points allowed

[OLD FAN MAN]

the colts are now third in most points allowed, what does that say about gus and his system of defense?

[AwesomeAustin]

This defense is bending and breaking

[1959Colts]

It would help.if we could learn how to tackle again.

[chad72]

Against offensive teams that have some firepower, Browns, Saints, Jaguars, when healthy, we gave up a lot. A balanced team like the Bengals also put us through the ringer. When we played offensively limited teams, we shine. Ravens game, I was flying back from Nawlins and didn’t watch. Titans are a leaky secondary and we were able to score to make up for Gus. Bucs game, I do think the injury to Mayfield helped us and in the NFL, it’s not who you play, it’s when you play them.

 

Falcons, we played them at the wrong time too. But the consistency is bending AND breaking.

[Blueblood23]

1 hour ago, OLD FAN MAN said:

the colts are now third in most points allowed, what does that say about gus and his system of defense?

The players aren’t as good as many believe. Can’t get pressure on the quarterback and have trouble tackling. 

[chad72]

Unlike the earlier part of the season, we’re playing better at home now than on the road. Even if we make the playoffs, I expect us one and done on the road.

[OLD FAN MAN]

21 minutes ago, Blueblood23 said:

The players aren’t as good as many believe. Can’t get pressure on the quarterback and have trouble tackling. 

you nailed it. we need some game changers

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

30 minutes ago, Blueblood23 said:

The players aren’t as good as many believe. Can’t get pressure on the quarterback and have trouble tackling. 

I think scheme and the young secondary has more to do with not getting pressure. We are very good at times then don’t show up at other times. Inconsistent which goes back to young corners not covering well enough and the scheme.

[GoColts8818]

1 hour ago, Blueblood23 said:

The players aren’t as good as many believe. Can’t get pressure on the quarterback and have trouble tackling. 

Tackling yes but they just set the franchise record for team sacks in a season.  They don’t have that elite pass rusher like Freeney or Mathis but they have been able to get after the QB consistently this year.  What happened today, and what’s happened in most of their loses this year, is they lost the battle up front.  You are right today they got zero pressure on the QB however I’d disagree over the course of the season.  You don’t see a franchise record for sacks in a year and not be able to pressure the QB.  

[ShuteAt168]

We have played a lot of mid QBs this season and we can’t stop teams from scoring. 

[Blueblood23]

8 hours ago, GoColts8818 said:

Tackling yes but they just set the franchise record for team sacks in a season.  They don’t have that elite pass rusher like Freeney or Mathis but they have been able to get after the QB consistently this year.  What happened today, and what’s happened in most of their loses this year, is they lost the battle up front.  You are right today they got zero pressure on the QB however I’d disagree over the course of the season.  You don’t see a franchise record for sacks in a year and not be able to pressure the QB.  

They need to be able to pressure the quarterback every game or hurry them. It seems to me they get several sacks and hurries in a game and do next to nothing in another game. 

[richard pallo]

Starting rookie corners comes with risk.

[OLD FAN MAN]

2 hours ago, richard pallo said:

Starting rookie corners comes with risk.

most teams have vet cbs and bring their rookies along slowly. ballard must have thought the rookies  were as good as vets. ballard must think we have above average talent on defense or he would not have went with the guys who are starting.

[Solid84]

13 hours ago, GoColts8818 said:

Tackling yes but they just set the franchise record for team sacks in a season.  They don’t have that elite pass rusher like Freeney or Mathis but they have been able to get after the QB consistently this year.  What happened today, and what’s happened in most of their loses this year, is they lost the battle up front.  You are right today they got zero pressure on the QB however I’d disagree over the course of the season.  You don’t see a franchise record for sacks in a year and not be able to pressure the QB.  

Except you do. The colts are ranking in the 20s for total pressures. 

[w87r]

3 hours ago, richard pallo said:

Starting rookie corners comes with risk.

That wasn't the plan.

 

Rodgers

Flowers

Moore 

Brents

Rush/Jones

Baker

 

Was probably more of the thought process coming into the year.

 

 

At some point you have to take the lumps and see what you have with the young guys. 

 

The only thing I with was done differently was to keep Rodgers on suspended list instead of releasing him. 

