Though some bigger moves may take precedence when looking at the Indianapolis Colts offseason, the signing of defensive tackle Sheldon Day shouldn’t go unnoticed.
Bringing in DeForest Buckner to be the engine of the defense at the three-technique was a great move but even outside of that, the Colts needed depth at the one-technique behind Grover Stewart.
They are getting that with Day, who is ready to bring his tenacity and effort to an impressive defensive line.
“High motor, I love the game,” Day told Matt Taylor of Colts.com. “I’m definitely a technician; I try to do everything right and make sure that I’m felt when I’m on the field.”
Having a high effort mentality is an aspect that Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus harps on. In their aggressive defensive front, having that tenacity is a vital part of the unit’s success.
Even when Day was with the San Francisco 49ers, they noticed how the Colts defense differed from others in going all out through the whistle.
“Last year with the Niners, we’d watch effort plays and stuff like that, and the way that the Colts play, they run to the ball, they play physical, they fly around, have fun, young group,” Day said. “So it’s going to be an exciting time to get established with these guys.”
Day is likely to work in a rotation with the aforementioned Stewart in the A-gap. He doesn’t offer upside as a pass rusher, but he will give enough push to be impactful. Where he will make his impact is against the run.
The Indianapolis native and Warren Central grad should be a big part of the defense in 2020 even if he’s holding a rotational role at the one-technique.