Indianapolis Colts: Ink On Indy’s Mid-Season Review
By Dave McKee
Nov 2, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Greg Toler (28), linebacker D’Qwell Jackson (52), linebacker Erik Walden (93) and linebacker Jonathan Newsom (91) before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
What is the biggest surprise of the season for the Indianapolis Colts?
Personally, the biggest surprise of the season so far is the play of the defensive line. Now before you jump to conclusions, allow me to explain. Think back to when the 53-man roster was finalized, I was highly critical of GM Ryan Grigson for only keeping five defensive linemen. In truth, I was surprised that Josh Chapman was released. However, I was also very high on the Stanford rookies David Parry and Henry Anderson.
Some of you may remember my clamoring for Henry Anderson as a nominee for defensive rookie of the year. While it may have been a tad premature so early in the season, his impact was evident from his first game. Much of that success was due to Parry owning the nose tackle position and forcing teams to double him up. This freed Kendall Langford and Anderson up to make a bigger impact against the run. Now, with Anderson on IR, it is up to a rotation of Zach Kerr, T.Y. McGill and Billy Winn to fill the void.
I cannot simply choose one player as that unit itself has been the biggest surprise. The real proof is in the increased impact of veteran middle linebacker D’Qwell Jackson. Through nine games, Jackson is second in the league in tackles with a total of 93 tackles. Compare his numbers to last season and you will discover that Jackson had 96 total tackles for the entire 2014 season. He is three shy of tying that number with seven games remaining. That is a testament to the defensive line’s success eating up blocks and opening up lanes for Jackson to stop the run.
Here’s what the others had to say…
Pierre Wilson:
The Stanford rookies on the defensive line are the biggest surprise of the 2015 season. David Parry and Henry Anderson have been great this year. The Colts have struggled against the run in recent years and the Stanford boys have really held their own. It’s a shame Anderson got hurt.
Mathew Muncy:
It has to be the 4-5 start to the season. No one saw this coming, but with Andrew Luck’s injuries and the internal power struggle taking place, it’s not surprising.
Andrew Turpen:
Quite frankly, it’s the fact that they have been absolutely terrible for stretches against teams that they should beat.
Next: Question #2