing excellent football as well.
“Left guard Quenton Nelson is playing the best ball of his career, which is saying something,” Solak added. “Right tackle Braden Smith, whose play fell off after a fraught year last season, has bounced back to form. Left tackle Bernhard Raimann, who signed a massive extension this summer, looks every part the franchise cornerstone on the blind side.”
While the offensive line can be forgotten about, success for any offense starts up front, with time in the pocket for the quarterback and a run game to lean on.
And behind the success that the Colts’ offensive line has had is Tony Sparano Jr.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL analyst highlights unsung hero behind Colts’ success on offense
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
