They're worried that another new and improved defense may not live up to the billing after Russell Wilson led Seattle to a touchdown on his only drive in
last week's game.More angst emerged Tuesday when the defense delivered a less-than-stellar performance in the final night practice of training camp.Add the historical perception of Indianapolis relying on its high-scoring offense to win Paul Krause Jersey , and it's enough to set off alarm bells even before camp ends this weekend.But Woods refuses to panic and instead urges fans to be patient as this unit finds its identity."I think we're in a good place right now and I think we're going to find out a lot more tomorrow against the Ravens," the veteran defensive tackle said
Thursday, referring to two joint practices scheduled this weekend. "I'm
comfortable in any defense, but I really like this defense."He expects Colts' fans will, too.Nobody expected the transition from a 3-4 front to the more traditional 4-3 to go off without a hitch, especially given all the new faces, new assignments
and lingering injuries.And it has been a challenge getting everybody on the same page.The conversion began with new coordinator Matt Eberflus installing his version of the "Tampa 2," moving linebackers John Simon, Jabaal Sheard and
Tarell Basham to defensive end. It continued with some carefully choreographed
moves in free agency and the draft.And while veterans such as Simon, Sheard, Woods and newly acquired Denico Autry, have pitched in, the rest of the defense remains a work in progress."I think we've got a long way to go Jonathan Ogden Jersey ," Simon said. "I think we took more positives than negatives out of the (Seattle) game, and that's what we wanted to do ??come out
there and see good play when the pressure is on in that type of atmosphere
against a pretty good offense. We took some positives, but I think we've still
got a long way to go."One problem has been injuries.Starting safeties Clayton Geathers and Malik Hooker are just starting to round into shape after missing all of the Colts' offseason workouts and the
start of camp while rehabbing from knee surgery.Geathers could play Monday night against Baltimore, though it appears Hooker may miss at least another week after tearing two ligaments in his right knee in
October.The return of both forced Eberflus to recalibrate."When they came back, we reset the whole defense and started from line one, first day install and redid all those walkthroughs again just for those guys,"
he said. "It was good for the younger guys to go through it again, so we kind of
reset everything just for those guys."Safety hasn't been the only position hit hard.Young cornerbacks Pierre Desir, Quincy Wilson, Nate Hairston and Kenny Moore III are all playing expanded roles this season. Desir, now in his fifth pro
season, is the dean of the secondary with 13 career starts.Defensive end Kemoko Turay (knee) and defensive tackle Tyquan Lewis (foot), both rookies Adam Joseph Duhe Jersey , have spent most of the past two weeks trying to return from injuries.At linebacker, the depth chart appears even thinner.Rookie Darius Leonard, a second-round pick from South Carolina State, free agent signee Najee Goode and Anthony Walker currently hold the top spots on the
depth chart. Leonard picked off Andrew Luck on the first day of camp and has
shown flashes of play-making ability while Walker, in his second season, is the
longest-tenured of the three.Naturally, there have been growing pains."We've had a lot of different matchups as you guys have seen," Eberflus said. "We need to get that solidified so guys can start communicating, knowing each
other and trusting each other as they go forward."The Colts believe they can fix it ??in time."Pass rush, run stop, communication, coverage, I think that's the same thing for every defense Taron Johnson Jersey ," Simon said. "If you're not out here trying to get better every day, then I think you're in the wrong profession."Notes: The Colts have signed running back Tion Green and put William Ossai on the waived-non-football illness list.In 1964, Boston reliever Dick Radatz struck out 181 batters in 79 relief appearances, setting a mark that still stands.According to Baseball-Reference.com, it’s the most strikeouts in one year for a pitcher with zero starts.Relievers were used differently back then – Radatz threw 157 innings while setting his record – but even in today’s more specialized environment,
Milwaukee’s Josh Hader has a chance to finish the season with a staggering
strikeout total. He already has 80 in 39 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old
left-hander also has six saves and a 1.13 ERA in 25 games, part of a bullpen
that has led the Brewers to the National League’s best record.The Brewers won 86 games last season and fell a game short of the second wild card. Now they have a two-game lead over the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central.
Milwaukee’s offense is just seventh in the league in OPS, and its starters have
an ordinary ERA of 3.98. It’s the relievers who have led this charge.Closer Corey Knebel missed time with a hamstring injury, but the Brewers have shown plenty of depth in the bullpen. Three regular relievers have ERAs under
2.00 – Hader, Jeremy Jeffress (1.19) and Jacob Barnes (1.78). Milwaukee has had
an NL-high 28 games decided by one run, and the Brewers have gone 18-10.Hader was a starter as recently as last year in the minors, but with the Brewers he’s pitched exclusively in relief. He had 68 strikeouts in 47 2/3
innings for Milwaukee last season, and he’s already surpassed that strikeout
total in 2018.If he can’t make it to Radatz’s mark Davon Godchaux Jersey , perhaps Hader can threaten the record for most strikeouts in 100 innings or fewer. Brad Lidge set that one in 2004 with
157.Other developments from around the majors:PULLING AWAYThe Cleveland Indians have had their issues this season, but a forgiving AL Central gave them plenty of time to work out their problems. After a three-game
sweep of second-place Detroit, Cleveland is now eight games ahead in the
division. The Indians outscored the Tigers 26-3 in the weekend series, and
Cleveland has won seven games in a row.The Indians (43-33) actually have a better record now than they did after 76 games last season. They were 40-36 then, but went on a tear in the second half
to finish with 102 wins.HIGHLIGHTTampa Bay shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria was prepared for one of the quirks of his home ballpark Sunday. Clint Frazier of the Yankees hit a drive in the ninth
inning that looked headed deep to left field, but the ball hit a speaker hanging
from an overhead catwalk and caromed back down in shallow left. Hechavarria
stayed with the play and made the catch for an out. The Rays went on to win 7-6
in 12 innings.LINES OF THE WEEKThe Red Sox outslugged Seattle 14-10 on Friday night at Fenway Park. J.D. Martinez led the hosts, going 4 for 5 with a homer, five RBIs and three runs.
Martinez now leads the majors with 60 RBIs and is tied for the lead with 23
homers.Nelson Cruz also had a night to remember Friday in a losing effort. He went 4 for 5 with two home runs and seven RBIs.— Authentic Womens Derwin James Jersey
