Indianapolis Colts Defensive Side Expectations

Once again, many personnel changes on this side of the ball.  The Colts do have Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney back to wreak havoc on offenses. But it will be in a different scheme.  I believe the Colts want to move to a 3-4 defense.  What does that mean?

I’m not an X’s and O’s guy on the defensive side of things, so I had to do a bit of reading up on what that means.  From what I gathered, the 3-4 defense is three linemen and four linebackers.  So instead of Freeney and Mathis right there up against the offensive line, they are probably going to be back with the linebackers in a standing pose and still can fly up the field to stop the run and possibly blitz the quarterback.

This will be a change for those guys so used to lining up in the four point stance and attacking the quarterback on about every play. But I think they are both talented enough to adapt to this new look, and from what I’ve been hearing they might line up like normal at times as well.

I do think at times the defense will have to win some games for this Colts team as the offense might sputter with all the new changes on their side.  It will be good because Indy isn’t viewed as a defensive team, but with a few wins, maybe that persona could change.  Or at least people will see how both sides of the ball can win games.  It’s going to be quite the season to watch on this side of the ball as well as the offensive side.  What do you expect out of the defense this year?