over a week ago Clayton Geathers Jersey , rookie linebacker Darius Leonard was absent from the list. The best argument that can be made for his absence is that he was listed as an outside linebacker but plays more inside in the Colts defensive scheme. Even then, any voting system that intends to recognize the best individual performers in a given season but fails to include Leonard is broken. If the same system keeps Tom Brady in as quarterback but does not include Andrew Luck, it is broken.While the NFL can’t go back and get it right on the Pro Bowl vote, another opportunity is fast approaching. Seasonal awards will be handed out to individual players on offense and defense. The holy trinity each season is the MVP, offensive player of the year and defensive player of the year awards. Next is rookie offensive and rookie defensive players of the year.The Colts will have a candidate in each of the rookie categories deserving of votes. Quenton Nelson may receive a couple of votes for offensive rookie of the year but will lose in a landslide to running back Saquon Barkley. Such is life as a guard in the NFL. Leonard, though, should be the odds on favorite to win defensive rookie of the year. The only competition worthy of mention is safety Derwin James but we will take a close look at what sets Leonard apart, namely that he is having the most productive rookie season in NFL history.No position consistently records more tackles than the linebacker position. It makes longevity difficult and takes physical a toll throughout a full season. These fact make it difficult to sustain high levels of production, due to fatigue or injuries, and it also tends to devalue tackles as a stat for voters. While it is fair to devalue the stat generally, there have been times throughout NFL history that it simply couldn’t be ignored.Patrick Willis holds the NFL’s all-time rookie tackle record with 174 in 2007. It was arguably the greatest single rookie defensive season of all time. Willis’ full stat line over the course of 16 regular season games in 2007 is as follows: 174 tackles, 4 sacks, 8 tackles for a loss, 7 quarterback hits, 5 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery.Leonard is 19 tackles away from the all-time mark and 12 away from tying the all-time Colts tackle record set by D’Qwell Jackson in 2014 — 167. Linebacker Luke Kuechly received the 2012 Rookie Defensive Player of the Year award after leading the league in tackles.Kuechly had 164 tackles, 1 sack, 12 tackles for a loss, 1 quarterback hit, 2 interceptions, 7 passes defensed, and 3 fumble recoveries in 16 games.Leonard has 155 tackles, 7 sacks, 12 tackles for a loss, 8 quarterback hits, 1 interception Nate Hairston Color Rush Jersey , 6 passes defensed, 4 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries in 14 games.For those who are wondering: yes, Darius Leonard would likely have set the all-time rookie tackle record in a season if he had not missed a game. Patrick Willis averaged 10.88 tackles per game. Darius Leonard is averaging 11.07 tackles per game.LINEBACKERS WHO WON DROY VS DARIUS LEONARDPatrick Willis — 2007 — 174 TKL, 4 sacks, 8 TFL, 7 QBH, 5 PD, 2 FF, 1 FR — 16 GamesJerod Mayo — 2008 — 126 TKL, 5 TFL, 1 QBH, 4 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR — 16 Games Brian Cushing — 2009 — 133 TKL, 4 sacks, 12 TFL, 12 QBH, 4 INT, 10 PD, 2 FF — 16 GamesLuke Kuchely — 2012 — 164 TKL, 1 sack, 12 TFL, 1 QBH, 2 INT, 7 PD https://www.coltsfanshop.com/Braden-Smith-Jersey , 3 FR — 16 Games Darius Leonard — 2018 — 155 TKL, 7 sacks, 12 TFL, 8 QBH, 1 INT, 6 PD, 4 FF, 2 FR — 14 Games DERWIN JAMESDerwin James — 2018 — 99 TKL, 3.5 sacks, 4 TFL, 6 QBH, 3 INT, 13 PDs — 15 Games Darius Leonard is superior in every statistical category to Patrick Willis’ absurd 2007 season except for tackles. As mentioned, he is averaging more tackles per game. This is a ludicrous level of production that no other rookie linebacker has produced in NFL history. He dwarfs all linebacker DROYs in production outside of Willis.What about his individual impact on games? On the road in Washington, Week 2, he stopped an offensive drive with 5 minutes to go in the fourth quarter by forcing Jordan Reed to fumble. It was recovered by Pierre Desir and put the Redskins on ice for good. On the road in Philadelphia, Week 3, he almost single-handily kept the Colts in the game. He finished with 13 tackles, 2 sacks, and a pass defensed. At home against Houston, Week 4, he did all he could to help the Colts pull back into the game late. He finished with 13 tackles and a sack.At home against Buffalo, Week 7, Leonard went off for 17 tackles and a fumble recovery. The Colts blew out the Bills.On the road in Oakland, Week 8, the Raiders had been able to move the ball effectively on the Colts defense for two straight quarters. The lead was one touchdown and the Raiders received the ball with a chance to tie. On the very first play Jabaal Sheard Jersey , Leonard forced a fumble that was recovered by Matthew Adams. The Colts offense took the short field to score and make the victory look far more lopsided than it was.At home against Tennessee, Week 11, Leonard played a huge role in dismantling the Titans. He finished the game with 7 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception and a forced fumble. He dominated the Titans offense and refused to let them get anything going.On the road in Houston, Week 14, Leonard played a major role in the second half to help defeat the Texans. He not only collected 6 tackles and a sack on the Texans’ opening second half drive, he knocked down a would-be touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins late in the fourth quarter. While Houston scored on both of those drives, Leonard was a huge factor and ended up helping take enough time off of the clock for the Colts to control at the ball to end the game.What can’t be measured in stats and individual game situations is Leonard’s impact on the Colts defensive personality. He is the spark plug and the heart for a defense that swarms to the ball and makes life difficult for opponents. He has had a huge impact on Anthony Walker and is a big part of the reason that running on the Colts is so difficult. If you remove Darius Leonard from Indy’s defense, the unit would fall apart. If Andrew Luck is what makes the offense tick, Darius Leonard is what makes the defense tick. If the Colts unlikely push for a chance at a playoff berth is credited to a rookie coaching staff, general manager, and the return of a young superstar quarterback, it also has to be credited to Darius Leonard and his extremely important role in the Colts defensive renaissance in the back half of the season. Darius Leonard is easily the best defensive player on his team. Derwin James is not. James plays on a team that includes Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa. Leonard plays on the youngest defense in the league whose superstars consist of a former first round safety whose role is limited due to the defensive scheme and because he is just over a year removed from a catastrophic knee injury, two waiver wire claims at cornerback, and a first-year starter brought in through free agency on the defensive line.The group I just described. As marquee name vacant as it is, is ranked 11th in total yards allowed per game, 13th in points allowed per game, 8th in rushing yards allowed per game, and 17th in passing yards allowed per game. One year ago? The defense was ranked 30th in total yards allowed per game, 30th in points allowed per game, 28th in rushing yards allowed per game and 28th in passing yards allowed per game.No single rookie defensive player has had a more profound impact on his team. No single rookie defensive player has been more productive in 2018. In fact, perhaps no rookie defensive player has been more productive in NFL history. Leonard may not be a Pro Bowler, in some Twilight Zone parallel universe, but he damn sure deserves to be recognized as the defensive rookie of the year. The Indianapolis Colts notched their 8th win of the season in a 23-0 route of the NFC East leading Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys came into the week with one of the top defenses in all of football, lead by their dominant front seven that features some insanely athletic linebackers. The Colts’ offense was missing a few pieces as standout right guard Mark Glowinski was out due to injury and Pro-Bowl caliber center Ryan Kelly was making his first start in weeks.Overall though Pierre Desir Color Rush Jersey , the Colts’ offensive line along with Ryan Hewitt and Mo Alie-Cox absolutely dominated the Cowboys’ front seven. The lineman looked motivated in all aspects of the game and came out with a fire that was even a new level for them. Every rep featured the Cowboys’ dominant front being knocked back on their heels. Anthony Castonzo and Quenton Nelson were borderline great in this game. This is part one of a two part Film Room series I’ll be doing this week on the Colt- Cowboys game. Tomorrow I will look at the other side of the ball, as the Colts’ front seven on defense also dominated the Cowboys’ offensive line. For now though, let’s jump into the offensive line film of the Colts. Film ReviewThe first clip here is a good one, as both Ryan Kelly and Anthony Castonzo are able to get to the second level to help spring Marlon Mack. The play starts with two excellent down blocks by both Mo Alie- Cox and Braden Smith. Quenton Nelson also shows off elite hip movement and body control by being able to establish inside position on his guy and shield off movement of the defender— he actually takes out two backside defenders here. Joe Haeg crushes a cornerback on his pull, while both Castonzo and Kelly get enough of the linebackers to get Mack more yards. Great blocking all around. This next clip again features movement along the offensive line. First, Castonzo pulls outside which leads to the defensive end shooting upfield and losing contain. Then, Hewitt pulls across the line of scrimmage and performs an excellent block on the linebacker to create the lane up the gut. Nelson also handles his guy inside to create the initial lane. The block of the play though goes to Ryan Kelly as he gets to the second level and seals off Leighton Vander Esch. Nearly results in a touchdown.I absolutely love this next clip. The Colts love this play and have run it quite a bit this season. They love bringing their tight end inside on these trap plays to block the free rushing defender. However, the Colts have lessened their usage of these types of plays ever since Jack Doyle went down with a season ending injury. Here, they use Alie-Cox in that role and he blocks it perfectly. He seals off the edge perfectly and gives Mack just enough room to squeeze in for the touchdown. Shout-out to Nelson on this play too as he buries his guy in the ground with a very mean spirited block. Next clip again features Mack being sprung for a big gain— a common theme throughout the game. Alie- Cox again blocks the free rusher on the trap play which leads to the initial gain. Watch Nelson on the other side though and how effortlessly he is able to flip his hips while engaged with his defender. That is elite movement skills by a