Gilbert Gardner and Indy Linebacker (1 Viewer)

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Gardner's Ready to Seize his Opportunity

Date: Jun 1, 2006

Colts linebacker Gilbert Gardner returned to Indianapolis this year to learn that he had a new position and a higher level of responsibility with the Colts defense this season. And he's ready to seize that opportunity.

When backup weakside linebacker Gilbert Gardner returned to Indianapolis after training in Arizona during the offseason, he met with his position coach and learned that he'd have a new job this season. He was being inserted into the starter's role vacated by strongside linebacker David Thornton, who left the team as an unrestricted free agent for a new job with the AFC South rival Titans.

Gardner had been a diligent, hard-working player for two years as an understudy, sporadic starter and special teams player. After 22 game appearances, 42 tackles, a sack and an interception, he was going to get the opportunity to anchor a key position on the Colts defense. Fortunately for the Gardner, his primary position at Purdue was strongside linebacker. And he was a pretty disruptive player for the Boilermakers from that spot, making 23 tackles for losses, recovering 7 fumbles, forcing 7, and snagging 3 interceptions.

"I'm hoping I can replicate what I did and build upon what I did at Purdue," he told ColtPower during a recent interview.

And while his experience will be helpful, Gardner recognizes that the switch he's making will be a significant one in this Colts defense.

"Our strongside (linebacker) plays the outside contain a lot more depending on what the Will (weakside) linebacker does," he explained. "There's more responsibility to stay with your assignment, you don't have the freedom to roam around like you do as a Will."

Heading into training camp, unless there's an unexpected shakeup, Gardner will be the only new face on the first-team defense as players begin to compete for their spots on the depth chart. For some, that might present enormous pressure, but Gardner sees it as a plus.

"I think it's more of a comfort that I have guys around me that know what they're doing," he said. "It's added pressure, but it's good pressure that will help me do my best for those guys."

One thing's for sure. Gardner will take what he has learned from his new peers -- starters Gary Brackett and Cato June -- as well as from his former teammate, David Thornton and will step into his new role with the proper attitude.

"Those guys are all tough guys. They've instilled that in the entire linebacking corps," he said.

In addition to proving that he's ready to be a starter at the pro level, one other accomplishment that Gardner has his sights set on this year is to stay healthy. During both of his first two seasons in Indianapolis, he has had ankle problems that caused him to miss a total of five games. Hamstring and shoulder injuries caused him to miss three more.

"That's been a pain in my side for the last two years," he said. "And hopefully I can get through this season healthy. And once I do that, I think my play will speak for itself.

"It's football, and you know you're going to get hurt, and you're going to get banged up. I've tried to make sure those injuries are behind me and make sure my ankles are very strong. But you can't plan injuries, and when they happen you just have to just swallow and move on."

Gardner knows plenty about moving on, even after a severe injury. He was never plagued by minor injuries during his collegiate career, but he had to overcome one major one that threatened his football career. He broke his leg, but managed to rehab it and regain the speed that helped him get recognized by the Colts, earning him a third-round selection in the 2004 NFL Draft.

And now that it's his turn, his starter's job to lose, he's going to do whatever it takes to hold onto it and to help his team win.

"It kind of feels like a new career for me," he said. "And I hope I can start it off on the right foot and get it going."

One man that definitely believes that Gardner will indeed "get it going" is his head coach, Tony Dungy. While talking about Gardner, Dungy recently said, "I think he's going to seize the opportunity."

It was a vote of confidence that meant a lot to Gardner.

"To hear that from the head coach, that's a great compliment," he said. "Also, coming from a man like him, it makes you want to play even harder and makes you want to give everything.

I have this guy on my team. Been trying to decide if he is worth keeping in a start 3 somewhat more agressive scoring than most IDP leagues. Sounds like he could finally make a name for himself and get that starting job but realistically - what is his fantasy value as SLB with Indy? Does he have more talent than Thornton and get more big plays from his position? (See bolded college numbers) Or will he put up about the same numbers as Thornton. Will he be a three down linebacker? What do the rest of you think?

