The Indianapolis Colts traded for Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner to potentially put their defense over the top this season.
But according to Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, the two-time All-Pro shouldn’t think about that fact too much.
Anarumo expressed why Gardner needs to not put substantial pressure on himself and explained what he told the recently acquired cornerback during the Colts’ Week 11 bye.
The Colts (8-2), of course, traded wide receiver Adojnai Mitchell and two first-round picks to acquire Gardner from the New York Jets mere minutes ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline. Gardner has six tackles and one pass defended while playing just one game for Indy — a 31-25 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin, Germany on Nov. 9.
Gardner will play his first game in a Colts uniform on U.S. soil Sunday when they take on the Kansas City Chiefs (5-5) at Arrowhead Stadium.
Lou Anarumo Had An Important Conversation With Sauce Gardner During The Colts’ Bye Week
Anarumo could see Gardner, the fourth overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft who also signed a four-year contract extension this offseason, pressing to prove he was worth the high cost the Colts gave up to acquire him.
So the veteran DC tried to take the edge off the two-time Pro Bowl corner.
“Certainly he knows what the trade was for, and he’s a prideful guy and he certainly doesn’t want to disappoint,” Anarumo said. “I just wanted to let him know that ‘I don’t care who you are. It’s not just about one person and go out there and play free and have your mind clear, and don’t worry about putting all that added extra pressure on you.’
“If you do that, you’re just weighing yourself down.”
Anarumo explained that any pressure Gardner is feeling is not coming from his teammates or the coaching staff too.
“I just wanted to let him know that I’m not thinking that way,” Anarumo said. “I just want him to go out and be the best version of him, and if he does that, that’ll be good enough and we’ll win a bunch of games.”
With Sauce Gardner, the Colts’ Pass Defense Is Going To Be Tough To Beat
The Colts rank 25th in the NFL in pass defense (235.3 yards-against per game), which is mainly a function of injuries, Xavien Howard’s sudden retirement and the positive game script this season.
Still, with Gardner, and veteran Charvarious Ward about to return from a concussion, the Colts pass defense is going to be really tough — especially with what Gardner brings to the table.
“He’s a premium player in our league at his position,” Anarumo said. “Anytime you have the chance to acquire someone like that you’re going to be excited, and then when it happened, I think the whole building, what a great show of support from ownership on down.”
Gardner was traded on Tuesday and had to first fly to Indianapolis before jetting across the ocean for the game in Germany. Anarumo thinks Colts fans are about to get the best version of him this weekend against Rashee Rice and the three-time-defending AFC champs.
“[He] picked up the system very well, really didn’t have an error in assignments [in Germany],” Anarumo said. “Now he’ll have a whole week of what’s going around a little more, where his help is a little more, what’s the intent of each call. I think with a full week’s work, and as we progress in the season it’s only going to get better.”
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