Indianapolis Colts 2009 midseason report (part two): Defense and special teams

Indianapolis Colts DE Dwight Freeney
Darron Cummings/AP Photo

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 2009 MIDSEASON REPORT | DEFENSE

INDY FOOTBALL REPORT Editor John Oehser examines the Indianapolis Colts' defense/special teams through the first eight games of the 2009 NFL season (PART TWO OF TWO PARTS) . . .

PART ONE: OFFENSE

Defensive ends: New year, same story. Dwight Freeney said recently he's not sure if he's having his best season or not. However he ranks it, it's sure not bad. He has a sack in nine consecutive games dating to last season and he now has 9.5 for the year. His effectiveness is about more than numbers. He gets consistent, effective pressure on quarterbacks as well as any defensive end in the NFL in the last 10 years. On the other side of the line, Robert Mathis made the Pro Bowl last season and he'll have a chance again this season. With these two players, the Colts are very, very effective once they get a lead in the fourth quarter. Looking forward: With the secondary getting younger because of injuries, the health of Freeney and Mathis is critical in the final two months.

Defensive tackle: Forget Ed Johnson. The Colts were right a few weeks ago when they released the third-year defensive tackle and those of us who believed his absence would make a major impact were wrong. Antonio Johnson, Dan Muir and Eric Foster – none of whom were drafted by the Colts and none of whom were expected by many to ever start in the NFL – have played effectively enough to shut down the AFC's leading rusher (Titans RB Chris Johnson) and basically anyone else who wasn't working in Miami running the Wildcat formation. Looking forward: Can this trio hold up for 16 games? Nothing yet to indicate it won't.

Linebackers: This area never gets much publicity. With Freeney and Mathis playing at a high level – and with the secondary constantly in the news and changing lineups – that hasn't changed this season. But LB Gary Brackett, in his fifth season as a starter, continues to have a knack for being around the ball in crucial situations, and LB Clint Session gets more big hits on a consistent basis than anyone on the team. Tyjuan Hagler, a starter at strong-side backer in the first two games, is out with a ruptured biceps and almost certainly will be missed. Looking forward: After losing his job to Hagler in preseason, second-year veteran and 2008 third-round draft selection Philip Wheeler is starting on the strong side. He needs to fulfill the potential that made him a first-day selection.

Cornerback: It was easy to think that if Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden weren't in the lineup there would be a significant dropoff. As easy as it may have been, that also would have been wrong. After missing the last half of last season with a knee injury, Jackson played nickelback for four games before tearing an anterior cruciate ligament in practice last week. And Hayden? He missed three games with a hamstring and missed last week with a knee. Still, the Colts have shown little dropoff. Rookie CB Jerraud Powers moved into Jackson's position in preseason and has started seven of eight games, playing well enough that Colts President Bill Polian said earlier this week he should be Rookie of the Year. Rookie Jacob Lacey has started twice and started last week in place of Hayden and has shown a knack for getting his hands on passes. The Colts allowed six touchdown passes last season, an NFL record for fewest in a season, and so far this season, they have allowed just four in eight games. With Hayden out until around Thanksgiving, look for Lacey and Powers to keep starting with the third corner being Tim Jennings, who often is maligned, but has a knack for making plays. Looking forward: Getting Hayden back and healthy is key for the Colts in December and January.

Safeties: Bob Sanders, the 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, played two games and is now out for the season with a torn biceps. His absence is significant because he's an impact player when healthy, but he has played just six regular-season games in the last two seasons. Melvin Bullitt has played at a high level in his place, and SS Antoine Bethea – a Pro Bowl selection along with Sanders in 2007 – may be playing at the highest level of his career. Looking forward: Because of Bullitt, the Colts can withstand the loss of Sanders. They may not be able to withstand serious injuries to either Bethea or Bullitt.

Special teams: P Pat McAfee has been an improvement over longtime veteran Hunter Smith, and while K Adam Vinatieri has been out the last three games with a knee injury, 41-year-old Matt Stover has converted 6-of-6 field goals in two games decided by four points or less. The coverage teams have been solid under first-year special teams coach Ray Richleski, and while the Colts don't have a breakway return guy, if that's your biggest concern entering mid-November, you're probably doing OK. Looking forward: Vinatieri is expected back around Thanksgiving.

Reviewing Bill Polian’s Weekly radio show:

Part 1: Bob Sanders likely to return. Here

Part 2: “We are always going to want the football” Here

Part 3: Matchup with New England Patriots “One of 16″ Here

Part 4: Jerraud Powers Rookie of the Year? Here

RECENT COLTS NEWS

* S Bob Sanders placed on injured reserve. Here.

* LB Tyjuan Hagler on IR. Here.

*** CATCH UP WITH ALL THINGS COLTS ON INDY FOOTBALL REPORT. HERE

*** READ JOHN OEHSER'S INDIANA PACERS COVERAGE. HERE.

*** COFFEE WITH THE COLTS: NEXT DAY LOOK AT COLTS-TEXANS. HERE

*** TEXANS-COLTS GAME STORY. HERE (INCLUDES PHOTO GALLERY)