Written by Stephen Holder at IndyStar.com
The Indianapolis Colts’ 1-3 start to the season has put them in a place where desperation is beginning to kick in.
Different lineups, different play calls, different opponents. Nothing has changed. The results have been largely the same.
Perhaps the only thing left to do is to send an unmistakable wake-up call. To that end, heads are starting to roll.
After a number of key players dropped hints about a lack of professionalism after Sunday’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Colts on Tuesday released defensive starters Antonio Cromartie and Sio Moore in a pair of surprise moves.
Cromartie, a cornerback, and Moore, an inside linebacker, were among two of the defenders who performed worst in Sunday’s loss at London’s Wembley Stadium.
The loss produced some introspective comments from players, including quarterback Andrew Luck. Afterward, he said, among other things, that the Colts suffered from a “lack of focus.” Luck added, “We’ve got to be more professional as players.”
Tight end Dwayne Allen said, “Maybe we need to tighten up practice. Maybe we need to change pregame. Maybe we need to do something. Something will be done.”
Cromartie, in particular, looked lost in his attempt to cover Jacksonville receiver Allen Robinson. He was benched at the start of the second half after giving up two receptions and committing two penalties in coverage on the final series of the first half. It was his worst stretch of play this season, a complete letdown after he began the season with surprisingly solid performances for a guy who was not signed until late August.
Moore was the team’s leading tackler with 30 total stops. But he also was one of the team’s biggest offenders in terms of missed tackles. He also had been consistently victimized in coverage against running backs and tight ends. Missed tackles, in particular, have reached epidemic levels with the defense, evidenced by Allen Hurns’ 42-yard catch-and-run that preserved Jacksonville’s victory.
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