Colts signaling change in linebacker philosophy by waiving Buster Davis?

by BigBlueShoe on Mar 31, 2009 10:58 AM EDT in Colts News Comment 16 comments

We've talked about Buster Davis at Stampede Blue going on two years. We hoped Indy would draft him in 2006, and when the scoped him up via waivers last pre-season, folks like me were ecstatic. Unfortunately, Buster didn't play well when he was handed the starting MLBer spot when Gary Brackett went down in the last few weeks of the 2008 season. He played even worse in the playoffs against San Diego. With Indy signing Adam Seward, keeping Buster didn't make much sense. Thus, he was waived (tip to GoHorse88).

With Buster Davis and Freddie Keiaho gone, the Colts no longer have the kind of depth they once had at LBer. Indeed, instead of smaller, quicker LBers with punch, the Colts have shifted to bigger, taller backers. They drafted Philip Wheeler (6'2, 245 pounds) last season and signed Adam Seward (6'2, 248 pounds) as a free agent. Add to this current Colts LBer Rufus Alexander (6'1, 232 pounds) and it seems the team is transitions from the "smaller, faster" guys Dungy liked to taller, heavier players.

Why are they doing this?

One possibility is the change in defensive coordinator. Former DC Ron Meeks rarely blitzed, and the result was a very strong pass rush and a dominant pass defense. Last year, they set an NFL record with fewest passing TDs allowed. But, with the league changing and adapting to various defenses, generating pass rush from the LBers is not a bad idea, even for a Tampa-2 team. Chicago does it, and their defense is very good. New Colts DC Larry Coyer used several blitz schemes in Denver (mainly because his d-line was crap), and while he will not blitz as much in Indy, having big backers like Wheeler will make it tempting.

The other possibility is a change in focus to stopping the run. If the Colts are focusing more on acquiring bigger LBers, the drawback to "bigger" is usually sacrificing pass coverage. Smaller, quicker LBers usually excel at pass coverage. The sacrifice in speed and "pop" would be counter-balanced by size and strength.

Regardless of the reasons, the fact is Indy is much "bigger" at LB in 2009 than they were in 2008. This doesn't mean they are shifting their entire focus away from smaller backers. Gary Brackett (5'11, 235 pounds) and Clint Session (6', 235 pounds) are still considered "small" as far as LBers go. And both are starters.

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Really?

Is Seward any slower than Buster? He’s fewer than 10 pounds heavier.

The Colts would always prefer a guy who is big and fast to guy who is just fast, right? How do you know they’re giving up on speed? Maybe Seward is just better.

by LukeM on Mar 31, 2009 11:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

they are both on veteran minimum contracts

Seward probably isn’t way way better or better at everything.

I got Summer hatin' on me cuz I'm hotter than the sun. Spring hatin' on me cuz I ain't never sprung
Winter hatin' on me cuz I'm colder than Y'all. And I will never, I will never, I will never Fall.
-Lil Wayne, Mr. Carter

by shake n bake on Mar 31, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You don't know...

what they would have paid Buster if they weren’t bound by the league minimum. Maybe they’d be paid similarly, but you don’t know. Actually, that they’re both on minimum salary actually does highlight how little basis there is for concluding there is a change in philosophy. They haven’t committed much to that change if there is one. That there is a change is an inference based on very little, I think. Seward might not be a total stud, but do you know he’s any slower than Buster or more importantly, but harder to tell, that he plays more slowly? Is Wheeler slow?

by LukeM on Mar 31, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wheeler isn't slow, but he's inexperienced in zone coverage

that’s why he seems to suggest a change in emphasis among the LB skills. A big blitzing LB, who needs to learn to cover doesn’t seem like a traditional Tampa-2 guy.

by shake n bake on Mar 31, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ok, but...

wasn’t it Keiaho’s weakness that he was bad in coverage?

by LukeM on Mar 31, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he took a step back this past year

he wasn’t a liability when he first got into the lineup.

by shake n bake on Mar 31, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Buster in college

was so fun to watch.

by Stadtfeld on Mar 31, 2009 12:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The guy wasn't near good enough, the end

Hoping to draft him in ’06, ecstatic that the Colts picked him last year, and now think his release in and of itself signals some kind of change.

That’s typical of this blog.

by project geo on Mar 31, 2009 12:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, project geo

One of the benefits of this blog is that if someone feels my ideas are total shit, their dissenting response of of equal importance. I just start the conversation. And my opinion is certainly not “law.”

SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue. Please make an account and post a diary, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.

by BigBlueShoe on Mar 31, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And yet you continue to visit.

THAT is what I find interesting….

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Mar 31, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is a great move and encouraging

Besides, Gary Brackett….NOBODY in the linebacking corps could pick a ball..Not since Cato June have we had great covereage linebackers (besides Gary)…..and we sacrifice the run for such shitty coverage….YES ITS TRUE…this is a good move by the Colts…after all, that’s why we have an exceptional secondary…….why can’t dominate all aspects on defense? The Steelers do…..perhaps…small fast linebackers…were NOT the answer and the greatest innovation ever…..We shoulld have won 3 superbowls BY NOW!!!!

This is exciting! This is the kind of new momentum the Colts need…I wonder who they will get?

I realize I am becoming (or playing) more and more devil’s advocate…but I know this team, it’s history, and the game, and I am just trying to throw in another dissenting opinion…so don’t hate me! I just think we hero worship the Pony’s so much, and love our coach’s and institutions so blindly, that we too often seem to be apologists for them…..

LINEBACKERS!!!!!!! That’s what we have needed for 4 years…..

by peterbones on Mar 31, 2009 12:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well

The problem wasn’t that we were using small fast LBers, that would’ve been fine. The problem was that we’re using small slow LBers. Hagler was our fastest LB and I believe he ran a 4.67. Aside from that, none of the other LBs (off the top of my head) ran much faster than a 4.7. So we got the “small” part right, but kind of skipped the “fast”.

Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.

by monstersbox on Mar 31, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I think it’s fairly obvious that when it comes to LBs Polian needs to be a little more educated. It’s a good thing the hired Coyer.

This line will remain in my signature until the Colts draft Rashad Jennings in 2009.
Oh and I write words and stuff for Stampede Blue.

by KingRichard on Mar 31, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

THANK GOD!!!

I dont think I could have watched another game with Bustah. He was horrible.

Uhhh… don’t I remember seeing a post on here recently that he got resigned? I know his contract was petty (by NFL standards) but to resign someone and then release them a couple weeks later… Mind Fuck!

Dun nuh nuh nuhhhh!!!! Super Mathis

by hoosier in sodak on Mar 31, 2009 9:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

his contract was up...

and they had exclusive rights to him. So they were willing to pay him the league minimum until they got someone better at the league minimum.

by shake n bake on Mar 31, 2009 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not sure anyone will see my question now that it's not on the front page...

… but what impact does this have on salary cap? He’s no longer listed on coltscap.net so it’s hard to tell. Does it help us at all? Or is it just another roster spot we have available at rookie or veteran minimum?

And while I’m on the subject… is there an easy way to just scroll to each new comment that’s posted rather than scroll through the page and look for the “new” designation? Call me lazy…

by LovinBlue on Apr 1, 2009 7:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs