A lot has been said of the Indianapolis Colts' pass-rushing unit, and rightfully so. They're not necessarily impressive, and they struggled to put pressure on the quarterback for most of the previous campaign.
Even so, Laiatu Latu took a big leap in his second year in the league, and after a promising rookie campaign, that's a lot to say. That's why the team owes it to their former first-round pick to find him a partner in crime.
Moreover, that's also why defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has set the bar particularly high for his defensive star. Talking to The Colts Show, Anarumo claimed that Latu was ready to reach double digits in sacks for the first time in his career.
Lou Anarumo wants Colts star Laiatu Latu to register 10+ sacks
"He's not built like a typical defensive end," Anarumo said. "...He's a jack of all trades, man. He is going to be unbelievable as he continues his process as a football player. He's on his way to 10 plus sacks last year. I think he'll get there this year without a doubt."
From a talent standpoint, there's absolutely no doubt that Latu can accomplish that goal in Year 3. However, it takes a village to succeed in this league, and there are legitimate concerns about who's going to start opposite him and make life easier.
Latu thrived in his first year with Anarumo at the helm. He started the 16 games he played, and he doubled his sack production (4 to 8.5) from his rookie season. He also registered 45 total tackles (27 solo), 20 QB hits, 12 tackles for loss, five passes defensed, one forced fumble, and three interceptions -- perhaps the most impressive part of his final stat line.
He's a versatile pass rusher with a strong nose for the ball, and unlike most headhunters, he's not a situational guy. He has held his own pretty well against the run, and as a developing guy, there's clearly another layer to his game.
Even so, the Colts can't afford to get complacent and just put all that weight on his shoulders. With several options still up for grabs in free agency, general manager Chris Ballard should look to find him a new sidekick.
Joey Bosa, Cameron Jordan, and even Haason Reddick could certainly take some pressure off his shoulders and help him post new career highs in his third year in the league.
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