defense getting some attention

[CR91]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000415997/article/indianapolis-colts-defense-now-a-legitimate-strength-10-things

[ProblChld32]

Loved EVERYTHING about that article man. Being a Defensive player this just makes me extremely happy that this defense is now being seen as a force. 

[jusbadd2]

Our D just seems to keep getting better and better ,can't wait to see what they look like by the end of the year.

[Smonroe]

Don't think it's going unnoticed with the veterans:

 

http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Reggie-Wayne-On-The-2014-Colts-Defense-“In-14-Years-There’s-Not-One-That’s-Played-To-This-Level”/ca8dc24f-e8e6-482a-91c3-0f5b152bb20d

[AndreRison]

Don't think it's going unnoticed with the veterans:

http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Reggie-Wayne-On-The-2014-Colts-Defense-“In-14-Years-There’s-Not-One-That’s-Played-To-This-Level”/ca8dc24f-e8e6-482a-91c3-0f5b152bb20d

I think Reggie's forgetting about that Bob Sanders led defense in the playoffs back in 06. That playoff defense shocked the world for 4 games. Bob Sanders is still one of my favorite Colts of all time. I will say however, this defensive unit is looking really dominant right now.

[BleedBlu8792]

I think Reggie's forgetting about that Bob Sanders led defense in the playoffs back in 06. That playoff defense shocked the world for 4 games. Bob Sanders is still one of my favorite Colts of all time. I will say however, this defensive unit is looking really dominant right now.

The defense wasn't THAT good in 06'. None of the teams came out passing except for the Patriots, whom the Colts struggled with for the first 3 quarters of that game. KC nor Baltimore really tried to balance things out. The Colts just loaded the box and invited teams to throw, yet none of them really did, again, except for New England.

This defense doesn't have to put 8 or 9 guys in the box to stop the run. Our front 3 alone is clogging running lanes. That 06' playoff defense isn't even close to this defense.

[ThaCaliColt]

Defense is becoming exactly what Chuck envisioned. I pray that we can stay healthy and not lose any of our guys. That always plays such a critical factor...

[AndreRison]

The defense wasn't THAT good in 06'. None of the teams came out passing except for the Patriots, whom the Colts struggled with for the first 3 quarters of that game. KC nor Baltimore really tried to balance things out. The Colts just loaded the box and invited teams to throw, yet none of them really did, again, except for New England.

This defense doesn't have to put 8 or 9 guys in the box to stop the run. Our front 3 alone is clogging running lanes. That 06' playoff defense isn't even close to this defense.

Well I would agree with you, if you were talking about the regular season that year. That was one of, if not the worst defenses to ever go on to win the Superbowl.

However during the playoffs that year, that defense played out of its mind. Indianapolis caused 13 turnovers in 4 games. Even though they forced 47 punts the whole regular season, they ended up forcing 21 punts in the playoffs. They pretty much doubled forced punts!! They also stopped the run in the playoffs except for maybe the Bears game, who ended up with 111 rushing yards. But that was way lower than the 173 they were giving up during the regular season.

Bob Sanders had a lot to do with that new found run defense. The biggest key to that playoff defense though, was takeaways and stops. I still watch that playoff DVD. If Peyton could've had that defense for 3 to 4 years, he would have 3 to 4 rings right now. The sad thing is Bob was the key, but he couldn't stay healthy

[Dark Superman]

I'm loving the play of this defense thus year.. Let's keep it rolling through Pittsburgh

[evilleseniorfan]

It is indeed a joy to see a real COLTS DEFENSE preform.  Think back eight weeks, and our mindset when Mathis went on IR and the disaster we foresaw.  What a great job management and the coaching staff has done drafting/free agent signing/trading to put us in this position.

 

But what does this performance say about Mathis's future and his ($15 mil?) contract? 

