The Colts were not very good at rushing the passer last season. After observing practice last night, it is apparent they won’t be near the top of the league in sacks anytime soon.
The Colts didn’t have much success at sacking the quarterback last season. They didn’t have a consistent pass rusher. Jabaal Sheard was their best guy, but he was their only guy who could consistently generate any pressure. After watching practice last night, they might struggle again early this season.
Indianapolis had an interesting first string defensive line during practice. It was Jabaal Sheard and John Simon at DE, and Al Woods and Denico Autry at defensive tackle. That surprised me, mainly because Autry was at defensive tackle. I would have thought he would have been at d-end.
The new defensive line is built to do better at rushing the passer, especially with Sheard at end. But the Colts need more time to have chemistry with that line. They need to develop more pass rushing skills, because there won’t be many sacks coming from the linebackers.
Simon looked good getting to the passer. He did a good job of making Andrew Luck move around in the pocket and not allowing him to sit and pick the defensive apart. There were a couple times where he could have had a sack, but pulled off because you’re not allowed to hit the QB.
Woods is more of a space eater. He is going to try to bull rush up the middle and move the center back to make the quarterback run into the waiting arms of the defensive ends. Autry will try to do the same next to him.
Bottom line, the pass rush needs work. But the Colts have plenty of time to do that before the season starts.