This is the best Linebacker Corp we have ever had in Indy.

[BlueShoe]

I have seen every game since 1984, and we have had some good linebacking groups, but overall we have been fairly week, if we look at the average.

 

Herrod, Coryatt, Bickett, and so on; were all good players. Herrod would have probably gone to several Pro Bowls had he played on a winning team, and in my mind, he is the best MLB we have ever had in Indy. But when the average football fan thinks about Indianapolis, they don’t think about linebackers.

 

Bring on:

 

Walden/Werner – SAM

Mathis/Werner – Rush

Angerer/Conner/Freeman – Inside

 

This combination will be very fun to watch.

 

Add in more depth from Sidbury, Harvey, Killeen, and Hickman, and it appears that Hughes may have a very tough time making this team. We might actually have to cut a linebacker who has a shot at playing for another team.

 

Our front seven is going to actually be very good for a change and this could be the start of a dominant defense.

[Valpo2004]

I don't think we have anyone that really stands out in the Linebacking corps, but we have a solid group that doesn't have an obvious weak link.

[21isSuperman]

Don't forget Hickman in that ILB group.  He made a few plays last year too.

[MFT5]

I think it's worth noting that with the defensive transformation we're under the responsibilities and opportunities these linebacker are being given gives them the default advantage as appearing more glamorous than those of previous tenure

[Ja'Crispy]

So yesterday there was a thread saying LB is our weakest spot and today there is one saying it's strong. I tend to agree with this one more.

[Dustin]

It's alright. 

 

We sure aren't the 49ers when it comes to linebackers though.

[Valpo2004]

So yesterday there was a thread saying LB is our weakest spot and today there is one saying it's strong. I tend to agree with this one more.

 

Especially after drafting Warner, Linebacker is probably the position we have the most depth at.  

 

We have 3 legit starters at ILB for 2 spots.  And we have with Warner I think 3 legit starters at OLB for 2 spots.  

 

None of those guys I would classify as a star player at this point, but they are all legit starters.  A lot of depth there.  

[Ja'Crispy]

Especially after drafting Warner, Linebacker is probably the position we have the most depth at.  

 

We have 3 legit starters at ILB for 2 spots.  And we have with Warner I think 3 legit starters at OLB for 2 spots.  

 

None of those guys I would classify as a star player at this point, but they are all legit starters.  A lot of depth there.  

I didn't have any concerns at ILB outside of Angerer's foot injuries, but that isn't as big of an issue because of Freeman and Conner playing well. My only concern was finding Mathis' partner in crime and with Hughes, the FAs, and Werner I'm sure someone will step up.

[Warhorse]

I have seen every game since 1984, and we have had some good linebacking groups, but overall we have been fairly week, if we look at the average.

 

Herrod, Coryatt, Bickett, and so on; were all good players. Herrod would have probably gone to several Pro Bowls had he played on a winning team, and in my mind, he is the best MLB we have ever had in Indy. But when the average football fan thinks about Indianapolis, they don’t think about linebackers.

 

Bring on:

 

Walden/Werner – SAM

Mathis/Werner – Rush

Angerer/Conner/Freeman – Inside

 

This combination will be very fun to watch.

 

Add in more depth from Sidbury, Harvey, Killeen, and Hickman, and it appears that Hughes may have a very tough time making this team. We might actually have to cut a linebacker who has a shot at playing for another team.

 

Our front seven is going to actually be very good for a change and this could be the start of a dominant defense.

Nicely done, thanks for the thread and your team support. I agree with you about this new front seven. I don't care...4/3, 3/4, 5/2....I don't think we are going to see those 200 yd ground games this upcoming season.

 

Herrod is my favorite all time Indy Colt defender.

[Smonroe]

I have seen every game since 1984, and we have had some good linebacking groups, but overall we have been fairly week, if we look at the average.

 

Herrod, Coryatt, Bickett, and so on; were all good players. Herrod would have probably gone to several Pro Bowls had he played on a winning team, and in my mind, he is the best MLB we have ever had in Indy. But when the average football fan thinks about Indianapolis, they don’t think about linebackers.

 

Bring on:

 

Walden/Werner – SAM

Mathis/Werner – Rush

Angerer/Conner/Freeman – Inside

 

This combination will be very fun to watch.

 

Add in more depth from Sidbury, Harvey, Killeen, and Hickman, and it appears that Hughes may have a very tough time making this team. We might actually have to cut a linebacker who has a shot at playing for another team.

 

Our front seven is going to actually be very good for a change and this could be the start of a dominant defense.

