Stampede Blue - 2013 NFL Draft: Colts Select Florida State OLB Bjoern Werner With The No. 24 Overall PickAn Indianapolis Colts bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/29818/stampedeblue_fave.png2013-04-26T15:45:27-04:00http://www.stampedeblue.com/rss/stream/40322972013-04-26T15:45:27-04:002013-04-26T15:45:27-04:00Werner a Great Pick for Grigson and the Colts
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<figcaption>Al Bello</figcaption>
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<p>The Florida State defender's stock slid after a poor Combine performance, but Ryan Grigson wasn't going to be fooled: he jumped at the chance to take Bjoern Werner, and in doing so addressed the team's biggest need with a great player.</p> <p>The NFL Combine is greatly overrated.</p>
<p>This we all should know by now, but perhaps we should also be thankful for it. After all, it was because of a poor combine performance that <span>Bjoern Werner</span> - previously thought to be one of the top picks in the draft - slid all the way to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Indianapolis Colts</a> at the 24th overall pick in Thursday night's NFL Draft. </p>
<p>Werner was born and raised in Berlin, Germany, before coming to the United States and finishing high school in Connecticut, where he played football for two years at his high school. He was good enough to earn scholarship offers from many different schools, and he choose Florida State over schools such as Oregon. In three seasons at Florida State (41 games), Werner racked up 99 tackles, 23.5 sacks, 35 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, 17 passes defended, and 1 interception. Last season, Werner was a huge part of one of the nation's best defenses in every category, and Werner himself played well enough to be a consensus All-American and was named the ACC's Defensive Player of the Year. In 14 games, he recorded 42 tackles, 13 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, and 8 passes defended. He declared for the NFL Draft and was regarded as one of the best prospects in the draft - likely even a top five pick.</p>
<p>And then came the NFL Combine. Werner ran a slow 4.81 40 yard dash and had a less than stellar time in Indianapolis for the Combine. That severely hurt his draft stock and he began to slide down draft boards. For one team that really liked the Florida State prospect, however, they thought they stood no chance at getting him. Colts general manager confirmed as much last night, saying of Werner that <i>"he's one of those guys you look at and say, 'He's not going to be there.'" </i> At the same time, the Colts were still hoping that Werner would fall to them. And when the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Vikings</a> selected <span>Sharrif Floyd</span> with the 23rd pick (a player that the Colts very well might have taken if the Vikings had taken someone else), the Colts didn't hesitate. </p>
<p>Before the Draft, Grigson had stated that the Colts were certainly open to trading down and that in order for them to draft a player at 24, it would have to be a special player that the Colts were absolutely sure and excited about. They got that exact player in Bjoern Werner. </p>
<p><i>"When we knew (it would be Werner) after Minnesota, it was the high fives and the things you want to be feeling. We were really happy he was there. Werner was a guy we've been really having an itch for for a while," </i>Grigson stated last night. The Colts' general manager also raved about his newest player's actual playing speed, which is much more important than a 40 yard dash time, which Grigson acknowledged too. </p>
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<p><i>"You look first and foremost at playing speed. A lot of players have come off draft boards in the history of the league who didn't run great. He ran ok. He didn't blow anybody's barn doors off. But you watch him, he's the first off the ball every down. And his closing speed is excellent. We got a guy who we think plays fast and has the production to show for it."</i></p>
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<p>The Colts got the guy they wanted, and in doing so they filled what was by far their biggest need: pass rusher. <a href="http://www.stampedeblue.com/2013/3/30/4150386/colts-pass-rush-a-major-concern" target="_blank">We discussed the topic a month ago</a> and I wrote at the time that:</p>
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<p><span style="color: #292929; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"><i>I have been a big fan of what Ryan Grigson and company have done this offseason. Big fan. But if they fail to address the most glaring need in a pass rusher, they will pay the consequences next year. Because right now, there is no other way to say it besides that the pass rush sucks and is a major, major concern. There is still time to address it; the Colts just need to make sure they do.</i></span></p>
