Session's development was more of a surprise this past season. Not that he lacked ability, but he made the transition from strong-side backer in 2008 to weak-side backer in 2009, and appeared far more consistent than the previous year. He still brought the impact, play-making ability he showed the previous season, but appeared to make fewer mistakes and was a reason the Colts' defense was more intimidating with more a knack for making plays for losses this past season.
Wheeler, a third-round selection in the 2008 NFL Draft, moved into the starting role at midseason after a season-ending injury to veteran Tyjuan Hagler. There wasn't much noticable dropoff with Wheeler, who finished the season with 52 tackles, a sack and 12 special teams tackles.
Breaking down the linebackers:
* The roster: LB Philip Wheeler, MLB Gary Brackett, LB Clint Session, LB Ramon Humber, LB Cody Glenn, Brandon Renkhart.
* The breakdown: Re-signing Brackett in March kept him off the market and not only kept the Colts' linebacking core intact, it kept the defensive captain, defensive signal-caller and lockeroom leader aroud for the long term. When people talk about the intangibles of some players, it's a stretch to discuss how much they actually mean, but with Brackett, it's real and is evidenced in the number of key turnovers and momentum-changing players he makes each season. Session brought the linebacking corps a big-play, intimidating element it had lacked in previous season, and while Wheeler remained a solid special teams presence, he also proved capable in a starting role. As is often the case, the Colts' used their reserve linebacker spots for young players who could develop into backups and play special teams, and Humber led the team with 17 special teams tackles while Glenn had six.
* What the rest of the offseason might bring: While the Colts have their three starters signed, and also have two players – Glenn and Humber – that they liked enough to keep as special teams players last year, it wouldn't be surprising to see them address the spot later in the offseason. A year ago, they spent time doing so in free agency, re-signing Freddy Keiaho and Tyjuan Hagler after each tested free agency. It's conceivable either of those players could return, although of the two, Hagler seems the most likely. Keiaho, after starting in 2007 and 2008, started in a reserve role last season, but the team seems to believe he has declined and there seems no indication he'll have a chance to compete again for a starting role although he is a solid special teams player. Hagler clearly has talent the team likes, but he has been unable to stay healthy. He won the starting job over Wheeler entering last season, but he never played a whole regular season in five years with the Colts and missed the last half of this past season with a biceps injury. It remains to be seen whether the Colts have decided to move on or if he might get another chance. The Colts last season also signed free agent Adam Seward, but released him in training camp. With so many young linebackers on the roster, the veteran free agent market doesn't seem as much of a priority at the position, but the draft . . .
* Feeling the draft: The Colts would appear set at the position with three starters returning, but the way they approach the linebacker position makes it logical they will address it in the draft. They typically take an outside linebacker anywhere from the third through fifth round with the idea he will develop into a starter. Considering Session is entering his fourth season and considering they didn't draft the position last year, it would be notable if they didn't select one in the middle rounds next month.
* Free agency status: It wouldn't be a shock if the Colts re-signed one of the linebackers – Hagler or Keiaho – that left as free agents, but that seems less likely than it did last season. They also could go veteran free agency with a second- or third-level player, but considering they have five players on the roster who played the position last season, any activity by the team here in free agency likely will be minor.
DAILY DIGEST: TOO EARLY TO JUDGE OFFENSIVE LINE CHANGES. HERE.
DAILY DIGEST: ON SORGI'S MOVE TO NEW YORK. HERE.
BRACKETT. "WE HAVE UNFINISHED BUSINESS. HERE.
COLTS ADDING TURNER AS ASSISTANT COACH. HERE.
COLTS FREE AGENCY: PLAYER BY PLAYER BREAKDOWN. HERE.
DEPARTURE OF BROCK, JACKSON SHOWS REALITY OF NFL. HERE.
NFL SCOUTING COMBINE
THE QUARTERBACKS. HERE.
THE RUNNING BACKS. HERE
THE WIDE RECEIVERS. HERE.
THE TIGHT ENDS. HERE.
THE OFFENSIVE LINE. HERE
THE DEFENSIVE ENDS. HERE.
DAILY DIGESTS:
COLTS C JEFF SATURDAY ON COLTS PRESIDENT BILL POLIAN'S POST-SUPER BOWL OL COMMENTS. HERE
BILL POLIAN WEIGHS IN ON NFL DRAFT. HERE
SUNDAY DIGEST: TOM MOORE. HERE.
A REFRESHINGLY ACCURATE READ ON PEYTON MANNING. HERE
CASSERLY: BEST DRAFT CLASS IN 30 YEARS. HERE
OFFSEASON PRIMERS:
THE QUARTERBACKS. HERE.
THE RUNNING BACKS. HERE.
THE WIDE RECEIVERS. HERE.
THE TIGHT ENDS. HERE.
THE OFFENSIVE TACKLES. HERE
THE OFFENSIVE GUARDS. HERE
THE CENTERS. HERE
THE DEFENSIVE ENDS. HERE.
THE DEFENSIVE TACKLES. HERE.
POLIAN: THE PAST IS PROLOGUE. HERE.
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