[Darryl C. Patrick]

It doesn't say anything about Mathis' future. He still has earned his contract and until he cant perform physically, he'll be  apart of this teams plans. But, he can only play for so long and this Achilles issue may be the beginning of a decline in his production. We'll have to wait and see.

[AndreRison]

The scheme of this defense is definitely solid. I would love to see them keep this up.

Imagine if Dallas and Indy keep doing what they're doing. Indy with the best 3rd down defense in the league, and Dallas with the best 3rd down conversion rate since 1972.

I'm taking Indy on that one, but what can I say, I may be a little biased.

[TKnight24]

I think Reggie's forgetting about that Bob Sanders led defense in the playoffs back in 06. That playoff defense shocked the world for 4 games. Bob Sanders is still one of my favorite Colts of all time. I will say however, this defensive unit is looking really dominant right now.

"Shocked the world for 4 games"

⬆

That's why it's been forgotten

What is 4 games? Sure it lead to the Super Bowl Win.... Well played a part alongside the rushing duo on the offense

This defense has been balling since the Jacksonville Game

It's much better than that 4 game stretch defense back in '06 that you're referring to

[crunk-juice]

the 07 D with the hit squad secondary in Sanders/Bethea/Hayden/Jackson was really a special unit.  damn shame that Freeney got hurt because that was the best Colts D I've ever seen.

[Darryl C. Patrick]

the 07 D with the hit squad secondary in Sanders/Bethea/Hayden/Jackson was really a special unit.  damn shame that Freeney got hurt because that was the best Colts D I've ever seen.

I dont agree. That team never pitched a shut-out and they couldn't keep the Chargers at bay AT home without Phillip Rivers AND Ladainian Tomlinson out of the game, in that one-and-done playoff scenario that was all too familiar with those Manning led teams. No hate for Peyton, since when he hangs his cleats up, he'll go in the Colts Ring of Honor for sure, but that was the knock on those teams back in the day. With the defense this teams is fielding right now, this team should do much better come Lombardi-hoisting time for a number of years.

[TKnight24]

I dont agree. That team never pitched a shut-out and they couldn't keep the Chargers at bay AT home without Phillip Rivers AND Ladainian Tomlinson out of the game, in that one-and-done playoff scenario that was all too familiar with those Manning led teams. No hate for Peyton, since when he hangs his cleats up, he'll go in the Colts Ring of Honor for sure, but that was the knock on those teams back in the day. With the defense this teams is fielding right now, this team should do much better come Lombardi-hoisting time for a number of years.

Preach!!!!

:clap:

[ThaCaliColt]

the 07 D with the hit squad secondary in Sanders/Bethea/Hayden/Jackson was really a special unit.  damn shame that Freeney got hurt because that was the best Colts D I've ever seen.

I feel the best Manning-era defense was the 2005 team, largely because we had the full compliment of players healthy. The secondary continued to improve in the years following with the addition of Hayden and Jackson, yes, however, the defensive front seven were often invisible unless the outside pass rushers were getting to the quarterback. As quick and athletic as those teams were, I'll take the current philosophy any day of the week. Our corners are more aggressive, the linebackers are much more versatile and the defensive line can go 12 rounds with anyone...

[AndreRison]

"Shocked the world for 4 games"

⬆

That's why it's been forgotten

What is 4 games? Sure it lead to the Super Bowl Win.... Well played a part alongside the rushing duo on the offense

This defense has been balling since the Jacksonville Game

It's much better than that 4 game stretch defense back in '06 that you're referring to

I don't disagree that this defense is better, so far, than those old defenses. However, that 4 game stretch was a masterpiece. Like I said, they were causing turnovers and stopping the run. They were doing that against 4 teams on the way to the Superbowl victory. They were special for 4 solid games. 13 takeaways in 4 games in the playoffs?!! That's absurd.

