Daniel Muir accepts Colts' offer, re-signs with team

by Brad Wells on Mar 5, 2009 7:43 AM EST in Colts News

While not as interesting as the Colts signing some big free agent or anything, Indy did offer a one year tender to second year DT Daniel Muir. Yesterday, Muir accepted:

The two-year veteran defensive tackle will re-join the club in 2009, signing with the Colts on Wednesday as an exclusive rights free agent.

Muir (6-2, 312) has appeared in nine career games, totaling 12 tackles. In 2008, he played in six games with the Colts, finishing with four tackles. Muir joined Green Bay in 2007 as an undrafted free agent from Kent State.

Muir spent a lot of 2008 hurt, but when he did play the Colts run defense improved. He was signed just after the end of training camp, which gave him very little time to learn the Colts offense. Muir was cut by the Packers at the end of pre-season, and with all the injuries and disappointing play from the d-line in 2008, Packers fans feel that cutting Muir was a mistake.

I'm not sure what DT Antonio "Mookie" Johnson's status is, but I'd be shocked if the Colts do not extend him. With Mookie and Muir, the Colts have some good depth at DT to go along with Eric Foster and Keyunta Dawson. But, none of those guys are the stout, hold-the-line type of NT that the Colts need in order to play Tampa-2. With free agency windng down, in the next few weeks you can expect us to begin our full draft coverage with DT getting extra special attention.

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This seems like a “show us what ya got” move, which I like.

This line will remain in my signature until the Colts draft Rashad Jennings in 2009.

by KingRichard on Mar 5, 2009 11:47 AM EST reply actions

Tampa 2 DTs

Maybe when we get closer to the draft, could someone write up exactly what the Colts are looking for at DT? Is it that we need a heavy nose tackle-type, BJ Raji- or Ron Brace-like? Because I keep hearing the Colts need to get bigger along the D-line, but Jerry’s not a 330-pounder and supposedly doesn’t have the frame to become one. I’m confused about whether we’re looking for a three-technique, under tackle (assuming those are the same thing) or a bigger guy who simply holds the point of attack, which I guess would be a nose tackle. My football knowledge isn’t great, and I’ve only got a rudimentary understanding of the cover-2, but I suspect there are some conflicting opinions floating around about what the Colts need without everyone realizing it.

Also, while I’m on the subject, the Bucs, Falcons, and Lions look like the most likely candidates to pick up Peria Jerry before pick 27. Now the Lions have Grady Jackson and the Bucs are no longer in the Tampa 2, does that leave the Falcons as the probable spoilers?

by CooperManningsNotTrying on Mar 5, 2009 1:19 PM EST reply actions

Think McFarland

a NT but one that can contribute to the pass rush

I ain't tryin' do you, I'm just tryin' do me
Last album did two, I'm just tryin' do three.
-Young Jeezy "I Luv It

by shake n bake on Mar 5, 2009 1:49 PM EST up reply actions

To add on to that

Pat Williams/Kevin Williams
Warren Sapp/Booger

UTs in a T2 pretty much have to be the same thing as a DE in a 3-4. Strong, solidly built (290-310), but still quick (sub 4.8-4.9ish is optimal). NTs need to be strong, but like shake said, penetrators. Warren Sapp is probably the “if I could make my own NT for a T2” guy. You need them to be fast enough to be a threat so your true pass rushers (Mathis, Freeney) can do their thing.

A huge generalization to get you on the right track, is the 290-310 lb guys that people talk about playing the UT in a regular 4-3, but are still solid against the run are normally good T2 prospects. Since we rarely pull up LBs for initial attack, the line has to be able to do it without help. We don’t hold the line and allow our LBs to get through the gaps, our guys have to be able to do that themselves. Great T2 DTs are harder to find than most other types of DTs. Have to have strength, but speed too. Otherwise they’ll get crushed in zone rush attacks (like this year). They just isolate your DEs and if they’re not fast enough, they just push the DTs back and run through the gaps.

The best T2 NT coming out of the draft is Raji by far. As long as they can carry their weight, doesn’t really matter what they weigh. Speed is still extremely important. Well, let me rephrase…Burst is extremely important. They don’t have to run the 40 in 4 seconds, but they have to be able to pursue QBs and have almost a sprinter type release. The idea is that being strong is good, however meeting the RB while his lineman is still facing downfield is better.

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

by monstersbox on Mar 5, 2009 4:39 PM EST up reply actions

Excellent write-up monstersbox

Very informative.

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by Brad Wells on Mar 6, 2009 8:47 AM EST up reply actions

Thanks

Thanks, this is a great help. Holding the line as opposed to penetrating, or at least presenting the threat of penetrating, is the important distinction right? If you get to the running back when the lineman’s still facing downfield, it means you’ve gotten behind the line without being sealed off from the ball? Which is why burst is more important than the ability to simply stand up offensive linemen. Which is why it’s difficult to find T2 DTs, because a guy big enough not to get pushed around by o-linemen is rarely athletic enough to also fire off the snap and get into the backfield. Let me know if I’m getting off the path. In any case I appreciate all the help.

by CooperManningsNotTrying on Mar 6, 2009 1:00 PM EST up reply actions