Indianapolis Colts Cornerbacks Start the Season Strong, but Questions Remain

In 2013, the Indianapolis Colts' group of cornerbacks was a lot like a bad movie trilogy. 

You have the initial movie, the beginning of the season, when the corners were surprisingly good. It was a group that nobody had ever seen before, and it outdid its expectations. But then came the second movie, and while most of the cast stayed the same, one key, perhaps underappreciated supporting actor (Greg Toler) was gone, and the chemistry of the group was off. By the time the third installment came around, you knew it would have its moments but would be largely disappointing.

Vontae Davis was the stud lead, the one who grabbed your attention and was the biggest reason why you kept coming back. He wasn't perfect, but he was good enough to draw you in and hold your attention.

Toler was the supporting cast member that kept everybody in the right roles, even if he got picked on for some horrific stretches. He came back for a cameo in the playoffs, but it was awkward, and most people just looked away until it was over.

Darius Butler was the comedian of the group; he didn't work when tried to force into a larger role, but he could be counted on for solid stretches. 

Now, going into 2014, the group has a second chance. Much like last season, the season has started on a high note. While the defense has struggled against top-tier offenses, the cornerbacks have been the biggest bright spot. 

Player	Targets	Catches	Yards	TD	INT	Passer Rating	PFF Grade
Vontae Davis	15	6	54	0	1	22.6	+2.8
Greg Toler	22	10	108	1	2	38.3	-2.3
Darius Butler	16	6	111	1	0	82.8	+1.1

The trio has been very effective as a whole limiting the effectiveness of opposing quarterbacks. The difference between the corners and the rest of the defense is stark: Opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating of just 47.1 when throwing at the starting three cornerbacks, but 139.6 when throwing at the rest of the defense. 

Peyton Manning? His receivers combined for 12 receptions on 25 targets for 141 yards in Week 1 (65.6 passer rating), and 40 of those yards came when Emmanuel Sanders got matched up with safety LaRon Landry in one-on-one coverage.

Nick Foles? He was just 6-of-18 for 70 yards when targeting receivers. 

The Blake Bortles and Chad Henne combination? Well, we all saw what happened last week. No need to rehash that bloodbath. 

Now, has the Colts defense been good thus far, specifically the pass defense? It would be impossible to argue that, they're 19th in total yards allowed, 28th in passing yards allowed and 26th in points allowed thus far. No, the defense has had real concerns. 

The corners' performance has been a big reason why they haven't been tested much, but the incompetence of the linebackers and safeties in coverage has been just as big of a reason. Why test ball-hawking cornerbacks down the sideline when you can find a wide-open tight end or running back? 

Player	Position	Targets	Receptions	Yards	Touchdowns
Darren Sproles	RB	7	7	152	0
Julius Thomas	TE	8	7	104	3
Zach Ertz	TE	6	4	86	0
Toby Gerhart	RB	2	2	31	0
LeSean McCoy	RB	5	4	23	0
Montee Ball	RB	2	2	16	0
Vergil Green	TE	1	1	8	0
Marcel Jensen	TE	1	1	8	0
Brent Celek	TE	1	0	0	0
Total	-	33	28	428	3

The Colts safeties and linebackers have been putrid in the passing game, the Jaguars game aside. Julius Thomas torched them in Week 1, and Darren Sproles in Week 2 (Zach Ertz had a nice day too). It was a concern coming into the season, one that the signing of D'Qwell Jackson was supposed to help. But Jackson's best days in pass coverage are back in Cleveland, where he had younger legs and a more zone-heavy scheme that relied less on his speed and more on his instincts. 

Throw in a hurt Jerrell Freeman, LaRon Landry struggling as usual and Mike Adams being a 33-year-old Mike Adams, and the Colts are going to struggle down the middle of the field. It's inevitable. Freeman will return, but a slight upgrade there won't fix the Colts' weaknesses. 

The weak links at safety and inside linebacker are ones that have existed since Ryan Grigson took over this team, and it's a distinct difference from the defenses that Chuck Pagano worked with in Baltimore. 

Fortunately, the cornerbacks should continue to be strong, as long as they can stay healthy. 

Davis may or may not be a shutdown cornerback, depending on your definition of the word, but he's lived up to his contract thus far. His only completion allowed of more than 10 yards was an 18-yard completion in the fourth quarter of the blowout in Jacksonville (a play where Davis was in zone coverage). Davis is allowing a passer rating of just 22.6 so far this season, second-best in the league, according to Pro Football Focus. 

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

Toler remains himself, which is to say inconsistent. But his ball skills create some big plays to offset (to some extent) his inconsistency. Toler will likely continue to be the weak link in the group, but there are some benefits to him, and unlike Butler, he can play on the outside. 

Butler is one of the league's top slot corners, and he averages 13.2 snaps in coverage per reception, seventh in the league, according to Pro Football Focus. He's allowed 105 yards, but 63 of those yards came on a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of the Jaguars game, a play in which Mike Adams essentially knocked Butler off of the Jaguars receiver Allen Hurns, allowing him to pick up 45 extra yards and the touchdown.

While Grigson and the Colts front office have struggled to stock the Colts roster with talent in many areas, the starting group of cornerbacks is absolutely one that a team could win a Super Bowl with, as long as they're healthy. A lack of health has derailed them in recent years and is the biggest obstacle they must overcome. 

Knock on wood, rub a rabbit's foot or whatever else you have to do to please the injury gods, because right now, the cornerbacks are the only thing keeping the Colts pass defense from completely unraveling.