Perception vs. Reality

We all know the Colts' offense is awesome and the defense sucks right? Those poor Colts, having to make do with 274-pound Raheem Brock and undrafted Ed Johnson (296). They even had to play rookie third-round pick Quinn Pitcock (299) and (horrors!) resort to even tinier rookie Keyunta Dawson (a svelte 254). Clearly they need a 350-pound fat guy to plug up the middle, right?

I respectfully disagree. The Colts offense was awesome last year, fourth in the league. They could have run the ball better, but fewer injuries and more talent on the ol' o-line should help that.

But the defense was even more awesome — at least statistically. They were allowed fewer points than any other team in the NFL. They were third in league in yards allowed, second in pass defense, first in passing yards per play, second in interceptions and seventh in forced fumbles.

Detractors will point out: 1) they were 15th in rushing yards per game, 2) 22nd in sacks and 3) well, they just suck, everyone knows that.

1) It is true they were 15th in rushing yards allowed per game, (1) but it was primarily because teams (like fans) thought the Colts were easy to run on. Despite usually having the lead — which would tend to make opponents pass more (2) — the Colts were run on a lot. But not effectively. The Colts were actually sixth in the NFL with just 3.767 yards allowed per rushing attempt. Face it, the Colts actually fielded a pretty good rushing defense last year, despite injuries to their highest-paid defensive tackle (Booger McFarland) and best run-stopping linebacker (Rob Morris).

2) Well, their top two pass rushers — Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis — missed a combined 11 games. The team rarely blitzes, instead depending on their front four for pressure. Without Freeney and Mathis, they sagged seriously in that department. I agree the Colts could use some help there, but it won't come from some fat dude. Unless his name's Shaun Rogers, the big guys never get anything but garbage sacks. And don't gimme that guff about the big guy absorbing blockers so the others can pass-rush. Doesn't really work that way. Look at the Super Bowl-champion Giants (3) — their vaunted rush-line was a quartet of ends (4), without a fat dude in sight. (5)

3) Times change, things change — and people often are reluctant to change their minds.

I'm not saying they won't draft a DT, but it won't be a jumbo, and it probably won't be on the first day.

Notes:
1. That's still in the top half on the league.
2. And face more five-, six- and seven-defensive back formations.
3. Not to mention the previous season's champs the Colts. Yeah, they had McFarland, but he never really cracked 300 pounds.
4. One of them, Mathias Kiwanuka, actually spent a lot of time at linebacker.
5. The rush linemen weighed 261, 255, 274 and 265. Granted, their first-down DTs were bigger. Barry Cofield is 306 and Robbins is 317, but neither played a role at all approaching what the little guys did.