Colts are declining Malik Hooker's option
 

I am a little surprised. The fifth year option didn't carry a huge price tag - it was about $6.7MM. He has had more than his fair share of injuries, however.


https://twitter.com/JFowlerESPN/stat...87346246369284

https://twitter.com/zkeefer/status/1257393623404027905

Interesting


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I had a feeling this was coming when the Colts lingered so long on the decision. Pagano's Ed Reed comparisons have simply not panned out so far. Nevertheless, the move saddens me a bit, but I think you're absolutely right that his injury history played a big role in this decision. We still have him for a year, so Hooker needs to go out and have a great season and prove the Colts wrong.

Looks like about half of the league declined the 5th year option for their 2017 first round picks.

Not sure what this means honestly

He’s never played a really prominent role in Eberflus’ system.

That could be because he’s a bad scheme fit or it could be that he’s never entirely recovered from his ACL injury, I don’t know.

While I generally do like the Eberflus scheme, if you can’t find space for a ballhawk with the range that Hooker does then I think your system needs tinkering.

It means that it's highly unlikely that he will be with the Colts in 2021.

Blackmon was drafted to replace him.

He doesn't offer much in run support, although the coaching staff did seem to coax a little better effort last season and he hasn't been the ball hawk everyone was expecting.

I have nothing bad to say about Hooker. Ed Reed he was not, but he never really stood out because of bad plays or mistakes. He was just kinda there and did more good than bad. IF they play this year, he should be motivated to stay on the field and ball out so he can get a good contract elsewhere.

It means he’ll probably be traded to the Jets.

He hasnt played 16 games in a season. He’s had a total of 7 ints in his career. I wouldnt call him a ball hawk

Other than the pick game 1 last year vs Rivers I can’t recall any of his picks being a great read react break on the ball where the qb had no chance. Most of his picks are deflected or overthrown

Better pass rush might help with that. I feel like our secondary doesnt get a lot of errant balls thrown up. QBs never seem rushed and have time to throw resulting in high completion percentages. Rush creates passing errors but we havent had a ton of pass rush last couple years.

I was at the game when he tore his ACL, always had high hopes for him to be a "intercepter" btw that game was the one where Jacksonville sacked Brissett 10 times , brutal to watch in person !!

How is a “ballhawk” a bad fit in any scheme? We don’t just sit back there in cover 2. There are many single man looks

Thats probably why they spent the money on Bruckner?

I think Ballard wants greatness out of Hooker. I believe he is sending a message that Hooker will either get or not. I don't think there is a decision yet on whether he stays or not. It is all up to what he does this season.

So basically we need the D line he had at Ohio State

In other words.....Irsay doesn't pay Hooker. :D

Your Jersey could take on a whole new meaning ? :eek:

This is close. He hasn't seen what he wanted Hooker to be, so now it's "this is your contract year, will you play like it?"

But at the same time, I do recall that Ballard doesn't like guys that only show up in contract years, so I suspect that whether Hooker plays lights out this year or not, he's unlikely to be back in 2021. So this is just a way of coaxing one good season out of him.

You may have nailed it. Hooker has a great season, signs a huge contract and Ballard gets him a third round draft choice. He loves them draft choices. I do like that Ballard won't settle for average

https://twitter.com/zkeefer/status/1296111200535826432

https://twitter.com/zkeefer/status/1296112082094563328

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...11798966509569

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...11559152996352

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...12253188669441

He is talking the talk. That's good

I have a feeling he will be walking the walk.........to a different team