Fans of the Miami Dolphins are no stranger to disappointment. Having their franchise quarterback unceremoniously retire in the prime of his career on the eve of a season with high hopes? That, however, is a level of disappointment Miami fans cannot understand. That honor belongs to the 2019 Indianapolis Colts, as 2012 first overall pick Andrew Luck decided to hang up the cleats at the 11th hour of the offseason.
And yet, here the Colts sit at 6-5, generally playing quality football and vying for a playoff appearance and potentially division title. The new man under center, Jacoby Brissett, is not Andrew Luck. He has, however, played well enough to provide stability to the well-coached Indianapolis outfit. Head coach Frank Reich and general manager Chris Ballard have navigated the murky waters well — they offered a vote of confidence in Brissett by promptly giving him a contract extension. Ballard has constructed a solid roster that is playing complimentary football.
Still, there is both optimism and caution the Miami Dolphins should take from the story of the Indianapolis Colts.
Caution from the Colts
In 2012, Indianapolis successfully ‘Sucked for Luck,’ securing the Stanford quarterback at #1 overall. Luck was widely regarded as the best quarterback prospect in quite some time. It showed. The Colts reeled off three straight 11-5 seasons before Luck missed nine games in 2015 due to a shoulder injury. Rooted in that injury is where the caution comes into play for the rebuilding Dolphins.
The Colts, despite having a Hall of Fame quarterback in Peyton Manning for 13 seasons, completely neglected to give their new signal caller substantial help up front before it was too late.
Through Luck’s first five seasons, before he missed the entirety of the 2017 season, he was sacked 156 times. That includes the 2015 season — where he was sacked 15 times through the seven games he played in. Despite that shortened season, Luck took an average of 31 sacks a year. For comparison, Peyton Manning averaged less than 18 sacks taken per season during his time in Indy. It was utterly unacceptable incompetence by the former Colts management to strand Luck the way they did.
Unsurprisingly, Luck’s best season in Indy was in 2018, he only took 18 sacks that year. Unfortunately for the blue and white, it was too little too late. The damage had been done: physically, mentally and emotionally. Constant rehabilitation coupled with multiple surgeries for Andrew had done him in — and he didn’t wish to do it yet again.
Miami cannot make the same mistake with their future quarterback.
If Miami wants to get more than the measly six seasons the Colts got out of their franchise quarterback, they must address the offensive line. Fast forward to 2019, Indianapolis’s line is acknowledged as one of the best in football.
Too little. Too late.
Optimism from the 2019 Colts
One can’t help but be filled with optimism with the current coaching regime in Miami in relation to the Colts. The Colts have a far superior roster than the Miami Dolphins, yet Miami went toe-to-toe with them at Lucas Oil Stadium, ultimately securing the win. Yes, the Colts were down to their backup quarterback in Brian Hoyer, but that does not matter. The Colts are coached phenomenally. They are knocking at the door of the playoffs and have navigated adversity incredibly well.
Additionally, when general manager Chris Ballard took over the Colts in 2017, he promptly addressed the weakness of the roster. He built up the offensive side of the trenches with conviction and decisiveness; vowing to not make the same mistake his successor made. It has paid dividends. Ballard has assembled a deep, well-rounded roster in Indy. Unfortunately for him, the most crucial piece was already too damaged to go on.
Miami has the quality coaching. They have, for the first time in a long time, decision-makers who seem calculated. Watching the way the Colts have their team competing with these attributes despite Luck’s untimely departure has to be encouraging for Miami.
The Dolphins are now tasked with making it all work simultaneously: coaching, talent evaluating and roster construction. And they must do everything in their power to avoid what the Colts endured this past summer.
Your move, Chris Grier.