Linebacking

A year ago at Colts camp the starting linebackers were Philip Wheeler, Gary Brackett, and Clint Session.  A year later only one name remains unchanged.  While the other two are a little more in question.  Brackett is the defensive captain, and the starter, no questions asked.

But who will line up next to Brackett?

There are currently 10 linebackers on the roster

  • Gary Brackett
  • Philip Wheeler
  • Cody Glenn
  • Ernie Sims
  • Kavell Conner
  • Pat Angerer
  • Nate Triplett
  • Kerry Neal
  • Adrian Moten
  • Chris Colasanti
I'm gonna assume the last three on the list, who are undrafted rookie free agents, don't make the team.  I'm gonna assume based on last year that Glenn and Triplett play primarily on special teams.  Of course Brackett is the starter.  Based on last year's performance, and the uncharacteristic move of the Colts to bench a player in the middle of the season, Wheeler is not in the running. Based on last season's end of the year comments Polian is completely sold on Conner.

That means we have three guys for two spots.
Angerer
Conner
Sims

Angerer proved himself last year, and I believe that Bill is sold on him as the starter going forward, and not only at OLB, but most likely as the starting MLB once Brackett hangs them up, or moves on.

That means we have two guys for one spot.
Conner
Sims

Last season Conner in 12 games, recorded 57 tackles.  He had one forced fumble.  Prior to the debacle that was the Wild Card weekend loss to the Jets, the Colts run defense looked good for the final four games.  Conner was a part of that.  He played well, and Bill Polian, at one point called him the next David Thorton.

Last season Sims, with the Eagles, played in 15 games, and recorded 55 tackles.  However, in his 3 full seasons (2006, 2007, 2008) in a Tampa-2 defense with the Lions Sims recorded 113, 134, 125 tackles respectively.  Sims thrived in Detroit, he was just on a bad team.  Sims is gifted, a solid tackler, and a veteran.

Sims seems like the obvious choice over Conner.

That means it looks like we could have Brackett with Sims and Angerer on the outside.  All three are solid tacklers, all three are quick, all three fit the Colts system.

With some recent added depth upfront, the Colts run defense may have taken leaps forward!  I am excited about this addition, and I think Sims fits the Colts system perfectly.



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