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Two Colts Defensive Starters Among PFF’s Top 10 Worst Performances from Week 5

By Luke Schultheis

Oct 9, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) calls a play at the line of scrimmage against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) calls a play at the line of scrimmage against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to Pro Football Focus, a pair of Indianapolis Colts starters, inside linebacker D’Qwell Jackson and nose tackle David Parry, were among their Top 10 players who had the worst performances from Week 5:

"2. D’Qwell Jackson, LB, Indianapolis ColtsJackson missed four tackles in the win over the Bears, tied for the most among linebackers on Sunday, but he also had a poor day in coverage, allowing a catch every time he was targeted. As a smaller linebacker, he has never held up too well against the run when linemen have come to attack him, and Chicago now has one of the league’s best interior trios in the league. They consistently eradicated him at the second level.8. David Parry, NT, Indianapolis ColtsColts second-year NT David Parry just looks a little too lightweight to hold up in the trenches at the NFL level, and he was controlled consistently against what may be the league’s best interior line now in the Chicago Bears. Parry managed one hurry in 29 pass-rushing snaps and was washed out against the run on just 14 snaps."

Obviously, if there was a book of deficiencies on both Jackson and Parry, each of those summaries would likely be some of the things that critics would point to.

Sep 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts inside linebacker D’Qwell Jackson (52) tackles Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah (21) in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Lions won 39-35. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts inside linebacker D’Qwell Jackson (52) tackles Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah (21) in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Lions won 39-35. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

At 33 years old, it’s been well documented that Jackson has frequently struggled in coverage over the middle during his Colts career, having seemingly lost some speed to cover receivers.

However, he’s always shown a knack for at least finding the football and making tackles–finishing with the NFL’s 2nd most tackles with 150 total tackles last season.

To his credit, Jackson did have a huge fumble recovery–staying inbounds along the sideline, late in the Colts 29-23 victory against the Chicago Bears.

Nevertheless, the Colts simply have to receive better play from their inside linebackers going forward. The team already released former starter Sio Moore for missing too many tackles earlier last week and rookie Antonio Morrison made a big mistake in coverage to allow a Jordan Howard touchdown reception on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Parry has proved to a solid find for the Colts as a 5th round pick from 2015, even if he did struggle on Sunday.

The former Stanford standout has instantly become a defensive starter for the team–having made all 21 career starts. However, at 6’2″, 310 pounds, it’s a fair question of whether the 2nd-year pro would be ideally better served as a rotational defensive lineman rather than long-term starting fixture for the Colts defense.

To be fair, Parry had a strong performance against the San Diego Chargers in Week 3, having received a gameball from defensive coordinator Ted Monachino. However, the young defensive lineman has continued to be up-and-down regarding his performances on a week-to-week basis.

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