There probably isn’t a more anonymous key starter in Sunday’s Super Bowl than Colts defensive tackle Daniel Muir. Perhaps that’s why the team chose the thoughtful, well-spoken third-year player to be one of six players to get a podium Monday evening to meet with the media.
In many ways, Muir is symbolic of the transformation this Colts defense has undergone under new coordinator Larry Coyer.
1. Muir is a run stopper. Coyer wanted to bulk up at defensive tackle, a departure from the Tony Dungy era. Muir has kept blockers off Indy’s speedy linebackers and made 52 tackles of his own, sixth among interior linemen in the NFL.
“The defense now is a lot more hard-nosed,” he told me Monday. “[Coyer] vowed to get bigger bodies
inside, which has worked for us.”
2. Muir came cheaply. Like many of his teammates, he came at great value. Undrafted out of Kent State, he was picked up by G.M. Bill Polian off waivers from the Packers last year. No one finds cheap talent better than Polian.
“It’s the nature of the business,” Muir said. “Some people pick you up, some people let you go. But the Colts are good at finding talent. I’m just glad they found me.”
3. He’s peaking. Muir has 12 tackles in the playoffs, including a team-leading 7 tackles against the Ravens. Indy’s rush defense is playing its best in the postseason, stuffing two of the best running attacks in the league.
The Patriots gave the Colts problems early this season by running out of passing formations. Muir will have his work cut out for him against New Orleans’ strong guards with less help in the box behind him.
4. He doesn’t seem to mind the lack of attention for his improved unit.
“I’m not worried about who’s underrated or overshadowed. All that doesn’t matter. We get a W at the end of the day, that’s all that matters,” Muir said.
I remember wanting the packers to draft him late and was happy they got him is an UDFA. Then they let him go (probably due to having Harrell). Shaping up to be a very good player.
Silence! the answer…is Mauer
Daniel Muir, and Antonio Johnson have both been outstanding for the Colts this year. I wish they would have kept Ed Johnson simply for depth.
I wish the packers could have kept him. Unfortunately undrafted guys have a higher mountain to climb to make a team than drafted guys.
There were signs, even in Green Bay, that Muir was special. After Corey Williams left for Cleveland, Muir was poised to be a new part of that heavy DL rotation that served GB so well in 2007 . But Def. Coord. Bob Sanders wasn’t allowed as many DLs in 2008, and Muir was expendable still. It’s unfortunate. If he were still here, it’s possible Raji would not have been drafted by the Packers.
Muir and Antonio Johnson have been highly effective DT’s. Very hard-workers at stopping the run. I thought when they drafted Moala that he’d have an instant impact, but that hasn’t happened. Things are working out, though, with these two.
Muir has been playing light’s out but one thing that isn’t addressed is the type of teammate he is. I played with him at Kent State and the guy is a great leader. Glad to see him and several other Flashes doing so well at the next level.
Too bad the curse of Ted Thompson struck again.
Oh yeah the curse of Thompson struck, that’s why his team had the #1 rush defense in the league last year? Oh…wait…