Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has never had a rookie be the green dot, the player who relays the DC's play-calls to the rest of the defense, before. That is trending toward changing as inside linebacker CJ Allen is probably going to play that role.
Allen, after starting training camp a little late due to a minor injury, has been calling the plays in practice. He has seemingly had just one concern: His accent.
According to The Ahtletic's (subscription required) James Boyd, Allen said of the issue, "I’m from Georgia, so I got like a little Southern twang. So, I gotta really enunciate my words. But nah, just making sure we’re on the same page, being a communicator. The guys kind of respect that."
CJ Allen might be the Indianapolis Colts' new defensive leader, as long as they can understand him
Most likely, the Colts' defenders have more than "kind of respect" for what Allen is proving capable of. Many times, a rookie entering the NFL can be overwhelmed, especially one who might feel a little extra pressure due to being the team's first pick in a given draft.
For the linebacker to not have played a real down of professional football yet and still have a firm grasp on what the defense should be doing is impressive. This is especially true of an Anarumo scheme that can change from practice to practice.
Allen was the green dot in college at Georgia, too. While obviously the athleticism of professional players is much better than that of general college players, Georgia also offered elite coaching to help prepare CJ Allen to be immediately successful at the next level. He has to show in real games that he can be elite leading the defense, but there is no reason to think he can't do that.
The rookie should also bring a level of raw athleticism that the Indianapolis Colts have been missing the last few years. Zaire Franklin was the green dot in previous seasons and a mercurial and outspoken leader in the locker room, for better or worse, but he doesn't have the athleticism of Allen. The Green Bay Packers will learn that this season.
Obviously, Allen is set to be one of the starters at off-ball linebacker in 2026. What is not as well known is who will be his partner. Indianapolis signed Akeem Davis-Gaither in free agency, and Davis-Gaither has spent time previously in Anarumo's system when both were with the Cincinnati Bengals. That might give him the advantage over another rookie, Bryce Boettcher.
No matter who Allen's partner is, that player will need to listen to the rookie as he ascends to being a leader on the Colts. That is, as long as the other players can understand the linebacker when he is speaking through his Southern twang.
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