NFL
By Bill Carroll
The 2023 Colts Entered Week 6 At A Perfect Example Of Crisis And Opportunity” was chosen as the title of this article as I was remembering 危机 this Mandarin word, often mistranslated, as both representing a way of saying “crisis” (wēijī) which consists of two syllables that are written with two separate characters, wēi (危) and jī (機/机), however the character jī (机; 機) does not mean “opportunity.”
The jī of wēijī, in fact, means something like “incipient moment; crucial point (when something begins or changes).” Thus, a wēijī can signal a genuine crisis, a precarious or a dangerous moment, a time when things start to go awry. A wēijī indicates a perilous situation when one should be especially wary. […] jī added to huì (“occasion”) creates the Mandarin word for “opportunity” (jīhuì), but by itself jī does not mean “opportunity.”
For the 2023 Colts entering Week 6, they rematch versus the Jaguars is clearly a potentially perilous situation a precarious or a dangerous moment, but it is also a chance to go 4-2 and cement themselves as playoff contender. As I wrote previously about this season for the Colts, much of the success or failure of this season is contingent upon the 2023 Colts developing young talent, especially Anthony Dashawn Richardson.
The 2023 Colts Offense
The Colts named Richardson the starting quarterback, in mid August, after one quarter of preseason play. So any pretense of a “quarterback competition” was ephemeral. The 2023 Colts present and future is tied to the growth as a player and the health of Richardson. Jim Bob Cooter, [pause for laughter] their offensive coordinator, has a reputation largely predicated on his work with Peyton Williams Manning, John Matthew Stafford and William Trevor Lawrence, three rather different quarterbacks, in different places in their respective careers.
Cooter’s NFL coaching career began with the Colts. He as an offensive assistant, under former head coach Jim Caldwell and quarterbacks coach, Frank Reich. Jim Bob Cooter, was there for three seasons (2009-2011), working closely with Peyton Manning during that time. Cooter, prior to the 2023 NFL Draft, spoke with James Boyd of the Athletic:
“Ultimately, you have to drop back, you have to throw the ball accurately — probably to the right guy, right? Make a good decision,” Cooter said, laughing. “If you can extend plays — if we draw up a play that doesn’t necessarily work, maybe we don’t have a receiver open on a play, that guy that can extend the play and make that play that maybe wasn’t drawn on the board — that does have some value and you’re seeing a little bit more of that. I don’t think it’s a hard and fast absolute, I just think it just brings a little more value to the position.”
It would seem that Cooter’s time working with Lawrence. in Jacksonville, has positively influenced his view of mobile quarterbacks. Prior to Lawrence he had worked with, close to pure, pocket passers. In the three seasons Cooter was the offensive coordinator, Stafford completed 65.7% of his passes while averaging 4,445 passing yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions per season (projected to a 17-game pace).
Cooter’s offensive philosophy revolves around simplicity and efficiency. He believes in streamlining the playbook to limit complexity while maximizing execution. This approach allows players to play fast and minimize mental errors. He also is very committed to a balanced approach with regard to pass/run ratio. When Taylor is fully integrated into the offense, he should flourish.
As of Wednesday, the 2023 Colts put rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson on the injured reserve list and he will miss at least four weeks of games.This not only slows his technical and developmental arc, but also so much of the 2023 Colts’ offensive success is tied to his physical gifts that this missed time slows the team as a whole. The running game was clearly supposed to position the passing game to take advantage of eight-man boxes and zone coverage.
Gardner Minshew most recently faced a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that, in 2022 finished second in the NFL with 55 sacks and this season, after collecting four turnovers in Sunday’s game, currently leads the NFL with 15. The 2023 Colts are averaging 4.2 yards per running play and 6.6 yards per passing play, [6.9 per play with Richardson and 6.4 with Minshew]. The two have combined for six passing touchdowns and four interceptions. Zack Moss is the 2023 Colts leading rusher with 466 yards on 4.9 yards per carry. Jonathon Taylor has been slowed by both a four game hold out and more recently, an ankle injury, thus-far he has 37 rushing yards on 14 carries and 62 receiving yards on just six catches.
Michael Pittman Jr. leads the 2023 Colts in receiving with 40 catches from 60 targets for 406 yards and a touchdown, rookie WR Josh Downs is gowing into the “Robin” role to Pittman Jr.’s “Batman.” Finding a reliable third receiving option could be a top priority for the upcoming free agent or draft class.
While the 2023 Colts’ offense has not yet hit full stride and the two most physically gifted players on the team, Anthony Dashawn Richardson and Jonathon Taylor have been constrained, still the Colts are rankled number ten at 345.3 yards per game and are raked 11th at 23.3 points per game. If Richardson returns and remains healthy, if Jonathon Taylor starts averaging over 2.64 yards per carry, eventually is out producing Moss and if big plays in the passing game become more common, the Colts are a threat to make the playoffs.
