Wondering why the Indianapolis Colts‘ defense has largely been bad? Yeah, us too. With so many playmakers, we didn’t think it’d be impossible for the unit to keep an opposing offense off balance this year.
We do know some of the issues stemming from the struggles, however. Letting Denico Autry, Justin Houston and Anthony Walker go, to be frank, was a mistake. Should’ve kept two of those guys.
What else? Drafting two raw, rookie pass rushers, who have yet to contribute much at all, was a bit problematic. Relying on another campaign without a true No. 1 corner was risky, too. And we’re seeing the effects.
Talking about the secondary is a sore subject, so let’s just stick with the defensive line/pass rush for now. Star defender DeForest Buckner spoke to the media on Thursday and revealed that this year he’s probably facing the most double teams he ever has in his career.
Colts DT DeForest Buckner in his weekly presser was asked about the number of double teams he's facing. He couldn't come up with a percentage, but he admitted it's the most he's faced in his career. Likely a result of the lack of production of those around him.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) November 10, 2021
DeForest Buckner’s comments really make the Colts DL look bad.
No, Buckner played no role in calling the Colts’ defensive line bad. We’re doing that. Because if he’s facing the most double teams of his ENTIRE CAREER and the players around him can’t capitalize, then we’re talking about a really incapable group of defensive linemen.
The Colts are 19th in the NFL in sacks per game (2.1) and are tied for 28th in QB pressures (60). And for some sick reason, defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus continues to not blitz! Indy ranks 29th with a 16.2% blitz percentage.
Throw in the fact Tyquan Lewis, who wasn’t even really that great through eight weeks, isn’t returning this year, and the situation worsens.
Also, it's also a reflection of the Colts' pass rush. When you don't have to stop an elite guy on the edge, you can load up on the 3 tech inside.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) November 10, 2021
Just look at the team’s sack/QB hits leaders. It’s embarrassing.
- Buckner: 4 sacks, 9 QB hits
- Al-Quadin Muhammad: 3 sacks, 6 QB hits
- Kemoko Turay: 3 sacks, 3 QB hits
- Lewis: 2.5 sacks, 6 QB hits
- Taylor Stallworth: 2 sacks, 4 QB hits
- Grover Stewart: 1 sack, 4 QB hits
- Paye: 0 sacks, 2 QB hits
Buckner is the leader BY FAR and he’s been constantly fighting through double- and triple-teams. It’s just depressing we have literally every party possible to blame. You’ve got the front office for failing to properly address the situation. You have the players who are coming up short week after week after week. And you have the coaching staff, which isn’t adjusting to the evident problem right in front of their face.
How did it come to this?
Colts not re-signing Denico Autry continues to haunt them every week
While the Indianapolis Colts are struggling to generate much of a pass rush, Denico Autry is having a fantastic season with the Titans.