[husker61]

Linebackers have been an issue for the colts for a long time and they only have two average ones curently!

[Solid84]

*Only played 14 games at this time.

 

#--Team--Total pressures--(Sacks/hits /hurries)

1 -- Miami Dolphins -- 342 -- (59/74/209)

2 -- *Baltimore Ravens -- 339 -- (51/50/238)

3 -- *San Francisco 49'ers -- 339 -- (52/58/229)

4 -- Cleveland Browns -- 323 -- (47/52/224)

5 -- Dallas Cowboys -- 322 -- (45/44/233)

6 -- Buffalo Bills -- 315 -- (57/55/203)

7 -- Detroit Lions -- 313 -- (34/61/218)

8 -- New York Jets -- 309 -- (46/51/212)

9 -- Jacksonville Jaguars -- 302 -- (36/61/205)

10 -- *Philadelphia Eagles -- 299 -- (48/58/193)

11 -- Houston Texans -- 293 -- (41/63/189)

12 -- Los Angeles Chargers -- 288 -- (50/37/201)

13 -- Seattle Seahawks -- 288 -- (48/47/193)

14 -- Pittsburgh Steelers -- 287 -- (44/55/188)

15 -- *Kansas City Chiefs -- 286 -- (52/49/185)

16 -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- 285 -- (46/43/196)

17 -- Cincinnati Bengals -- 284 -- (46/54/184)

18 -- Denver Broncos -- 278 -- (42/55/181)

19 -- Green Bay Packers -- 278 -- (41/52/185)

20 -- Los Angeles Rams -- 274 -- (35/44/195)

21 -- New Orleans Saints -- 263 -- (35/36/192)

22 -- New England Patriots -- 259 -- (36/37/186)

23 -- Chicago Bears -- 257 -- (34/55/168)

24 -- Minnesota Vikings -- 257 -- (47/45/165)

25 -- Indianapolis Colts -- 253 -- (56/47/150)

26 -- Tennessee Titans -- 252 -- (45/35/172)

27 -- Atlanta Falcons -- 248 --  (40/50/158)

28 -- Washington Commanders -- 247 -- (41/43/163)

29 -- *Las Vegas Raiders -- 244 -- (38/28/178)

30 -- Arizona Cardinals -- 227 --  (36/26/165)

31 -- *New York Giants -- 212 -- (30/35/147)

32 -- Carolina Panthers -- 177 -- (25/39/113)

[throwing BBZ]

17 hours ago, Solid84 said:

Except you do. The colts are ranking in the 20s for total pressures. 

 

 Kwity, Ebukhan, and Lewis give up some rush because they play the run while also staying in their lanes. Gus chooses to give them no help.

 There is no way Steichen can bring him back.

  Can Irsay muster the cajhones to go with a new vision at GM.

 Look to the East Jim, Look at the Ravens

[jvan1973]

18 hours ago, OLD FAN MAN said:

most teams have vet cbs and bring their rookies along slowly. ballard must have thought the rookies  were as good as vets. ballard must think we have above average talent on defense or he would not have went with the guys who are starting.

Or he didn't know Rodgers would get suspended and flowers would tear his achilles 

[holeymoley99]

The one thing that has confused me is we have Darren Hall on p.s. and have all season, he started 9 games for Atlanta last season and posted a PFF score of 65.5 (It was his second year in the league). Originally a 4th round draft pick, has size at 6'0 and speed (4.46) but for some reason has never been brought up or considered. Not sure if an unreported injury but I would think a vet presence with success in the league could help the young secondary. Head scratcher. 

[bluebombers87]

18 hours ago, Solid84 said:

*Only played 14 games at this time.

