So, do you feel better about the Colts' linebackers?
by Brad Wells on Apr 9, 2009 3:57 PM EDT
in Colts Analysis
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PrintBy re-signing Tyjuan Hagler, the Colts will enter the draft with Hagler (WILL, SAM), Clint Session (WILL, SAM), Adam Seward (MIKE, SAM), Gary Brackett (MIKE), Philip Wheeler (SAM, MIKE), Michael Okwo (WILL), and Rufus Alexander (SAM, WILL) are the primary linebackers. Gone are Freddy Keiaho and Buster Davis, both were starters the last month of the 2008 season. Replacing them are Clint Session (moving from WILL to SAM) and Philip Wheeler, who will now start at SAM. Hagler used to be the starting SAM, and the Colts seemed to have very high hopes for him. But last year, as 18to88 so accurately put it, the Colts treated Hagler like "toxic waste."
The one element Hagler does bring to the table is speed, experience, and a little size. Hagler is roughly 6'0, and played a lot of time at WILL last season. He hits hard, supports the run well, and hustles.
As we stated a few weeks ago, the move to sign Seward, coupled with promoted Wheeler and cutting Davis, might be a sign that Colts are focusing a bit more on size as opposed to quickness. This is not to suggest Seward and Wheelers are "slow." They aren't. But while Buster Davis and Freddy KO lacked height, they had quickness, burst, and power. In close quarters, they could knock out a rhino. But, despite their hitting power, they just weren't good enough to support the run on a consistent basis.
John Ohser at Indy Football Report doesn't necessarily agree that cutting Davis is a sign the Colts are looking to get taller at linebacker. Maybe. But with most of the 5'11 and shorter LBers gone, and with two 6'2 backers added, it's hard to argue that the Colts aren't looking to get taller at linebacker.
I think we'll get a firmer answer in the draft, espeicaly if Polian goes for someone like Western Illinois' Jason Williams (6'2) or Wisconsin's DeAndre Levy (6'3). Regardless, depth at linebacker actually looks pretty good. Do you expect Bill to pick any linebackers?
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Wheeler
I’m excited for this guy. I remember when he was drafted all the analysts were confused, because he was an excellent blitzing linebacker in college and as we all know the colts never blitz their linebackers. I have no idea what a blitzing 4-3 linebacker looks like, I can’t even think of one in today’s game, but I really hope our new DC Larry Coyer finds some creative ways to use him.
by FreeneyWillEatYourBaby on Apr 9, 2009 4:04 PM EDT reply actions
You should watch the Eagles more often if you want to see a blitzing 4-3 LB.
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.
Yep
The Eagles defense is at the level I wish the Colts were. They’re probably my favorite defense in the league. And I know we could actually have a better defense than them because our stars are probably better but overall, they have us.
Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.
Agree
with all of those points. The Eagles’ agressive style is so fun to watch. They may give up big plays every once in a while, but they make up for it with big plays of their own and turnovers.
That would be an excellent model for the Colts to try to immitate.
The movement
The movement at LB makes me pretty much as certain as I can be in regards to the draft that we’ll definitely be taking a LB. This is a general statement, and not a reflection on how I feel about individual players, but when you’re making a crap sandwich, and you decide to add more crap, it’s still a crap sandwich.
If these players were good enough to be starters, they would’ve started last year. Well, aside from Okwo and Seward, but everyone else on the roster had a chance to start. You could say Wheeler was a rookie, but at the end of the season when the injuries struck at LB and we were fielding crap finger foods, that’s telling you something about how they felt about him. 10-12 weeks into the season, if you’re a 3rd round pick and they’re putting in Bustah over you and multiple starters are missing, you’re not where you need to be. I’m not saying Wheeler won’t turn out to be great, what I’m saying is that we know as much about him as we do Senn, Okwo, Seward and the other 30 dudes waiting to compete.
They obviously didn’t think highly enough of the current LB corps to re-sign the ones who became FAs and they’re obviously not convinced they have starting LBs on the team at the moment. Otherwise they wouldn’t have 8 LBs currently on the team.