Pro- Bowl caliber player. Haeg also makes a huge block on Vander Esch— driving him out of the play— and Kelly gets enough of Jaylon Smith. If Zach Pascal held his block a bit longer, this could’ve been a much bigger run. A staple of the Colts’ offense is this next sweep play here. This play has gone for big gains in the past— notably the 53-yard Jordan Wilkins run against the Jaguars— and here it again finds success. The inside blockers all do their job initially as nobody allows an interior defender to leak through. Pascal gets a very nice down block on the defensive end. Castonzo takes the cornerback completely out of the play— regardless of what the officials call, this is not a block in the back. Kelly leads the way on this play as Mack follows him the entire way for the big first down.This next rep was mainly added because of one block in particular but overall its still a well blocked play. Kelly Castonzo and Alie-Cox all hold their blocks and Mack is able to run behind them for the solid gain. Look at Nelson though against Vander Esch. Nelson drives him completely out of the play and Vander Esch is left stumbling. LVE loses his footing and Nelson takes that opportunity to bury LVE in the ground. This is a rookie-on-rookie crime right here and Nelson shows just how great he has been this year.This next rep is nothing special but I just wanted to add it in to highlight how good they were in pass blocking on Sunday. They had some rough moments for sure but overall the line did a great job of diagnosing stunts and blitzes all day. The Cowboys’ front is similar to the Colts where they stunt more than they blitz to create pressure. The Colts’ offensive line— which is tied for first in football in least amount of sacks— did a great job of communicating and diagnosing these plays all day. Luck was only pressured three times all game as a result.Next rep here again features the offensive line pulling into space— noticing a trend? Here there are three excellent blocks that spring this play. First, Haeg gets great positioning on his defender inside and forces him out of the play with an excellent leg drive. Kelly is able to reach Smith at the second level and knocks him off balance with a powerful punch. The best block though is Castonzo pulling across the entire line to seal the inside off from Vander Esch. Great play call with excellent blocking up front.I have yet to see this play in any other game this year from the Colts, but I love the design. The entire interior of the offensive line is double teaming the defensive tackles to prevent them from penetrating up the field. After the Oline is able to drive the entire defensive line off of the ball, Mack gets the hand-off. Alie-Cox makes the block of the play as he pulls across the line and crushes DeMarcus Lawrence on the backside. Mack stays skinny in the hole and Smith over runs his run fit, leading to the easy touchdown. There a bunch of great highlights on this next rep by the entire line. Nelson takes yet another life as he buries his defender on the pull. Haeg does a great job getting to the second level and sealing off the linebacker. Even Le’Raven Clark gets a nice block inside. The key to this run though is the elite reach block by Castonzo on linebacker Damien Wilson. It is absolutely incredible. Castonzo is in no position to make this play yet he quickly gets to the linebacker and crushes him, opening up the hole for Mack to run through. What. A. Play. Block of the year candidate here from Castonzo. Another rep here and another great run block by Castonzo and Nelson. There is originally no room on this run as Nelson and Castonzo are double teaming down inside. Nelson then slides off the double team to block the gap shooting Vander Esch and Castonzo continues driving his legs until his defender is in the ground, creating a running lane. Great blocks on the outside as well by both Clark and Alie- Cox to spring this run. Last clip of the day— I know I know, I too wanted to see more of Nelson crushing Vander Esch— and the offensive line dominates the entire line of scrimmage. Just across the board excellent blocking here to spring the game ending run. Nelson again takes care of Vander Esch to finish off the trend of the day. Castonzo also drives his defender away from the ball creating the huge lane, finishing off an amazing day for him. Overall, such a dominant performance up front by these guys.Final ThoughtsWhat a day for the offensive line who really stepped up against the Cowboys. Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch are two of the better young linebackers in football and they were simply bullied into submission by the Colts’ lineman. DeMarcus Lawrence is one of the best pass rushers in football and he barely made a mark whatsoever in the game. Almost all of the Cowboys’ defensive play-makers were silent all game. There are so many game balls to hand out for this one. Anthony Castonzo was simply dominant all day as he handled Lawrence in pass pro and was a force in run blocking. Most of the big holes were at his hands. Quenton Nelson was a wrecking ball all day as he was burying guys left and right. Finally though, Mo Alie-Cox was sensational. He looked like Jack Doyle at times with his run blocking.Overall, the Colts dominated the trenches all day and it is what led to the victory on Sunday. The Colts lineman took the Cowboys’ soul and crushed them easily in the game. Hopefully the line can continue this play going forward as the Colts are in must-win mode for the rest of the season. In conclusion though, just have to marvel out how great a performance this was in such a big game.