The Indianapolis Colts went all-in on their defense last season. In a shocking trade deadline move, they gave up valuable draft capital to get Sauce Gardner. Unfortunately, injuries didn't let him pay that confidence back on the field.
But now that he and Charvarius Ward are fully healthy, the Colts can have the luxury of moving Justin Walley to the slot. So far, the cornerback trio has been utterly dominant in training camp, and the sky seems to be the limit for this unit.
Walley, who missed his rookie season with an ACL injury, is loving life with his new star teammates. When asked about the transition to the slot, the former third-round pick appreciated how having two All-Pro guys next to him would take pressure off his shoulders.
The Indianapolis Colts' secondary can be the deadliest in the league
"It's definitely a feeling of comfort," Walley said. "You have two All-Pro guys next to you, so having those guys out there makes my job easier."
Granted, Walley is still a bit of a question mark, given the lack of experience. That said, he showcased elite anticipation and solid coverage in both man and zone in college, and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo gushed about how far along he is after missing his first year.
Even if he's not fully there yet, the Colts have two-time first-team All-Pro Sauce Gardner looking as crisp as ever, breaking up passes and staying in front of whoever he's had to cover in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11s.
Charvarius Ward will always come with some injury risks, but he's a shutdown guy when he's on the field, not to mention a vocal leader with extensive postseason experience and a Super Bowl ring under his belt. That counts for something.
The Colts rounded up their already strong secondary with A.J. Haulcy, a zone coverage specialist with a great nose for the ball and the ability to play both safety spots. Again, like Walley, he's unproven, but he's made the most of Hunter Wohle's absence in training camp thus far.
Last but not least, Camryn Bynum gives Lou Anarumo another high-IQ guy who can dissect plays in real time like few guys at the position. His strong instincts, versatility, and prowess in the open field, plus his great ball skills, make him a perennial threat to flip the field and a guy who can play in almost every scheme.
The Colts' pass defense left plenty to be desired last season. They gave up the second-most passing yards (4,662), the most passing first downs (216), and the seventh-most 20+ yard completions (57). Some of that was due to their subpar pass rush, but their secondary didn't do much to limit the damage.
Now, with a fully healthy and improved core, the Colts' defensive backfield has the makings of a true no fly zone.
Add us as a preferred source on Google