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<p>And they certainly did by drafting Werner - a defensive end that will make the transition to outside linebacker in Chuck Pagano's 3-4 defense. Werner can play both rush and SAM linebacker, giving the Colts versatility. That said, <span>Robert Mathis</span> will get the majority of the time at rush linebacker, with <span>Jerry Hughes</span> backing him up. Werner will compete with <span>Erik Walden</span> for the SAM linebacker spot and will certainly get good playing time, whether he ends up starting at some point this season or not. Bleacher Report's lead NFL national writer Michael Schottey <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1617244-2013-nfl-draft-grades-full-round-1-report-card/page/25" target="_blank">gave the pick an A</a>, writing:</p>
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<p><span style="color: #373737; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><i>Love this pick for the Colts and I've mocked it to them in the past. It's almost a perfect fit for their system because Werner is a great athlete and can stand up against the run out on the edge playing OLB in their 3-4 scheme. Chuck Pagano will turn Werner into a perennial Pro Bowl player.</i></span></p>
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<p>The bottom line is this: the Colts and Ryan Grigson got a player who was thought to have top five potential in large part because of his dismal showing at the NFL Combine. There is no reason whatsoever to be upset about this pick, and Bjoern Werner provides much needed help on the defensive side of the ball with the pass rush. </p>
<p><i>"I can't promise you I'll be the next <span>Dwight Freeney</span>," </i>Werner said Thursday night. <i>"I promise you I'll work hard every day and just try to be the best I can be."</i> There's nothing more that you can ask of a player, and Werner himself acknowledges that he is very coachable and has a lot of room to learn from Chuck Pagano. </p>
<p>Werner won't be the next Dwight Freeney, but he will be tasked with replacing him. And even though that's a nearly impossible task, Werner is up to the challenge. </p>
<p>And when, next season, Werner gets a great burst off the snap, blows by an offensive lineman, and takes down an opposing quarterback, he'll seem a lot faster than his Combine numbers indicated.</p>
<p>And Colts general manager Ryan Grigson will just smile, knowing that once again he nailed his pick.</p>
https://www.stampedeblue.com/2013/4/26/4271170/bjoern-werner-a-great-pick-for-ryan-grigson-and-the-coltsJosh Wilson2013-04-25T23:49:04-04:002013-04-25T23:49:04-04:00Colts address need at pass rusher with Werner
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<p>Indianapolis goes the best player available route by taking DE/OLB, Bjoern Werner.</p> <p>Ryan Grigson, Chuck Pagano, and the rest of the <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Colts</a> staff truly went the best player available route tonight. Many teams like the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bears</a>, <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Giants</a>, and <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Buffalo Bills</a> reached for prospects which helped the Colts land their man. At pick 24, the Colts took OLB <span>Bjoern Werner</span> out of Florida State.</p>
<p>The biggest need entering the draft was a pass-rusher and they addressed it right out of the gate with Werner. I imagine Grigson and Pagano imagine they want to mold Werner into a hybrid of <span>J.J. Watt</span>, <span>Paul Kruger</span>, and Jarrett Johnson. All three of these players either have wrecked havoc on Indianapolis or have Pagano connections.</p>
<p>Werner earned the ACC Defensive Player of the Year after racking up 42 tackles and 13 sacks. The transition from a 4-3 to a 3-4 for him will be interesting to watch. Bjoern has the frame (6'3, 266 pounds) to become an OLB in Pagano's system though.</p>
<p>The german-born product will come in and play an immediate role. He will be a pass-rushing specialist in his first year, but eventually will replace <span>Robert Mathis</span> down the line. Werner can also sub-in for <span>Erik Walden</span> on third downs on the opposite side of Mathis.</p>
<p>Right after the Colts selected Werner, Grigson and Pagano held their post-pick press conference. Here are the quotes below provided by Kevin Bowen of Colts.com.</p>
