Should the Colts Bring Back Marcus Howard?

by metal_militia on Dec 8, 2009 11:38 PM EST

Let me start by saying, yes im biased. I loved Marcus Howard coming out of the draft and was very angry and disappointed when he got cut. But with recent injuries to Mathis and Freeney, it makes me question why he wasn't brought back at any point either of our two bookends got injured. These aren't season ending injuries (thank god *knock on wood*) but when one or both dont play, there is a considerable drop off in our pass rush since teams can double up on whoever is left.

Looking at our depth behind Freeney and Mathis, I dont really see anyone who can generate pressure on an occasional basis. Brock has been pretty quite this season and Dawson hasn't been seen in the backfield much. It doesn't help that the interior of the line isnt getting into the backfield often in passing situations.

And when the Colts bring in guys to temporarily fill in, its usually Josh Thomas and some dude we have never herd of (see ~~the DE from the Chicago Bears pracitce squad they brought in last week~~ Ervin Baldwin). We have no idea how ~~that Bears DE~~ Baldwin is going to play, but we do know that Thomas cannot rush the passer if his life depended on it. He is an ok run stuffer, but isnt dominant by any means, plus he was cut and resigned several times meaning he was expendable.

Going back to Howard, he isnt that great against the run, but we know for certain that he can get to the QB. We've seen it in preseason, we have seen it in the last game of the regular season last year.

Larry Coyer stated back in the preseason, when he got the job, that the most important thing on defense is to rush the passer. We all know Freeney and Mathis need the rest to be 100% and ready to go in the playoffs. There is no denying that they are the best at what they do, but we need someone to be able to rush the passer when they are temporarily on idle. Thats why we should bring Howard back on the roster. If not for pass rush depth, then at least to give the best DE tandem a little rest before the big tournament

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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I'd love to see him come back.

I really didn’t particularly understand why we cut him in the first place… besides the fact that he seemed to have trouble wrapping up the QB at times.

by hahasound on Dec 9, 2009 12:12 AM EST reply actions

If Polian and company think so

then count me in. If not, I trust that they know what is best more than I ever will. I do hope they at least consider it, though, because I really liked Howard.

by coltsfanawalt on Dec 9, 2009 1:27 AM EST reply actions

Who did we sign last week for DE depth? I'm forgetting already. Howard to be better.

by diagenesis on Dec 9, 2009 2:15 AM EST reply actions

Ervin Baldwin

Bob Sanders does not play Hide-and-Seek, He plays HIDE and PRAY-HE-DOES-NOT FIND-YOU!

by coltsfan723 on Dec 9, 2009 2:17 AM EST up reply actions

thanks

corrected

by metal_militia on Dec 9, 2009 2:31 AM EST up reply actions

Personally I think

we need to stop wasting a roster spot on a kicker who hasn’t been right all season and can’t be counted on to hit anything from anywhere, much less get us points when we need it.

by slash196 on Dec 9, 2009 6:12 AM EST reply actions

Marcus Howard was not that good. If there was even a slight glimmer of hope that he could become a great DE he’d either be on the practice squad or on the active roster. It’s time to move on already.

"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 9, 2009 6:53 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

Why do you keep saying stuff that

I agree with? It’s beginning to scare me. Oh, and +1.

"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: In England, the Speaker of the House is not allowed to speak.

by Cassieper on Dec 9, 2009 10:18 AM EST up reply actions

I dont believe he was PS eligible

I never said he could be a great DE, but what are the chances that Dawson or Thomas could be great DE’s? At least Howard could bring pressure. Thomas didn’t do jack this season when he was on the active roster. If you are going to bring in a temp, then use Howard, not Thomas

by metal_militia on Dec 9, 2009 12:14 PM EST up reply actions

Why wouldn't he be PS eligible?

I don’t recall him playing in any games.

"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: In England, the Speaker of the House is not allowed to speak.

by Cassieper on Dec 9, 2009 12:28 PM EST up reply actions

he played in 9 games

1 too many for PS eligibility

Luck is probability taken personally, clutch is probability attributed to individuals.

It's shocking how much can slip your perception

Even your eyes lie

by shake n bake on Dec 9, 2009 12:54 PM EST up reply actions

Dang.

My memory is failing me again. Time for more Diet Sunkist.

"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: In England, the Speaker of the House is not allowed to speak.

by Cassieper on Dec 9, 2009 1:05 PM EST up reply actions

Howard has had tryouts with other teams (Houston and some others) and still is unsigned. Maybe he was a just the DE equivalent of Roy Hall. A fifth round lottery ticket who could have boomed, but just didn’t. Agree with KR, time to move forward.

by GonzoBlue on Dec 9, 2009 9:01 AM EST reply actions