Defensive expectations under Reich, Eberflus
We know about Eberflus' history. 4-3, Marinelli concepts that descend from Dungy's Tampa 2. Probably a more updated coverage scheme than the zone that continually killed us back then though. And there's the Rob Ryan connection, some concepts from there may bleed in.
Should we expect anything else? Will Reich have any input? He's the HC, how could he not? Will he want to implement any of Schwartz' Wide 9 into the defense, and does Eberflus have any experience with it? Despite how much yardage the Eagles D gave up in the SB, they were very effective all year and got pressure from many different players. Their DE group is very good. Brandon Graham, Vinny Curry, Chris Long, and Derek Barnett are players that could all start for a number of NFL teams. We have Sheard, who I think can hang w/that group, and Basham, who is probably better-suited to down lineman than stand-up rush OLB. And then nobody. John Simon will probably be an OLB and the one to move down in Under looks. Mingo will have to work to find a spot, he's not a lineman at all and if he plays at all on defense it'll be at LB. Seems likely we'll draft Chubb at #3, and still probably go after a DE in FA. The interior DL looks good. Don't think Hankins is on Fletcher Cox' level, but he should have the skill set to be good in that role. If healthy I'd expect Anderson to start at DT over Woods, though rotation will obviously come into play depending on opponent and situation. Philly's LBs seem a lot more talented than ours. I think Simon will do well enough transitioning to SAM. We need MLB and WLB, maybe the guy from Dallas will sign here. Would not at all mind Tremaine Edmunds in the draft but I'm not sure we'll have the opportunity. I don't see the need to bolster our DBs a ton. Re-sign Melvin and keep our starters healthy, maybe bring in some depth where needed. |
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That Eagles defenses was Jim Schwartz's show. Nothing to read into what the Colts are planning, other than the fact that they're moving to more of a speed-based 4-3.
Overall, the Colts need 1-2 pass rushers, 2 LBs who can cover, and 1-2 corners. If they get those, they can mix and match zone and man out of the base defense and Nickel. In the offseason, I expect Ballard to draft Chubb, sign 2 LBs, and sign 1 corner (possibly Melvin). If he hits on those moves, the defense will be significantly better in 2018*. *Health-permitting |
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I EXPECT it to be better than what we have had the past 6 years.
Along the lines of what FattyDT said, I expect reich to have input into the defense, but I think that he will largely let eberflus run that side of things and reich to concentrate more on the offense. From what I have read ballard loves eberflus. I would hazard to bet that he is totally a ballard guy and not a mcdouche guy. In that during the interviews ballard said he wanted erberflus and mcdouche just agreed. Since he was already here and seems well respected I am guessing reich didnt have an issue with it. |
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My wife and I talk all the time about employers giving their employees the "gift of expectation." Expect more from them and often they will respond. Expect our defense to have to learn multiple different sets and then be able to execute them as the game plan dictates. It would be a wondrous thing to see. Walk Worthy, |
4-3 "under" defense
