The Indianapolis Colts have made their first big coaching move this offseason by hiring Charlie Partridge. After it was announced that Gus Bradley would remain the Defensive Coordinator, the next step would be to give him complimentary coaching. Partridge comes from the University of Pittsburg and served as their D-Line coach from 2018-2023. He has coached numerous top athletes who have gone on to the NFL such as Calijah Kancey, Patrick Jones, and Rashad Weaver. The news of this new hire came from FootballScoops which has awarded Partridge Defensive Line Coach of the Year twice. He won in 2020 and also 2022 respectively.
How Will Charlie Partridge Impact this Indianapolis Colts Defense?
Complexity Within the Line
In 2023, Pitt’s defense produced 31 total sacks in 12 games. This was tied for 42nd in the nation. They also had four forced fumbles from their line and three players on their line who posted 30 or more tackles. The defensive scheme at Pitt is heavy on pressure. They will have six men at the line with zone defense at the back end. The intriguing thing about this type of defense is that Gus Bradley rarely brings pressure. By relying on his zone scheme, Bradley would inevitably rely on his defensive line to get pressure.
From 2019-2022, Partridge’s unit led the Atlantic Coast Conference (Coastal) each season in sacks. They averaged 49 sacks per season during that span. The Colts finished the 2023 season with 51 total sacks which was the most they had ever had in the Indianapolis era. However, with this production, the Colts still need help within their defensive line to get pressure. Having a coach like Partridge, who thrives off getting pressure on the quarterback, will be crucial for this line. It should also be noted that the Colts still have questions in the secondary. If all those questions are not addressed this offseason, having a defensive line that can rush the passer will be the best remedy for that struggling unit.
Development Throughout the Line
Football games are won at the line of scrimmage. Therefore, if a defense can stuff the run and get pressure on the quarterback, those teams usually win the most games. The Colts have big-impact defensive tackles in DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart. However, their edge rushers must step up and make more of an impact. Kwity Paye is entering his fourth year in the league and has yet to make a splash. Samson Ebukam and Dayo Odeyingbo were both productive on the edge but did not produce game-changing plays. All three of these rushers produced eight sacks or more last season, which is productive, but not the kind of production that wins championships. The hope with adding Partridge is that the Colts line will continue to be productive and become the defensive line that opposing offenses fear.
A pass-rushing scheme will be the key to the Colts success in 2024. Gus Bradley will continue his zone-defensive ways and will still look to blitz on a minimal basis. However, with Partridge coming in as the new line coach, blitzing might not even be necessary. The hope would be that this unit will develop into the complex scheme of Partridge’s defensive line skills. Seeing his track record and knowing the potential the Colts have on their line will be intriguing to watch moving forward.
Main Photo Credit: Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
