Tag: Grover Stewart

Behind Enemy Lines: Week 10 Q&A with Colts Wire

@KevinHickey11 of @TheColtsWire offered us a little intel on Indianapolis, who will come into Sunday’s game with three victories in their last four games.

After a huge win over the Buffalo Bills, the Jacksonville Jaguars will look to string together two in a row for the first time since 2019. However, to do that the team will have to win on the road (excluding their trip to London) for the first time this season as they look to stop a hot Indianapolis Colts team.

Like the Jags, the Colts didn’t get off to a fast start early this season losing four of their first five games. However, they won three of their last four afterward and are now a game away from .500.

Of course, since their last matchup against the Jags (which occurred last season), a lot has changed with their roster, including the addition of a new QB1. To get some intel on those changes and some information on how the season has gone, we sat down with Colts Wire editor Kevin Hickey this week.

Here are five questions he was able to answer about the 3-4 Colts, who are currently in second place within the AFC South:

Dayo Odeyingbo among Colts to watch vs. Titans in Week 8

Among the Colts to watch in Week 8 against the Titans is rookie Dayo Odeyingbo.

The Indianapolis Colts (3-4) are entering the midpoint of the 2021 season with a divisional bout on tap against the Tennessee Titans (5-2) in Week 8 at Lucas Oil Stadium.

While the Titans have a two-game lead on the Colts for the division and essentially a three-game lead given that they currently hold the tiebreaker after their Week 3 win, this is a huge matchup for both teams.

Here are five Colts to watch in the Week 8 matchup against the Titans:

5 Colts to watch vs. Titans in Week 3

Here are five players to watch for the Colts in Week 3.

The Indianapolis Colts (0-2) will be looking to avoid another loss when they travel south to Nashville, taking on the Tennessee Titans (1-1) at Nissan Stadium on Sunday.

The Week 3 divisional bout is a crucial one for both teams. The Colts can finally get in the win column while having an early advantage with tiebreakers while the Titans can take a commanding lead in the division as the first month of the concludes next week.

Here are five players to watch for the Colts in this Week 3 matchup:

8 Colts who can earn their first Pro Bowl selection in 2021

These Colts could earn their first Pro Bowl nod in 2021.

The Indianapolis Colts boast a roster that is strong with depth on both sides of the ball and while a bit of their projected outcome is unknown due to the quarterback position, there are some players set to take a big leap forward.

Though the Pro Bowl has become watered down as the years have passed by, there is still something to be said about getting a nod to the NFL’s All-Star game. Some may argue it’s more of a popularity contest, which is valid, but players still seek that validation of recognition.

In 2020, the Colts sent left guard Quenton Nelson, center Ryan Kelly and linebacker Darius Leonard to the Pro Bowl. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner was a massive snub but wound up being named an All-Pro, which carries more weight.

For 2021, the Colts have a number of players who have never been to the Pro Bowl. So in discounting those who have already been there in their careers, here are eight Colts who could earn their first Pro Bowl selection in 2021:

Grover Stewart named best pass rusher from 1-technique

Grover Stewart gets some recognition for his pass rushing.

Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart was listed as the best pass rusher from the one-technique in an article listing the best pass rushers of each gap by Doug Farrar over at Touchdown Wire.

Stewart isn’t a big name either, but he made a big difference when aligned at 1-technique — to either shoulder of the center. You’re going to have to handle a lot of center/guard double-teams in that role, and against the Jaguars in Week 17, Stewart had no problem knifing his way through center Tyler Shatwell and left guard Andrew Norwell to come down with quarterback Mike Glennon as the prize. Stewart was a force in this role in 2020, racking up 17 total pressures, six more than anybody else in the league (Harrison Phillips of the Bills ranked second with 11 pressures).

Stewart earned himself a three-year contract extension during the 2020 season thanks mostly to his elite run defense. But his power and athleticism also helps him impact the passer from time to time.

One-techniques aren’t typically known for their ability to rush the passer. However, Stewart is able to make an impact thanks to his power, athleticism and Matt Eberflus’ scheme, which simply stresses defensive linemen to get upfield through their gap as quickly as possible.

The Colts have a stout interior defensive line with Stewart and All-Pro DeForest Buckner leading the charge, and the hope is that this duo will be wreaking havoc on opposing offenses for years to come.

[lawrence-related id=59096,59103,59109]

The NFL’s best pass-rushers from every gap

Who are the NFL’s best pass-rushers from every gap and with every technique?

In modern NFL defenses, it’s exceedingly rare for a defensive lineman to spend his time in one gap, playing one particular technique. Actually, in modern NFL defenses, it’s pretty unusual for a defensive lineman to spend his time in one gap, playing one particular technique, for more than a few plays in a row. Never has the need been more great for linemen — especially pass-rushers — to get to the quarterback in different ways. It’s why you’ll often find that the best pass-rushers are getting to the quarterback with not only different techniques, but from different gaps.

