Let's talk about the colt LB's

[Vicster]

Just wanted to start up a discussion on the linebackers in Indianapolis and get a feel for how you guys think they will perform this season. With the departure of Edgerrin James, I have a feeling that the Colts won't be able to run the ball as effectively in certain situations as they have been able to do in the past. I think this will result in Manning not having complete faith in his running game and possibly leaning towards the pass more often than they did last year. Will this lead to more points for the Colts, forcing other teams to throw more often in catch-up mode? If so, how will this effect the overall numbers of the linebacking corp for the Colts?

 

For your consideration:

Cato June had a decent season last year with 68 solos, 34 assists, 5 ints, 2 TD, and 1 pass defenced.

Gary Brackett had 92 solos, 35 assists, 1 sack, 3 int's, and 1 pass defenced.

And David Thornton had 59 solos, 22 assists, 2 sacks, and 1 pass defenced.

 

Thornton leaves for Tennessee and so this allows Gilbert Gardner and Freddie Keiaho to battle for that linebacker spot. Unless someone has some information that another backer will step into that slot.

 

I have liked June since they took him and thought he could really emerge and score some fantasy points, but am a little leary with him being moved back to the strong side possibly with the departure of Thornton. I look for Brackett to continue to be solid in the middle. And I have absolutely no clue as to who will take the 3rd slot provided they leave June on the weak side.

 

If I missed any info here please correct me. I was just thinking about this stuff at work today and thought I'd bring it up to you guys to get me an idea what everyone thought.

[Stingers]

I think June will be solid at WLB this season - I believe he is a RFA or UFA next season - and Brackett will be in the middle. Gilbert Gardner has a crack at the SLB and I've read he is penciled in as starter. I believe he was drafted originally for the WLB position but got hurt and June took over and hasn't let go yet. There is another LB in the mix

 

John Oesher, of Colts.com, reports Indianapolis Colts LB Tyjuan Hagler has been moved to the weak-side linebacker position and is getting more practice time with starting LBs Cato June (hernia) and Keith O'Neil (shoulder) sidelined with injuries. "I've got to take advantage of this time and learn as much as I can," said Hagler.

 

From an Indy homer on another board - I was told that for this year at least it will be June/Brackett/Gardner but that Hagler was a MLB in college and could convert to WLB fairly easily and that June could very easily leave next season as did Thornton and Peterson and Washington before him.

 

So for this year anyway I figure June is the guy - unless he gets hurt. Then I'm not sure who would fill in.

 

My 2 cents

[CaptainHook]

Barring injury. . .

 

June is the weak-side backer period. Hagler has been moved to WLB as a back-up.

 

Brackett is the MLB period.

 

Gardner has the inside track to be the strong-side backer at this point. He has a bit of an injury problem so far in his career though. The strong-side linebacker has never put up great sacks/ints in the Colts defense.

 

There are several other LB's on the Colts roster. Kendyll Pope could be returning from his year long drug suspension. Keyon Whiteside is coming off an injury. Keiaho is the third round pick.

[keggerz]

hey Capn any news on Brackets injury?

[CaptainHook]

hey Capn any news on Brackets injury?

 

Word is that he will be ready to go by training camp.