Colts Eye Steelers LB Coach Keith Butler for Defensive Coordinator UPDATE: Butler Stays with Steelers
Steelers Linebackers Coach Keith Butler, understudy of legendary Defensive Coordinator Dick Lebeau will visit Indianapolis on Tuesday. (Getty Images)Reports differ regarding how certain it is that Steelers linebackers coach Keith Butler will be joining the Indianapolis Colts as the team's new defensive coordinator. ESPN's Paul Kuharsky suggests that the deal is all but done, and that Butler merely needs to land in Indianapolis on Tuesday to go over contract details and sign on the dotted line. The NFL's Jason LaCanfora offers a less certain prediction, saying that Butler will simply be interviewing for the spot on Tuesday.
What is known is that Butler has wanted to serve as a defensive coordinator in the NFL for some time. The only thing stopping Butler from taking over the job in Pittsburgh is the legendary Dick Lebeau, who continues to sign year-by-year contracts to retain his post. Now that Butler's contract has also come to a close, it appears that his patience may be wearing thin.
UPDATE: Jason LaCanfora reports that Butler has chosen to stay in Pittsburgh.
Another fact that adds flame to rumors that Butler intends to sign with the Colts on Tuesday is the history he shares with new head coach Chuck Pagano and offensive coordinator Bruce Arians. Butler worked with Arians in Pittsburgh and with both Arians and Pagano in Cleveland. Coming with Arians would be a reunion between coaches who are all familiar with working together -- and who are aware of what eachother brings to the table and expects.
While there may be differing opinions amongst Colts fans and Steelers fans regarding Bruce Arians as an offensive coordinator, there is very little to argue over concerning Butler. His departure would be almost universally seen as a blow to the future of the Steelers defensive coaching staff.
Consider Butler's history as a coach. Once you do, it will be very clear that not only is Butler a tremendous prospect for the defensive coordinator position but that uniting Butler and Pagano together brings tremendous defensive coaching success to Indianapolis.
Butler was a part of the expansion Cleveland Browns coaching staff as linebackers coach. He developed the teams first Pro Bowler, linebacker Jamir Miller. In Pittsburgh, where he has served as linebackers coach since 2003, Butler has overseen the development of linebackers like Joey Porter, James Farrior, Lawrence Timmons, LaMarr Woodley, and James Harrison.
Harrison? He was an undrafted practice squad player who would become the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year.
How has the Steelers defense performed with Butler leading the linebackers in a 3-4 defense?
| D Ranks | Total | Rush |
Total DVOA | Rushing DVOA | Passing DVOA |
| 2003 | 9th | 12th | 13th | 7th | 20th |
| 2004 | 1st | 1st | 3rd | 3rd | 3rd |
| 2005 | 4th | 3rd | 4th | 1st | 5th |
| 2006 | 9th | 3rd | 12th | 4th | 14th |
| 2007 | 1st | 3rd | 8th | 3rd | 7th |
| 2008 | 1st | 2nd | 1st | 2nd | 1st |
| 2009 | 5th | 3rd | 8th | 9th | 14th |
| 2010 | 2nd | 1st | 1st | 1st | 2nd |
| 2011 | 1st | 8th | 4th | 15th | 3rd |
It is very clear that the years of Colts fans complaining about shoddy run defenses will probably be drawing to a close in short order under Butler's oversight. It should also be even more clear that a move to a 3-4 base defense will be happen sooner rather than later.
There have been concerns regarding head coach Chuck Pagano's mention of running and stopping the run in his introductory press conference. The move to hire Butler would seemingly add to those concerns if one didn't also consider that Butler's defenses were pass rushing nightmares.
| Sacks | Sack Rank | |
| 2003 | 35 | 17th |
| 2004 | 41 | 7th |
| 2005 | 47 | 3rd |
| 2006 | 39 | 11th |
| 2007 | 36 | 13th |
| 2008 | 51 | 2nd |
| 2009 | 47 | 2nd |
| 2010 | 48 | 1st |
| 2011 | 35 | 17th |
While the Steelers defense had up and down years rushing the passer under Butler's tutelage, the Colts out-rushed the Steelers only once over that span. If the team is able to stop the run and increase pressure generated on the quarterback, the only thing left is to lock down the passing game.
Enter head coach Chuck Pagano. How have his defenses performed against the pass during his tenure as defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator?
| Pass Defense | Pass DVOA | |
| Browns 2001 | 10th | 1st |
| Browns 2002 | 15th | 10th |
| Browns 2003 | 7th | 8th |
| Browns 2004 | 5th | 19th |
| Raiders 2005 | 18th | 27th |
| Raiders 2006 | 1st | 4th |
| Ravens 2008 | 2nd | 2nd |
| Ravens 2009 | 8th | 8th |
| Ravens 2010 | 21st | 6th |
| Ravens 2011 | 1st | 1st |
The two coaches together present a formidable amount of experience coaching in the NFL. A great deal of success. And a very balanced defensive focus and mindset that should create a scheme in Indianapolis that looks and acts significantly different than the fan community has experienced in the pass.
Pagano has mentioned a defense that forces offenses to react, as opposed to a defense that reacts to the offense -- the Cover 2 is precisely a read and react defense. I have been calling for an aggressive defense that gets pressure in the face of the quarterback and plays tighter coverage in the secondary for some time. It's hard to not get excited about the prospect of re-signing players like Robert Mathis and Philip Wheeler and sending them off of the edge, forcing passes into tight coverage 5-10 yards down the field.
There is much left to be done, both in completing a full coaching staff and making player personnel decisions. Still, a coaching staff with successful and experienced backgrounds, who have worked together and know eachother, seems like a positive start in this new Colts "era."
This would be a real coup if we could get him. Must admit that I'm impressed with the staff and FO we've rebuilt thus far. One thing is clear, there's going to be a lot of changes around Indy.
Gotta admit, I like this move a lot! I'm deeply intrigued to see what Pagano & Butler morph the Indy defense into, but two sound, creative defensive minds will be a breath of fresh air. Now get him signed Irsay!
Would love to see him in Indy. LeBeau is arguable the best DC in the league. Perhaps in history. To get the person that worked with the most important unit on that D, and have him been incredibly successful, is a VERY good sign.
Also, I like that fact that Grigson/Irsay are choosing guys with established history, but guys that will be hungry to get something done. It doesn't hurt that thus far they have also taken from the coaching staffs of 2 of the 3 best teams in the NFL. (Balt, Pit) I don't know if there is anyone from NE I would specifically want to steal.
@18to88 without knowing much about the individual guys, hiring a defensive coach from Pit makes me happier than an offensive coach from Pit
It seems like Irsay is trying to build the new Colts like the Steelers almost... Great D, and with Luck hopefully a balanced offense. Steelers were consistently contenders, and I don't see a problem with rebuilding the O and having a balanced O. Long as Luck ends up atleast above average, and don't run it 50 times a game, I think we'll be fine. If Luck ends up average or worse... We'll end up like the Jets...
@Candlebox And the jets played in two consecutive AFC championships...that's a worst-case scenario I'll take.
(and it's not credible to suggest that Luck is worse than Sanchez, who was clearly overrated coming out of USC)