Gap described below: [C Gap] OT [B Gap] OG [A Gap] OC [A Gap] OG [B Gap] OT [C Gap] TE [D Gap] Nose Tackle (3-tech shading the inside shoulder of the OG penetrating the strong side A gap demanding the double team): Jonathan Hankins, Al Woods, Grover Steward Under Tackle (4-tech heads up on the weak side OG playing typically the weak side B gap between OG and OT): Henry Anderson, Hassan Ridgeway Strong Side Defensive End (7/8/9-tech on the OT penetrating either the strong side B or C gap depending on defensive play call): Jabaal Sheard, Free Agent (Adrian Clayborn, Alex Okafor, Ezekiel Ansah, David Bass) Weak Side Defensive End (8/9-tech on the OT almost always penetrating the weak side C gap): Bradley Chubb, Terrell Basham Strong Side Linebacker (bumping the TE and running with or defending the edge, responsible for the opposite gap (B or C) that the SSDE is not penetrating): John Simon, Lower Round Draft Pick Middle Linebacker (Run responsibility is weak-side A gap; must cover the deep middle zone or run with crossing routes): Free Agent (NaVaro Bowman, Nigel Bradham), Anthony Walker Weak Side Linebacker (Run stuffing clean-up guy who can set his edge or run all day to contain the backside cut and run down plays from behind): Free Agent (Anthony Hitchins, Todd Davis), Jeremiah George Strong Safety (cover TE and run support in the box as needed): Clayton Geathers, Matthias Farley Free Safety (Ball hawking deep zone range running all day, baby!): Malik Hooker, T.J. Green Cornerbacks (Press coverage, gum flavor tasters who stick with their guy all week long): Qunicy Wilson, Kenny Moore, Nate Hairston, D.J. White + Free Agent Tier A = Malcolm Butler, Prince Amukamara Tier B = Aaron Colvin, Ross Cockrell, Trumaine Johnson, Kyle Fuller Tier C = Rasaan Melvin So, in my book in free agency, IF the Colts sign: 1x DE Free Agent (Adrian Clayborn, Alex Okafor, Ezekiel Ansah, David Bass) 1x MLB Free Agent (NaVaro Bowman, Nigel Bradham) 1x WSLB Free Agent (Anthony Hitchins, Todd Davis) 1x CB Free Agent from list above AND THEN draft Bradley Chubb with the #3 overall pick and a depth SSLB with a 5th/6th/7th round pick WILL RESULT in a defense that is set with a solid group of folks that can execute this defense. More playmakers will be needed for it to be good but we are not far off being a solid defense in the 4-3. It is obvious that Ballard knew we were heading this way with player acquisition in 2017. All the free agents fit a 4-3 as well or better than the 3-4 they were signed to play in. It will be great watching Ballard in free agency because my bet is that he does absolutely nothing like I wrote above for the defense! Walk Worthy, |
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our defensive alignment up front won't differ much from paganos. although we probably wont be asking our nt or our strong side de to 2 gap much.
the 3 tech is not the nose. shrek has that messed up. and he won't be handling the double teams. that should be the nt. unless he sucks. remember larry tripplett getting like 6 sacks because simon was dominating 2 guys inside in 05. the nose will be just like it was. a 1 tech or 0 shade or something of that sort. and of course our de's will put their hand down but it is not like they weren't doing that a lot anyway. |
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I still like the idea of starting Anderson at Strong Side DE on run downs, and sliding him to UT on passing downs and moving the UT to NT, then have Sheard come in at SSDE.
Also, I would give Mingo a shot at WILL, he might not make the leap, but whatta we have to lose? |
I think this move towards a hybrid Tampa 2 is an opportunity for Hooker, with his range. He could flourish in a defense like that, if he recovers from the knee.
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Sheard to DE. I would give Walker (MLB) and George (WSLB) another year as depth to develope. Otherwise? Replace them all. Walk Worthy, Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk |
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We really don't have a true UT either. Maybe Ballard can does a trade back and then we come up with Roquan Smith and Maurice Hurst. So you wanna see Sheard at LDE? I think we will get bludgeoned in the run game with him at LDE. As far as Mingo goes, he's under contract I believe, let him fight it out with George and whoever the Colts bring in to compete at WILL. I mean he's failed at pretty much everything else. |
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Why would Sheard be a problem in the run game on the left side? He had a good year all-around, not just rushing the passer. I think his game fits the strong side.