The 2023 Colts Defense
The principles and strategies that Paul Casey “Gus” Bradley uses as a defensive coordinator are well established. Bradley is known for his work with the Seattle Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom” and later with the Los Angeles Chargers. The defense of the Colts has both bent and broken a bit too often, to the tune of 357.2 yards allowed per game and 25.3 points per game. Those rankings are the 26th and 23rd spots in the NFL. In fairness the offense has allowed some turnovers and put the defense in bad situations. But you bring in the coordinator of the last
Gus Bradley’s defensive philosophy and some key concepts to consider when implementing his defense:
- Cover-3 Defense:
- Bradley is famous for the Seattle version of Cover-3 defense, where the field is divided into thirds, and each deep-third is covered by a safety and two corner-backs. The remaining defenders are responsible for underneath coverage and pass rush.
- Single-High Safety:
- Typically, Bradley employs a single-high safety playing deep, who is responsible for covering the middle of the field. This player is a crucial component of his defense, Rodney Thomas II is the current starter, his range and awareness are key. He is backed up by Trevor Denbow. Both players are young and have some raw talent, but neither even vaguely resembles Earl Thomas.
- Press Corner-backs:
- Corner-backs in Bradley’s defense must press and disrupt the timing of the opposing receivers at the line of scrimmage. They should be physical and maintain tight coverage to prevent quick passes. The rookies: Jaylon Jones and Julius Brents, joined outstanding slot corner, Kenny Moore II, with Darrell Baker Jr. rounding put the group.
- Leverage and Technique:
- Defenders are coached to maintain inside leverage on receivers, funneling them towards the middle of the field where the single-high safety is positioned, helping to limit big plays.
- Tampa 2 Variations:
- While Bradley is primarily known for Cover-3, he occasionally uses variations of the Tampa 2 defense, where the middle linebacker drops deep down the middle of the field in pass coverage. With the the 2023 Colts, that is Zaire Franklin and he is joined by Segun Olubi. The are promising, but they have a ways to go to become what Bobby Wagner was in executing curl-flat assignments in cover 3 and as a defensive signal-caller.
- Defensive Line:
- Bradley prefers a 4-3 base defense, with a strong focus on generating pressure from the front four. The defensive line must be disciplined in maintaining gap integrity and getting up-field to disrupt the quarterback.
- Rotation and Communication:
- Players are expected to communicate well and make quick pre-snap adjustments. Bradley’s defenses often rotate coverage and disguise their intentions to confuse the offense.
- Situational Awareness:
- Understanding down and distance, field position, and game situation is crucial. Bradley’s defense often tightens up in the red zone, aiming to force field goals instead of touchdowns.
- Fundamentals and Tackling:
- Bradley emphasizes sound tackling and swarming to the ball. Wrapping up ball-carriers is stressed, preventing yards after contact.
- Player Roles:
- Players have specific roles and assignment in Bradley’s defense. Understanding their responsibilities and proper execution of their roles is paramount.
- Adaptability:
- While Bradley is known for Cover-3, he is adaptable and fits his scheme to the strengths and weaknesses of his personnel.
- Film Study and Preparation:
- Players study game film immersively to understand opponents’ tendencies and absorb a game plan to exploit weaknesses.
- Simplicity and Repetition:
- Bradley’s defenses are often praised for their simplicity. Players repeatedly practice a limited set of plays and concepts, building mastery.
- Preventing Explosive Plays:
- The primary goal is to prevent big plays down the field, making the opponent drive methodically and forcing mistakes.
- Leadership and Motivation:
- Bradley is known for creating a culture of accountability, effort, and enthusiasm. Foster a strong sense of teamwork and dedication among your defensive players.
Implementing Gus Bradley’s defense is a process that requires understanding his principles and coaching them to your players. Be adaptable and consider how his strategies fit your team’s personnel and strengths while making necessary adjustments. Meticulous practice, communication, and film study are essential to success in this system.
As the crisis/opportunity of week 6 revealed, the 2023 Colts are still a year away from challenging the Jaguars for mastery of the AFC South. The 37-20 victory for the favorites to win the AFC South, highlighted the 2023 Colts areas of both crisis and opportunity.
A bright spot on offense was undersized, but athletic TE Kylen Granson, he had three of four targets for 67 yards. Unfortunately he is now in concussion protocol. This may create opportunities for Andrew Ogletree or Alec Pierce, who is likely to play through a shoulder injury.
When the 2023 Colts face the Browns Gardner Minshew will have to avoid the turnovers that torpedoed the offense and trapped the defense in precarious situations versus Jacksonville. In addition they will have to be very stubborn in the run game, not only for the cumulative effect that that has in softening a defense later in a game, but also to take pressure off of the QB.
On defense the Colts will need to get stuff the run and get consistent pressure from Deforest Buckner on the inside and Nnamka Samson Ebukam who have three and four sacks so far. The linebacker corps will need to generated tipped ball as well as shutting down the run game and the secondary will have to come up with turnovers as will as preventing bag plays. Unless they win the turnover battle the 2023 Colts will encounter many more crises but few opportunities.
