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Pagano on Kendall Langford: ‘You Guys Are Going to Be Surprised’

By Luke Schultheis

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While other Indianapolis Colts additions have drawn the majority of the headlines this offseason, one of the newcomers in defensive end Kendall Langford has remained firmly under the radar.

That is, until now. 

In his Wednesday press conference after OTA practice, Colts head coach Chuck Pagano made it a point to praise one of his newest defensive lineman:

"“You know, Kendall Langford is, you guys are going to be surprised,” said Pagano. “I mean you think we just brought in a run stopper, but he’s shown in some of these 11-on-11 drills that he has some pass rush capabilities.”"

The 8-year veteran figures to replace the departed Cory Redding as a starter along the Colts defensive line, and by the sound of things, the former St. Louis Ram is so far making a smooth transition. Unlike last season, Langford will be expected to play as a 3-4 defensive end with the Colts, rather than as a 4-3 defensive tackle with the Rams.

It’s a move that should suit Langford better. His best seasons were actually earlier in his career, when he played as a 3-4 defensive end for the Miami Dolphins, having been miscast as a 4-3 defensive tackle with the Rams in more recent seasons. Langford is hoping to rejuvenate his career with the Colts as a 3-4 defensive end again, after signing a 4-year, $17.2 million contract with the team earlier this offseason:

"“…I think the 3-4 is a little more home for me and that’s what led to my ultimate decision for me,” Langford said after initially signing with the Colts via ESPN’s Mike Wells. “You guys have a stud back there under center in No. 12 (Andrew Luck), so I’m looking forward to playing with him, guys like Robert Mathis and the rest of the great players over here in Indianapolis.”"

By returning to the 3-4 scheme, it’s widely expected that Langford will find more success in Indianapolis, than his last stop in St. Louis. At the very least, he already has a big proponent in Pagano, who previously commented on his ability earlier this offseason:

"“He’s got position flexibility,” said Pagano via Wells. “He’s a big, long, athletic-type guy who’s obviously very, very durable. You get a guy I think in base defense that can line up as your 5-technique (defender lines up on a tackle’s outside shoulder) and give you good football at that position.”"

With his exceptional ability to seemingly stop the run and even rush the passer, Langford figures to help shore up a defensive line that certainly could use the help after last season’s playoff loss. He’s apparently already showcasing his skill-set early in the team’s OTA’s, which is great news for the Colts defense.

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