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Colts rookie Blake Freeland likely replacing Braden Smith at RT after two weeks at LT
Joel A. Erickson
Indianapolis Star


INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts are asking rookie tackle Blake Freeland to handle a difficult role, a role typically reserved for a veteran who’s been around the block a few times.

Freeland is the team’s swing tackle, meaning he’s the first man up on either side of the offensive line.

Freeland made the first two starts of his career at left tackle the last two weeks in place of an injured Bernhard Raimann, and with Raimann potentially coming out of the concussion protocol this week, he likely has to switch to the right side this week in place of Braden Smith, who suffered a hip injury in practice Thursday.


“I feel good about it now,” Freeland said. “I’ve been working it all through camp, all through the season, both sides. … I was flipping and flopping so much.”

Freeland, a fourth-round pick out of BYU, was better suited to the role than most rookies.

He spent the first two seasons of his collegiate career at right tackle, then switched to the left side between his sophomore and junior seasons.


As simple as it might sound to play the same position on the other side of the offensive line, it is remarkably difficult, like a right-handed boxer suddenly being asked to switch to southpaw or an American on vacation trying to drive on the left side of the road.

Nothing feels right at first.


“The first time is way harder than it is now,” Freeland said. “I remember my transition between my sophomore and junior year, switching between right and left, the first week and a half of spring training was a little rough. … After you’ve done it so long, it becomes a much easier transition.”

Freeland might be stepping into the lineup on the right side for more than just this week’s game against the Jaguars.


Indianapolis is still evaluating the extent of Smith’s hip injury. The veteran right tackle was walking around the practice fields and locker room on Friday, but Colts head coach Shane Steichen wasn’t sure if Smith’s status would be day to day or longer than that.

“We’re just going through that process right now,” Steichen said. “We’ll keep you updated.”

The first time Freeland had to start, he barely had any time to get ready.

Freeland was told he was starting at left tackle against the Rams on Friday afternoon; he essentially had only a walk-through to prepare for a Los Angeles defense that included Aaron Donald.

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“Obviously, Aaron Donald’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer, he’s one of the best players to ever play this game,” Colts offensive line coach Tony Sparano, Jr. said. “You talk about baptism by fire a little bit there, you get thrown out there and see that dude lined up across from you a few times, it’s like, ‘Whoa.’”


Freeland struggled at times against the Rams, then played better in his second start against the Titans.

If he’s on the right side this week, he’ll likely be matched up most of the time against Jaguars star Josh Allen, who already has six sacks this season.

“That’s what this league is,” Sparano said. “They might not all be as special as Aaron Donald is, but certainly, every team has got really good players in their front. … I was in Jacksonville with Josh Allen, I know how he works, how he prepares, the caliber of player he is. … Blake, the one thing I’ll say about him, he’s a cool customer. He’s not rattled easily.”

For Freeland, like most rookie offensive linemen, the jump in talent level was the toughest thing to adjust to right away.

The more he played, though, the more confidence he built, and it helped him get ready for the role he’s playing right now, finding out the week’s assignment at a moment’s notice sometimes.


“There wasn’t really an ah-ha moment, but throughout OTAs, I felt more and more comfortable,” Freeland said. “The coach and my teammates have shown a lot of confidence in me, and I think that just helped with my preparation and being ready to play.”

He has to be ready to play again this week.

Another tough assignment is on tap.