Thoughts on defensive speed without Mathis?

[Dingus McGirt]

Good morning, fellow fans. 

 

Watching last night's game I was surprised to find myself thinking the team looked faster on defense without Robert on the field.  It could have been my eyes playing tricks on me.  Anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

[Restored]

It's sad to say but the defense at this point may be better off without Mathis. He's just not the same player anymore. He may be able to provide something on a situational basis but his time is drawing to a close IMO.

[lollygagger8]

I don't know if it was due to Mathis not being on the field. I'd like to think it wasn't, but to be fair, Geathers was missing too. 

 

That said, EJax was all over the field! His hit on Forte was a thing of beauty! 

[ClaytonC]

Sadly Mathis hasn't had speed for a couple of years now.

[Somewhere ovr the Waynebow]

This defense is better without Mathis.  Playing Ayers and Cole is a much better option. It's sad but I hope Mathis retires or is cut in the off-season (don't know the contract implications)  because at this point he's a detriment to the team. 

[jbaron04]

All we need on Def is a dominant pass rusher, and number 1 type corner, a dominant nose and a athletic ilb to pair with ed, we need to draft all def next yr, 

[pgt_rob]

I thought Mathis still looked quick off the edge so I'm not sure if not having him played into anything. Edwin Jackson definitely looks quick though so I liked seeing him. Even Cole was getting to the QB at times. I think it's just the illusion of a really bad football team made our defense appear much improved.

[gnet550]

1 minute ago, pgt_rob said:

I thought Mathis still looked quick off the edge so I'm not sure if not having him played into anything. Edwin Jackson definitely looks quick though so I liked seeing him. Even Cole was getting to the QB at times. I think it's just the illusion of a really bad football team made our defense appear much improved.

Cole did have a nice game coming back last night.... I think Mathis still can be situational, just doesn't need to be out there for 80% of the snaps....I am wondering with Cole, if he has turned the corner...or if it was because he was going against Ben Ijalana....yes that Ben Ijalana....who said Chris Polian's picks would never help the Colts win a game... 

[throwing BBZ]

 

 I`m happy to see us playing the younger players. They have to get experience #1.
 And helps us figure out our draft needs.

[runthepost]

Let's wait and see when we play a bettter team 

[runthepost]

Overall they played better

[deadman]

We are not better without Mathis. Even if he's a depth player, that's still valuable. He is not the player he once was but he is still a great tool in our toolbox. He's not an every down player but still is useful in situations. 

[The Peytonator]

Mathis has had the worst year of his career. Father time remains undefeated. 

[Dingus McGirt]

Good comments, all.  BTW, I am a Mathis fan.  Just a reality check. 

 

[ColtsFanMikeC]

2 hours ago, Dingus McGirt said:

Good morning, fellow fans. 

 

Watching last night's game I was surprised to find myself thinking the team looked faster on defense without Robert on the field.  It could have been my eyes playing tricks on me.  Anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

 

I think Edwin Jackson and Curt Maggitt played their best games of the season last night.  The Jets are not very good, so that may have contributed... but the 2 young guys have been developing all season and (IMO) looked better last night than they have.  Cole was a pleasant surprise and Walden continues to impress.

 

Also, the DL seemed to play better than they have as a group in  a while.  Parry played very well last night, Ridgeway played well, Art Jones, Anderson, Kerr and TY McGill all played well.  TY had 2 QB hits, Parry had a sack, Kerr got a QB hit, and Ridgeway got a QB hit.  They were also disrupting the backfield a lot of the night (part of the reason Edwin had a wide-open play to Forte in the backfield).  Even though we're still without Langford, that was the most complete/healthiest I've seen the DL look in a while.

 

Oh yea, and let's not forget, we were playing with an early lead.... which does wonders for the D to be able to fly around.  We have struggled (for the most part) to get off to a fast start in games since Peyton has been hurt.  The last two games Luck was healthy are a couple of the only games I can remember us scoring TDs on our first two offensive possessions since Luck's been on the team.  Hopefully we can keep that up -- if we get down early, or the offense doesn't get going until later in the game, it can force the D to play slower.

[will426]

Does Mathis usually rush with hands in dirt now or standing up?

[chad72]

1 hour ago, runthepost said:

Let's wait and see when we play a bettter team 

 

^^^This.

 

The Jets were waltzing, playing like a team wanting to quit without much effort. I would like to see how things turn out vs the Texans who have a better OL.

[Solon]

Mathis is a situational pass rusher. We can't waste his energy by playing him 80% of the snaps. Bring him on the field in obvious passing situations and he'll probably produce a little more. 

[Creekside]

3 hours ago, Somewhere ovr the Waynebow said:

This defense is better without Mathis.  Playing Ayers and Cole is a much better option. It's sad but I hope Mathis retires or is cut in the off-season (don't know the contract implications)  because at this point he's a detriment to the team. 

 

He's a free agent at season's end. 

[Superman]

I thought Trent Cole played a really good game. I haven't rewatched yet, but he stood out to me. 

[csmopar]

6 hours ago, Dingus McGirt said:

Good morning, fellow fans. 

 

Watching last night's game I was surprised to find myself thinking the team looked faster on defense without Robert on the field.  It could have been my eyes playing tricks on me.  Anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

i think its more that they seemed to play HUNGRY last night. you could see the fire right off the bat. That was the difference to me.  I've not seen that in a long while