The Indianapolis Colts' defensive line entered the offseason with one clear strength and big room for improvement in another area. They were stout against the run, but they couldn't get much pressure on the quarterback.
Several offseason moves, spring workouts, and training camp practices later, it looks like nothing has changed. Lou Anarumo's unit got its first taste of actual competition with the New England Patriots, and it was essentially more of the same.
Joel A. Erickson of the Indy Star shared some notes from the joint practice, and while it looks like the run defense is in mid-season form, concerns about the Colts' underwhelming new-look pass rush still linger.
The Indianapolis Colts' defense is more of the same
"Indianapolis struggled to get consistent pressure on the elusive Maye. There were a handful of potential sacks," Erickson wrote.
The insider pointed out that Drake Maye barely avoided Laiatu Latu on a last-second scramble, and a would-be sack by Micheal Clemons didn't stand. On the flipside, they fared much better against the running game:
"The Indianapolis front did its best work in the running game. New England backs Rhamondre Stevenson and Treveyon Henderson had trouble finding daylight throughout the practice," Erickson noted.
Not only did Grover Stewart and the linebackers shut down all running lanes, but rookie safety A.J. Haulcy was also reportedly all over the ball-carrier. His stock keeps trending up as one of the most impressive rookies in training camp.
Lou Anarumo should be under a ton of heat
That said, the fact that the Colts continue to show the same issues from as season is as disappointing as it is worrisome. They revamped the pass rushers' room with multiple moves, but it looks like they're still playing catch-up and failing to finish plays when they do beat the linemen.
Lou Anarumo has a reputation as a defensive mad scientist, and that's cute and all, but it has to translate to the field. Complex schemes, pre-snap motion, deception, and misdirection without purpose are futile; they must work toward something.
The Colts' run defense was spectacular last season. They gave up the seventh-fewest rushing yards (1,732), were tied for the second-fewest yards per carry (3.9), and were tied for the seventh-fewest 20+ rushes (seven).
It was an entirely different story when it came to taking down the quarterback. They ranked 30th in ESPN's pass-rush win rate metrics (29 percent) and were tied 15th in sacks per game (1.3) and 25th in sack percentage (5.86 percent).
If changing personnel doesn't do the trick, then perhaps it's time to question whether the guy calling the shots is the right man for the job. Ideally, there has to be improvement between seasons, and he shouldn't have the benefit of the doubt anymore as he enters his second season with the organization.
Anarumo landed the Colts' defensive coordinator job after having one of the league's worst defenses in Cincinnati. Now, after getting him reunited with multiple guys over the past couple of years, there shouldn't be room for excuses.
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