NFL 2019 Here are three moves the Colts

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NFL 2019 Here are three moves the Colts

After a 1-5 start in 2018, everything started to click for the Frank Reich-led . and Co. went 9-1 down the stretch, and GM Chris Ballard was justifiably lauded for drafting two rookies who were First-Team , first-round guard and second-round linebacker . More NFL Reich's presence was a godsend for Luck who posted career highs in completion percentage, pa ser rating, and QBR. Most importantly, he had the lowest sack rate of his career, and his 2.7% figure in that stat category was the lowest among all qualifying pa sers in football. During the 2016 season, the last time Luck was on the field Edwin Encarnacion Jersey for Indianapolis, his sack rate was 7.0%.But Indianapolis was overwhelmed offensively and defensively by the in Arrowhead Stadium in the second round of the playoffs after a convincing victory over the divisional rival in the first round. The lethargic performance against Kansas City on the cusp of an AFC title game birth made it clear the Colts were not yet a true Super Bowl contending team. Here are the three moves the Colts should make between now and the start of the regular season to boost their chances to reach Super Bowl LIV.1. Sign Berry, the heart and soul of the Chiefs defense for nearly a decade, remains unsigned. At his age -- now 30 -- there's no major rush for him to join a team. Even if he's added close to the start of the regular season, it'd be a monstrous addition for a Colts team that needs a reliable safety who can cover tight ends and make impact tackles near the line of scrimmage. has an immense amount of talent as a rangy center fielder. has flashed in a strong safety role but has mostly been underwhelming early in his career. Indianapolis doubled up on safeties in the fourth ( ) and fifth Hanley Ramirez Jersey ( ) rounds of the 2019 Draft, both of whom would greatly benefit from Berry's presence on the roster, especially Tell, a super athlete with inconsistent film in coverage and as a tackler. And he's starting his pro career at cornerback. Sure, those two -- especially Willis -- represent the future at what's becoming an important position, e sentially replacing the third linebacker complete, but to compete for a Super Bowl this season, Berry would be critical, particularly in the playoffs. Ballard was in Kansas City with Berry from 2013 to 2017, when the safety was a First-Team All-Pro three times. Lastly, money is not a concern whatsoever. Per OverTheCap, this year.2. Blitz more this seasonThe Colts want to rush four and sit in zone behind the defensive line. Last year, that philosophy just didn't work well enough. As of December 19 in 2018, Indianapolis had blitzed the opponent just , per NFL Matchup, which, at that date was the second-lowest figure in the NFL.The Colts' , the 23rd-best rate in the NFL. was signed in free agency, a relatively major splash at a clear need position. He was one of the league's best pa s rushers on the outside in Kenny Lofton Jersey 2018 and has been a high-end rusher his entire career. At 30 years old, Houston should have a few productive seasons left, but the Colts probably shouldn't solely depend on him to transform the team's pa s rush. To me, with a relatively young and unproven secondary, the lack of consistent pre sure on the quarterback was the main reason Indianapolis finished , the worst ranking among all AFC playoff teams.To make a serious run at a Super Bowl, the Colts have to be better stopping the pa s than they were last season. Plain and simple. Secondary benefits from a stellar pa s rush. As of March 2018, per PFF, the average over the past decade.The Colts improved their pa s rush personnel-wise this offseason with the addition of Houston. And if Bradley Zimmer Jersey second-round selection, freak athlete , is going to help on the outside as a rookie, he needs to be used on stunts and blitzes, because he's pretty raw with pa s-rushing moves despite impre sive production in college. No, Indianapolis doesn't need to become Baltimore, the club that had the highest blitz rate (36.4%) last season. But moving over, say, the 20% mark should be a priority this season for defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. 3. Sign As the best free agent available -- at any position -- Suh would make sense as a late signing for a variety of contenders. Count the Colts in that group.Indianapolis got the most out of , , and on the inside in 2018. Woods is now on the . Hunt and Autry are solid but unspectacular interior defensive linemen. The Colts made 10 picks this year ... none of which were at the defensive tackle spot. Maybe that means Ballard is happy with his group at that position. Maybe the front office never saw the correct value for a defensive tackle prospect when the team was on the clock.Suh wasn't in-his-prime Suh in 2018. He was still one of the most disruptive interior penetrators in the NFL as a 31 year old. At 6-4 and 315-ish pounds, Suh would provide much-needed positional versatility for the Colts. He could man Woods' nose tackle spot on first down and stay there and generate pre sure from a spot on the defensive line that doesn't usually create it. Then at times, he could play the three-technique spot and get upfield to push the pocket against guards. Like Berry, Suh is likely waiting to sign as big of a deal as po sible with a legitimate contender. The Colts Greg Allen Jersey certainly enter the season with contender status and have gobs of money to sign him to the lucrative deal he presumably wants.
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