MMQB: Bjoern Werner Talks Football Overseas, Improvement

According to Jenny Vrentas of SI’s Monday Morning Quarterback, the Indianapolis Colts Bjoern Werner believes there’s a market for the NFL in Europe, particularly in his homeland of Europe. The native German pass rusher sat down with Vrentas as part of MMQB’s Europe Week series:

"VRENTAS: The NFL has mentioned expanding the International Series outside London, and Germany is one of the countries mentioned. How do you think an NFL game in your homeland would be received?WERNER: It would be awesome. I would love that. I hope I would play in it, too. The whole NFL Europe was basically in Germany, so I don’t understand why that’s not the first option, because they have the most fans over there. I wish [I could talk to the NFL about Germany], but I don’t have the big name yet. Maybe I can change that in a few years."

Nov 30, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Bjoern Werner (92) runs onto the field during player introductions before playing against the Washington Redskins at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Among other things, Werner discussed his journey from playing flag football with the Berlin Adler when he was 12 years old to coming to the United States for prep school. His background with football is definitely unique, and he was the 1st German to be taken in the 1st round of the NFL Draft.

As it relates particularly to the Colts, Werner is simply looking to get healthy and improve for next season:

"VRENTAS: This is an important third season coming up for you. What are your goals?WERNER: Just improvement as a football player. That’s the most important thing for me. Of course everyone looks at stats, and sacks, and of course I want to improve that, but I can’t control that. I can only control the work I put in to become a better football player. I’m just going to be out there using my opportunities in this lovely game. I’m happy to be here, and I’m fighting every day to get better. I’ve had my ups and downs with injuries, but those are things I can’t change. I can only focus on getting healthy again and getting out there and having fun with my teammates.VRENTAS: You played through a few injuries last season, and the year ended for you with being inactive in the AFC Championship. How trying was last season?WERNER: That was definitely tough. There were a few things. I had a knee injury, a shoulder injury, and I was playing through it, trying to be the tough guy. But at the end of the day, it’s the NFL, and everybody is good, and if you’re not close to 100 percent, you don’t look good out there. I take pride in as long as I can walk, and as long as I can run, I’m going to be out there. The coaches have to make the decision. And that was the case. Coach [Chuck] Paganao made the decision [for me to be inactive in the AFC Championship], and I accepted it. I respect him for that. Now it’s my turn to prove I’m healthy, and I’m getting healthy, and I want to be out there again. That’s professional sports right there. Not everything works out perfectly that you want to. Sometimes you have to keep fighting.VRENTAS: You’re still relatively young in the sport. How are you developing as a pass rusher?WERNER: Pass rusher is such a unique thing. Everything has to be right. The shoulder injury I had was late in the season, that wasn’t something I had the whole time, but half the season, I was dealing with knee issues, and I’m still trying to recover right now. That makes you a half-step slower. And being that extra half-step slow, that’s not getting you to the quarterback. That’s how it goes. That’s football. We get injured, then we get healthy again, then we just have to keep going."

Sep 28, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Bjoern Werner (92) against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

While the former 2013 first round pick has largely been a disappointment for the Colts, the jury is still out on Werner as he has time for improvement. At times, he’s shown flashes of potential, but he’s been marred by inconsistency.

Drafted for his pass rushing prowess, Werner has just 6.5 sacks for the Colts in two seasons. He caught fire last season as he had 4 sacks in Weeks 5-7, but didn’t register a sack the rest of the way whether it was due to injury or simply ineffectiveness.

After being declared inactive for the AFC Championship Game, it put the final stamp on what had been mostly an underwhelming season for the then 2nd-year pass rusher.

Still, Werner figures to factor into the team’s plans at outside linebacker, even if this year’s group is much more crowded. He realizes that the more productive he can be for the Colts, the more he can give back to the country who gave him a start overseas:

"“I want kids back in Germany to see it’s possible,” said Werner. “I made it. Some other guys made it. You can do it. Why not? Why not you? That’s the message I want to get to them, and tell them, ‘Hey, no dream is too big’.”"

Oct 19, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Bjoern Werner (92) sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

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