ANDERSON — Tony Dungy and Ron Meeks are gone, but their defense isn’t going anywhere.
The departures of the Indianapolis Colts’ head coach and defensive coordinator have made for a surprisingly smooth transition, according to three key players who were in Anderson yesterday for a Stop the Violence event at the Geater Center.
Under new head coach Jim Caldwell and defensive coordinator Larry Coyer, Dungy and Meeks’ basic Tampa 2 defense will remain, but players will have some more freedom to roam, improvise and create opportunities that in the past might have been limited.
“It’s been an easy transition with the coaches, because fundamentally the philosophy is similar to Coach Dungy’s,” said safety Bob Sanders, a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
“Everything’s going well,” Sanders said.
Defensive tackle Ed Johnson re-signed with the Colts last month, nine months after he was waived by the team after he was charged with possession of marijuana. He’s relished the chance to redeem his career, which began on a promising note as Indy’s run-stopper.
“We’ve got a pretty good relationship with all the coaches and it’s going well,” he said, noting the new coaches’ changes “allow us to do a lot. It allows us to show more of our versatility on defense.”
Linebacker Gary Brackett, the Colts’ defensive captain who also was in Anderson on Wednesday, has spoken highly of Coyer, a veteran coach who last year was an assistant at Tampa.
Brackett suffered an ankle injury that forced him to miss the last four games of last season, but he’s said he’ll be ready for training camp that begins August 3 in Terre Haute.
He told Colts.com that because the team knew Caldwell would eventually take over when Dungy retired, the transition has been smooth. “He’s doing a great job,” Brackett said of Caldwell. “I’m very optimistic about next season.”
So is Johnson.
“We have high expectations for this season,” he said. “Ultimately we’re trying to get another ring around Indianapolis.”
Contact Dave Stafford: 648-4250, dave.stafford @heraldbulletin.com
Colts
Colts defenders: New scheme similar
Freedom to roam and improvise biggest changes
- Colts
-
-
George Bremer: In with Orton, out of Luck?
There really is no offseason anymore in the National Football League.
The Indianapolis Colts haven’t played a game since Jan. 1, but look at all the headlines they’ve generated since that date. -
Mathis, Freeney making strides in shift to OLB
Late in Wednesday’s practice at the Indianapolis Colts training facility, outside linebacker Robert Mathis backpedaled into the end zone, shadowing tight end Coby Fleener on a wheel route.
When the ball was thrown, Mathis broke first and knocked the pass harmlessly to the ground. His defensive teammates were quick to surround him in celebration. -
Colts QB coach: Luck already impressing
Andrew Luck was some 2,300 miles away from the Indianapolis Colts’ practice facility on Wednesday. But the former Stanford star still was a major topic of conversation on the final day of this week’s organized team activities.
-
Former Arabian prepares for Pac-12 championships, cheers Luck
Stanford sophomore Ellie McCardwell was in the training room with some of the Cardinal’s football players two weeks ago when the Indianapolis Colts selected university legend Andrew Luck with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.
A two-time state champion in the pole vault at Pendleton Heights, McCardwell said she’ll never forget the reaction as Stanford athletes around the room cheered one of their own. -
Colts to hold camp at AU again
The Colts ended months of speculation Monday by announcing they will hold training camp at Anderson University this summer for the third straight year. Players are scheduled to report July 28, and the first practice will take place July 29.
-
Colts rookie Chapman just happy to be here
Not many players get excited about the mundane details of football. Not many openly hope to face double-team blockers. Not many play through serious injury. But Indianapolis Colts rookie Josh Chapman is not like many players.
-
George Bremer: Could T.Y. come to rescue?
T.Y. Hilton understands what it takes to build a football program from the ground up.
-
Luck improves on Day 2
The Indianapolis Colts don’t have much time with Andrew Luck this week, but they intend to make the most of it. A day after earning near universal praise for his ability to pick up and execute complex offensive terms, Luck was thrown another bagful of new concepts Saturday. And he wouldn’t have it any other way.
-
New era dawns with Colts rookie camp
By the time owner Jim Irsay rolled up to the sideline driving a golf cart Friday afternoon, it was abundantly clear this was no ordinary rookie mini-camp for the Indianapolis Colts. ESPN and the NFL Network each sent reporters to the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, and they were joined by about a dozen other reporters and photographers from various local media outlets. Everyone was on hand to get a glimpse of the future — the first on-field look at No. 1 overall pick Andrew Luck.
-
Freeney adjusting to new OLB role
Dwight Freeney has been the subject of rampant offseason speculation.
With the Indianapolis Colts transitioning to a 3-4 defense, Freeney is slated to move from the defensive end position he’s played for the past 11 years back a few steps to outside linebacker. - More Colts Headlines
-
