Stampede Blue
Throughout the offseason, we’ve gotten to hear about some of the Colts’ schematic changes that are coming on the defensive side of the ball.
Throughout the offseason, we’ve gotten to hear from the Indianapolis Colts’ Chris Ballard, Shane Steichen, and Lou Anarumo about some of the schematic changes that are coming on the defensive side of the ball.
One of the more questionable decisions from the Colts was to bypass adding a linebacker in free agency and the draft. Chris Ballard explained the team’s decision by noting that the new defensive scheme will feature more “two-linebacker sets”. We’ve also heard the Colts mention that there will be more Dime defense.
It’s too early to know exactly what the Colts will do or how the roster will take shape, especially when players are practicing without pads, but we can begin to explain some of the changes we’re likely to see, and why we’re going to see them.
Let’s start of with explaining the implications of more “two linebacker sets”. Here’s Chris Ballard’s full comment on the linebacker position:
We think we will be OK in that area. You’ve got to understand that Lou (Anarumo), it’s a little different than we’ve done in the past where we had a MIKE, WILL and a SAM. Now we are just playing with a MIKE and a WILL. So, not as many guys are as needed as in the past.” - Chris Ballard
Part of what Chris Ballard is describing is more Nickel defense, which is NOT foreign concept to NFL teams. Most NFL fans know the difference, but to provide a brief explanation*:*
A traditional personnel grouping in a 4-3 defense, is four down lineman, three linebackers, and four defensive backs. A defense will usually do this when an offense plays with heavier personnel (ie. more TEs or RBs).
In Nickel defense that third linebacker is swapped out for a nickel corner— in this case Kenny Moore. So now you have 4 down lineman, 2 linebackers, and 5 defensive backs. Defenses will usually bring in that extra corner when a defense plays with more than two WRs.
Offenses want to play with more receivers on the field, so defenses put more corners on the field. Simple enough, right? But why does any of this matter?
The NFL is a mismatch league— plain and simple. You can draw up an awesome play with all these bells and whistles— but at the end of the day— if my player is better than your player, it really doesn’t matter what the play is.
Defense is all about mitigating those matchup problems. The easiest way to do that is by matching personnel. Speed on speed, size on size. This way you don’t end up with a tiny corner on a tight end, or even worse, a slower linebacker on a wide receiver who runs a 4.3.
In 2024, when an offense came out in heavier personnel (2 WR’s...