 

[Dave Baker]

I think Thornton was pretty talented and I personally doubt he outperforms Thornton.

I think with the current defensive schemes, the Indy SLB does not have that high of an upside.

That doesn't mean that Gardner, or Thornton prior, does not have a place on your IDP roster. His numbers could end up in a reasonable place at the endof the year. But it seems unlikely the SLB in that system ends up with top 30 numbers.

 

[Jene Bramel]

I'm a recovering Gilbert Gardner fan for 12 months now.

I thought he would become what Cato June has become. But Gardner has never been able to establish himself as a starter, while June and Gary Brackett both have. I also think he's behind both June and Brackett in the nickel pecking order, so expecting Thornton numbers is probably asking a bit much.

Gardner has the talent in coverage and pursuit to be an effective Tampa-2 player, but Thornton has been the most productive SLB ever in this defense (mostly because of his three down responsibilities), and he barely cracked the top 50 in FBG scoring over the past two seasons.

 

[Birdie048]

I too am a recovering G Gardner owner. I have him in 2 leagues (both contracts are cheap). At SLB, I expect him to be a good bye week filler and not much more.

Long term, with June in his final year and the odds of him resigning dropping every day, I like GG as the WLB next year. He was drafted for that role. Dungy wants the kid on the field.

So, is he worth holding onto? Yeah, IMO. But not at too much expense though.

I wonder how Freddy Keiaho might interrupt this plan though.... but he's more MLB material from what I can decifer.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

I'm a recovering Gilbert Gardner fan for 12 months now.

I thought he would become what Cato June has become.  But Gardner has never been able to establish himself as a starter, while June and Gary Brackett both have.  I also think he's behind both June and Brackett in the nickel pecking order, so expecting Thornton numbers is probably asking a bit much.

Gardner has the talent in coverage and pursuit to be an effective Tampa-2 player, but Thornton has been the most productive SLB ever in this defense (mostly because of his three down responsibilities), and he barely cracked the top 50 in FBG scoring over the past two seasons.

My name is Sigmund, and I drank the Gardner kool aid in 2004.I was never sold on Cato June, and he has been better than expected. Gardner can't stay healthy. A guy who seemed on track to have a shot at the top 25 is now barely relevant.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

I too am a recovering G Gardner owner. I have him in 2 leagues (both contracts are cheap). At SLB, I expect him to be a good bye week filler and not much more.

Long term, with June in his final year and the odds of him resigning dropping every day, I like GG as the WLB next year. He was drafted for that role. Dungy wants the kid on the field.

So, is he worth holding onto? Yeah, IMO. But not at too much expense though.

I wonder how Freddy Keiaho might interrupt this plan though.... but he's more MLB material from what I can decifer.

Tyjuan Hagler has been moved to WLB too, watch out for him next year.

 

[msommer]

I too am a recovering G Gardner owner. I have him in 2 leagues (both contracts are cheap). At SLB, I expect him to be a good bye week filler and not much more.

Long term, with June in his final year and the odds of him resigning dropping every day, I like GG as the WLB next year. He was drafted for that role. Dungy wants the kid on the field.

So, is he worth holding onto? Yeah, IMO. But not at too much expense though.

I wonder how Freddy Keiaho might interrupt this plan though.... but he's more MLB material from what I can decifer.

I'm a Freddie keiaho ownerOut with the old in with the new!

 

[rotorooter]

I am a G.G. owner and start 4 LBs (16 teams) but he will be a bye week fill in. he said it himself--"Our strongside (linebacker) plays the outside contain a lot more depending on what the Will (weakside) linebacker does," he explained. "There's more responsibility to stay with your assignment, you don't have the freedom to roam around like you do as a Will."

The plays will have to come to him as opposed to WILL. But I think he will be a 3 down LB and is now a starter so his value is up-.