Indianapolis Colts linebacker Germaine Pratt quietly put together a nice game in Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Colts hope this is a sign of things to come as the team builds momentum heading into the stretch run of the season. Pratt has a personal motivator to string together some solid games.
Pratt turned in a solid performance against the Chiefs to the tune of 20 total tackles (15 solo), two of those tackles for loss, and one pass defended. For a guy who had been mired in obscurity early in the season, this was a welcome change just when Indianapolis needed it most.
The Colts signed Pratt after Week 5 following his release from the Las Vegas Raiders. A game in which you would be hard-pressed to find Germaine Pratt listed in the box score. Nonetheless, Indianapolis needed a veteran linebacker due to Joe Bachie being placed on injured reserve.
Familiarity breeds success for Colts' Germaine Pratt
Another benefit of signing Pratt was his familiarity with the defensive scheme of Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Dividends were immediately paid as Pratt led the Indianapolis defense with eight solo tackles and 11 total tackles in Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Since coming to Indianapolis, Germaine Pratt has led the defense in total tackles in 4 out of the 6 games played. This has proved invaluable to a Colts defense that has been besieged by injuries and has been the biggest question mark for a team that has surprised the league. Questions that were amplified in the Week 9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
There is a personal benefit, of course, for Pratt to perform well as he is a free agent at the end of the season. Performing well would give him a bit of leverage as he seeks his next deal, whether that be from the Colts or a new team.
That's not to say his tackling ability alone will garner Pratt a new deal. As a linebacker, you have to be able to defend the pass as well as tackle. His pass coverage has been more of a liability as he only has 3.5 passes defensed during his short stint with Indianapolis. But his tackling ability has been on display to the Colts' benefit.
Germaine Pratt was cast off from the island of irrelevancy, aka the Las Vegas Raiders. Becoming a leader on the defense of the Indianapolis Colts may lead to good things for both parties.