The Indianapolis Colts have done a lot of work this offseason, adding depth to positions they were thin at, re-signing priority free agents, and drafting a handful of players to help fill holes left vacant by free agency and trades.
Whether any or all of these moves will be enough to make the Colts contenders next season is something fans in Indianapolis will have to wait to find out. When a team leader comes out and speaks publicly about expectations and expresses them confidently, you have to listen.
This week, Colts fans heard some expectations from Cam Bynum, one of Indianapolis's best defensive players. As a key member of one of the league's most dangerous defensive backfields, Bynum's confidence is justified. However, his comments about being a role model and leader speak even louder.
Indianapolis Colts' free safety Cam Bynum wants to lead by example and offer guidance to any to come to him
In Bynum's own words, the expectations for himself and his defensive backfield running mates, Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward, are that "expect people to get locked up." How much more confident can a defender sound than that? Of course, now that Bynum has said this, he has to back it up, and Gardner and Ward have to back him up.
The trio is one of the top safety-cornerback groups in the NFL, so the expectations to play as such are there, no question, and fully within reason. That wasn't all Bynum said, though, when speaking to the media earlier this week.
The veteran is about to enter his sixth season in the league, and his second with the Colts. Even though Bynum is still relatively new, it hasn't stopped him from wanting to be the guy his teammates look up to.
"...I think my role is always first and foremost, lead by example. So, that's always my goal, no matter what, no matter where I am, no matter who's around me," Bynum said. "I want to do everything the right way, so people can follow me just naturally. But for sure, being one of the returning starters and one of the key players on the defense and on the team overall, I want to be one of those guys that people look up to for guidance.
"Whether it's coaching, whether it's on or off the field, I want to be somebody where anybody can go to learn something, or if you just watch me and see how I go about my business, it always (will) be top character and everything, like I said, on and off the field. So, I for sure want to continue to grow as a leader, and I feel like that is my role being here in this locker room.”
As far as on-field goes, Bynum has already backed up his words. He led the Colts defense with four interceptions last season, adding one forced fumble and recovery, one sack, eight passes broken up, and 81 tackles. With Kenny Moore II officially gone, Bynum's responsibilities as a veteran leader will only grow. By the sounds of it, he appears ready for the job.
Bynum's remarks resemble those of a player who is not caught up in stats, but one who wants to make the others around him better football players. It's what every coaching staff wants in a leader, and considering the new names the Colts' defense has taken on in recent weeks, the fact that Bynum is letting everyone know his door is open is a sign of a premier teammate.
As good a leader as Bynum is, he's just as good as a free safety, and he'll have to equal what he did last year, if not increase, for the Colts' defense to find success. With Gardner getting a full offseason, Ward expected to be back fully healthy, and Bynum entering his second season, there should be no reason this group of players can't 'lock everybody up.'
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