Colts at Titans: Three Up, Three Down
By Evan Reller
Sep 3, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Jonathan Newsome (91) watches from the bench during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Stat line: no tackles, no sacks, 1 missed tackle
PFF Grade: -2.3
In two games this season, Newsome has been held stat-less. No sacks or tackles. This is from the team’s sack leader in 2014. Newsome was supposed to be the future of the team’s pass rush, but he hasn’t looked any better than Bjoern Werner.
Again, it is a small sample size with just 68 snaps plays, but he has yet to show up on the stat sheet. He had 52 of those plays in the starting spot on Sunday with 20 as a pass rusher and didn’t even manage to move Marcus Mariota off his spot.
With Trent Cole likely back this week and Mathis’ snaps increasing, Newsome is going to find fewer opportunities to make a play. The Colts desperately need something resembling a decent pass rush with all the coverage issues lately (looking at you middle linebackers) and Newsome should be a big part of this unit.
I wouldn’t write him off, and he’s still a better pass rusher than Werner, but just providing some pressure in the next game against the Jags would be a great start.
Now on to the good from Sunday.
Next: A Real Running Back