That said, and in an era of gap diversity, there’s still a need for players to dominate from specific gaps and with different techniques. With that in mind, and using the Sports Info Solutions database to narrow it down, here are the most productive pass-rushers from every gap from the 2020 season.

(All metrics courtesy of Sports Info Solutions)

Colts claim DT Andrew Brown from Texans

Colts grab another DT off of waivers.

The Indianapolis Colts yesterday claimed defensive tackle Andrew Brown off waivers from the Houston Texans, the team announced Wednesday.

After a very quiet start to free agency—outside of the trade for new starting quarterback Carson Wentz—Brown is the newest addition to a defensive line that is accustomed to creating havoc and pressure from the interior tackle spots. He’ll most likely slot in as a versatile depth option behind starters Grover Stewart and All-Pro DeForest Buckner although he has experience at defensive end as well.

Brown, at 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds, was originally drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals out of the University of Virginia.

In 18 games played for the Bengals from 2018-20 with one start, Brown recorded 15 total tackles and a sack. In 2020, Brown was signed to the Bengals practice squad and was added by the Texans to the active roster, where he recorded one assist in 3 games played. Brown was waived by the Texans on Tuesday, and the Colts have added him to a growing and talented top 10 defense in the league.

One of the most valued things for this defensive line group is versatility, and the ability to play all four spots on the line is a key factor in who makes the final roster.

Brown brings that versatility with a chance to compete for depth snaps alongside the likes of Tyquan Lewis, Rob Windsor, and others. His best fit seems to be as more of a run-stuffing defensive tackle like Grover Stewart but we’ll have to see what role he can carve out in Indianapolis this upcoming season.

[lawrence-related id=56820,56809,56812]

Colts’ Year-End awards from 2020 season

Handing out some awards.

The 2020 season has come to an end for the Indianapolis Colts and while it was a disappointing ending losing in the wild-card game, there were still plenty of positives to come out of the campaign.

The Colts are certainly heading in the right direction entering this offseason even if there are several questions to be answered. They have the foundation of the roster set and just need to keep building on it.

As the season came and went, players stood out. Some were positive while others failed to meet expectations.

From MVP to the Breakout Player of the Year, here are our year-end awards for the 2020 Colts:

Report: Colts to sign DT Grover Stewart to 3-year extension

Grover Stewart gets a nice extension.

The Indianapolis Colts have signed defensive tackle Grover Stewart to a three-year extension worth $30.75 million, per Jim Ayello of The Indianapolis Star.

Stewart, who was set to be a free agent in 2021, will now be linked to the Colts through the 2023 season. He is reportedly set to make $20 million guaranteed with the deal.

From Ayello:

The deal, according to multiple league sources with knowledge of the negotiations is for three more years at $10.25 million per year ($30.75 million total) with $20 million guaranteed. The deal also includes up to $1 million in potential performance escalators.

Stewart has enjoyed a big breakout season in Year 4. He began to come along in 2019 but has really shined through the team’s first 10 games of the 2020 campaign.

According to Pro Football Focus, Stewart’s 18 run stops are tied for the third-most in the NFL among interior defenders. His 10.6% run stop percentage is 14th among all interior defenders.

Stewart, 27, was arguably the Colts’ biggest pending free agent entering the offseason. He has been a huge reason why the Colts are third in yards per carry allowed (3.5) and third in rushing yards allowed per game (89.5).

The Colts have their eyes on the playoffs but this is something that needed to get done before the offseason.

[listicle id=53503]

Colts injury report: 5 players listed as DNP

Here is Thursday’s injury report.

The Indianapolis Colts (6-3) saw their injury report get longer on Thursday ahead of the Week 11 game against the Green Bay Packers (7-2) at Lucas Oil Stadium.

While the Colts got a few members of their secondary to return to practice, and it seems Jack Doyle could be ready to return, there is a situation unfolding in which four defensive linemen missed practice.

Here’s a look at the injury report for the Colts on Thursday:

*DNP = Did Not Participate — LP = Limited Participant — FP = Full Participant*

Name Position Injury Wed. Thur. Fri. Status
Trey Burton TE Rest DNP FP
Jack Doyle TE Concussion DNP FP
Justin Houston DE Rest DNP FP
Kenny Moore II CB Ribs DNP LP
Khari Willis S Ribs DNP FP
Mo Alie-Cox TE Knee LP LP
Julian Blackmon S Pelvis/Knee LP FP
Kemoko Turay DE Ankle LP LP
Denico Autry DE Illness — DNP
Tyquan Lewis DE Not Injury Related — DNP
Al-Quadin Muhammad DE Not Injury Related — DNP
Grover Stewart DT Not Injury Related — DNP
Noah Togiai TE Knee — DNP
Braden Smith OT Thumb — LP

With Autry out due to an illness and three other defensive linemen being listed as non-injured players, there is a chance the Colts are dealing with a potential COVID-19 situation. That is pure speculation, especially since no players were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday, per the league’s transaction wire.

The destinations will be released on Friday and if this continues to be an issues, the Colts may be down several key players against one of the league’s best offenses.

[listicle id=53205]