Colts Sign LB Jerry Brown, Trend To Bigger Players On Defense

The Colts continue to trend away this offseason from small, fast, Tampa 2 linebackers. Yesterday, the club signed 6'4, 253 pound linebacker Jerry Brown. According to AP, Brown is an Illinois alumni who last played with the San Antonio Talons of the Arena Football League.

To make room for Browns, the Colts cut the 6'0, 230 pound Brandon Peguese. Peguese was somewhat of a project player that Colts G.M. Ryan Grigson signed back in February. Peguese was with the Philadelphia Eagles in training camp last year. He got cut before the season began. Grigson was with the Philly organization at that time. I think you see the obvious connection here.

Whatever the connection, it wasn't enough to guarantee Peguese a job. Bigger linebackers are needed in a base 3-4, which the Colts are switching to in 2012 after roughly ten years of running a 4-3. This makes me wonder what the future has in store for Pat Angerer and Kavell Conner. Both at at the 6'0 range between roughly 230-240 lbs. That's too small to play this defense, especially when you consider that other inside linebackers that Colts defensive coordinator Greg Manusky and head coach Chuck Pagano have worked with before are roughly in the 6'1-6'2, 250 pound range.

Though, Patrick Willis in San Francisco is 6'1, 240 lbs. Manusky coached Willis from 2007-2010 while in SF as the defensive coordinator.

Manusky also stated recently on SIRIUS NFL Radio that he is impressed with Pat Angerer during OTAs. I just wonder is the 6'1, 230 lbs Angerer can hold up. He's a good Tampa 2 backer. Not so sure if he fits this defense. We shall see.