Very optimistic. But I'd like to see them actually play a few games before annointing them.

Can't wait!

[oldunclemark]

That's a very glowing spin and I hope you're right but

Pat Angerer is still hurt..and Robert Mathis is not really an LB....

 

Werner has never played LB...

 

There's always possibilitioes but we have an average LB core

 

I have seen every game since 1984, and we have had some good linebacking groups, but overall we have been fairly week, if we look at the average.

 

Herrod, Coryatt, Bickett, and so on; were all good players. Herrod would have probably gone to several Pro Bowls had he played on a winning team, and in my mind, he is the best MLB we have ever had in Indy. But when the average football fan thinks about Indianapolis, they don’t think about linebackers.

 

Bring on:

 

Walden/Werner – SAM

Mathis/Werner – Rush

Angerer/Conner/Freeman – Inside

 

This combination will be very fun to watch.

 

Add in more depth from Sidbury, Harvey, Killeen, and Hickman, and it appears that Hughes may have a very tough time making this team. We might actually have to cut a linebacker who has a shot at playing for another team.

 

Our front seven is going to actually be very good for a change and this could be the start of a dominant defense.

 

[needanoline63]

We haven't even seem them play yet, lets all calm down

[chrisfarley]

I don't think we have anyone that really stands out in the Linebacking corps, but we have a solid group that doesn't have an obvious weak link.

Agreed.  Not sure we can put this group up so high, in fact, our LB corps was not solid vs. the run...... LB's are mega-important vs. the run.

[Frank S.]

I have seen every game since 1984, and we have had some good linebacking groups, but overall we have been fairly week, if we look at the average.

 

Herrod, Coryatt, Bickett, and so on; were all good players. Herrod would have probably gone to several Pro Bowls had he played on a winning team, and in my mind, he is the best MLB we have ever had in Indy. But when the average football fan thinks about Indianapolis, they don’t think about linebackers.

 

Bring on:

 

Walden/Werner – SAM

Mathis/Werner – Rush

Angerer/Conner/Freeman – Inside

 

This combination will be very fun to watch.

 

Add in more depth from Sidbury, Harvey, Killeen, and Hickman, and it appears that Hughes may have a very tough time making this team. We might actually have to cut a linebacker who has a shot at playing for another team.

 

Our front seven is going to actually be very good for a change and this could be the start of a dominant defense.

you forgot josh chapman corry redding talks very well of him

[Mouthfire]

I have seen every game since 1984, and we have had some good linebacking groups, but overall we have been fairly week, if we look at the average.

 

Herrod, Coryatt, Bickett, and so on; were all good players. Herrod would have probably gone to several Pro Bowls had he played on a winning team, and in my mind, he is the best MLB we have ever had in Indy. But when the average football fan thinks about Indianapolis, they don’t think about linebackers.

 

Bring on:

 

Walden/Werner – SAM

Mathis/Werner – Rush

Angerer/Conner/Freeman – Inside

 

This combination will be very fun to watch.

 

Add in more depth from Sidbury, Harvey, Killeen, and Hickman, and it appears that Hughes may have a very tough time making this team. We might actually have to cut a linebacker who has a shot at playing for another team.

 

Our front seven is going to actually be very good for a change and this could be the start of a dominant defense.

 

I understand and agree with the optimism, for the most part.  But who reasonably thinks that Hughes won't make the team?  He got more QB pressures last year than almost everyone you mentioned.

 

Cutting Hughes for Sidbury, Harvery, Killeen, or Hickman?  Yeah... that's not going to happen.

[BlueShoe]

Don't forget Hickman in that ILB group.  He made a few plays last year too.

 

He is. You may have just missed it though. ;)

[BlueShoe]

I think it's worth noting that with the defensive transformation we're under the responsibilities and opportunities these linebacker are being given gives them the default advantage as appearing more glamorous than those of previous tenure

 

I believe that argument can be made for every style of defense.

 

The Will linebacker in the cover 2 has opportunities to look very good. See Cato June.

[lollygagger8]

I just hope our LB sum is greater than it's parts.

[BlueShoe]

I understand and agree with the optimism, for the most part.  But who reasonably thinks that Hughes won't make the team?  He got more QB pressures last year than almost everyone you mentioned.

 

Cutting Hughes for Sidbury, Harvery, Killeen, or Hickman?  Yeah... that's not going to happen.

 

I believe it is reasonable to think that Hughes will have major competition in camp. Barring injury to a starter, I don't see him getting much playing time even if he makes the team.

