The Indianapolis Colts defense suffered a punch to the gut with the loss of linebacker/pass rusher Robert Mathis over the weekend. Mathis ruptured his Achilles tendon during a private workout and is now out for the season. Mathis had been suspended for the first four games of the season for using an unapproved fertility drug. Mathis went through training camp and was conducting his own personal workouts in his home in Atlanta to keep in shape in anticipation of returning to the Colts’ starting lineup at Lucas Oil Stadium against the Baltimore Ravens on October 5. This is devastating news for everyone concerned but particularly for the Colts defense. Mathis is irreplaceable as a defender and team leader. Anyone who watched the Colts opening game loss against the Broncos could see that one of the biggest reasons for Peyton’s three touchdown pass in the first half was the inability of the Horseshoe-D to put any pressure on him. After Mathis set the franchise record of 19.5 sacks last season and became the club’s all time sack leader with 111 sacks, everyone was figuring that the return of number 98 to the starting lineup would cure the lack of pass rush problem, but now that hope is gone.
Bad and Good in Opening Loss
The opening loss against Denver really didn’t feature any surprises, just the confirmation of some preseason worries. The Colts’ interior offensive line is still a serious problem. The Blue does not have an effective center. There are no running backs on the roster capable of carrying out offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton’s power running offense scheme so it’s is not workable with the current personnel. The Trent Richardson trade will go down as the worst blunder in team history. Running back Ahmed Bradshaw is not fully recovered from his neck surgery. Too many dropped passes particularly from T. Y. Hilton and Colby Fleener. When the Colts were not able to score from fourth and goal on the Bronco one yard line in the third quarter, I knew they were going to lose.
The defense without Mathis and Antoine Bethea is rudderless. Defensive end Cory Redding is now the only “leader” on the defense. Maybe someone else will emerge but it had better be soon. Cornerback Greg Tolar will have problems with big wideouts under the new non-contact rules. Bjoern Werner will not be an effective replacement for Mathis. The front seven is still soft against the run.
Andrew Luck had a big game and very nearly pulled off another come-from-behind win. The play of the offensive tackles is much better. Anthony Castonzo and Gosder Cherlius were both steady and didn’t make any serious mistakes. To see Reggie Wayne back in the lineup is gratifying for any Colts fan. The return of tight end Dwayne Allen is major for Andrew Luck and the offense. His 41 yard touchdown catch and run showed his importance to the offense. Hakeem Nicks is a really good pickup for the Blue and we’ll be hearing much more about him as the season progresses. Defensively, Vontae Davis is a true shutdown cornerback and among the best in the league. Peyton threw at him twice without effect and then did not look his way again. Linebacker Erik Walden did register a sack. Linebacker Jerrell Freeman made seven tackles including four solo before having to leave the game with a hamstring injury. He is okay and will be in the lineup Sunday. Safety LaRon Landry led the team with eight tackles, including seven solo. He is good at coming up to the box and supporting the run defense but it’s not good when the safety leads the team in tackles.
The first game of the season is not always a true indicator of how things will unfold for the Colts but it does point out to us some things we need to look for as the season progresses. Hopefully Coach Pagano and his staff will be able to make the necessary personnel adjustments to stabilize the team and get them back to winning football games.
snicewanger@yahoo.com