Rocky is a little pissed he got benched

by BigBlueShoe on Oct 19, 2007 11:05 AM EDT in Colts News

I'm not so sure Rocky should have been benched.

It's not often that you get some dissent from the Colts locker room. But, with the recent promotion of Tyjuan Hagler to starting SAM (tip to yellowsnow), and the demotion of Rocky Boiman, we have a little dissent. From the Indy Star:

Boiman wasn't thrilled with the demotion. He started once and played extensively in two other games at strong-side linebacker in place of injured veteran Rob Morris.

"Obviously I'm very disappointed and I don't know why (the change was made),'' Boiman said. "I can only control what I can control.''

I've always been a Boiman fan. He's a solid backup that can come in and give you some quality LBer play. He doesn't make mistakes, doesn't shy away from contact. He's often come up with some big plays (INT on Pennington in the endzone last year this time) and he's just a solid, stand up guy.

That said, Hagler has more talent than Boiman. That, obviously, means nothing. LBer is about toughness and smarts, not necessarily talent. SAM backer in Dungy's Cover 2 really needs to have some size. Rob Morris did a great job at SAM. He's 6'2'', 243 pounds. Boiman is 6'4'', 238 pounds, and seems a naturally fit for SAM backer in the Dungy Cover 2. Hagler, however, is smaller: 6'0'', 238. That puts him in the Gilbert Gardner class of small SAMs.

Now, am I saying Hagler sucks Dirk Diggler's diggles the way Gardner did last year? No. I do have some concerns. Gardner was never suited for the SAM. He was too small (only 228 pounds). When Gardner subbed for Cato June at WILL backer at the end of the 2005 season, he played very well. They moved him over to SAM in 2006 and the defense imploded (400 yards to Jacksonville, remember?).

Now, days before Indy's clash with the Jags, Dungy is moving a new LBer into the starting lineup despite Boiman playing well (at least from my POV). I know lots of people want to see Hagler play more. I agree, he's looked awesome. But he's been playing WILL of late, not SAM; different position, different set of responsibilities.

I know I've always said the size (ie height, not the size of his schwanstuker) is one of the most over-rated attributes associated with a player's skills. Dwight Freeney is considered "short" for a DE, yet he's still the best DE in football. I'll take Dwight in his prime over Jason Taylor in his any day. However, with certain positions (like QB and SAM backer), extra height is a big advantage. Rob is 6'2'', Rockey 6'4''. Hagler is just 6'0''. I was not one of the fans screaming for him to get more playing time. I'm not so sure Hagler can do it.

That said, if Hagler outperformed Rockey in practice at SAM, then yes: Hagler should start. I'm not so sure that happened though. We will see.

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my two cents

What I always thought was so frustrating about Gardner at SAM was that he was invisible out there. Every single game, it was like you didn't even know he was in. He hardly ever made his presence known. Dungy would field questions every week about how the SAM in the colts' system was not set up to put up big tackle numbers. Then we got Morris in there, and when he was on the field, you knew it. I remember during the Denver game this year, at a point when they were really getting their running game going, thinking "oh god, we have to get this stopped somehow." Next play, Rob knifed in and made a tackle for no gain. That's what drops off when Boiman comes in. He's a very solid backup, but I feel that's really what he is - a backup. He doesn't really screw up, and plays pretty solid, but it is fairly rare that he makes a "hell yeah" play. Hagler is very talented, and has been chomping at the bit for his opportunity. Now, will he be good at SAM? I guess we will see. But, I think it is worth a roll of the dice to see if we can put someone in there that is not just serviceable, but is a playmaker.

The Shogun of Harlem

by shonuff on Oct 19, 2007 12:42 PM EDT 0 recs

If it wasn't for the Gardner disaster

I would have the same response as I always do about the Colt's personnel choices, "Trust Polian and Dungy"
It's not like they can never fill the LB positions Washington-Peterson-June were all replaced fine. 3/4 isn't too bad

by shake n bake on Oct 19, 2007 1:14 PM EDT 0 recs

Great move.

the thing is with me is boiman is a very good back up not a starter. Hagler looks to be dynamic both on defense and special teams. I was calling for this move during preseason but later changed my mind because i felt morris earned his spot last season. As far as haglers size i don't feel like Gardners lack of size was his weakness. I felt lack of talent and instincts were his weakness.Hagler has great pursuit to the ball carrier and doesn't play on his heels. Btw boiman and hagler are both 238 lbs with hagler being shorter so whats the difference? same weight less height = more muscle.

by JayR on Oct 19, 2007 4:02 PM EDT 0 recs

Knew it was coming

I could tell by comments that were made in the locker room this week. I thought it was a possibility, remember, the colt's are extremely successful in bringing guys like hagler in and all of a sudden he's a star. I get a feeling on him that he really has a nose for the football, making plays, and is possibly going to make our LBing core a formidable one!

coltfan4lif

by coltsfan4life on Oct 19, 2007 9:05 PM EDT 0 recs

maybe it's a motivation thing?

The Jaguars are going to run the ball. We all know that. Maybe starting Hagler it is going to make Hagler play really aggressive because he has to prove in the game that he should be the starter. And then when Biomen spells Hagler, Biomen is going to want to out perform Hagler. Maybe that's what is going on?

by MarkV0327 on Oct 20, 2007 1:50 AM EDT 0 recs