- Nov 9, 2015
- 7,401
- 4,168
https://www.indystar.com/story/spor...dBlitzRss&utm_campaign=indystar/colts?src=rss
“The hardest thing to teach one of those inside linebackers is to have some patience and expand your vision,” Monachino said. “Antonio a year ago, at times, saw the game through a straw. Now he’s seeing it through a bay door. It’s slowing down for him. It allows him to see some formational things. He’s got a great feel for depth and route concepts. He just continues to play beyond what his limitations are to where you almost don’t notice the limitations anymore.”
Yeah, about those limitations…
They’re not something that can be dismissed. Morrison will never be mistaken for a track star. He lacks the kind of sideline-to-sideline speed you need from today’s NFL linebacker. Remember, this is a guy who ran a plodding 5-second 40-yard dash at his pre-draft pro day. (He ran it over the objections of his doctor as he was coming off a knee injury.)
But at those times last season when Morrison actually figured out where to go, he managed to announce himself in a violent fashion. Frankly, he’s the kind of physical force the Colts don’t have enough of. If he can play the game with more savvy in 2017, the Colts could benefit from that physicality more often.
“It’s great to have a thumper at inside linebacker,” Monachino said. “Not only does he have that innate ability to come downhill and strike people, but he understands the run game, he knows where the fit belongs, knows where to (funnel) the run to. It’s really important.”
Comment as you desire.
Play Video
“The hardest thing to teach one of those inside linebackers is to have some patience and expand your vision,” Monachino said. “Antonio a year ago, at times, saw the game through a straw. Now he’s seeing it through a bay door. It’s slowing down for him. It allows him to see some formational things. He’s got a great feel for depth and route concepts. He just continues to play beyond what his limitations are to where you almost don’t notice the limitations anymore.”
Yeah, about those limitations…
They’re not something that can be dismissed. Morrison will never be mistaken for a track star. He lacks the kind of sideline-to-sideline speed you need from today’s NFL linebacker. Remember, this is a guy who ran a plodding 5-second 40-yard dash at his pre-draft pro day. (He ran it over the objections of his doctor as he was coming off a knee injury.)
But at those times last season when Morrison actually figured out where to go, he managed to announce himself in a violent fashion. Frankly, he’s the kind of physical force the Colts don’t have enough of. If he can play the game with more savvy in 2017, the Colts could benefit from that physicality more often.
“It’s great to have a thumper at inside linebacker,” Monachino said. “Not only does he have that innate ability to come downhill and strike people, but he understands the run game, he knows where the fit belongs, knows where to (funnel) the run to. It’s really important.”
Comment as you desire.
Play Video