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Colts blitzing more in 2008?

From PFW's The Way We Hear It:

May 30, 2008

Tony Dungy’s Tampa-2 defense isn’t among the more complicated schemes in the NFL, but word out of Indianapolis is that Dungy is planning on adding a smattering of defensive wrinkles that he abstained from dabbling with last season. The rationale is twofold: (1) An inability to generate a consistent pass rush when DEs Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis were banged up underscored just how reliant the team was on those two, and how badly it needs to find alternative pass-rushing possibilities should the starting duo be slowed again. (2) Indy was breaking in a host of new starters in ’07, and Dungy’s more willing to trust his now well-seasoned crew to handle greater responsibilities. So, just what does Dungy have in store? It’s difficult to know exactly, but employing more DL stunts and turning loose S Bob Sanders to attack opposing backfields appear to be likely options. Dungy will never be keen on relying on LB blitzes to pressure the passer, and the increased confidence he has in CBs Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden has him even more eager to allow Sanders — the 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year — to do what he does best.

With more faith in the young guys on his defense, Dungy looks like he wants to add some things that will turn opposing offenses on their heads. Last year, despite injuries and a pretty vanilla Cover 2 scheme, the Colts were the #1 scoring defense in football. Now, Dungy wants to take the Bob Sanders Beatdown Defense to another level.

Stampedeblue_s

More from PFW, only this time it's their Whispers section:
Colts DT Quinn Pitcock made minimal impact in his rookie season of ’07, but we hear that was mostly because he never fully recovered from a hamstring ailment he had suffered early on. He should be a fixture in the DT rotation this season.

I wouldn't say Pitcock's contributions were "minimal." He did a fine job in the DT rotation, especially stopping the run.

Stampedeblue_s

Bleacher Report's John Fennelly sounds like a really, really cool person:

When I click on Bleacher Report's NFL link, I am greeted with tons of articles about teams that have not won anything in recent history or have no chance of winning anything.

Articles about the Raiders, Vikings, Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Packers, and a few other have-nots flood this site daily.

I, of course, attempt to read objectively, post my comments or suggestions and move on.

What disappoints me is the lack of articles on the one team that is still—in mine and many other's opinion—the best team in the NFL.

The Indianapolis Colts.

I know what you're thinking. Why would anyone waste their time writing about a team that's won 12 or more games in each of the past fives seasons?

Why would anyone want to write about Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Bob Sanders, Reggie Wayne, Dwight Freeney, or Joseph Addai?

Beats me.

0 recs  |  Comment 17 comments

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Mistake

I’m pretty sure the first article gets cut off.

”...more eager to let Sanders-the 2007 Defensive Player of the Year-do what he does best: Kill RBs.

www.naptownsfinest.com

by Colts Homer on May 31, 2008 10:09 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I was wondering about blitzing LBs at Pats Pulpit

Wheeler is a great blitzer and if they bring in Colvin they have a second pass rusher with experience as a 4-3 OLB.

my blog http://shakennbaken.blogspot.com

by shake n bake on May 31, 2008 11:11 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

OLBs

In the Pats 3-4, they blitz their OLBs more than other positions. OLB Mike Vrabel is constantly trying to apply pressure to the backfield. Colvin was an OLB in the Pats’ 3-4 and a DE in the Bears’ 4-3, so he may fit will as a DE for Indy.

by MaPatsFan on May 31, 2008 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Unless Pro Football Reference failed me

Colvin was a OLB in Chicago. I’ll look into it.

my blog http://shakennbaken.blogspot.com

by shake n bake on May 31, 2008 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

His Bio on the Patriots website has him as a OLB for the Bears

but it was pre Lovie Smith so he didn’t play in a cover two. He blitzed a ton from his OLB spot.

my blog http://shakennbaken.blogspot.com

by shake n bake on May 31, 2008 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

link it

or it didn’t happen

my blog http://shakennbaken.blogspot.com

by shake n bake on May 31, 2008 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Weird

I think your info might be the better of the 2.

by MaPatsFan on May 31, 2008 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

he might have done both

but here’s an article describing his start with the Bears at OLB

my blog http://shakennbaken.blogspot.com

by shake n bake on May 31, 2008 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I still expect him to play DE

but they could use him in some situations.
Bring in Colvin and Wheeler near the goal line and send them both on a (run)blitz.

my blog http://shakennbaken.blogspot.com

by shake n bake on May 31, 2008 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

From the Boston Globe
Teams that use a 3-4 base often have trouble finding an outside linebacker who fits their system, sometimes relying on a defensive end leaving a 4-3 scheme to make the transition. Colvin successfully made the switch after playing end in the Bears’ 4-3 defense from 1999-2002.

They could certainly be wrong.

by MaPatsFan on May 31, 2008 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's always good to have a backup plan

If Freeney isn’t healthy and a Mathis/Howard or Mathis/Colvin combo can’t get pressure they don’t want to have to give up on the season. Being able to blitz would help keep the O honest and as a fan is fun to watch.

my blog http://shakennbaken.blogspot.com

by shake n bake on May 31, 2008 11:55 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

That's great news

I’ve written critically of Dungy before on this blog due primarily to his inflexibility or unwillingness to innovate/improvise/surprise when adversity requires it. In previous seasons he’s lived or died by his Cover 2 scheme, regardless of whether he had the skilled players on the field to pull it off.

And you all recall how well “we do what we do” went in San Diego last year. To me it did seem like he gave up on the season, as he had no contingency in reserve when the pass rush fizzled out. So I’m glad Dungy’s directly addressing this problem (BTW, coach, don’t overlook special teams).

I can’t wait for next season. If the pass rush is revived and even improved (big if yet) and special team coverage/returns are improved, barring injuries this team is going to be a juggernaut.

by N Colter on May 31, 2008 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bob Sanders

I’m sorry but I really don’t like the idea of blitzing Bob Sanders. Bobzilla is a ball hawk and tank killer. Bob is not effective when you 1) shorten the field for him by bringing him up close to the line and 2) put him in a position up by the line to draw the attention of a OL, TE or FB who takes him out of the play. Shedding blocks is not Bob’s strong suit. He plays great in space, because he’s extremely fast, and has amazing vision, which lends itself to giving him as much of the field to cover as possible. Upon reviewing the San Diego game last year, Bob was entirely ineffective rushing the passer. He was swallowed by blockers the entire game. Having Bob queue up against a mobile QB, like Vince Young, makes absolute sense. Using him as a pass rusher/blitzer makes less. Don’t take him out of position to make plays.

by bamock on May 31, 2008 8:41 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I'd bring him into the box plenty

and run blitz him in short yardage, but he’s way more valuable in coverage than as a blitzer. I think his only sacks came while playing as a QB spy on Vince Young. There’s no reason to have him pass rush, but if he’s up near at LB depth and reads run, he’s still hugely effective on anything outside the tackles and not much worse than any of the other undersized LBs on the inside stuff (except a fully healthy Keiaho who blows up FBs taking down the RB without even touching him).

my blog http://shakennbaken.blogspot.com

by shake n bake on May 31, 2008 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sanders

I see us blitzing, but no way Sanders blitzes. Wheeler and Session will be the blitzing linebackers.

www.naptownsfinest.com

by Colts Homer on Jun 1, 2008 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Colvin

Wonder if we sign him after reading this.

by HelloKitty on May 31, 2008 11:58 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

maybe a hint
“We’re putting in some new things on defense, so I think it is important to have the first-teamers out there,” said Brackett, the team’s starting middle linebacker.


link

my blog http://shakennbaken.blogspot.com

by shake n bake on Jun 4, 2008 10:21 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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