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Indianapolis Colts: Ted Monachino Wants Better Pass Rush in 2016

By Kyle Nishida

Dec 13, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Robert Mathis (98) celebrates with Indianapolis Colts cornerback Jalil Brown after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Robert Mathis (98) celebrates with Indianapolis Colts cornerback Jalil Brown after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
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New Indianapolis Colts‘ defensive coordinator Ted Monachino is focused on pressuring the quarterback in 2016.

Last season, the Colts’ defense surrendered 379.1 yard per game, which ranked them 26th overall in that category. One of the key reasons for their defensive struggles was their lack of an adequate pass rush. The Indianapolis Colts only had 35 sacks in 2015, and Monachino knows that improving this aspect is his top priority.

Obviously, Monachino will collaborate with head coach Chuck Pagano on a defensive scheme. However, Monachino preaches pressuring the quarterback a lot and wants it to be the main focus of his defense.

"“I’m a pressure guy. I think the best pass defense is a good pass rush. That’s where we’re going to begin in this system. But there’s enough variety that you’re not going to know who it is and from where they’re coming.”"

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Monachino left the Baltimore Ravens to take over as the Colts’ defensive coordinator. He replaced Greg Manusky, who the Colts fired at the end of the 2015 season. Manusky had served as the Colts’ defensive coordinator since 2012.

At Baltimore, Monachino coached the team’s linebackers, which is a position the Colts need better production from. Hopefully, he can take everything he used with the Ravens and apply it to the Colts in a similar way.

Monachino has some interesting players to work with in Robert Mathis and Trent Cole. However, both were inconsistent last year, but for different reasons. Mathis was still recovering from tearing his Achilles in 2014 while Cole had trouble adjusting to the Colts’ 3-4 defensive scheme.

Both of these guys are over 30 years old, but Monachino has found ways to get the best out of veteran outside linebackers. He had Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil with the Ravens, and both played very well with him as their position coach. He should have a similar effect on Mathis and Cole.

Specifically, Monachino seemed pleased to have the opportunity to work with Mathis in spite of his age.

"“What you’ll see with Rob is he has a dominant trait as a pass rusher. And we’ve got to make sure that he does that as often as possible. When he knows that’s what we’re going to do with him, then he’ll continue to be excited about every third down…”"

This season, Monachino will most likely call more blitzes to create more pressure on quarterbacks. Under Manusky, the Colts did not dial up a lot of blitzes because they did not want to sacrifice coverage players. Monachino has the exact opposite philosophy. He is more than willing to sacrifice some coverage for the sake of the pass rush.

Next: Colts Look For Consistent Run Game In 2016

Monachino knows turn around the Colts’ defense will not be an easy task. He will have to fill a lot of holes this summer. However, it is clear he has a plan, which is fixing the Colts’ pass rush first.

The Indianapolis Colts’ pass rush has been below average over past couple of seasons. Hopefully, Monachino is the coordinator who can turn this trend around.

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