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- Mar 19, 2019
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— With a few key pieces on the defensive front out today, we saw some new defensive lineups. Running with the first team were Tyquan Lewis (LDE), Jihad Ward (DT), Margus Hunt (NT), Al-Quadin Muhammad (RDE), Darius Leonard (WILL), Anthony Walker (MIKE), Matthew Adams (SAM), Pierre Desir (LCB), Kenny Moore II (RCB), Malik Hooker (FS) and Clayton Geathers (SS). When they broke into their nickel package, Quincy Wilson came in at RCB, Moore II moved into the nickel, and Adams came off the field.
— Also seeing some reps with the first unit were Bobby Okereke (MIKE), Rock Ya-Sin (RCB), George Odum (FS) and Khari Willis (SS).
— The primary second-team defense was Ben Banogu (LDE), Grover Stewart (NT), Caraun Reid (DT), Kemoko Turay (RDE), Matthew Adams (WILL), Okereke (MIKE), Jalen Collins (LCB), Marvell Tell III (RCB), Wilson (nickel CB), Odum (FS) and Willis (SS).
— Also seeing some reps with the second unit were Rolan Milligan and Matthias Farley at safety.
— The primary third-team defense was Gerri Green (LDE), Caraun Reid (DT), Sterling Shippy (NT), Obum Gwacham (RDE), E.J. Speed (WILL), Zaire Franklin (MIKE), Ahmad Thomas (SAM), Chris Milton (LCB), Ya-Sin (RCB), Derrick Kindred (S) and Isaiah Johnson (S). When they broke into their nickel package, Shakial Taylor came in at nickel, and Thomas came off the field.
— The defense used a variation of a nickel package many times today where a safety would come in as the WILL linebacker while a traditional linebacker stayed on the field as the MIKE. This look often featured an extra man lining up on the line of scrimmage and appeared more spread-out than the typical nickel would. Coming in as this WILL linebacker were Geathers and Farley.
— Another unique look the defense showed today was something we originally saw them do in last year's training camp. It is a prevent package, but with three defenders lined up on the boundary on each side of the field. The purpose of this is to not only keep the big play at bay with the normal prevent package, but having players on the boundary limits the offense from being able to complete out routes and stop the clock by getting out of bounds. The lineup was Lewis as the only defensive lineman, Leonard and Walker as the linebackers, Banogu, Moore II and Desir on the left boundary, Turay, Geathers and Ya-Sin on the right boundary, and Hooker and Willis lined up at deep safety.
— There were a couple of clear would-be sacks today in 11-on-11s. Right off the bat in the first session, Hunt busted through line and right into quarterback Jacoby Brissett's face. In a later session, linebacker Speed came untouched on a blitz right up the middle to get to Chad Kelly.
— I think we've officially reached the point where we can say the Colts got a good one in Ya-Sin. His matchups with receiver Devin Funchess have been great to watch the last couple weeks, and today Ya-Sin's constant harassment led to an interception that he returned for a potential would-be 35-yard touchdown. Brissett looked to Funchess for about a five-yard out route to the left, but Ya-Sin was all over Funchess and mugged him for the pick. Even as an offensive guy, Colts head coach Frank Reich was fired up for the rookie and cheered him on during the play.
— Ya-Sin wasn't the only rookie cornerback stacking good performances together. Tell III built on his standout preseason debut last Thursday with a solid practice on Monday. Early in 11-on-11s, Kelly threw a 15-yard dig route to Ashton Dulin, but Tell III reached an outstretched arm in front of Dulin to break up the pass. Tell III also got in the action as a blitzer in 11-on-11s, coming off the edge unblocked and getting to Phillip Walker for a sack. Overall, he showed close coverage on the day. There were at least a couple instances where the quarterback would look for their receiver downfield, but they went to their next read because Tell III had them covered up.
— The defense was on fire today, making several big plays. One of which was in 11-on-11s where the offense was lined up on the defense's three-yard line. Brissett rifled a pass to tight end Eric Ebron, but Okereke was there to stick his arm in the way. The ball bounced up, and Odum was there to swoop in for the interception. Odum made a very similar play last week also.
— The defensive line's hustle didn't just result in sacks, but they also got after the offense in the run game. Still working on plays near the goal line, the offense had an outside run play to the right with running back Marlon Mack. Willis flew in from his safety spot to kill the play for a loss of yards. Mack then had an off-tackle run the to the left just after where Lewis was able to get to him right away coming off the backside. It likely would've resulted in a loss of a couple yards. Reid got into the action as well, as he was right there in the backfield to meet running back Aca'Cedric Ware for a handoff.
— The defense had several physical plays through the day. Running back Nyheim Hines caught a five-yard angle route, but Adams was right there to meet him, tossing Hines to the turf. Shortly after, Ya-Sin got to Hines quickly as well, wrapping him up and taking him down. The Colts' coaches want physicality out of their defenders even in practice (wisely, however). At one point, Hines took a carry about four yards to the left, front pylon. Ya-Sin was there to meet him and tried to tackle him, but it appeared Hines crossed the plane. Cornerbacks coach Jonathan Gannon appeared to shout at Ya-Sin, "Enforce!"
— Another physical play came late in 11-on-11s, as Brissett tried to pickup a chunk play against the prevent defense He threw 40 yards deep down the left side to receiver Zach Pascal. Pascal jumped up, high-pointed the ball between two defenders, but then Geathers leveled him, which dislodge the pass.
— Watching the defensive line during positional drills, you can tell it's a group where maximum effort is demanded of them by coach Mike Phair because the group is always going all-out, and Phair will let them know about it if they aren't. However, they also know how to stay loose and have fun — especially the veterans. The whole group is very vocal during drills, competing but also encouraging each other. It's a group that wants to get better and rarely appears to make the same mistake consecutively.
(via Jake Arthur/Colts.com)