The Colts already stout defensive front got a big boost during Tuesday’s joint practice with the Cincinnati Bengals with Raekwon Davis back on the field.
“It feel great, man,” said Davis after practice. “Just to be back in this environment with the boys. Just to be back out there working with them. It was a tough one today. I’m a little rusty but I’ll get there.”
This was Davis’ first practice of training camp after he was initially placed on the non-football illness list with high blood pressure.
“It’s great thing they caught that,” added Davis. “It was a hassle just to get back, but I’m back, trying to work my way up, trying to work my way back in shape. Stay in the playbook. Just do everything I can do.”
In an offseason where continuity was the theme for the Colts, Davis was their big outside free agent addition, signing a two-year deal worth $14 million.
The addition of Davis will boost the Colts’ interior depth, specifically against the run, an area the second unit struggled with last season when Grover Stewart wasn’t on the field.
During the Colts first six games of 2023–with Stewart–they surrendered just 3.7 yards per carry. However, over the next six games–without Stewart–the Colts gave up 4.9 yards per rush.
Perhaps within a defensive front that is loaded with pass rushing talent, the run game is where Davis’ biggest impact can come. But with that said, there is potentially some untapped pass rush upside that the Colts can unlock as well in Gus Bradley’s one-gap, attack style scheme.
“It’s a great opportunity, you know, to come out here, just before even the season comes just to work on that technique,” said Davis. “I mean, them guys got me better. The reps I had today, it was fun. Just working my way back.”
From the sounds of it, Davis is hopeful to be on the field with the other Colts starters for their preseason finale with the Bengals.
It’s no secret that GM Chris Ballard wants a defensive front that runs eight players deep. To accomplish this, he’s invested heavily into the position group this offseason.
Success defensively for the Colts will start in the trenches and can provide the secondary, which has its share of question marks, with some needed help.
A quick push is the best way to way to wreck any offensive play. Slowing the run on early downs puts the offense behind the sticks and in obvious passing situations, while we all know how important pressuring the quarterback is.
“We going to dominate,” said Davis of the defensive front. “It ain’t no what we can do, we’re going to dominate. We’re going to for sure dominate.”