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<p>Pagano: "He's a dynamic pass rusher. We knew we needed to address that. He was the higheset rated player on the board at the time."</p>
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowenColts) <a href="https://twitter.com/KBowenColts/status/327617812174610432">April 26, 2013</a>
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<p>Grigson said that him and Pagano went down to Florida State to work Werner out. He can play both SAM and RUSH linebacker.</p>
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowenColts) <a href="https://twitter.com/KBowenColts/status/327618218724294656">April 26, 2013</a>
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<p>Grigson on Werner's film: "He's the first guy off the ball every down. His closing speed is excellent on the film."</p>
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowenColts) <a href="https://twitter.com/KBowenColts/status/327618638209228800">April 26, 2013</a>
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<p>Also, here is Grigson and Pagano talking about the Werner pick in the video below from 1070 The Fan's Conrad Brunner.</p>
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<p>I love this pick folks. It fills a massive need and gives the Colts an immediate weapon on defense. What is everyone else's thoughts on the Werner selection? Did you like it?</p>
https://www.stampedeblue.com/2013/4/25/4268314/2013-nfl-draft-colts-select-bjoern-wernerEvan Sidery2013-04-25T23:18:29-04:002013-04-25T23:18:29-04:00Pagano: Werner will play OLB
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<p>After the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Indianapolis Colts</a> selected Florida State's <span>Bjoern Werner</span> with the 24th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the question was: Will be play defensive end or outside linebacker?</p>
<p>Colts head coach Chuck Pagano has already answered that question.</p>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Colts">#Colts</a> coach Chuck Pagano says Bjoern Werner will play OLB.</p>
— Phillip B Wilson (@pwilson24) <a href="https://twitter.com/pwilson24/status/327619800446668800">April 26, 2013</a>
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Werner played defensive end with his hand on the ground at Florida State. He earned 13 sacks rushing from that spot in 2012, but many NFL teams worked him out as a outside linebacker during the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine.</p>
<p>The next question is how or when will Werner see the field? <span>Robert Mathis</span> is designated the outside "rush" backer while free agent acquisition Erik Whalden at the other outside backer spot. Walden is viewed as an "edge-setting" run-stopper.</p>
<p>Regardless of how they get Werner on the field, his pass-rushing skills should help Pagano and defensive coordinator Greg Manusky in 2013.</p>
https://www.stampedeblue.com/2013/4/25/4268304/chuck-pagano-bjoern-werner-will-play-outside-linebackerBrad Wells2013-04-25T23:01:40-04:002013-04-25T23:01:40-04:00Colts select OLB Bjoern Werner No. 24 overall
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<figcaption>Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Indianapolis Colts fill a major need by selecting the 2012 ACC leader in sacks.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Indianapolis Colts</a> took advantage of other teams spending eight of the first 20 picks on offensive linemen and selected linebacker/defensive end Bjoern Werner with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.</p>
<p>A pass rushing outside linebacker was viewed by pretty much everyone as Indianapolis’ most critical need entering this draft, and Werner certainly fit the role. Mike Mayock compared Werner to former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Ravens</a> and current <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Browns</a> linebacker <span>Paul Kruger</span>, a player Colts head coach Chuck Pagano knows well from their days together in Baltimore.</p>
<p>At 6’3, 266 lb., Werner bring size, speed, and play-making ability. He earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors after leading the conference in with 13 sacks. He also had 42 tackles. Werner played down on the line in a 4-3 at Florida State, but teams worked him out at OLB at the combine.</p>
<p>In many ways, Werner replaces former Colts pass rushing demon <span>Dwight Freeney</span>, offering versatility as both a defensive end and a linebacker in Pagano’s hybrid 3-4 defense.</p>
<p>The Colts next draft selection is scheduled for the third round, pick No. 86 overall.</p>
https://www.stampedeblue.com/2013/4/25/4267038/2013-nfl-draft-colts-select-with-the-no-24-pick-in-the-first-roundBrad Wells