Understanding the Colts D

Coltzilla looks at the defense

Second, since Larry Coyer has arrived in Indianapolis, the Colts rely more on man-coverage in pass defense than they have at any other time in the past.  This means that the cornerbacks in particular will draw an assignment, typically one of the opponent’s wide receivers and will stick with that assignment beyond a typical cover 2 zone.  It also means that one of the safeties will likely come down and pick up a third receiver or tight end earlier than in a typical cover 2 zone.

Ultimately, it makes the Colts defense look more like a Cover 1, with a safety in a deep zone over the top of each of the defensive backs to help, with one linebacker serving more as a roamer who may key off of a particular player.  This player is often a running back or opposing H-Back but this roaming linebacker or additional cornerback in a nickel package will play with enough space to assist in a short zone against delays, short pass routes, and possibly to blitz.

Arrow to top