And yeah, Anderson should do well at UT. I know lots of Colts fans have written him off because he's "injury prone" now but that's dumb. The fact that he's not a short squat Aaron Donald or Gino Atkins type doesn't mean he can't penetrate. He's proven he can. The only time I could see Anderson moving to end would be in heavy/goal line packages when they want to get both Hankins and Woods in there together. I would expect Anderson and Hankins to start in the middle, Sheard start at one of the ends, and a drafted or signed player to take the other end spot. There are a number of edge rushers I'd look at in FA: Demarcus Lawrence - He'd start but he'll probably be kept by Dallas. Ezekiel Ansah - Starter if healthy, but probably a rotational piece going forward. Dion Jordan - I wanted no part of him as a rookie. But he got 4 sacks in 5 games late in the season for the Seahawks. I read his story and I'd be happy if Ballard gave him a shot. He probably wants to stay on the west coast though. Dee Ford - Probably a rotational player on the right side only, Ballard likely had a big part in scouting him. Trent Murphy - More of a rotational strong side player, but we have the cap and his injury might drive his price down. Alex Okafor - Rotational pass rush Dwight Freeney - if he can still rotate in why not bring him back for one last season? Realistically though, we should probably just draft Chubb at #3 if we want a long-term starter at RDE. Lawrence isn't leaving Dallas, Ansah might not be durable enough to start, and the rest of the guys haven't proven they're worthy of a high-end starter contract. |
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I think Hunt can provide some valuable snaps in that UT spot as well. I don't see either him or Anderson as an even front DE. Hunt has proven he's not good there, and Anderson has shown too much to not play on the interior. |
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Chubb reminds me of Michael Bennett or Terrell Suggs with better quickness and speed. He's smart, uses technique and moves to beat people as well as pure talent, and like Bennett can take over a game (watch the FSU tape, he completely dominated their offense all game). He also doesn't quit on plays and is very much a high effort player, never see him take a play off. |
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Nope, not mutually exclusive. Top priority if FA should be OL who can protect Luck. Top priority in the draft should be guys who can put the other SOB QB on his ass. |
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1) Franchise QB 2) Guys who get to the other QB 3) Guys who protect franchise QB Especially if the offense is designed to get the ball out quickly, which Reich's is. |
We can afford two new starters on the OL, a pass rusher, and we will still have lots of money left over.
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The sure-fire stater is Nate Solder (NE) who had a down year in Cheater land in 2017. He has thrown together a good career and is only 29 so I suspect he would be good for a 3/4 year contract. If signed, let him and 'Stanzo duke it out for LT duties while the loser slides to RT. Behind Solder, there are a couple of guys who have not been full-time starters that I would be interested in seeing if they are better options than Good or Reitz. Cameron Flemming, NE Chris Hubbard, PIT cornelius Lucas, LAR Austin Pasztor, ATL Seantrel Hendersen, BUF Pasztor was a full time starter prior to being on IR in 2017. All the rest have only been depth or part time starters due to injury at this point. NE is only $17m under the cap with two OTs hitting free agency. My guess is that only one will be re-signed so we could have a shot at either Solder or Flemming which would be great. PIT is only $6m under the cap with the decision on RB Bell to make. Hubbard might also hit the market which is great because of the guys available, Solder, Flemming and Hubbard are my top guys. OG? Yeah, I have not looked at them yet but I am under the impression that there are a ton of guys there with good skillsets. So, in my perfect world, we sign: 1x OT (Solder, Flemming, Hubbard) 1x OG (starter level FA from another team) 1x OG Jack Mewhort and then draft in 3rd or 4th round 1x O-Linemen to add to the mix retain 'Stanzo, Kelly, Haeg, Good and Bond/Person. That is 9 bodies with Haeg, Good, Bond/Person and the rookie being the depth guys behind 'Stanzo, Kelly, Mewhort and the 2x free agents. That is very doable.....along with signing defensive free agents to help the transition to the 4-3 and a few offensive skill players (WR, RB) to add to the mix. Walk Worthy, |
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With all our cap space there's no reason to have to prioritize. Bradham isn't going to cost that much, no one contract from any FA is going to significantly dent our cap space. |
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As far as the targets are concerned, no free agent is going to be perfect, teams make retaining their best players their top priority. Ansah having an injury history and likely being a poor fit for Patricia's defense are what will allow him to be on the market in the first place. |
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I'll be fascinated to see what the Colts do if they trade out of #3, especially with reports of BUF looking to jump in for a QB.
On paper, Chubb makes almost too much sense to pass up. He has all the making of a 10+ sack 4-3 DE. But if Ballard's scouting team feels like they can find enough of a pass rush further down, it would be hard to pass up on that draft capital. |
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I think this defense could improve in a hurry under that scenario, and then add a guy like Michel in the 2nd. |
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Depends on how they write the contracts.
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