Pagano, Colts have major issues as they host Steelers
The Indianapolis Colts (3-6), with Chuck Pagano at the helm, have turned into something of a trainwreck heading into the second half of the 2017 NFL regular season, sitting at the bottom of the AFC South. With the release of a key veteran to questions about the health of their long-time quarterback, a freak accident to another player and concerns about players on both sides of the ball fulfilling their responsibilities and earning wins, they host the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2).
The final word on Davis
Yesterday morning, Nathaniel Bodnar and I posted an article outlining the woes of the Indianapolis defensive backfield, including information that veteran cornerback Vontae Davis was unhappy with how the Colts coaching staff handled what he felt was a demotion due to a lingering groin injury – and Davis’ insistance that he’d made the trainers fully aware that the injury was bothering him and he’d not suit up again unless he was 100 percent healthy regardless of what Coach Pagano had to say.
Shortly after our article went public on Thursday morning, news broke that Davis’ locker had been cleaned out, his nameplate removed and Pagano had released him from the team. What?! Five-plus seasons leading the team with 13 interceptions and two Pro Bowl appearances and your best defensive back, arguably, gets booted off the team after airing his disapproval? That’s never happened in the NFL before (enter sarcasm font).
Granted Davis’ feuding with Pagano may have been a distraction. Yes, general manager Chris Ballard told 1070 The Fan’s “Dan Dakich Show,” that he was unaware the Davis was going to undergo surgery, had received further medical advice and said he hadn’t heard Davis complain about the injury prior to his benching against the Texans.
This isn’t about one guy, OK? Nobody’s bigger than the team and it starts with me, OK? … The only thing that matters if the football team and winning. – Coach C. Pagano
Pagano is done talking about Vontae Davis – that’s clear. He stepped out, mentioned the release and then exited the press room shortly after noon without taking a single question. The final word on Davis? The Colts have moved on, and by default Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Ben Roethlisberger and every other Steelers player on offense has one less potential threat to worry about from a Colts defense that was unlikely to offer much of a challenge to begin with.
It’s tough. We’ve been teammates for six years … (Vontae has) been nothing but a great teammate, great person in the community … I’m sure he’ll land on his feet. – Safety Darius Butler
Strange days in Indy
Pagano already had his hands full, but a rash of injuries and other distractions illustrates just how strange of a turn things have taken in Indianapolis for the Colts. It would be less than ideal to have everything that has happened fall on any given week during an NFL season, but to have some of this come as teams are picking up steam for the big playoff push – especially their next opponent in Pittsburgh – is devastatingly difficult.
Earlier in the week, former Colts player and current assistant coach (pass rush consultant) Robert Mathis was charged with DUI and endangering a person (misdemeanor charge). Pagano, who is struggling to hang on to the trust of his players and create unity among the staff certainly couldn’t have been pleased to have one of his assistants creating more issues – but mum’s the word as the Colts organization allows Mathis to work out his issues in court.
On the field, Colts defensive tackle Henry Anderson is headed to the injured/reserved after suffering an injury to his windpipe (laryngeal fracture) after a blow to his throat and the freak injury will cost him his third NFL season. The injury came as Houston Texans tackle Breno Giacomini was blocking Anderson who was able to take 62 defensive snaps in the close win, but Anderson could barely speak following the game and is expected to undergo surgery per ESPN‘s Adam Schefter.
ICYMI: Colts CB Vontae Davis undergoing season-ending groin surgery and DT Henry Anderson suffered season-ending laryngeal fracture Sunday.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 9, 2017
Anderson had been a difference-maker on the field and was tied for third on the Colts squad in sacks through nine games; he logged four tackles, a sack and forced fumble against the Jacksonville Jaguars and had a sensational day against the Cincinnati Bengals (seven tackles, tackle for a loss and a blocked field goal). He would have benefitted the Colts in pressuring Roethlisberger and helping contain Le’Veon Bell in the offensive backfield, but without him, Indianapolis will likely ask Margus Hunt to fill the position.
Brissett, Hilton could be biggest threat to Steelers
As Andrew Luck was forced to the sideline (injured/reserved list), the Colts needed quarterback Jacoby Brissett to step up. Last week, Brissett was on fire connecting on 20-of-30 passes for 308 yards, two touchdowns, and just a single interception. On the season, Brissett has recorded 1,950 passing yards (7:4 TD-t0-INT ratio).
Part of that success has been the play of receiver T.Y. Hilton. The AFC Offensive Player of the Week in Week 9, Hilton was huge in the win over the Texans; he grabbed five catches for 175 yards and two touchdowns.
The Steelers have played a ton of zone defense this season, and that isn’t likely to change anytime soon under defensive coordinator Keith Butler. This week, Butler and Carnell Lake will need to be on the top of their game, however, in figuring out how to keep Brissett and Hilton from unleashing big plays against them.
Hilton has an ability to be elusive and hard to bring down and will be targeted often as the Steelers defensive front is likely to be able to keep Colts rusher Frank Gore somewhat contained. Watch for the matchup between Hilton and Artie Burns and the Steelers’ defensive backfield to get interesting as the Brissett/Hilton pairing is possibly the biggest threat on offense that the Colts present.