 

#--Team--Total pressures--(Sacks/hits /hurries)

1 -- Miami Dolphins -- 342 -- (59/74/209)

2 -- *Baltimore Ravens -- 339 -- (51/50/238)

3 -- *San Francisco 49'ers -- 339 -- (52/58/229)

4 -- Cleveland Browns -- 323 -- (47/52/224)

5 -- Dallas Cowboys -- 322 -- (45/44/233)

6 -- Buffalo Bills -- 315 -- (57/55/203)

7 -- Detroit Lions -- 313 -- (34/61/218)

8 -- New York Jets -- 309 -- (46/51/212)

9 -- Jacksonville Jaguars -- 302 -- (36/61/205)

10 -- *Philadelphia Eagles -- 299 -- (48/58/193)

11 -- Houston Texans -- 293 -- (41/63/189)

12 -- Los Angeles Chargers -- 288 -- (50/37/201)

13 -- Seattle Seahawks -- 288 -- (48/47/193)

14 -- Pittsburgh Steelers -- 287 -- (44/55/188)

15 -- *Kansas City Chiefs -- 286 -- (52/49/185)

16 -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- 285 -- (46/43/196)

17 -- Cincinnati Bengals -- 284 -- (46/54/184)

18 -- Denver Broncos -- 278 -- (42/55/181)

19 -- Green Bay Packers -- 278 -- (41/52/185)

20 -- Los Angeles Rams -- 274 -- (35/44/195)

21 -- New Orleans Saints -- 263 -- (35/36/192)

22 -- New England Patriots -- 259 -- (36/37/186)

23 -- Chicago Bears -- 257 -- (34/55/168)

24 -- Minnesota Vikings -- 257 -- (47/45/165)

25 -- Indianapolis Colts -- 253 -- (56/47/150)

26 -- Tennessee Titans -- 252 -- (45/35/172)

27 -- Atlanta Falcons -- 248 --  (40/50/158)

28 -- Washington Commanders -- 247 -- (41/43/163)

29 -- *Las Vegas Raiders -- 244 -- (38/28/178)

30 -- Arizona Cardinals -- 227 --  (36/26/165)

31 -- *New York Giants -- 212 -- (30/35/147)

32 -- Carolina Panthers -- 177 -- (25/39/113)

This I think tells it all. We average just under 3 sacks a game. But what of the other snaps?

 

Pressures and sacks typically correlate but not in our case. It’s truly feast or famine.

[indyagent17]

20 hours ago, Solid84 said:

*Only played 14 games at this time.

 

#--Team--Total pressures--(Sacks/hits /hurries)

1 -- Miami Dolphins -- 342 -- (59/74/209)

2 -- *Baltimore Ravens -- 339 -- (51/50/238)

3 -- *San Francisco 49'ers -- 339 -- (52/58/229)

4 -- Cleveland Browns -- 323 -- (47/52/224)

5 -- Dallas Cowboys -- 322 -- (45/44/233)

6 -- Buffalo Bills -- 315 -- (57/55/203)

7 -- Detroit Lions -- 313 -- (34/61/218)

8 -- New York Jets -- 309 -- (46/51/212)

9 -- Jacksonville Jaguars -- 302 -- (36/61/205)

10 -- *Philadelphia Eagles -- 299 -- (48/58/193)

11 -- Houston Texans -- 293 -- (41/63/189)

12 -- Los Angeles Chargers -- 288 -- (50/37/201)

13 -- Seattle Seahawks -- 288 -- (48/47/193)

14 -- Pittsburgh Steelers -- 287 -- (44/55/188)

15 -- *Kansas City Chiefs -- 286 -- (52/49/185)

16 -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- 285 -- (46/43/196)

17 -- Cincinnati Bengals -- 284 -- (46/54/184)

18 -- Denver Broncos -- 278 -- (42/55/181)

19 -- Green Bay Packers -- 278 -- (41/52/185)

20 -- Los Angeles Rams -- 274 -- (35/44/195)

21 -- New Orleans Saints -- 263 -- (35/36/192)

22 -- New England Patriots -- 259 -- (36/37/186)

23 -- Chicago Bears -- 257 -- (34/55/168)

24 -- Minnesota Vikings -- 257 -- (47/45/165)

25 -- Indianapolis Colts -- 253 -- (56/47/150)

26 -- Tennessee Titans -- 252 -- (45/35/172)

27 -- Atlanta Falcons -- 248 --  (40/50/158)

28 -- Washington Commanders -- 247 -- (41/43/163)

29 -- *Las Vegas Raiders -- 244 -- (38/28/178)

30 -- Arizona Cardinals -- 227 --  (36/26/165)

31 -- *New York Giants -- 212 -- (30/35/147)

32 -- Carolina Panthers -- 177 -- (25/39/113)

The Falcons are two spots behind us, and yet they put a beating on our quarterback. 6 sacks 

[DougDew]

To the point of tackling.  So many defenders in the NFL have gotten into the habit of trying to knock the runner down by a hard hit rather than wrapping up and tackling him.  Knock him over?  yeah right.

