The Indianapolis Colts chose linebacker CJ Allen in hopes he would be an immediate starter, taking the place of longtime captain Zaire Franklin, who was traded to the Green Bay Packers. The rookie was trending toward, and hoping to be, the green dot in Indy's defense.
That won't be the case, however. Instead, due somewhat to the hamstring injury that Allen has been dealing with, veteran safety Cam Bynum will serve as defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo's green dot. Bynum confirmed the news on Thursday, hours before Indy would kick off its preseason against the New England Patriots.
Speaking with reporters, as tweeted by The Athletic's James Boyd, Bynum said, "If it’s a deep ball and I gotta run back to the huddle, that’s probably the most challenging thing (about being the green dot). But it’s a fun thing to be able to be looked at by (DC Lou Anarumo), for him to trust me, to be the green dot, to be the main mode of conversation coming from the sideline, and communication for the defense...I know I can do really well at it."
Indianapolis Colts go with Cam Bynum over CJ Allen to be the green dot
This is obviously the correct move. Any rookie, no matter how great their football IQ is, needs reps. The speed of the NFL alone is a challenge, but then being tasked with that and also calling out the plays to make sure the rest of the defense is aligned is an extra challenge that Allen doesn't need now.
Had he practiced all through camp, the issue would still be present, but less important. He would be conditioned to what the defense needs and to react to a very good Indianapolis Colts offense. He simply hasn't had enough reps.
Anarumo has had a safety be the green dot on his defense before. When the DC was in the same position with the Cincinnati Bengals, safety Vonn Bell was the communicator of Anarumo's play calls. The experience won't be new to the defensive coordinator, and Bynum is experienced enough to handle those duties easily.
This doesn't preclude CJ Allen from becoming the green dot at some point in his career, possibly even as a rookie or in year two. Having an inside linebacker call the plays makes sense because they are in the middle of the field and see every play unfold. They also, as Bynum pointed out, aren't having to run back to the line of scrimmage from deep down the field.
Ultimately, the move to have Cam Bynum be the defensive leader should be freeing to Allen. In his first year, he can focus on his specific assignments, not what everyone else needs to do. Less stress should allow him to be at his best earlier in his career.
The expectations for the second-round choice won't change. The Indianapolis Colts and fans will hope he makes everyone forget about Zaire Franklin quickly. He has the athleticism and ability to stuff the run to do so; he just won't have to start calling plays right away.
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