Defensive expectations under Reich, Eberflus

[1965southpaw]

Originally Posted by rcubed

I EXPECT it to be better than what we have had the past 6 years.

Along the lines of what FattyDT said, I expect reich to have input into the defense, but I think that he will largely let eberflus run that side of things and reich to concentrate more on the offense.

From what I have read ballard loves eberflus. I would hazard to bet that he is totally a ballard guy and not a mcdouche guy. In that during the interviews ballard said he wanted erberflus and mcdouche just agreed. Since he was already here and seems well respected I am guessing reich didnt have an issue with it.

Take a look at my post in the Reich thread re: Bill POlian interview at noon. Per Bill (and he spoke with Reich before his colts interview) Reich has no problem with the staff he's inheriting and he reminded us that he and dungy inheirited Tom Moore/roger mudd and that turned out ok.

[YDFL Commish]

I still like the idea of starting Anderson at Strong Side DE on run downs, and sliding him to UT on passing downs and moving the UT to NT, then have Sheard come in at SSDE.

Also, I would give Mingo a shot at WILL, he might not make the leap, but whatta we have to lose?

[Hoopsdoc]

I think this move towards a hybrid Tampa 2 is an opportunity for Hooker, with his range. He could flourish in a defense like that, if he recovers from the knee.

[omahacolt]

Originally Posted by YDFL Commish

I still like the idea of starting Anderson at Strong Side DE on run downs, and sliding him to UT on passing downs and moving the UT to NT, then have Sheard come in at SSDE.

Also, I would give Mingo a shot at WILL, he might not make the leap, but whatta we have to lose?

I don’t like any of that.

[YDFL Commish]

Originally Posted by omahacolt

I don’t like any of that.

Well everything is going to be kinda in flux here. They've gotta try out guys at different spots and see what they can do.

We really don't have a true UT either. Maybe Ballard can does a trade back and then we come up with Roquan Smith and Maurice Hurst.

So you wanna see Sheard at LDE? I think we will get bludgeoned in the run game with him at LDE.

As far as Mingo goes, he's under contract I believe, let him fight it out with George and whoever the Colts bring in to compete at WILL. I mean he's failed at pretty much everything else.

[VeveJones007]

Originally Posted by YDFL Commish

Well everything is going to be kinda in flux here. They've gotta try out guys at different spots and see what they can do.

We really don't have a true UT either. Maybe Ballard can does a trade back and then we come up with Roquan Smith and Maurice Hurst.

So you wanna see Sheard at LDE? I think we will get bludgeoned in the run game with him at LDE.

As far as Mingo goes, he's under contract I believe, let him fight it out with George and whoever the Colts bring in to compete at WILL. I mean he's failed at pretty much everything else.

I think Sheard will look better against the run when there are a couple athletic LBs behind him.

[omahacolt]

Originally Posted by YDFL Commish

Well everything is going to be kinda in flux here. They've gotta try out guys at different spots and see what they can do.

We really don't have a true UT either. Maybe Ballard can does a trade back and then we come up with Roquan Smith and Maurice Hurst.

So you wanna see Sheard at LDE? I think we will get bludgeoned in the run game with him at LDE.

As far as Mingo goes, he's under contract I believe, let him fight it out with George and whoever the Colts bring in to compete at WILL. I mean he's failed at pretty much everything else.

A true ut? Anderson has played that well. I think Hankins might be able to do it. The dt’s Don’t worry me at all

[FatDT]

Why would Sheard be a problem in the run game on the left side? He had a good year all-around, not just rushing the passer. I think his game fits the strong side.

And yeah, Anderson should do well at UT. I know lots of Colts fans have written him off because he's "injury prone" now but that's dumb. The fact that he's not a short squat Aaron Donald or Gino Atkins type doesn't mean he can't penetrate. He's proven he can. The only time I could see Anderson moving to end would be in heavy/goal line packages when they want to get both Hankins and Woods in there together. I would expect Anderson and Hankins to start in the middle, Sheard start at one of the ends, and a drafted or signed player to take the other end spot.

There are a number of edge rushers I'd look at in FA:

Demarcus Lawrence - He'd start but he'll probably be kept by Dallas.
Ezekiel Ansah - Starter if healthy, but probably a rotational piece going forward.
Dion Jordan - I wanted no part of him as a rookie. But he got 4 sacks in 5 games late in the season for the Seahawks. I read his story and I'd be happy if Ballard gave him a shot. He probably wants to stay on the west coast though.
Dee Ford - Probably a rotational player on the right side only, Ballard likely had a big part in scouting him.
Trent Murphy - More of a rotational strong side player, but we have the cap and his injury might drive his price down.
Alex Okafor - Rotational pass rush
Dwight Freeney - if he can still rotate in why not bring him back for one last season?

Realistically though, we should probably just draft Chubb at #3 if we want a long-term starter at RDE. Lawrence isn't leaving Dallas, Ansah might not be durable enough to start, and the rest of the guys haven't proven they're worthy of a high-end starter contract.

[YDFL Commish]

Originally Posted by omahacolt

A true ut? Anderson has played that well. I think Hankins might be able to do it. The dt’s Don’t worry me at all

They don't worry me at all either, in the run game. But for once in my lifetime I would like to start seeing some consistent pressure up the middle.

[FatDT]

Originally Posted by YDFL Commish

They don't worry me at all either, in the run game. But for once in my lifetime I would like to start seeing some consistent pressure up the middle.

As a rookie Anderson was getting close every game, multiple times a game. I am struggling to remember, but I think he was primarily one-gapping at DT, subbing in for that injured fatass from the Ravens that never did anything for us. Injuries, and then playing more at DE once he returned (before getting injured again) derailed his progress. But I think even this past season, before the weird throat injury, that he was coming on and getting into the backfield more.

I think Hunt can provide some valuable snaps in that UT spot as well. I don't see either him or Anderson as an even front DE. Hunt has proven he's not good there, and Anderson has shown too much to not play on the interior.