Jeff Saturday stressing accountability on offensive line

Despite the unit being the team’s Achilles’ heel for the majority of the 2022 campaign, the Indianapolis Colts offensive line found new life under interim head coach Jeff Saturday.

The Las Vegas Raiders don’t boast the pass rush they did last season under Gus Bradley and have a league-low 10 sacks on the season. But there was much more competent play along the Colts offensive line in that game as they allowed just four total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.

Saturday doesn’t believe he added anything special to the group that made them perform better than they had all season. But, he has stressed accountability ever since he arrived nearly two weeks ago.

“Listen, it’s just accountability on all fronts,” Saturday told reporters this week. “Obviously, I know that position specifically and I have a lot of respect for what those guys have done and the way we’ve carried ourselves at that position on the team. I believe it needed to be addressed and emphasized. Those guys responded tremendously.”

The Colts stuck with rookie Bernhard Raimann at left tackle for the first game under Saturday’s tenure. He had a strong game, being credited without allowing a pressure by Pro Football Focus.

The other spot along the front is right guard. Second-year lineman Will Fries has become the starter over Matt Pryor and Danny Pinter. Though he was credited with three pressures, Fries showed he can hold his own at the position.

Saturday, of all people, knows how difficult offensive line play is.

“Again, I know how hard it is. I know how hard these guys work. This was not an effort issue, this is an accountability. This is what it’s going to look like play after play after play and those guys have responded and I think they’ve appreciated it,” Saturday said. “Again, I’ll hold you accountable, I’ll also be a big cheerleader. That’s what I was on Sunday and really excited how they responded.”

The Colts will have a much bigger test ahead of themselves in Week 11 when they host the Philadelphia Eagles. Led by former Colts assistant coach Jonathan Gannon—now Philly’s defensive coordinator—the Eagles are fourth in sacks (29) and sixth in pressure rate (24.6%).

This will be a true test for the Colts offensive line to see if they can string together strong performances under their new head coach.

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