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Throughout their coaching careers, Indianapolis Colts' offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter has had to match up against Lou Anarumo and his malleable defensive scheme.
So, what is it like from an offensive perspective, having to face Anarumo's defense?
"Different looks and variation can be really, really good in this league on both sides of this thing," Cooter said recently.
Known as the 'Mad Scientist' during his tenure as defensive coordinator in Cincinnati, Anarumo brings a very flexible defensive system to Indianapolis. Like any coordinator, Anarumo has his core principles that he will lean on and build the defense around, but he's very quick to adjust as well, whether that be week to week or in-game based on what the opponent is doing.
Another aspect of this scheme is that it will easily mold to the skill sets that the Colts have on the roster; that way, Anarumo is putting his players in the best position to maximize their abilities, which will allow them to play fast and make an impact.
"I think variation on either side of the ball can make it harder to scout the opponent and prepare for the opponent," Cooter said. "So when guys can give you multiple fronts every week, multiple coverages every week or sometimes in this business we do our best to try to guess or project what the opponent's going to do, and you sort of set your game plan off that guess or that projection and then you show up on game day and it's different it can be complex for an opponent scouting that. It can make your game plan less effective, and it can make coaches communicate and adjust more in-game."
Keeping the quarterback off balance and guessing as much as possible is the name of the game. In order to accomplish that, Anarumo deploys a heavy usage of coverage disguises.
For one, this can put a lot on the plate of an offense during the week of preparation, with there being a lot to prepare for and a lot of film to watch. But in game, what the quarterback sees pre-snap likely isn't going to be the same as when he hits the top of his drop. The slight hesitation that can potentially cause is all it takes for a rusher to get home or a throwing lane to close.
GM Chris Ballard spent big on the defense in free agency, bringing in Charvarius Ward and Cam Bynum, but the addition of Anarumo and his versatile defensive system will also be a key factor in elevating this unit.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2025 NFL season: What it's like facing Colts' new defense with Anarumo
Continue reading...
So, what is it like from an offensive perspective, having to face Anarumo's defense?
"Different looks and variation can be really, really good in this league on both sides of this thing," Cooter said recently.
Known as the 'Mad Scientist' during his tenure as defensive coordinator in Cincinnati, Anarumo brings a very flexible defensive system to Indianapolis. Like any coordinator, Anarumo has his core principles that he will lean on and build the defense around, but he's very quick to adjust as well, whether that be week to week or in-game based on what the opponent is doing.
Another aspect of this scheme is that it will easily mold to the skill sets that the Colts have on the roster; that way, Anarumo is putting his players in the best position to maximize their abilities, which will allow them to play fast and make an impact.
"I think variation on either side of the ball can make it harder to scout the opponent and prepare for the opponent," Cooter said. "So when guys can give you multiple fronts every week, multiple coverages every week or sometimes in this business we do our best to try to guess or project what the opponent's going to do, and you sort of set your game plan off that guess or that projection and then you show up on game day and it's different it can be complex for an opponent scouting that. It can make your game plan less effective, and it can make coaches communicate and adjust more in-game."
Keeping the quarterback off balance and guessing as much as possible is the name of the game. In order to accomplish that, Anarumo deploys a heavy usage of coverage disguises.
For one, this can put a lot on the plate of an offense during the week of preparation, with there being a lot to prepare for and a lot of film to watch. But in game, what the quarterback sees pre-snap likely isn't going to be the same as when he hits the top of his drop. The slight hesitation that can potentially cause is all it takes for a rusher to get home or a throwing lane to close.
GM Chris Ballard spent big on the defense in free agency, bringing in Charvarius Ward and Cam Bynum, but the addition of Anarumo and his versatile defensive system will also be a key factor in elevating this unit.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2025 NFL season: What it's like facing Colts' new defense with Anarumo
Continue reading...
