Colts defense gets a radio

by Brad Wells on Apr 9, 2008 11:05 AM EDT in Colts Analysis

An interesting side note to the 2008 off-season is the implementation of defensive captains getting radios in their helmets to help them communicate better with defensive coordinators during pre-snap reads. This rule is a direct result from the Patriots cheating scandal, and unlike years past it doesn't seem to have the swirl of controversy around it. For the Colts, it means MLB Gary Brackett will have a radio receiver in his helmet, allowing defensive coaches to communicate with him. Like with the QB helmet, the receiver will shut off when the offense comes to the line (I believe). This gives teams who run a no-huddle offensive attack an advantage. Still, before the offense lines up, Brackett will be able to get key personnel info from his coaches so he can better make his defensive reads:

Brackett said he spoke with Colts quarterback Peyton Manning on Friday, and Manning told him pre-planning exactly what will and won't be communicated will be critical.

"We spoke about making sure we get the process down before we get to the season, exactly how you want it and who you want it coming from," Brackett said. "What are you guys going to be talking about, if anything? It's a situation where I can't talk to them. They can talk to me. I need to know exactly the information and I don't need to know any more than I need to know and I don't need to know any less.

"I want to know the personnel on the field, what guys they have in. I want to know if Devin Hester is in the game, should I gear the defense to that? Then, I need to know our coverage. I still have to focus, then as a player, I have to play.

"It has to be a win-win situation. I don't want it to be where I'm struggling to get the calls, then it's taking away from my play. It has to be, `This is what you're going to get me and these are the keys you want me to alert the other guys to.' I can call the defense and still be able to line up and process the information, then I need to be productive on the field."

This will provide an interesting wrinkle for teams in 2008. It seems, on the surface, to hamper offensive teams who like to substitute players. However, a team like the Colts rarely substitute multiple players on offense. They line up in basic formations (2 TE, 3 WR, FB, etc.) are rely on precise routes and schemes to be effective on offense. The Colts also do multiple audibles at the line, which are often dummy calls. So, it's an interesting wrinkle, but I'm not sure it will affect the Colts offense too much. We will see.

Update [2008-4-9 15:15:5 by BigBlueShoe]: According to MonkeyBusiness, the defensive radio cuts out 15 seconds before the play clock hits zero.

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The radios in the helmets shut off when the playclock hits 15 seconds. You can bet that teams are going to start running "You've got 10 seconds to get the hell off the field" drills.

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by MonkeyBusiness on Apr 9, 2008 2:32 PM EDT reply actions

Glad it's Brackett

As a fan it's impossible to know, of course, but Gary Brackett seems highly intelligent. He seems to be in and stay in position, he makes a lot of "smart" plays that require intuition and his teammates seem to follow him. So, he's the right guy to be getting the info from the sidelines. Given how good the defense was in '07, he was doing more than OK without the headset. My view is that the Colts might benefit a little more than most teams from the new rule.

If Brackett's out, who gets the electronic gear?

The fault, dear Brutus, lies not in the stars, but in ourselves.

by Coltsfan58 on Apr 9, 2008 2:52 PM EDT reply actions

Good Point, But

What Colts starter doesn't come across as extremely intelligent? They could pick anyone and it would be a great choice. The Colts D is awesome in almost every way.

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by Colts Homer on Apr 9, 2008 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd guess that they'd slide Hagler or Keiaho

over if they lost Brackett. Keiaho got a start there when Brackett and Morris were out last year and Hagler was taught the position if I remember correctly. I guess one of them would have a spare radio helmet waiting on the sidelines like Seneca Wallace has a non Radio helmet for when he plays WR.

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by shake n bake on Apr 9, 2008 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions