Jonathan Newsome

[COLTS449]

I thought this would be a nice little discussion. What's everyone's thoughts on him? What do you think he'll look like next season? Expectations next season and beyond? What's his ceiling? etc. Personally I think he can be a dominate edge rusher in the mold of Robert Mathis. I look for him to take that next step, and for him to really break out next season. Especially if Mathis misses the first few games. I think he can be a double digit sack guy year after year. He needs to improve against the run, setting the edge, etc, but as far as a pure pass rusher the sky's the limit IMO. Thoughts?

[MTC]

I hope he will start along side Trent Cole over Walden and Werner until Mathis comes back.

[Superman]

Newsome has a lot of explosiveness and closing speed (he misses out on big plays a lot, though). He has some moves that make him difficult to block, but he's not good at disengaging from blockers like a true pass rusher is. He has a lot of work to do, but as a situational pass rusher, he's a really good piece to have. I think he should continue to play the same role he played last year.

[LJpalmbeacher2]

I don't see him being a dominant rusher like Freeney & Mathis were in their prime, NOT even close. But of course hope I'm wrong.

[Patagonia Chris]

He's arguably as good as a pure pass rusher as the Colts have. Unfortunately, he has a long way to go when it comes to stopping the run. I watched him for a couple of years at Ball State and I've always liked the kid. Kind of had some attitude issues at BSU but that hasn't seemed to be an issue while with the Colts. I think as of right now he's a situational player but I see him developing into a very good player by the end of his rookie contract. I hope he wears the horseshoe for a long time.

[ColtsLegacy]

He's arguably as good as a pure pass rusher as the Colts have. Unfortunately, he has a long way to go when it comes to stopping the run. I watched him for a couple of years at Ball State and I've always liked the kid. Kind of had some attitude issues at BSU but that hasn't seemed to be an issue while with the Colts. I think as of right now he's a situational player but I see him developing into a very good player by the end of his rookie contract. I hope he wears the horseshoe for a long time.

How would you argue that with Robert Mathis and Trent Cole on the same team? Newsome has potential through the roof for sure but he's certainly not near as good a pass rusher as Mathis or Cole.

[Patagonia Chris]

How would you argue that with Robert Mathis and Trent Cole on the same team? Newsome has potential through the roof for sure but he's certainly not near as good a pass rusher as Mathis or Cole.

 

Newsome had the same amount of sacks as Cole last year and he's 10 years younger. Newsome is likely to improve while Cole will continue to decline. Mathis is 34 and coming off a torn Achilles. Not sure what his current level of play will be.

[Track Guy]

I see Newsome next year as at least an effective situational pass rusher if he's not an outright starter. He's key to have on the roster, especially because we don't know what Mathis is going to look like next year. Walden and Werner are perfectly fine SAMs, but especially with another year of development Newsome should bring more pass rushing ability even if he's not going to be dominant at it. 

[COLTS449]

I'm predicting 8-10 sacks next season for Newsome. More than that if Mathis isn't his old self.

[ztboiler]

I hope he will start along side Trent Cole over Walden and Werner until Mathis comes back.

That would essentially make him our starting edge setter...probably not a good idea unless you want those early run downs to stay early run downs for the whole game.

 

He can certainly be the other pass rusher just like Dumervil comes in for Upshaw for the Ravens, and he likely will be until Mathis is ready.

[12isthenew18]

I hope to see this:

2015 draft: select eli harold at 29

After 2015

Let mathis retire and cut cole

hope werner works

cut walden

move newsome and harold as starters

[ColtsLegacy]

Newsome had the same amount of sacks as Cole last year and he's 10 years younger. Newsome is likely to improve while Cole will continue to decline. Mathis is 34 and coming off a torn Achilles. Not sure what his current level of play will be.

 

You implied Newsome was "arguably" the best pass rusher currently and now you're talking about future progression which is irrelevant to your point. Saying Mathis may not be the same pass rusher because of his injury is not an argument that's conjecture. And using sack numbers is just silly (i.e. Walden had the same amount of sacks as Cole and Newsome and Werner had just 2 less).

 

As I said, I like Newsome's potential but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

[bap1331]

I hope to see this:

2015 draft: select eli harold at 29

After 2015

Let mathis retire and cut cole

hope werner works

cut walden

move newsome and harold as starters

Youre joking right? And what would you rely on with all those cuts and a rookie starting at de? Hopes and dreams?

Maybe a rookie or two on this team would be great but we all know bb will expose inexperienced players on defense. We need as much experience we can with cole and mathis...

[12isthenew18]

Youre joking right? And what would you rely on with all those cuts and a rookie starting at de? Hopes and dreams?

Maybe a rookie or two on this team would be great but we all know bb will expose inexperienced players on defense. We need as much experience we can with cole and mathis...

this is after this season

[gacker65]

Can't wait wait to see how much Newsome progresses this season.

[PhillyCOLTSfan]

newsome is good have a chance to be a really good pass rusher just from being a sponge to Cole And Mathis, i like his potential

[ProblChld32]

I thought this would be a nice little discussion. What's everyone's thoughts on him? What do you think he'll look like next season? Expectations next season and beyond? What's his ceiling? etc. Personally I think he can be a dominate edge rusher in the mold of Robert Mathis. I look for him to take that next step, and for him to really break out next season. Especially if Mathis misses the first few games. I think he can be a double digit sack guy year after year. He needs to improve against the run, setting the edge, etc, but as far as a pure pass rusher the sky's the limit IMO. Thoughts?

 

He'll def make a huge jump especially with a year in the back and with the acquisition of Trent Cole to tutor him. Im looking for him to post between 7-9 sacks this season. i don't personally see him getting double digit sacks this year because he will be sharing snaps with Werner and Cole. but he will be close !!!

[ProblChld32]

I hope to see this:

2015 draft: select eli harold at 29

After 2015

Let mathis retire and cut cole

hope werner works

cut walden

move newsome and harold as starters

 

Ok and who backs up Newsome and Harold? Who comes in situationally?  Why would you want to cut Cole and Walden? they are proven. If Mathis returns to that player he was when he lead the league in sacks would you still want him to retire? do you see where im going with this?

[Hoosiernsavga]

I really like Newsome. Yes he has alot to learn but who better too learn from than two of the best veteran pass rushers in the league in Mathis and Cole!

 

[lollygagger8]

Newsome's got Mathis and Cole to learn from, so he isn't exactly in bad company. I think he'll take a step this year. If he works on his run defense, he can be a great OLB. 

[Defjamz26]

Wow people do love to sell our young players short. I can't wait in another season or 2 for Moncrief and Newsome to really blow people out of the water.

 

Newsome was one of the best past rushers of his draft class. He had Anthony Barr type production despite being picked a lot later. He might take a step back because of the log jam we'll have at OLB but I think he has a future here.

[coltsfanatic24]

Newsome should start over Cole who only had 6.5 sacks last year and is basically over the hill. 

[throwing BBZ]

He's arguably as good as a pure pass rusher as the Colts have. Unfortunately, he has a long way to go when it comes to stopping the run. I watched him for a couple of years at Ball State and I've always liked the kid. Kind of had some attitude issues at BSU but that hasn't seemed to be an issue while with the Colts. I think as of right now he's a situational player but I see him developing into a very good player by the end of his rookie contract. I hope he wears the horseshoe for a long time.

 

 Exactly.

The kid has the bend and burst that great rushers need. And he was really bad against the run.

Player development.

[Dustin]

Newsome should start over Cole who only had 6.5 sacks last year and is basically over the hill.

whew

[Yoshinator]

Wow people do love to sell our young players short. I can't wait in another season or 2 for Moncrief and Newsome to really blow people out of the water.

 

Newsome was one of the best past rushers of his draft class. He had Anthony Barr type production despite being picked a lot later. He might take a step back because of the log jam we'll have at OLB but I think he has a future here.

Excellent post here. All the casual fans and some of the hardcore fans who base a player based on the round he was drafted aren't giving Newsome the credit he deserves. This is a guy who was a situational pass rusher last year who got the 2nd most sacks of any rookie in a loaded draft class and was our leading sacker. If he was a full time player from week 1, he in all likelyhood would of got double digit sacks his rookie season. This guy has star written all over him and is everything that werner was supposed to be. I'm proud of Grigson for getting him and I'm proud to have Newsome on the Colts!

[aaron11]

Newsome should start over Cole who only had 6.5 sacks last year and is basically over the hill. 

cole is a much more complete player.  he can play on any down, and is decent in the run game

[ColtsLegacy]

Newsome should start over Cole who only had 6.5 sacks last year and is basically over the hill.

Good god.

[ColtsLegacy]

I hope to see this:

2015 draft: select eli harold at 29

After 2015

Let mathis retire and cut cole

hope werner works

cut walden

move newsome and harold as starters

I bet your Madden team is stacked.

[Patagonia Chris]

You implied Newsome was "arguably" the best pass rusher currently and now you're talking about future progression which is irrelevant to your point. Saying Mathis may not be the same pass rusher because of his injury is not an argument that's conjecture. And using sack numbers is just silly (i.e. Walden had the same amount of sacks as Cole and Newsome and Werner had just 2 less).

 

As I said, I like Newsome's potential but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

 

I said he was "arguably the best pure pass rusher that the Colts have." I don't believe that Trent Cole is as good as a pass rusher as people are making him out to be. He clearly isn't an elite pass rusher in the NFL. He will be an upgrade for the Colts, but mostly any player would be. Does anyone really believe that Mathis is going to return to 100% after an Achilles injury? I don't believe I said anything that was too overoptimistic about Newsome. I said the argument could be made for him, and that's what I've done the last two posts. If you don't agree that's fine.

[Douzer]

I think Newsome has big-time potential. If this man knows how to work and study, look out! His body size, power, speed, quickness, desire and production in his rookie minutes, have me already onboard his band wagon.

[Chucklez]

Newsome had the same amount of sacks as Cole last year and he's 10 years younger. Newsome is likely to improve while Cole will continue to decline. Mathis is 34 and coming off a torn Achilles. Not sure what his current level of play will be.

And Newsome was only a part-time player last year who only broke into the defensive team from special teams about halfway throught the year...

[Patagonia Chris]

And Newsome was only a part-time player last year who only broke into the defensive team from special teams about halfway throught the year...

 

He was a situational player who played in passing situations because he was as good as anyone else at RUSHING THE PASSER. That's what I've said time and time again in this thread.

[masterlock]

I don't see him being a dominant rusher like Freeney & Mathis were in their prime, NOT even close. But of course hope I'm wrong.

Well, the numbers already say you're wrong, since Newsome had 6.5 sacks as a rookie, compared to Mathis' 3.5 as a rookie. And Mathis played in all 16 games as a rookie, although I don't know how many of those he started in. Let's just say playing time was roughly equal.

[TKnight24]

Newsome's got Mathis and Cole to learn from, so he isn't exactly in bad company. I think he'll take a step this year. If he works on his run defense, he can be a great OLB.

https://twitter.com/JNEW_11/status/575423514838175745

[LJpalmbeacher2]

Well, the numbers already say you're wrong, since Newsome had 6.5 sacks as a rookie, compared to Mathis' 3.5 as a rookie. And Mathis played in all 16 games as a rookie, although I don't know how many of those he started in. Let's just say playing time was roughly equal.

A couple of those sacks were blown assignments by the opposing OL, the only way he wouldn't have gotten the sacks were if he stumbled and fell down. Rick Venturi said the very same thing! Stats don't tell the whole story sometimes.

I don't think he is a standout player or pass rusher like Freeney/Mathis were.

I hope he is or will be of course and he did do well for a rook,especially where he was drafted.

[akcolt]

Newsome has played one year. it is not only impossible but a bit ridiculous to start comparing to two of the best pass rushers in the last decade.

He had a very good rookie season showed signs of a guy that could have a bright future in this league. He seems to have the tools time will tell if he has the dedication and desire to be great.

Grigs had a great draft last year Mewhort Moncrief and Newsome all contributed year one and flashed real potential.

That doesn't even include the UDFA he got right. Everyone is aware of our draft situation last year to get the rookie contributions we were able to get leaves me optimistic.

Let's hope he nails it again this year. That's how great teams are born.

[lollygagger8]

https://twitter.com/JNEW_11/status/575423514838175745

 

That's awesome.

 

Soak it up young Newsome! 

[bavanlan]

His career path is eerily close to Mathis' at this point.

[Defjamz26]

A couple of those sacks were blown assignments by the opposing OL, the only way he wouldn't have gotten the sacks were if he stumbled and fell down. Rick Venturi said the very same thing! Stats don't tell the whole story sometimes.

I don't think he is a standout player or pass rusher like Freeney/Mathis were.

I hope he is or will be of course and he did do well for a rook,especially where he was drafted.

 

Except it wasn't just sacks. Whenever he was in the lineup he was creating pressure and you would hear his name called often. He was always around the action and contributing. Also 3 FFs which have nothing to do with "blown assignments" and more with his skill in creating turnovers. And let's not forget the strip sack he had against Manning in the playoffs that was very Mathis-eque.

 

Clearly he has a lot of growing and learning to do, but let's not sell him short. Of all the young defensive players on the Colts, he has the highest ceiling and is easily the most intriguing. I'd put more stock on him developing into something special than Chapman, Hughes, Kerr, and Werner.

[Rich Cannon]

I dont expect a huge season for Newsome only because his opportunities will be cut in half due to Robert Mathis returning at some point and Trent Cole.  Now if Mathis doesn't come back until mid season I would expect 4-6 sacks on the season.  I would also expect 4- 6 even if Mathis plays.  I see Newsome coming in on pass rush situations anyway.