Bart Scott or Jarrett Johnson
The Jets would like to trade Bart Scott and his $4.2 million in guaranteed money. Scott had a rocky road in New York after leaving Baltimore but is still perceived as one of the game's premier run-stopping 3-4 inside linebackers and a guy familiar with Chuck Pagano. Are the Colts interested? It's unlikely given his cap number but stranger things have happened.
Which brings us to a much more enticing offer: Jarrett Johnson. Johnson, an unrestricted free agent from Baltimore, is a year younger and won't cost a fortune. He's an outside backer which should bring some pass rush skills. Even if the Colts resign Robert Mathis they have a serious need for additional pass rushers and Johnson may fit:
At the other outside backer spot, Jarret Johnson started every game this past season and has played in 129 straight games, a team record. But the streak might end there. Johnson is an unrestricted free agent and one of the tougher decisions facing general manager Ozzie Newsome and the Ravens.
Johnson will be 31 next season and the Ravens might look to add a younger, faster speed rusher to play opposite Suggs. As Newsome said at the season-ending news conference, “You don't ever have enough pass rushers. So, if that guy is there, we'll entertain that also."
Johnson, who was ranked No. 46 on the Sporting News list of the top 100 free agents, should draw offers elsewhere. Just as Bart Scott followed Rex Ryan to New York, it’s possible that Johnson will follow former Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano to Indianapolis.
Emphatic no to Scott and yes to JJ. One name I dont see mentioned as a pass rushing OLB is Wheeler. He came with a nig rep as a pass rusher until he was moved inside as a starter
No matter who it is, the Colts need a couple of veteran 3-4 scheme guys that can ease the transition for the rest of the defense. Without that, IMO it will delay the learning curve for the entire defense and be bad in the long run for the team as a whole. Having a team full of older veteran players is risky, but having a couple in key positions will help teach the younger players and show them the ropes.
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As far as I am concerned, they have two... where are you getting the other four? I am being a bit glib, but I am talking about proven, 7 or more sacks a season type guys. While I think there is a great chance Jerry Hughes can come close to that with some 34 OLB snaps, saying we have "six guys" at the position is not saying much at all-- unless, of course, you are including some people I am completely forgetting.
Colts are stacked with pass rushing DE/OLBs, especially if Mathis is re-signed. If he is, Colts have 6 pass rushers.
A coverage LBer or 4-3 OLB, who is versatile enough to play inside in a 3-4 is needed though.
I don't know that I like either pick. The more I think about it, I like a second MLB to be picked in the third round. I also think we go D-line/pass rusher with the second pick. I know, I know, "stop the pass and win" and all that. It just seems to me that we need another pass rusher (depending on what happens with Dwight-- I think there is a real chance he is traded) and that we don't have the LB's to make even a part time 3-4 work correctly.
