ESPN NFL Conversation

pipdmx33

So other than the lack of experienced linebackers, quality corners and any kind of proven defensive line, we're all set! I think it'll take a couple of years, but overall I like the change. I was getting kind of tired of seeing Freeney and Mathis fly up the field as running backs hit the gaps they left unpatrolled. Not to mention that horrible third down defense, ugh.
279 Days ago

tracyfwin

I like the analysis. I do expect the D to struggle early as they adjust to the new scheme. I also agree with hoosier_kid that the schedule will be kind to the Colts. This first preseason game will start that trend as the Rams struggle to find WR talent to put on the field. They have focused on an OL and QB that will challenge the Colts new D however. Watch for the ratio of man to zone D as an indication of how well the D is progressing tomorrow. Everyone is focusing on the offensive side of the ball and I think they'll be fine there in time. It will take lots of reps and building experience together. I expect a slow start to the year and, optimistically, expect the O to hit their stride by mid season. The wild card - and what will determine the season - is how quickly the D jells. Remember that there's approx $40M in cap to spread next year! A top WR and plenty of D improvements are coming. This is not a single year rebuild.
282 Days ago

RiggoDrill44

Redskins switched 3 years ago.They went from a top10 defense to 30th.Last year they were much better and this year I'm hoping they are dominate.Expect that same curve with the Colts.
282 Days ago

hoosier_kid

Indy will be fine. Dont forget we have one of the easiest schedules as well. So the goofs we are playing arent exactly playoff teams from a year ago. Defense will still be playing the lead. The biggest problem for me is at RB!
282 Days ago

Sandybaby716

Not a Colts fan, but: Williams had no issues switching schemes. Peppers actually said hewould only sign with a 3-4 team when he was a free agent, but none offered him a deal. Regardless, those players have around 50 pounds on Freeney and Mathis. It's a bit of a harsh comparison. Many successful 3-4's have underwhelming nose tackles. Like San Fran or Houston last season. Heck, even Baltimore, which is the team Pagano came from. Suggesting that Angerer would have to split responsibilities only shows your lack of an understanding of the 3-4. Also, nothing stops them from switching players out on passing downs. Packages will still exist. And finally, you suggest that the defense is small because of how they built it in the past. You said this is compounded by the fact that they brought in new players. I don't have any idea what you're trying to say here.
283 Days ago

JaguarShyt42

There D always sucks....a switch in system is gonna suck it up even more...and its good its your turn to lose...Go Jags
283 Days ago

mattattack1769

texans are the new king in this division and there young
281 Days ago

archer122482

I hope you enjoyed last year, and maybe this year of you're lucky because after this season we'll be on top the division and you'll be back on the bottom because Luck is going to be elite and you guys will still have an average QB.
283 Days ago

Sandybaby716

Average? It's Blaine Gabbert. That's like calling Nickelback a decent band.
283 Days ago

JaguarShyt42

I totaly agree
283 Days ago

TallTexanGuy

really a crappy defense from a year ago that added nothing switching schemes is going to suck? i had no idea, yay for insider telling me this valuable info
283 Days ago

jds_drummer

When you say "adding nothing" are you referring to the three players from the Ravens that already know the system.
282 Days ago

tracyfwin

Absolutely clueless.
282 Days ago

jwisejr1010

Your opinion Gary. The Colts are going to be better than everyone thinks. This isnt rocket science its football. Quit being a hater
283 Days ago

Capone7295

Go Colts!
283 Days ago

Capone7295

The front seven will adapt and do fine. Probably not great, but good enough. The secondary is and has always been the biggest worry. Someone here in camp and preseason needs to step up and develop.
283 Days ago

CanteringColt

You do know that the OLB/DE end can put his hand down if it feels soooo uncomfortable standing up (oh no, I feel off balance). We're talking about two of the most athletic D ends to play the game...and coverage?? What the 2-3 times a game where they are asked to zone cover the flat is going to be back breaking? Horton you need to find better things to write about. Our defense is going to shape up just fine old man.
283 Days ago

