After multiple seasons of either not stopping the run or the pass or even at times both, the Colts fired Greg Manusky today. This comes of the heels of head coach Chuck Pagano getting a four year extension. There were rumblings that a coaching shift could happen and it has claimed its first casualty. Manusky, like Pagano, was given a mix bag of players and told to make the best of it and he did. Manusky’s defenses though couldn’t find a pass rush after Mathis went down two years ago and the secondary had a major step back after the former “No Fly Zone” turned in a great 2014.
Now the question goes to who is the replacement? Is there someone on the staff that will get promoted or is there a defensive coordinator out there that Coach Pagano has always wanted to work with and can run a scheme that he believes in? Could the Colts take a run at someone like Rob Ryan who has been out of a job since being fired from New Orleans or could they promote safeties coach Roy Anderson? How about Jim Tomsula who was the defensive line coach for the 49ers from 2007-2014, he would be a great hire and runs a 3-4 defense. There are options out there and we just have to hope the Colts make the right one. There is some good young talent on this defense but it has to be used correctly. I think this defensive unit could be in the top ten if coached properly.
I’m sure this won’t be the only mix up with the coaching staff in the coming week. It could get very interesting.
