Bjoern Werner Improving Explosiveness with Unorthodox Stance

The Indianapolis Colts appear to be quite excited with Bjoern Werner now on the team. As a former defensive end in a 4-3 scheme, it can be difficult to make the transition to a 3-4 outside linebacker.

For Werner, it seems that the team is letting him go with a rather different stance.

According to George Bremer of The Herald Bulletin, Werner was using a four-point stance during rookie minicamp.

Normally for an pass rusher in a 3-4 scheme, they stand up without a hand on the ground or with one hand on the ground and explode off of the snap. In a four-point stance like Werner is now using, both hands are on the ground and the player jumps off of the snap from there.

We discussed earlier that Werner's biggest weakness was his lack of explosiveness. While he had a nice burst in college, it was nothing like top prospect from April like Dion Jordan or "Ziggy" Ansah.

In a conference call with Chuck Pagano, Mike Chappell of The Indianapolis Star reported that the head coach had some good things to say about Werner in this stance. In the call, Pagano says this:

"You ought to see him come out of it. You better not blink because he’s already in the backfield and on the quarterback if you do blink. It’s the stance they taught in college.’’

If this is the case, then Werner's biggest weakness could eventually become a strength. A four-point stance is rare to find for a pass rushing DE/OLB in a scheme like the Colts have, but for some it works. Werner also had troubles with popping straight up once the ball was snapped, so hopefully being lower to the ground as a DE/OLB with help out with that.

It's still too early to expect great things out of Werner, but so far it appears he is ready to do whatever it takes to make an impact in the NFL.