[MAC]

I don't know about that thread title. Decent depth, sure. But for a linebacker, Mathis makes a heck of a good (aging) DE rush specialist. Werner hasn't even been assigned a uniform yet and has never played the position. I've read far more bad than good about Walden. I hope that you are right, but I think I'll save the proclamations until they actually do something.

[Warhorse]

I don't know about that thread title. Decent depth, sure. But for a linebacker, Mathis makes a heck of a good (aging) DE rush specialist. Werner hasn't even been assigned a uniform yet and has never played the position. I've read far more bad than good about Walden. I hope that you are right, but I think I'll save the proclamations until they actually do something.

True, but there are far more proclamations that it was a bad or reach pick than there are about how good things will be. Justing liking the fresh air. ;)

[MAC]

True, but there are far more proclamations that it was a bad or reach pick than there are about how good things will be. Justing liking the fresh air. ;)

I haven't been paying attention to that. I know that Werner was projected to go pretty much right where he was taken - multiple draftnicks had him going to the Broncos per instance - so it never occurred to me that it was a "bad" pick. My only concern is the suggestions by the experts that he's better suited to the 4-3. But I'm (as usual) prepared to accept the fact that the Colts front office knows considerably more about football than I do, and I'm looking forward to seeing him play. I've little interest in either crowning him or burying him ahead of time.

[dgambill]

I hope your right but I would have to disagree. I think the 2002 Colts LBs were the most talented LBs we have had since we have been here. Now don't get me wrong I know they all weren't playing together at the same time but we had Mike Petterson, Marcus Washington, Rob Morris, and a young David Thorton. We have had very solid LBs through the years here in Indy. Thinking about it many have gone on to pro bowl seasons with other teams...just not with us for whatever that means. We have drafted well at this position....just let our talent leave for whatever reason.

[mvbighead]

I think I see the lineup a bit differently:

 

Mathis/Hughes

Walden/Werner

 

I think Walden and Werner are our edge setters, and both have been referred to as such.

 

Mathis/Hughes are the pass rushers.

 

In any case, we have considerable depth.  What we have yet to see is whether we have a real star anywhere.  Mathis should still be fairly good, but the rest are all unknowns.

[Superman]

I haven't been paying attention to that. I know that Werner was projected to go pretty much right where he was taken - multiple draftnicks had him going to the Broncos per instance - so it never occurred to me that it was a "bad" pick. My only concern is the suggestions by the experts that he's better suited to the 4-3. But I'm (as usual) prepared to accept the fact that the Colts front office knows considerably more about football than I do, and I'm looking forward to seeing him play. I've little interest in either crowning him or burying him ahead of time.

 

Same here. There are questions about his athleticism as a stand up backer, but I think Pagano's system is ideal for someone like that. He can definitely chase down ball carriers and quarterbacks in the backfield, but he doesn't have a strong set of pass rushing moves. Most of his plays in the backfield come from him just beating his man off the ball, which is good, but also isn't going to happen every week in the NFL. He'll have to develop a rip like Mathis has, and he definitely has the agility and plays with the proper leverage for that. He also plays with power, so I could see him adding a club and swim move.

 

This isn't the guy I wanted. I thought we'd take Rhodes or Carradine. Now that I'm over the disappointment, I've done a bunch more research on him and watched some more of him, and he's growing on me. He reminds me of Ryan Kerrigan, who has been a productive pass rusher his first two years. He's active around the ball, he gets his hands up and knocks passes down, he finishes plays... I like him. He fits what Pagano wants, he's the Kruger tool that makes our defensive front more versatile (but at a fifth of the cost).

 

We could still use a thumper at inside linebacker, but our defensive front is shaping up quite nicely.

[DarkHorseColts]

Herrod is my favorite all time Indy Colt defender.

 

He's Mr. T's cousin for cryin' out loud! 

[BlueShoe]

He's Mr. T's cousin for cryin' out loud! 

 

This is true. I read it in a scout book I got at a Colts game back in the early 90's.

[BlueShoe]

I think I see the lineup a bit differently:

 

Mathis/Hughes

Walden/Werner

 

I think Walden and Werner are our edge setters, and both have been referred to as such.

 

Mathis/Hughes are the pass rushers.

 

In any case, we have considerable depth.  What we have yet to see is whether we have a real star anywhere.  Mathis should still be fairly good, but the rest are all unknowns.

 

Pagano said he worked Werner out at both positions and he showed he could do both. So I am not 100% sure what the actual lineup will be. I don't think anyone knows just yet. They will figure that out over the next few months.

[21isSuperman]

He is. You may have just missed it though. ;)

You're correct.  My mistake.