What Chuck Pagano's Hiring Means For the Colt's Defense
Out with the old, in with the new. It looks to be the Colts' 2012 motto. They hired Chuck Pagano to change the culture of the locker room and the philosophy on the field, particularly on defense. He comes over from Baltimore where he was their defensive coordinator. He's received excellent reviews across the board. While the main question the Indy faithful need an answer to is still to be determined, there's an "X's & O's" that Pagano will need to tend to.
What does the 3-4 defense mean to the base 4-3 personnel on the current roster? Well, it's not a complete overhaul. Indianapolis, provided they re-sign Mathis, will still be able to utilize Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis both off the edge. They are athletic enough to become standup rush linebackers. As long as Freeney and Mathis are not hesitant to rushing from a two-point stance there shouldn't be a problem. They will have defensive tackles that convert to defensive ends. They will line-up over (or just inside) the offensive tackle and their assignment will be to control their gaps and to keep the offensive line from getting to linebackers. Some will be able to do it, some won't. This is where the transition period will take effect. They will also need a big nose tackle. Think Terrance Cody or Halot Ngata.
Indianapolis has undersized linebackers. The 3-4 is typically catered to big linebackers. They will need to see who fits and who doesn't. A guy like Phillip Wheeler is not the ideal player for a 3-4, but someone like Gary Brackett could make the adjustment. Pat Angerer is a player who might benefit from the 3-4 defense.
The secondary is going to need to be bolstered. Gone are the days of drafting cornerbacks who are aggressive tacklers, but limited in press coverage. Pagano is a secondary coach and will hope to be able to rely heavily on man coverage. Being able to cover man-to-man will be the most important thing for a corner in this scheme. Even though Pagano is a secondary coach, expect the defensive front to be addressed first. The Colts are in a division with Arian Foster, Maurice Jones-Drew and Chris Johnson. Stopping the run is a priority in this division.
The problem will be finding players that fit that mold at each position. With multiple needs offensively and defensively, 2012 could almost be a throw away year for the Colts. If they bring in a rookie QB and a new defensive system, expectations go out the window.
Indianapolis has undersized linebackers. The 3-4 is typically catered to big linebackers. They will need to see who fits and who doesn't. A guy like Phillip Wheeler is not the ideal player for a 3-4, but someone like Gary Brackett could make the adjustment. Pat Angerer is a player who might benefit from the 3-4 defense.
The secondary is going to need to be bolstered. Gone are the days of drafting cornerbacks who are aggressive tacklers, but limited in press coverage. Pagano is a secondary coach and will hope to be able to rely heavily on man coverage. Being able to cover man-to-man will be the most important thing for a corner in this scheme. Even though Pagano is a secondary coach, expect the defensive front to be addressed first. The Colts are in a division with Arian Foster, Maurice Jones-Drew and Chris Johnson. Stopping the run is a priority in this division.
The problem will be finding players that fit that mold at each position. With multiple needs offensively and defensively, 2012 could almost be a throw away year for the Colts. If they bring in a rookie QB and a new defensive system, expectations go out the window.
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