How Will Colts’ Jabaal Sheard Fare With Position Transition?
By Ryan Stano
With the Colts changing to a 4-3 system, some outside linebackers are switching positions to defensive end. With that happening, how will it affect Jabaal Sheard?
Jabaal Sheard was the Colts’ best pass rusher last season. He was one of the few players on the team who could generate a somewhat consistent pass rush. He led the team in sacks as well. But now he is switching from linebacker to defensive end. What does that mean for his production?
What it should mean is an uptick in his stats. All of Sheard’s highest sack total seasons came when he played the defensive end position, including the 8.5 sacks he recorded as a rookie. Moving to the end position allows him to just be able to focus on trying to sack the quarterback.
Sheard isn’t the shiftiest guy on the field. His foot speed is lacking in the open field, and because of that he has issues in coverage. He doesn’t do well matched up against most running backs or tight ends. This is negated by moving him to defensive end.
His run stopping game is also not the strongest part of his game. He sometimes fails to fill the gap and move downhill to get to the running back quickly. Coming from the defensive end position, he can get up field and contain the running back on the outside and force him towards his help on the inside.
The Colts hope this move to d-end will boost Sheard’s production. With him harassing the quarterback, it can open up the rest of the defense to be better in coverage and keep large gains to a minimum. Pass rushers change the dynamic of the entire game.
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Expect Sheard to improve on his sack total from last season, and he has the potential to get to double digit sacks if he plays well.