 

Provided that the player came into the NFL equipped with enough college experience and coaching to have learned the fundamentals before he got drafted, bad tackling is usually about not getting into the right position quickly enough...and they have to lunge at the runner. 

 

That could be the result of scheme and coaching. 

 

But being perpetually a half step late could also be the lack of football instincts, which might happen if the player doesn't have a lot of college production and is more of a RAS player with "ceiling".

 

Also, our two best drafted LBers under Ballard were Leonard and Okereke.  2nd and 3rd rounders.  None of our current LBers were drafted higher than the 5th ? round.  Go ahead and blame Gus, but he's had a drop off in raw talent to work with, IMO.

[jemack]

1 hour ago, indyagent17 said:

The Falcons are two spots behind us, and yet they put a beating on our quarterback. 6 sacks 

As l observed, our 1st drive which resulted in a TD, ATL was in their base defense.

From there on they began to blitz to apply more pressure on Minshew which worked.

We on the other hand couldn't get pressure on ATLs and didn't make adjustments.

SS said in the post game presser that the objective is to keep plays in front of the secondary. Basically a perpetual soft zone.

So l don't see any help with pressure coming soon. 

Also, did anyone else see how wide open the middle is in some of our defensive packages? Goodness....

[indyagent17]

26 minutes ago, jemack said:

As l observed, our 1st drive which resulted in a TD, ATL was in their base defense.

From there on they began to blitz to apply more pressure on Minshew which worked.

We on the other hand couldn't get pressure on ATLs and didn't make adjustments.

SS said in the post game presser that the objective is to keep plays in front of the secondary. Basically a perpetual soft zone.

So l don't see any help with pressure coming soon. 

Also, did anyone else see how wide open the middle is in some of our defensive packages? Goodness....

We have a first year head coach, and he has missed quite a few adjustments that could’ve been made. And look at Bradley he never changed anything. We are one of the lowest blitzing team in the league. You would think when things get bad you might change things up, but in all of our losses, it was adjustments made by our opponents to beat us, and we could not react in  kind.

[jemack]

4 minutes ago, indyagent17 said:

We have a first year head coach, and he has missed quite a few adjustments that could’ve been made. And look at Bradley he never changed anything. We are one of the lowest blitzing team in the league. You would think when things get bad you might change things up, but in all of our losses, it was adjustments made by our opponents to beat us, and we could not react in  kind.

From what l understand,  SS supports the soft zone. 

As opponents get into our red zone the defense can play tighter due less real state behind them. But that's it.

Corners setting up behind the 1st down marker on a 3rd and nine and safety's 7yrds behind them.

I don't think it's an exaggeration.

Oh well....

 

[GoColts8818]

9 minutes ago, jemack said:

From what l understand,  SS supports the soft zone. 

As opponents get into our red zone the defense can play tighter due less real state behind them. But that's it.

Corners setting up behind the 1st down marker on a 3rd and nine and safety's 7yrds behind them.

I don't think it's an exaggeration.

Oh well....

 

Yeah Shane has said over and over he likes and believes in Gus this year.  That’s why I think those wanting a change (and I am one of them) at the DC position are going to be disappointed.  

[holeymoley99]

5 hours ago, DougDew said:

To the point of tackling.  So many defenders in the NFL have gotten into the habit of trying to knock the runner down by a hard hit rather than wrapping up and tackling him.  Knock him over?  yeah right.

 

Provided that the player came into the NFL equipped with enough college experience and coaching to have learned the fundamentals before he got drafted, bad tackling is usually about not getting into the right position quickly enough...and they have to lunge at the runner. 

 

That could be the result of scheme and coaching. 

 

But being perpetually a half step late could also be the lack of football instincts, which might happen if the player doesn't have a lot of college production and is more of a RAS player with "ceiling".

 

Also, our two best drafted LBers under Ballard were Leonard and Okereke.  2nd and 3rd rounders.  None of our current LBers were drafted higher than the 5th ? round.  Go ahead and blame Gus, but he's had a drop off in raw talent to work with, IMO.

