Indianapolis Colts Preseason Preview: Josh Chapman
Sep 8, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts nose tackle Josh Chapman (96) walks onto the field before the game against the Oakland Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeats Oakland 21-17. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
In a 3-4 NFL defense, no player is more important than the biggest guy on the defense, the nose tackle. Vince Wilfork has made a name for himself with the Patriots for his run-stuffing skill and ability to take on two guys at once. B.J. Raji has done it for the Packers since the team’s Super Bowl victory.
And for the Colts this season, it’s third-year pro Josh Chapman anchoring the defense.
Chapman, drafted in the fifth round of the 2012 draft, has not been able to show much of what he can do for the Colts. A surgically repaired knee kept him out of the rookie campaign, and he was forced to split snaps with Aubrayo Franklin last season.
Now that Franklin is gone, Chapman is ready to step up into the full-time starting role.
The 6-0, 340-pound Chapman describes himself as a “wrecking ball” for the upcoming season. He realizes what the nose tackle means to the Colts defense, saying, “it’s time for me to kick it up a notch and take over.”
The former Alabama standout finished last season with 15 tackles in 13 games with the Colts. It’s important to realize that often, nose tackles don’t post gaudy numbers of tackles and sacks; their primary job is to take two guys on the offensive line out of the equation. Taking two blockers in the run game leaves the middle linebackers to step up and make tackles. Part of last year’s ineffectiveness against the run was because of Franklin’s inability to command two guys at once.
Chapman, however, is ready to be the needed wrecking ball on defense. He recognizes that the functionality of the defensive scheme relies on him and that his performance needs to improve so that the defense’s performance could also improve.
"“As the years go on, the more you learn, you study a little more, the more confident you become. I feel like this camp I’m more confident than I’m ever been. I want to be that wrecking ball in the middle and know we’re going to stop the run.”-Josh Chapman"
Those are strong words for a man who will have to anchor the Colts 26th ranked rushing defense that has a history of allowing big running plays.
Overall, Chapman’s job is simple: take two offensive lineman in the run game so that D’Qwell Jackson and Jerell Freeman can make plays on the ball.
A few collapsed pockets wouldn’t hurt either.