Great Colts of the Decade: Linebacker
by Brad Wells on Dec 22, 2009 12:15 PM EST
in Great Colts of the Decade
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PrintThe philosophy of Bill Polian and the front office is to have a revolving door at linebacker. Because of the existing salary cap, emphasis and investment in certain key positions is vital to maintaining the core of your team. For a Tampa-2 style defense, safety and defensive line are much more important than linebacker. Thus, players like Bob Sanders, Dwight Freeney, and even Anthony McFarland were considerably invested in (aka, paid more money) over Colts linebackers.
Still, despite the revolving door, some very impressive linebackers have made their way through the Colts over the last decade. Many of these players played well in Indy, and then went on to play even better at other destinations. However, the focus here is on players who played well while in Indy. This includes a player like Marcus Washington, who went on to play in Pro Bowls for the Redskins. However, before his Redskins days, Washington was a vital player in Indy's AFC Championship run in 2003. Polian still refers to Washington, and later David Thornton, as linebackers that "got away."
Then there are the "solid" players; guys who gave consistent effort and dedication for long stretches. Players like Gary Brackett, Rob Morris, and Thornton fit this. Big play guys, like Cato June, were less consistent, but were often part of several HUGE plays that helped win football games for the Colts. I've also included Clint Session because he has been very impressive in his three years, moving from back-up to starter very quickly.
Whatever your criteria, the voting is below. Use the comments to write-in anyone who think was slighted.
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Morris was a lot better than people give him credit for...
he will always be the whipping boy for some of those defenses…but he was a solid backer!
"If me and King Kong went into an alley, only one of us would come out. And it wouldn't be the monkey."
"I don't really trust a sane person."
"I never met a man I didn't want to fight." The one and only Lyle Alzado
Peterson
I added him even though he only played two seasons this decade. Still, he was a reasonably good backer, and some people still like him.
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I hope Session is in a Colts jersey for a long time
I remember his two interception performance in the monsoon of a 2007 Chargers game (the officiating was awful that game). 2009 has been quite the coming out party for #55.
Anyone who has a problem with Joseph should stop watching Colts football. It's unfair to expect a back to replace Edge, and Addai has been excellent in all areas when he is healthy.
A lot of things were
awful about that game.
"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: Mosquitoes are attracted to the color blue twice as much as to any other color.
I have always loved me some Brackett!
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Dec 22, 2009 12:30 PM EST reply actions
I think having...
Cato June on the list makes me laugh. The only image of him that I always have is his ability to be dragged around by running backs and not being able to tackle. He had his moments, but boy, I was glad when he left.
"If me and King Kong went into an alley, only one of us would come out. And it wouldn't be the monkey."
"I don't really trust a sane person."
"I never met a man I didn't want to fight." The one and only Lyle Alzado
by TRDean on Dec 22, 2009 12:32 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
rec'd
"Yea, verily, we shall overcome thy pathetic attempts at defense, thou jelly-livered knave! Talk not of thy smack to me, for I shall wedge mine booted foot nine furlongs up thy ass, bitch! Canst thou dig it??"
by KingRichard on Dec 22, 2009 12:32 PM EST up reply actions
Good points
However, in Cato’s defense, he was part of some huge plays in key games for the Colts. He played very well during the playoff run in 2006, and in 2005 he seemed to pick off about 50 balls and return them all for TDs. Also, remember he is Tom Brady’s bane. didn’t he have three of Brady’s four INTs in that Foxboro game in 2006?
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I understand...
why he is on here…and you are right about his big pick sixes!!
"If me and King Kong went into an alley, only one of us would come out. And it wouldn't be the monkey."
"I don't really trust a sane person."
"I never met a man I didn't want to fight." The one and only Lyle Alzado
Yeah
He was a hit-or-miss kind of backer. Sometimes literally!
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Brackett no doubt
Rob Morris will always be one of the great glue guys for the Colts (could we get a poll for that?), and I’ll always remember the swagger that Cato June brought to the team while he was here. But Gary Brackett wins this one hands down. The MLB is the quarterback of the defense and he has guided them masterfully over the last decade. I think he has become so underrated by the national media that he is overrated by some Colts fans, but he’s still an impressive linebacker and well deserving of high majority of the vote he’s getting.
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Brackett gets even more of an advantage
in addition to his great play because of his longevity. Most of the decade he’s been an excellent Colt.
Gardner
I knew at least one person would throw out some love to ole GG. ;)
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Gilbert...
I think he would head the list of worst LB’s of the decade. So many former Boiler defenders have had and are having outstanding NFL careers and we get the one that was a huge bust.
by IndySportsFan on Dec 22, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions
i miss washington, i know i read somewhere that when he left it broke polians heart
"You only get intercepted when you don't know what your doing, I knew what I was Doing."
-Johnny Unitas-
"You're only as healthy as you feel."
-Travis Bickle-
by 805 on Dec 22, 2009 1:42 PM EST reply actions
I agree
That’s why I voted for him. I LOVED me some Marcus Washington, and I was really happy that he found even more success once he went to the Redskins. He was one of the few difference makers on the defense during the early part of the decade.
The Brack-man!
we all seem to have our priorities straight here….
next?
I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.
This is kind of like the UDFA poll
Session will probably end up being best, but not enough time. Brackett is zee winner. Thats 2 for him, and probably 3 after he pulls down ‘Best QB of the decade’, too. Awesome work, GB.
Never doubt Peyton Manning, he’ll make you look silly
Joseph Addai is a good running back.
Im a douchebag, an asshole, and I'm rarely right.
Bracket is the best on this list
Although Cato was a beast in coverage. Session, Bracket, Hagler is the best corps we’ve fielded since I’ve been following the team. Always thought Rob Morris was better than he got credit for. I liked Thorton too. He’s my #2
Brackett, FTW!
"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: Mosquitoes are attracted to the color blue twice as much as to any other color.
Brackett
My pick! He wears the C on his jersey for a reason. I always loved Cato’s swagger and I am a huge fan of his. Rob Morris might have been out of position, when they moved him to OLB he seemed to be huge in the Super Bowl run. But this defense follows their leader and Brackett has been huge.
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