Ronnie Harrison was drafted in the 3rd round (Pick 93) though was drafted as Safety and we converted him to a Linebacker and though limited snaps has produced 2 turnovers including a td.  I think Speed is improving and could be a solid player but also not sold on Franklin as a high priced savior in the middle.

[GoColts8818]

2 minutes ago, holeymoley99 said:

Ronnie Harrison was drafted in the 3rd round (Pick 93) though was drafted as Safety and we converted him to a Linebacker and though limited snaps has produced 2 turnovers including a td.  I think Speed is improving and could be a solid player but also not sold on Franklin as a high priced savior in the middle.

Franklin is the new Pat Angerer.

[husker61]

48 minutes ago, GoColts8818 said:

Franklin is the new Pat Angerer.

Yup, just as a have been saying for a while. I was saying pat was overrated here back then and was attacked by almost everyone here. 

[Zoltan]

13 hours ago, indyagent17 said:

The Falcons are two spots behind us, and yet they put a beating on our quarterback. 6 sacks 

Yeah they also rank 6th for points allowed at 19.2 points allowed per game

[Zoltan]

11 hours ago, GoColts8818 said:

Yeah Shane has said over and over he likes and believes in Gus this year.  That’s why I think those wanting a change (and I am one of them) at the DC position are going to be disappointed.  

Yeah but Steichen also is all coach speak and saying no real answers. He isn't the type to talk bad about a coordinator to the media. He may really like Gus or maybe he's thinking of a change, I don't think we will really know till the offseason when the do their review of the season.

 

I tend to think Gus will get another year but I hope we are both wrong.

[indyagent17]

I realize that we’re starting younger players. We have our second string quarterback ss well. But here is the paradox. They played well against Pittsburgh and were embarrassed by Atlanta. There are enough good players to make the post season but I’m tired of excuses and “my fault” from the coaches. 
Coach better, make adjustments and challenge players to play better. I hope on film day this week including a **s chewing. Changing the culture means holding players accountable for crap games like last Sunday. 

[NewColtsFan]

On 12/26/2023 at 8:35 AM, DougDew said:

To the point of tackling.  So many defenders in the NFL have gotten into the habit of trying to knock the runner down by a hard hit rather than wrapping up and tackling him.  Knock him over?  yeah right.

 

Provided that the player came into the NFL equipped with enough college experience and coaching to have learned the fundamentals before he got drafted, bad tackling is usually about not getting into the right position quickly enough...and they have to lunge at the runner. 

 

That could be the result of scheme and coaching. 

 

But being perpetually a half step late could also be the lack of football instincts, which might happen if the player doesn't have a lot of college production and is more of a RAS player with "ceiling".

 

Also, our two best drafted LBers under Ballard were Leonard and Okereke.  2nd and 3rd rounders.  None of our current LBers were drafted higher than the 5th ? round.  Go ahead and blame Gus, but he's had a drop off in raw talent to work with, IMO.

One of the problems with tackling is it a victim of the fact that during the course of a season teams are only allowed to have their players hit and tackle 11/12 times during practice in a season.   Thats it.   I know it seems counter-intuitive, but this is the future of the NFL.
 

The league and players association are trying to protect players but the art of tackling is being lost as we speak.   That’s why you’re seeing lots of defenders try to knock players over with a shoulder….  
 

Yes it hurts the quality of games, yes it sucks for games, but this the world that the NFL is creating. 

[MikeCurtis]

On 12/24/2023 at 10:05 PM, OLD FAN MAN said:

you nailed it. we need some game changers

I agree with this......  This defense can work if we add some players

 

When you run a 4-3, and you don't blitz, and no one gets home, you will give up big yards and scores

(Sound familiar?)

 

We have an excellent 3 tech, that gets the double team

 

We have average DL after that

 

If we had a game changer at DE, this defense improves dramatically (D. Hunter is THAT guy)

 

Imagine the difference if we had a star DE, that the other team had to double

 

(Do you remember the Cleveland game where one DL player caused havoc, where we had to chip them with a TE)

 

Having to do this, removes an offensive piece and is MUCH easier to defense

 

In the offseason, THIS offseason, I hope we put our pennies together, and get creative with the cap, and bring in ONE  of these FA DEs that should be available 

 

This team needs it.....  The THREE typical high cost players are QB, LT, and Stud DE

 

TEMPORARILY ...... We have 2 of the 3 on rookie contracts.  We NEED to move NOW (During the offseason)

 

There are some excellent free safeties in the 2024 draft, that can contribute this next year.

