wrong as usual

but sure. lets pretend it takes years to learn a defense

I think it takes a season playing in one to really learn one. But I think part of the problem is that cover 2 funneled the action to the weak side lb. He could then make a play also he was allowed some range and freedom to flow to the action and his instincts took over. The cover 3 has much more responsibilities for the lbs, you can’t free roam like you can in the cover 2. And the action spot is more the middle lb spot.

But he has lost a step in his pursuit. He would always catch guys before.

He made Zeke look like he was 22 again.

It's over.

That was more taking a bad angle than getting burnt. He should have broken down before he got there instead of trying to do a flying hit on a vet like Zeke. He was more worried about impressing than playing sound ball.

Maybe it’s over, or he could heal with another off season. Either care his colts career is over.

Exactly…. Bad angle…. Which was taken to avoid the head on full speed collision. He’s playing scared… there’s two sides of being a maniac out there… it’s great while it lasts and it’s a fuckin blast to watch but ….. its not sustainable

We’ve seen this before—- Bob Sanders

Who said it takes years to learn a defense? Not me. That said, Leonard spent his first 18 months in this defense injured. So he didn't have a chance to physically learn it until he was on the field. Knowing the defense on the chalkboard is different than knowing it on the field.

Also, random aside in part thanks to thread necromancer C & O, but I'm starting to think Ballard's conservatism will be his downfall. This is a perfect example. Last offseason, Shaq Leonard likely had some trade value, especially with the Bears. But in a situation that required Ballard to swing for the fences and creatively use his assets, he sat on his hands and let other teams decide his fate. If you think Jonathan Taylor wouldn't have had as much or more value than D.J. Moore, you're crazy. The Colts likely could've gotten the #1 pick without giving up 2 1st round picks by trading Leonard and Taylor, and could've had the QB that looks like he's going to haunt the AFC South for the next decade. The Colts then could've resigned Okereke for the same contract he got with the Giants, and the Colts could be back on top of the AFC South for the next decade. Now, the Colts got nothing for Leonard, and Taylor is great, but I'd trade him and a lot more for Stroud right now.

Nobody was going to trade for Leonard. If they were likely to have done so back then, they would have claimed him off waivers.

You love playing what if type of GM, are full of shit about what you 'know' is the right track but I love your fucking passion for being right (most of us don't think you are even close). I want to give you props for call C & O a 'thread necromancer'. He is (nobody can find old posts an resurrect those suckers like you can C & O), it was a positive take in my opinion and that was a great use of the word.

AR will have a better career than that POS Stroud.

You don't think he's lost value in the last eight months?