USAT: Colts Wire audio clip

USAT: Colts Wire

Jan 15, 2022

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard took home another award after a strong 2021 season and continues to get recognized for his efforts during his fourth season.Leonard, who earned his third All-Pro nod, was incredible when it came to making impact plays. On top of that, he was named the best run defender in the NFL by Pro Football Focus as a part of their year-end awards.BEST RUN-DEFENDERLB Darius Leonard, Indianapolis ColtsDarius Leonard was a turnover machine this season. He has perfected the art of the Peanut Punch tackle, forcing fumbles without risking the play if his attempt to jar the ball loose isnt successful. Leonard had four forced fumbles in the run game, twice as many as any other linebacker, and his average depth of tackle was just 2.87 yards down field.Run defense goes beyond just those statistical plays, however, and is about how you deal with blocks and whether you can negatively impact the blocking scheme or the path of the running back, spilling him toward other defenders who can make the play even if you cant. Leonard understands offensive tendencies and keys as well as any defender he was consistently pointing out plays and reading things before they happened, alerting teammates to what was coming and blowing up the play to let them clean up behind him. He was the best run defender in football in 2021.It was a spectacle watching Leonard play in 2021. It seemed that in every game he was finding a way to force out a ball from the hands of a ball carrier. The precision he had when it came to his punches was uncanny.Now the highest-paid linebacker in the NFL, Leonard continues to be the heart of the defense while making a spectacular impact against the run.LikeColts Wire on FacebookFollowColts Wire on TwitterFollow Kevin on Twitter (@KevinHickey11)RelatedColts acknowledge need for 'stability at the QB position'Colts have no plans of moving Quenton Nelson to LT2022 NFL mock draft: New 3-round projections at regular season's endList9 questions the Colts face for 2022 offseasonEmailSign upLike this article?Sign up for the Colts Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morningAn error has occuredPlease re-enter your email address.Thanks for signing up!You'll now receive the top Colts Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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Mar 15, 2022