There are some excellent cornerbacks in the 2024 draft, that can contribute this next year.

There are some excellent SSLBs in the 2024 draft, that can contribute this next year.

 

I do believe that we need a speedy WR a pick in the first 2 rounds, but this team, if we want THIS defense to work, needs a stud DE, and prudent drafting of SSLB, FS, CB.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MikeCurtis]

On 12/25/2023 at 1:15 PM, Solid84 said:

*Only played 14 games at this time.

 

#--Team--Total pressures--(Sacks/hits /hurries)

1 -- Miami Dolphins -- 342 -- (59/74/209)

2 -- *Baltimore Ravens -- 339 -- (51/50/238)

3 -- *San Francisco 49'ers -- 339 -- (52/58/229)

4 -- Cleveland Browns -- 323 -- (47/52/224)

5 -- Dallas Cowboys -- 322 -- (45/44/233)

6 -- Buffalo Bills -- 315 -- (57/55/203)

7 -- Detroit Lions -- 313 -- (34/61/218)

8 -- New York Jets -- 309 -- (46/51/212)

9 -- Jacksonville Jaguars -- 302 -- (36/61/205)

10 -- *Philadelphia Eagles -- 299 -- (48/58/193)

11 -- Houston Texans -- 293 -- (41/63/189)

12 -- Los Angeles Chargers -- 288 -- (50/37/201)

13 -- Seattle Seahawks -- 288 -- (48/47/193)

14 -- Pittsburgh Steelers -- 287 -- (44/55/188)

15 -- *Kansas City Chiefs -- 286 -- (52/49/185)

16 -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- 285 -- (46/43/196)

17 -- Cincinnati Bengals -- 284 -- (46/54/184)

18 -- Denver Broncos -- 278 -- (42/55/181)

19 -- Green Bay Packers -- 278 -- (41/52/185)

20 -- Los Angeles Rams -- 274 -- (35/44/195)

21 -- New Orleans Saints -- 263 -- (35/36/192)

22 -- New England Patriots -- 259 -- (36/37/186)

23 -- Chicago Bears -- 257 -- (34/55/168)

24 -- Minnesota Vikings -- 257 -- (47/45/165)

25 -- Indianapolis Colts -- 253 -- (56/47/150)

26 -- Tennessee Titans -- 252 -- (45/35/172)

27 -- Atlanta Falcons -- 248 --  (40/50/158)

28 -- Washington Commanders -- 247 -- (41/43/163)

29 -- *Las Vegas Raiders -- 244 -- (38/28/178)

30 -- Arizona Cardinals -- 227 --  (36/26/165)

31 -- *New York Giants -- 212 -- (30/35/147)

32 -- Carolina Panthers -- 177 -- (25/39/113)

Thanks for sharing this, it tells its own tale

[shasta519]

On 12/25/2023 at 2:15 PM, Solid84 said:

*Only played 14 games at this time.

 

#--Team--Total pressures--(Sacks/hits /hurries)

1 -- Miami Dolphins -- 342 -- (59/74/209)

2 -- *Baltimore Ravens -- 339 -- (51/50/238)

3 -- *San Francisco 49'ers -- 339 -- (52/58/229)

4 -- Cleveland Browns -- 323 -- (47/52/224)

5 -- Dallas Cowboys -- 322 -- (45/44/233)

6 -- Buffalo Bills -- 315 -- (57/55/203)

7 -- Detroit Lions -- 313 -- (34/61/218)

8 -- New York Jets -- 309 -- (46/51/212)

9 -- Jacksonville Jaguars -- 302 -- (36/61/205)

10 -- *Philadelphia Eagles -- 299 -- (48/58/193)

11 -- Houston Texans -- 293 -- (41/63/189)

12 -- Los Angeles Chargers -- 288 -- (50/37/201)

13 -- Seattle Seahawks -- 288 -- (48/47/193)

14 -- Pittsburgh Steelers -- 287 -- (44/55/188)

