We have less than three weeks until the draft starts without us on April 23rd. We will start on the 24th and unless we see moves before the draft, Linebacker is going to be a need. I think that it is possible that Pratt returns, but even that move would not remove LB from the list of “needs” on the Colts roster. Retaining Pratt would also not improve the unit in what is their biggest deficiency, which is coverage.
Getting off of the field after 3rd down has been a long running problem. The blame has switched
identities, but the inability to see the defense succeed after putting the opponent in a 3rd and 8 yards or more situation, has been the main reason that we have not had what anyone would call a good defense in some time. We’ve blamed the scheme and thus the coordinator, the pass rush, and the secondary and all have been legitimate problems at one time or another. I’m not sure that the defense could be considered good, since Leonard had to remove the green dot.
Our LBs have been given a pass when it comes to blame, because one of them finishes in the top five of tackles each year. The ability to clean up the positive work done by our DT horses has given players with major coverage deficiencies a platform to be considered necessary. Franklin was a nice story in that he was a 7th round pick who paid his dues on special teams, on his way to leading the league in tackles for a season. The problem was that he was a negative mismatch against most anyone in the passing game. Since he was always on the field, offenses could choose to attack him, or where he would be in zone coverage, no matter the down.
Linebacker, like running back, has taken a back seat during the opening night of the draft. You have to be generational to be considered for the first round as a running back and unless you are more of a 3 – 4 linebacker that gets a chance to frequently chase the QB, you are also more likely to hear you name called on day two. It is not set in stone and there have been exceptions, but for the most part, your LBs do not get much draft love. So, not having a first rounder plays into our hand this year.
Conversely, you can get on the field as a rookie LB. If you have a nose for the ball and the ability take it away once you find it, you are going to get reps. I honestly wouldn’t mind have two young ones running around with their hair on fire. Let them make effort mistakes and learn as a tandem. The Bengals did so with Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter last season. These guys by no means led the Bengals to a great defense, but they didn’t have much around them either. We know where the money is spent in Cincinnati. It’s simply my opinion, but I think two similar guys would benefit from our stout DTs and support from our secondary. By the way, they were 2nd and 4th round picks. Darius and Freeman each led our team in tackles as rookies.
Our defense is likely still bad if another source of QB pressure is not found, but I am hopeful that source comes from a signing or even a trade. I think we are going to be starting two rookies on the defensive side of the ball, whether it be that DE on the other side of Latu, a Safety, or the aforementioned LB position. For my money, given what we have right now, I’d make those two starters my primary LBs. I’m not going to throw names out there, because quite frankly, that’s all it would be. I have learned through my Draft Contest that my watching of highlights and reading “Strengths and Weaknesses” for players, does not align with the scouting department on 56th Street.
As for that Draft Contest, stay tuned for details. For the last four years, I have invited our readers to list 10 names that they think might be Colts after the three days of the NFL Draft. It always has taken place in Fan Posts, which is now The Feed. It is good fun and is free to play. Since you get what you pay for, you also receive no prize for winning. It is good for bragging rights, which happen to go to our colleague Chris Shepherd, following last year’s contest. If you have participated before, I look forward to having you back. If you haven’t been involved, give it a shot this year.
So, are you up for a couple of rookie Linebackers?