Just to add. I really appreciate this current system on defense. It's a much better philosophy. The players are executing, and they're getting tackles on first contact. They're getting pressure up front from everywhere, and the secondary is playing awesome. If they can keep this up all the way through another Superbowl, that would be awesome. I'm not downplaying this defense, I just think that 06 playoff defense was magical. This could end up the same way. I hope it does.

[BleedBlu8792]

I dont agree. That team never pitched a shut-out and they couldn't keep the Chargers at bay AT home without Phillip Rivers AND Ladainian Tomlinson out of the game, in that one-and-done playoff scenario that was all too familiar with those Manning led teams. No hate for Peyton, since when he hangs his cleats up, he'll go in the Colts Ring of Honor for sure, but that was the knock on those teams back in the day. With the defense this teams is fielding right now, this team should do much better come Lombardi-hoisting time for a number of years.

The Colts were #1, in terms of defense, in ppg, pass ypg, and total ypg, and I believe top 12 in rush ypg that year. That defense was straight up the best of the Colts/Peyton Manning era. Bob Sanders also lasted ALL year and won DPOY. That Charger game was also played without Freeney due to losing him against the Chargers earlier in the season to a lisfranc injury. Not having Freeney killed the pass rush, as the Chargers doubled Mathis all game long.

[AndreRison]

The Colts were #1, in terms of defense, in ppg, pass ypg, and total ypg, and I believe top 12 in rush ypg that year. That defense was straight up the best of the Colts/Peyton Manning era. Bob Sanders also lasted ALL year and won DPOY. That Charger game was also played without Freeney due to losing him against the Chargers earlier in the season to a lisfranc injury. Not having Freeney killed the pass rush, as the Chargers doubled Mathis all game long.

Yes I remember that. A prelude to that Superbowl run. Bob Sanders was a beast. As I said before one of my favorite players ever.

[sixfive]

Nice article, The team is finally getting the press it deserves.  Go Colts

[Indyboy757]

This is by far the best Defense any of us have seen through the first half of a season, at least since the 80s. No other team including the colts defense in the past has looked this good since the 85 Bears when it comes to 3 an outs, including the 06 playoffs. I won't compare this years defense to our super bowl playoff winning defence, because we still have to play great D in the playoffs this year, everyone remembers how bad that defence was in 06-07 with stopping the run and yes Bob was the diffence maker come playoff time that year. Thats what I love about the D so far this year, its not about one player more or less but the unit. I'm not sure if we can sustain this level of success throughout the entire season and playoffs but hands down if we do, not only will indy go all the way, but the defense will be remembered as the greatest defence to ever play the game as for 3rd down stats right now. In 06 Bob was the diffence between a legitimate defence and a mediocre one. This year every unit on D has had a player miss time DL, Jones, Moala OLB Mathis, Adongo, ILB Freeman, CB Butler, S, Landry... 

[AndreRison]

That article that talked about Reggie not seeing a defense this good in 14 years, just goes to show, don't get too excited about early season accomplishments.

I do want to say, I still think this defense is an above average defense. That was just a bad game.

I actually think this could be a huge positive going forward. No matter how well the Colts play the rest of the way, they will be flying under the radar.

I think a lot of the young guys heard what Reggie said and they believed the hype. How they react now, after getting killed for an entire game will tell us a lot about this team. Colts will be fine.

[ruksak]

We're ranked at 5th in team sacks @ 21 on the year. Fact is, Pittsburgh's O-line is just that good. 

 

As much slobbering as Ben is getting, it was the O-line that garnered them the passing yards they got. Any QB could match those numbers with protection like that, but in the NFL media, it's ALWAYS the QB that gets the accolades. 

 

 

Our defense isn't necessarily that bad. Pittsburgh's line is just that good, I'm afraid. 

[CanuckColt]

"defense getting some attention"

Yep, defense getting a whole lot of attention after that Pittsburgh fiasco.

[Coltsman1788]

If this is how our defense plays after they start to get some attention I hope they are ignored for the rest of the season.  That was just embarrassing.