15 -- *Kansas City Chiefs -- 286 -- (52/49/185)

16 -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- 285 -- (46/43/196)

17 -- Cincinnati Bengals -- 284 -- (46/54/184)

18 -- Denver Broncos -- 278 -- (42/55/181)

19 -- Green Bay Packers -- 278 -- (41/52/185)

20 -- Los Angeles Rams -- 274 -- (35/44/195)

21 -- New Orleans Saints -- 263 -- (35/36/192)

22 -- New England Patriots -- 259 -- (36/37/186)

23 -- Chicago Bears -- 257 -- (34/55/168)

24 -- Minnesota Vikings -- 257 -- (47/45/165)

25 -- Indianapolis Colts -- 253 -- (56/47/150)

26 -- Tennessee Titans -- 252 -- (45/35/172)

27 -- Atlanta Falcons -- 248 --  (40/50/158)

28 -- Washington Commanders -- 247 -- (41/43/163)

29 -- *Las Vegas Raiders -- 244 -- (38/28/178)

30 -- Arizona Cardinals -- 227 --  (36/26/165)

31 -- *New York Giants -- 212 -- (30/35/147)

32 -- Carolina Panthers -- 177 -- (25/39/113)

 

So the Colts are overachieving with sacks, based on how much they get pressure? That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it does seem unsustainable. 

 

Lots of bad QBs and bad OLs though:

 

6 sacks against HOU in Week 2 when 4/5 of their OL was hurt

4 sacks against BAL in Week 3 when 2/5 of their OL was hurt

4 sacks against CAR and Bryce Young and their awful OL

5 sacks against NE and Mac Jones (though a decent OL)

6 sacks against TEN and Wil Levis and their awful OL

4 sacks against PIT and Trubisky and their awful OL

 

That's 29 sacks in just 6/15 games. Colts do have a tendency to put up big numbers in good situations.

[Superman]

1 hour ago, shasta519 said:

So the Colts are overachieving with sacks, based on how much they get pressure? That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it does seem unsustainable. 

 

Bingo. It's an anomaly that will be corrected over time.

 

And even though it's good to have a high pressure to sack ratio, the problem with having a low pressure rate is that there are 30+ pass attempts per game where we get no pressure on the QB. And it's those plays where the defense gets hurt the most.

 

I think sacks are very valuable, but pressure is also very important, and we just don't get enough.

[husker61]

On 12/26/2023 at 11:35 AM, DougDew said:

To the point of tackling.  So many defenders in the NFL have gotten into the habit of trying to knock the runner down by a hard hit rather than wrapping up and tackling him.  Knock him over?  yeah right.

 

Provided that the player came into the NFL equipped with enough college experience and coaching to have learned the fundamentals before he got drafted, bad tackling is usually about not getting into the right position quickly enough...and they have to lunge at the runner. 

 

That could be the result of scheme and coaching. 

 

But being perpetually a half step late could also be the lack of football instincts, which might happen if the player doesn't have a lot of college production and is more of a RAS player with "ceiling".

 

Also, our two best drafted LBers under Ballard were Leonard and Okereke.  2nd and 3rd rounders.  None of our current LBers were drafted higher than the 5th ? round.  Go ahead and blame Gus, but he's had a drop off in raw talent to work with, IMO.

great point about tackling! I see this all the time in college, it’s about the hit not tackling and it leaches into the nfl. The biggest issue is with db’s who don’t have the size to knock players down. I don’t know why coaches don’t address it more at all levels.

 

also agree and have been saying for years the lack of talent in colts lb’s.

[husker61]

9 hours ago, NewColtsFan said:

One of the problems with tackling is it a victim of the fact that during the course of a season teams are only allowed to have their players hit and tackle 11/12 times during practice in a season.   Thats it.   I know it seems counter-intuitive, but this is the future of the NFL.
 

The league and players association are trying to protect players but the art of tackling is being lost as we speak.   That’s why you’re seeing lots of defenders try to knock players over with a shoulder….  
 

Yes it hurts the quality of games, yes it sucks for games, but this the world that the NFL is creating. 

if you are really trying to protect players, you should be emphasizing arm tackling in practice. I think that would cut down on more injuries than any rule change they can put in place, mainly concussions!