Blue
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- Mar 19, 2019
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Slowing Ryan, Jones
Whether or not the Colts have Leonard, their All-Pro linebacker, on Sunday, the defense will have to be ready to go to take on the Falcons and their high-powered offense.
Atlanta (1-1) has some of the best overall offensive weapons in the league; they have a former league MVP at quarterback in Matt Ryan and a powerhouse running back in Devonta Freeman, but their downright scary at wide receiver, where they have arguably the best player at his position in Julio Jones, as well as Calvin Ridley, who had 10 touchdowns as a rookie last season, and the versatile Mohamed Sanu.
Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II said this is one of those weeks where studying film — and then giving it a second, third and fourth look — is extra critical.
“You just try to look for tendencies — down and distance, what they’re trying to go, what the QB is seeing, how to play certain guys in certain kinds of looks,” Moore II said. “Those are the things that we’re taking note of.”
While Ryan is coming off a performance against the Philadelphia Eagles in which he threw three interceptions, he also threw for 320 yards and three touchdowns; Jones was on the receiving end of two of those scores.
“He’s just so strong and physical,” Moore II said of the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Jones. “He believes in himself and his craft. He’s very crafty; he’s a vet receiver. He knows what he’s getting out of the defense, he knows what to expect, and he loves football and he’s a competitor. So he’s much respected from a player-to-player standpoint, but we’ve got a ballgame to play.”
While guys like Ryan, Jones, Ridley and the crew are certainly dangerous in their own right, Colts cornerback Quincy Wilson said the preparation process for them this week has been “fun.”
“Because you know you get to turn on the tape and you get to break down these guys that have been very explosive and they know what they’re doing on offense,” Wilson said. “So, you know, we’ve been in the film room a lot to figure out why they’re so explosive, so we’re just focusing on taking away what they really want and their go-to plays. We’ve just gotta dial in on the game plan and go to practice and hone our skills so that we can be ready for this top passing attack.”