And knowing how the value plummets after the first round, I think there’s as good a chance we take Laurinaitis as there is we take Hood or Jerry.
Coyer’s trying to figure out how to fix the run game. That’s why he was brought in. All the other positions have been relatively left alone. I think all this movement at LB is a pretty strong indication that they’re trying to galvanize the defense. It’s possible that they’re doing all the work at LB in an effort to decrease the need so they can take a DT with a clear conscience, but I’m pretty confident that if a first round DT isn’t there, and Laurinaitis is, you’ll be seeing about 3 LBs being cut from the Colts on the 27th.
Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.
mmm tasty
"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."
In Wheeler's defense
The Colts did have a different DC who viewed his players and game plan differently
by ColtsPurdueFanFromKY on Apr 9, 2009 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, I do feel better about the LBs.
However, I think it is a good observation that we will draft a LB early now. We have plenty of quality depth, and that is a big positive. It would be great to get a great player and leader like the wrestler’s kid. I wonder how much longer Brackett will be with the team. At some point, age, money or injury could require a worthy replacement.
I know the Colts haven’t taken many LBs very high, but I think that this could be the time. It all depends on who slides to us.
BBS, your opinion.
I see all these LBs ranked high out of USC. Does that concern you at all? I wonder if they all make each other look better, or if a couple of key players on that team make the others look more elite.
Rey Maualuga, Clay Matthews and Brian Cushing. All truly first round worthy from a great team that recruits great players? Or risky because their flaws were disguised by their surroundings?
Response
I always take USC players with a grain of salt. They have a great program there, but Pete Carroll is as dumb as they come when it comes to coaching and game management. And the PAC 10, in my humble opinion, is a chump conference. All three of those LBers have talent and offer something special. I think the question mark with them is are those allegations true.
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Yeah, that would have an effect.
Cushing and Matthews, I believe.
by coltsfanawalt on Apr 9, 2009 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions
You just made part of my argument against Sanchez
;-)
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Apr 9, 2009 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't know that Carroll's coaching
diminshes from Sanchez’ talent. They still recruit well and bring in great players. I think that goes for the LBs too, but three in the first round concerns me a bit.
by coltsfanawalt on Apr 9, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm actually referring to the fact that the Pac 10 is a weak conference.
Therefore, he hasn’t been tested. And starting for only 1 year is detracting to me.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Apr 9, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions
That is a big detraction, I agree.
He has some great potential. I would’ve liked to see one more year from him though.
by coltsfanawalt on Apr 9, 2009 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't disagree with that knock
Then again, Ben Roethisberger came from a chump conference too. Tom Brady barely played in college himself. Had to split time with Drew friggin Henson.
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.
meh.
you’re entitled. Tell me who USC played last season that would be considered a quality opponent? Ohio, yes. Notre Dame, not so much (no offense to anyone, I am a ND fan). Possibly Cal. That’s it. I’ve been a UCLA fan for a very long time and even I can see that the teams in the Pac 10 aren’t what they used to be.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Apr 10, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions
otherwise
Carroll wouldn’t be whining about the BCS. And SC would have finished better.
My only point is that the Pac10 is far removed from the SEC, Big 12 or even the ACC.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Apr 10, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions
What was this then?
I am so confused.
And the PAC 10, in my humble opinion, is a chump conference
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Apr 10, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
BTW,
Has TB picked yet, or are we still on 19? I am on deck, and I hope that you aren’t actually waiting on me.
by coltsfanawalt on Apr 9, 2009 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions
If we can fix DT
It’ll make our linebacker situation oh so much better.
With a good interior line, I think our linebackers can get the job done. But if we avoid DT again, our linebackers will be exposed.
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Pac 10 a chump conference?
Last year, they didn’t look great, but go check on how the Pac 10 did in their bowl games and against which conferences. I don’t think based on that, that the Pac 10 could be classified as a chump conference. Kind of torques my jaw when these kind of statements are made. Every conference has up and down years, yet when the Pac 10 has a downer, then it seems that everyone outside California starts making these inane statements. JMHO.
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