Building Around

[Dtman513]

Obviously, the Colts built their offense around Peyton Manning.

Why didn't we do the same on defense? Why didn't we find a guy to build a defense around?

[GoColts8818]

Obviously, the Colts built their offense around Peyton Manning.

Why didn't we do the same on defense? Why didn't we find a guy to build a defense around?

We did his name is Dwight Freeney...

[Andy]

Obviously, the Colts built their offense around Peyton Manning.

Why didn't we do the same on defense? Why didn't we find a guy to build a defense around?

Because you can't just find a guy just like that. Plus you can't really revolve a defense around a guy. There are so many different aspects on defense, more than on offense. On offense, there's passing and running. We mostly pass On defense, there's pass rush, tackling, covering, and many other things. It's hard to explain...

[Moncrief]

An example would be Ray Lewis.

[21isSuperman]

It's harder to build a unit around a defensive player than an offensive one. On offense, the QB is guaranteed to touch the ball on every snap, whether he throws it or hands it off. On defense, you could have a player that isn't even near the ball for a series or two for any good or bad reason.

Say you have Revis. You also want another shutdown corner on the other side because the offense will throw to the opposite side of Revis most of the time. Then you will need a good nickel CB because teams will try to spread you out. If you have good pass coverage, you will want good pass rushers, who can take advantage of a QB who holds the ball because he has nowhere to throw. But then you also want good run stuffers at your DT and LB positions because teams will resort to the run since they can't pass. You will also want good S to cover any solid TEs. That will cost too much money and is way too difficult to put together.

Offense gets the chance to dictate the play whereas the defense has to react and make a play. You can have one superstar on your offense playing QB who knows where to put the ball and how to get the other guys in positions to make plays. Pierre Garcon probably won't be a starting WR on any other NFL team, but since he has Manning (who knows his timing and abilities), he is a starter here.

[OLD FAN MAN]

An example would be Ray Lewis.

ray lewis or bob sanders

[everybodysgotone]

We did his name is Dwight Freeney...

True, but our defensive strategy is predicated on playing with a lead which again comes full circle to building around Manning.

One piece on offense (Manning) trumps one piece on defense (those named in this thread plus add Freeney). Results speak. Even Colt McCoy stepped up past the outside pressure with success.

[doogansquest]

It's harder to build a unit around a defensive player than an offensive one. On offense, the QB is guaranteed to touch the ball on every snap, whether he throws it or hands it off. On defense, you could have a player that isn't even near the ball for a series or two for any good or bad reason.

Say you have Revis. You also want another shutdown corner on the other side because the offense will throw to the opposite side of Revis most of the time. Then you will need a good nickel CB because teams will try to spread you out. If you have good pass coverage, you will want good pass rushers, who can take advantage of a QB who holds the ball because he has nowhere to throw. But then you also want good run stuffers at your DT and LB positions because teams will resort to the run since they can't pass. You will also want good S to cover any solid TEs. That will cost too much money and is way too difficult to put together.

Offense gets the chance to dictate the play whereas the defense has to react and make a play. You can have one superstar on your offense playing QB who knows where to put the ball and how to get the other guys in positions to make plays. Pierre Garcon probably won't be a starting WR on any other NFL team, but since he has Manning (who knows his timing and abilities), he is a starter here.

Very well said.

That's not to say offense is easier than defense, but good offensive teams can find ways to play "keep away" from a star defensive player. Eventually, a QB will touch the ball. A star LB, CB, DT, whatever, may never get to be in on the action.

[OLD FAN MAN]

Very well said.

That's not to say offense is easier than defense, but good offensive teams can find ways to play "keep away" from a star defensive player. Eventually, a QB will touch the ball. A star LB, CB, DT, whatever, may never get to be in on the action.

bob sanders was always in on the action when he wasnt hurt

[swflacoltsfans]

There is only so much money to go around with the salary cap. The Colts decided long ago to be a team that can score a lot and have the defense do the best they could with what they had.

[OLD FAN MAN]

There is only so much money to go around with the salary cap. The Colts decided long ago to be a team that can score a lot and have the defense do the best they could with what they had.

the colts dont manage their cap very well, one of their biggest weakness

[GatorColts]

the colts dont manage their cap very well, one of their biggest weakness

Agreed! Do not have that much money to spend on D, need to do better with this!

[Steagles]

Obviously, the Colts built their offense around Peyton Manning.

Why didn't we do the same on defense? Why didn't we find a guy to build a defense around?

We have 3 guys who could be built around, one for each of the defensive sections. Bethea, Angerer and Freeney.

[GoColts8818]

True, but our defensive strategy is predicated on playing with a lead which again comes full circle to building around Manning.

One piece on offense (Manning) trumps one piece on defense (those named in this thread plus add Freeney). Results speak. Even Colt McCoy stepped up past the outside pressure with success.

and that strategy is there why? Because we have a pass rusher named Dwight Freeney that gets after the QB with the lead. Freeney is the guy who opens up everything on defense. He draws the double team to free up Mathis and they force the ball to come out fast with the idea being others can get turnovers like Bethea. For a while the three were a deadly force at it. Make no mistake what we do on defense is built around Freeney. He's the Peyton Manning of the defense. Normally when he plays well the defense plays well, when other teams shut him down or take him out of the game by attacking his weakness running plays, we struggle on defense.

He's not Peyton Manning though so no he's not going to have as big of an impact on the game as Manning does. Frankly ther is only one guy in the league that is to a defense what Manning is to our offense and that is Ray Lewis.

[everybodysgotone]

and that strategy is there why? Because we have a pass rusher named Dwight Freeney that gets after the QB with the lead. Freeney is the guy who opens up everything on defense. He draws the double team to free up Mathis and they force the ball to come out fast with the idea being others can get turnovers like Bethea. For a while the three were a deadly force at it. Make no mistake what we do on defense is built around Freeney. He's the Peyton Manning of the defense. Normally when he plays well the defense plays well, when other teams shut him down or take him out of the game by attacking his weakness running plays, we struggle on defense.

He's not Peyton Manning though so no he's not going to have as big of an impact on the game as Manning does. Frankly ther is only one guy in the league that is to a defense what Manning is to our offense and that is Ray Lewis.

If the Colts can continue to do what they did against PITT - stop the run (credit our DTs and LBs plus Bethea), Freeney and Mathis will be as effective as they are playing with a big lead because teams will be one dimensional having to throw more. If we can do this consistently, the defense will be much better standing on it's own and not being predicated on what our offense does/does not do - put up points - something we're not going to be doing a lot of any time soon. We've seen very, very little run D in recent years like we did against PITT.....even while trailing in the game. It was fun to watch. That was what got the DEs loose. And yes, Freeney is a focal point of our D but without the other capable bookend over the years, Mathis, he's not nearly as successful. Hopefully, the PITT game was a sign of things to come. Couldn't be more thrilled with Nevis and the entire LB crew layin the licks on those RBs.

[JoKeR]

Obviously, the Colts built their offense around Peyton Manning.

Why didn't we do the same on defense? Why didn't we find a guy to build a defense around?

Also Peyton Manning aka built to play with lead defense. Its not a bad way to go, but when Manning is down, gotta change strategy. Strategy is changing now and all of a sudden the D looks good (mostly).

Bend but don't break is smart D but perhaps we relied on it too much. Relied on Manning (as far a defense) too much. This season will ultimately make this a better all around team because the absence of Manning will force them to improve.