NYT looks at the Colts

Tip to Kuharsky,  The 5th down blogs looks at Indy’s draft needs

Defense

This unit was good, but probably not as good as the numbers suggest. Coordinator Larry Coyer elevated the front seven’s complexity and aggressiveness, which fostered more of a playmaking mentality. But over all, this remained a zone-based defense that was reliant on ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. Replace those two with average pass-rushers and you’d have a middle-tier defense. Indy’s linebackers were more physical on the outside. MLB Gary Brackett was super reliable. The secondary survived despite injuries to S Bob Sanders and both starting corners. A big reason was the versatility and consistency of FS Antoine Bethea. His range in coverage and aptitude in run defense were underappreciated.