Secondary Concerns

by jumunjis on Sep 25, 2009 2:34 PM EDT

Solid preview of Sunday night's game BBS. Overall, I agree, Arizona is the type of team the Colts D tends to match-up with pretty well.

I will take exception to the comment about the Colts having arguably the best secondary in football right now. When everyone's healthy, sure. There are two Pro Bowl safeties (although one was a deep alternate the year he got in, but still), and two CBs in Hayden and Jackson perfectly suited for the Colts defensive scheme.

But right now? I think the poor run defense Monday night is masking some issues in the secondary. We can all be hyped about what the future holds for Powers and even Lacey, (I know I am) but let's be realists for a second and not just Colts fans. They are rookies. And it's Week 3. Here's the secondary right now:

CB that was hurt Monday and hasn't practiced: Kelvin Hayden

ROOKIE CB whos is hurt and would be playing his 2nd NFL game banged up: Jeraud Powers

CB coming off serious injury that coaching staff isn't comfortable with outside yet: Marlin Jackson

Tim Jennings: Nuff said (and I even like him a bit more than most)

Undrafted Rookie: Jacob Lacey

Guy I thought might actually get cut when they signed Jordan Senn: TJ Rushing

Safety coming off a year in which he regressed: Antoine Bethea
(I'm not saying he's bad, I just know it's been talked about even on this site, that Bethea was just not as good last year as he was in '07)

Safety that's probably better than 10-15 starters in the league, but not elite: Melvin Bullitt

And then there's Bob

Their opponent: The NFL's best passing attack from a year ago including 2 of the best receivers in the league.

In a perfect world, the secondary is back to being one of the strengths of this team in a few weeks. I'm just pointing out waht I see to be a concern right now that's not getting talked about much. Is it the biggest concern? No. But when you really break down position-by-position, you start to see what the team is really working with.

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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And don't forget

The team’s best coverage LB, Gary Brackett, likely won’t play or will do so hurt.

At least the D-Line is completely healthy!

by jumunjis on Sep 25, 2009 2:37 PM EDT reply actions

Valid concerns......

But I think it goes down this way. Freeney (if he plays) and Mathis terrorize Warner into turnovers via fumble and intercepts. More concerned with MLB than the secondary. I believe Keiaho can perform at MLB, but whether he does or not remains to be seen.

by tim55 on Sep 25, 2009 3:44 PM EDT reply actions

Biggest concerns

I would rather have a healthy secondary than 100% Brackett for this game (probably this game only).

If Keiaho can just help with run support or blitzing when needed, and if he can maintain his gaps and understand his role, we will be fine. If Keiaho plays like he did in last year’s playoff game, or like he did during any of the preseason games, we are in trouble.

Looks like we might be in trouble…

Insert funny signature here...

by AceOfSpades on Sep 25, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions

We might be able to live without Brackett for

just this one game. If I remember correctly, Fitz and Boldin do most of their work on the outside, and the Cards aren’t exactly known for their linebackers. If Powers and Hayden play, I put this game at a coin toss.

Now a proud annoyance on Stampede Blue, 18to88, Indy Football Report, and Phil B's blog.

Man, I need a life...

Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: I blazed through my test in 20 minutes and sprinted back to my room just as the MNF theme song ended. Good thing too, with that 1st play. So, my streak of seeing every minute of every game since 2003 Tampa still stands. So, my Chem TA lives (for now).

by Cassieper on Sep 25, 2009 4:45 PM EDT reply actions

Dare I say I would prefer Lacey over Jennings?

by egp the great on Sep 25, 2009 9:07 PM EDT reply actions

You wouldn't be the first.....

Now a proud annoyance on Stampede Blue, 18to88, Indy Football Report, and Phil B's blog.

Man, I need a life...

by Cassieper on Sep 25, 2009 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions

If I was the Cardinals coaching staff

and I saw Jennings on the field, I’d throw the 8 yard pass all day.

by Ayrshire on Sep 26, 2009 10:52 AM EDT reply actions

no need

Larry Fitzgerald = faster, more explosive, better jumper than Ted Ginn (and just about any other WR in the league), no need to limit him to the short stuff. He’ll out run Jennings on deep stuff, out route run him on medium stuff, and on the few occassions Jennings isn’t in the wrong zip code, Fitz will be able to out jump him and out muscle him. (I truly believe all of this to be true, but if TIMMAH wants to prove me wrong tomorrow night, that would be awesome and Id be more than happy to mow his lawn for a month.)

by SpazMo on Sep 27, 2009 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions