Wanted: A New Defensive Heart for the Indinapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colt are eliminated from the playoffs for the second straight year by the San Diego Chargers. Maybe it just wasn't their year to go all the way. They had the NFL MVP Peyton Manning on the top of his game, conducting an unstoppable offense that could score at will while riding momentum of a nine-game winning streak.

They have not only beaten the four remaining AFC teams during the season but beat a couple of them on the road. If this wasn't their year, then they will become the Chicago Cubs for the next century.

The Colts had everything except a defense that could make the big stop, the key turnover that sealed the game, the goal-line stand that changed momentum. They had everything except a defense that take control of a game. What type of defense did the Colts have?

They had a defense where the play of their star safety, Bob Sanders, was everything. If Bob Sanders was there, they were "unstoppable." But without him playing at the top of his game, the defense was a punching bag being beat in every area.

Granted, they were a quick-flying defense that could get to the ball and it kept itself from being a terrible defense but as soon as the defense got tired they couldn't get off the field.

We saw this at the end of the game against the Chargers Saturday night. The defense had initially stopped the mediocre Charger offense for most of the game. All it had to do was make a third down stop near the end of the game and get the ball into the hands of the NFL MVP, Peyton Manning.

Instead it was beat single handily by the 5'6" Darren Sproles who out ran the quick swarming Colt defense, bouncing off tackles left and right. It seemed as if no Colt defender was willing to step up. The group of unknown linebackers no where to be seen. If a tackle was made Bob Sanders or another corner back was making the saving tackle.

The Colts' problem on defense is not the play of Bob Sanders or the impressive defensive line. The problem in the group of unknown linebackers, whom running backs out run, out cut, and frankly out hit. Granted, linebackers Clint Sessions and Freddy Keiaho have only two years of NFL experience. But they are linebackers on a Super Bowl contending squad.

The linebackers only have four forced fumbles for the year. The linebackers have zero sacks for the year. The linebackers have zero interceptions for the year. Enough said.

What the Colts need to once again reach the Super Bowl is a group of linebackers who will make plays. Linebackers that intimidate quarterbacks with sacks and interceptions. Linebackers the forces fumbles. They need a group of linebackers that will step up and be the heart and soul of the defense. Bob Sanders is very good at being the "heart of the defense" but isn't that sort of having the heart on the outside of the body.

Its vulnerable when its not there. The Indianapolis Colts need a defense where the linebackers, the middle of the defense, is the heart and soul of the defense.

This group of linebackers are very talented and skilled but so far lack some heart. Wanted is a linebacker with heart, maybe like a soon to be standout linebacker free agent Lance Briggs of the Chicago Bears?