New Colts head coach Frank Reich and his defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus have emphasized the importance of speed in the new 4-3 defensive scheme. Perhaps no position will be more important for this new emphasis than linebacker.
The previous defense asked the outside linebackers to be edge setters and pass rushers. It asked the inside linebackers to be run stoppers and to make a ton of tackles. This defense will still rely on the linebackers to make tackles but it will also ask them to cover a greater area of the field. They will need to be able to cover short zones against the pass and get to the sidelines to make tackles on stretch plays to the outside.