Why the Colts Are Replacing Their Defensive Quarterback After Just One Game

The Indianapolis Colts are already making a major adjustment to their defensive communication system after a difficult Week 1 performance.

Akeem Davis-Gaither will take over the green-dot responsibilities from safety Cam Bynum when Indianapolis faces the Kansas City Chiefs. The change shifts defensive communication back toward the middle of Lou Anarumo’s unit.

After giving up 41 points and more than 500 yards to Baltimore, the Colts clearly felt something needed to change.

Why the Bynum Experiment Initially Made Sense

There was a logical reason for giving Bynum the green dot in the first place.

Indianapolis entered training camp believing rookie linebacker C.J. Allen could eventually become its long-term MIKE linebacker and defensive signal-caller. General manager Chris Ballard even described Allen as a “green dot guy from the get-go” following the draft.

However, calf and hamstring injuries limited Allen throughout training camp, costing him valuable preparation time and slowing his development by several weeks.

That forced Anarumo to turn to a veteran he already trusted.

Anarumo had previously used a safety in the green-dot role during his time in Cincinnati, with Vonn Bell handling those duties. Bynum also entered the season with a strong grasp of the defensive system.

Still, the arrangement was unusual by NFL standards. Indianapolis was the only team in Week 1 that did not have a linebacker wearing the green dot, with Bynum communicating the calls from his free safety position.

“Especially when you have young linebackers, if you’ve got a veteran guy that’s out there that can be calm and not have to worry about processing all of it all at once, it’s just one less thing on their plate,” Anarumo said during training camp.

The Green Dot Put Too Much on Bynum

The biggest challenge was Bynum’s starting position on the field.

As a free safety, he can line up 12 to 15 yards behind the line of scrimmage. That meant receiving Anarumo’s call, moving close enough to relay it to the rest of the defense, helping teammates get aligned and then returning to his own position before the snap.

And he had to do that on every play.

Bynum acknowledged the physical demands during training camp, noting that one of the toughest aspects could be having to sprint back toward the defense after covering a deep pass.

Baltimore’s fast tempo exposed those difficulties almost immediately.

“We weren’t even lined up on the first play of the game,” Anarumo said Tuesday. “That’s 50 yards right there.”

The Colts were late getting set on several occasions, and Anarumo admitted that many of Baltimore’s explosive plays stemmed from communication problems or players simply not being ready before the snap.

“Most of the chunk plays were those type of things,” Anarumo said.

At the same time, Anarumo was careful not to place the blame entirely on Bynum.

“Cam did a phenomenal job for the first game,” Anarumo said. “But I want to look at everything.”

Davis-Gaither Provides a Simpler Solution

Moving the green dot to Davis-Gaither addresses some of the logistical issues immediately.

Unlike Bynum, Davis-Gaither operates closer to the heart of the defense. That gives him a more natural position from which to communicate with the defensive line, linebackers and secondary without constantly having to run back and forth across the field.

He also has extensive familiarity with Anarumo’s system, having spent five seasons with him in Cincinnati.

Davis-Gaither became a full-time starter for the first time last season in Arizona, starting 13 games and producing a career-best 117 tackles. He then led Indianapolis with eight tackles against Baltimore in Week 1.

Even so, Davis-Gaither may not be the permanent solution.

Allen remains the linebacker Indianapolis originally envisioned handling this responsibility, and Anarumo continues to praise the rookie’s progress.

“CJ is getting better every day,” Anarumo said. “He’s a rookie. It takes some time, especially at his position.”

The injuries Allen suffered during the preseason slowed his development, but as he gets healthier and becomes more comfortable in the defense, his responsibilities are expected to increase.

For now, Davis-Gaither gives Indianapolis a more straightforward approach heading into Kansas City: get the defense organized, communicate the call clearly and make sure everyone is ready before the snap.