55_BPaul

I think any defensive scheme that removes the 15 yard cushion that the cornerbacks in Indy have been allowing for the last few years is an improvement. I also think we will all be surprised with how much Coach Chuck can accomplish in one offseason.
283 Days ago

rehmeljl

This article appears to be a bunch of weak arguments that paint the Colts defense as a catastrophe waiting to happen. Allow me to illustrate: 1: Horton says that Freeney and Mathis are making a trainsition to 3-4 OLB, neither has spent time in coverage, MAY not be excited about the transition, and are not bad run defenders. haha... Um...OK? I get that neither has spent time in coverage, fair enough, but it has been pointed out time and again that Freeney will be playing a position akin to Terrell Suggs (i.e., primarily as a pass rusher). Mathis, on the other hand, may be asked to fall into coverage more, but it would make little sense to give him a big contract extension just to ask him to do things he is not good at doing. Mathis is an incredibly athletic defensive player though. With his speed and agility which comes from a 245 lb frame with roughly 0% body fat, it seems quite plausible that he will be able to play in coverage admirably. Also, any kind of scheme which facilitates any kind of confusion as to where Mathis and Freeney are and when they will be coming is only going to benefit the defense. 2: Horton says that Conner and Angerer will be the new ILBs in the Colts 3-4 but both are undersized and not good in coverage. Um... what?!?! Angerer has been lauded for his coverage skills, you know by people who actually follow the Colts closely. Probably need to check your sources on that one. Also, while Angerer is a bit undersized at 60 235, Conner is pretty average for a 3-4 ILB (60 245). Conner embodies a frame that is significantly larger than Lawrence Timmons, you know a starting 3-4 ILB on one of the best defenses in the league. There is also Ray Lewis who is roughly 61, 243 lbs... Rumor is he is a fairly good 3-4 ILB. 3: Horton argues that the Colts lack a true nose tackle. This, of course, is wrong. McKinney is a NT, not sure where he gets the idea he doesnt have that skill set. He was brought over from the Ravens where he played that specific role. He is also something like 62 345lbs. Chapman played almost all of last season with the same injury that Horton refers to in his article. Perhaps there is more ambiguity with that situation than Im aware of, but I havent heard that sitting out the season is a possibility. Antonio Johnson is a hold over from the 4-3 but has played nose tackle and has bulked up to 330. 4: The corners on the Colts are a big unknown and after Powers you cannot say much because most of the players werent on the team last year. But, I would grant this is a concern. However, this isn't Madden. We aren't simply trying to take the 2012 Colts defense and force them to play with the Ravens playbook. The Colts players will be asked to do what they are good at and the defense will be adapted as such. Hence all the talk of the hybrid 3-4. 5: His entire argument for lack of size is that the Colts are transitioning from a 4-3 to a 3-4. NOT a strong argument, Im afraid. Indeed, it appears that outside of the cornerback position size and skill is not much of an obvious problem. The line is going to be pretty average with 2 DEs who have played significant portions of their career in a 3-4 (Redding & Ravens; Moala & USC). Colts have size @ NT which has been discussed above and only one of the two ILBs can be considered undersized.
283 Days ago

jds_drummer

Have you ever thought about writing for ESPN. Your article was much Horton's.
282 Days ago

archer122482

This seems like a very negative, worst-case scenario kind of article. There are many counter points one could make on the positive side. If this is trying to bring our hopes down so that we are pleased rather than disappointed then I think you've managed to do the trick. Sure the D could struggle but there are positives coming out of camp that show some promise. It won't be great by any means this year but I think we'll do considerably better than this suggests. For starters Freeney, as P.K. has pointed out, is playing more of a T. Suggs type position while Mathis seems to be the one who drops back more often. I heard that early in training camp Mathis intercepted a pass to Fleener. The simple fact that he was close enough to Fleener for an int. to be a possibility tells me he is adapting pretty well. Overall I think the D will be improved from last year and will show some impressive flashes from time to time.
283 Days ago