Upgrades hopefully on the way for Colts’ defense and offense

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Chuck Pagano, wearing that ever present smile, drew quite a crowd of well-wishers as he arrived at the NFL Scouting Combine. Now, it’s full speed ahead, meaning upgrading his defense and his offensive line.

“We’ve had a ton of different starting line-ups,” said Pagano, “and so we can look to three or four different things and say that you know if this this and this didn’t happen we might have played better you know, up front.”

General Manager Ryan Grigson is on the same page.

“We have to find ways,” said Grigson. “Whether it be through acquiring better talent, smarter players, you know, schemes, there is a lot of different ways, to protect your quarterback obviously drafting is a very key component.”

Both saw how a relentless defense made the difference in Super Bowl 50, especially with the pass rush, but improving there isn’t so easy, said Coach Pagano.

“Von Millers just ain’t falling out of the sky, you know, all over the place,” he said.

Grigson would love to beef up the rush. “You know, the old adage you know if you have 12 pass rushers go get 13, you know I mean but it’s easier said than done.  You know the draft this year there are some players, it’s not personally in my opinion as thick as you’d like, but those guys are at a premium.”

And as far as free agency goes, Grigson admits he had his misses, and learned from them.

“Our owner knows it, he knows that the house usually wins in free agency, I mean he’s told me that before we make those moves.  But that just speaks to the culture, I think that is why, no matter who has been in my seat or Chuck’s seat, Jim’s expectations of the organization has always come to free because of the bar, and that’s to win.”

It’s pretty obvious Grigson and Pagano have learned some hard lessons. What they do with them moving forward will determine their legacy with the Colts.