INDIANAPOLIS – E.J. Speed has paid attention and finds himself on the doorstep of something truly historic.
His has been a steadily ascending career arc with the Indianapolis Colts:
*2019 fifth-round pick, 164th player selected overall.
*Sinking deep roots as a special teams standout. He twice was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week, has blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown and returned two smothered punts for TDs.
*Gradually earning snaps on defense: 13% in 2021 which included his first career start, and 28% and five starts in ’22.
*Seizing the moment in ’23 when injuries befell Shaq Leonard. Speed started 11 games and hasn’t slowed down.
So, here we are.
Sunday, the Colts will attempt to end their streak of eight consecutive losses in Jacksonville – nine straight road losses overall – against the winless but dangerous Jaguars at EverBank Stadium.
Speed can etch his name in NFL history. He has piled up at least 10 tackles in eight consecutive games, tied with Hall of Famer Zach Thomas for the longest streak in the league, dating back to 1987 when tackles began being officially compiled.
That possibility means something to Speed, and surpassing Thomas would require some additional film study.
“It does,’’ he said. “I’m actually going to have to go back and look at some of Zach Thomas’ film. He’s one of the linebackers that’s great that I haven’t got a chance to study. So, I’m going to study him just because we both share this record right now. It’s cool. I’m excited to take a step to breaking that record.’’
Along the way, Speed obliterated the Colts’ record of five straight shared by Zaire Franklin (twice) and David Thornton.
To reach Thomas, Speed moved past Hall of Famer Ray Lewis and C.J. Mosley, each of whom had double-digit sacks in seven straight.
After four games, Speed and safety Nick Cross share the NFL lead with 47 tackles. Speed’s 34 solos are the most. Franklin sits at No. 10 with 41.
Having three players among the top 10 in tackles is a reflection of the defense facing a league-high 305 plays.
Speed credits his steady rise to paying attention to everything at every step of his journey.
“Just understanding football more,’’ he said. “You hang around the barbershop long enough, you get your haircut. I just pride myself on tackling. I don’t like missing tackles. I missed a few this year I’m not proud of. I hate missing tackles more than I like making them. That results in me just having a great game as far as getting to the ball and getting the ball down when I get there.’’
Coordinator Gus Bradley has had an insider’s view of Speed’s development. He raves about Speed’s, well, “great speed.’’
“I mean, time him in the 40, see him on the field run,’’ Bradley said. “But I think what’s different now this year is just his instincts. He’s always had them, but I think with his knowledge of the defense, you’re seeing him play even faster. For him, the mother of knowledge is repetition. That’s for everybody, and E.J.’s no different. The WILL position by nature is a position that’s going to be around the ball a lot, and he’s taking advantage of his opportunities.’’
Leonard was waived Nov. 21 when it became apparent his back surgeries had stripped him of his speed and effectiveness. That accelerated Speed’s move into the starting lineup.
In his last 10 starts, he’s collected 108 tackles, including 82 solos.
Franklin knows all about tackles and double-digit games.
Leonard adjusted the club record with 163 tackles in 2018 when he was named first-team All-Pro and Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Franklin bumped the tackle mark to 167 in 2022 and 179 last season. He’s had at least 10 tackles in a game 24 times, three shy of matching Leonard’s club record.
Like Speed, Franklin lifted himself from third-day draft pick (round 7 in 2018) to special teams contributor to defensive mainstay.
The key to Speed’s emergence and consistency?
“Him growing,’’ Franklin said. “I think that’s just who he is. That’s just the type of player he always was (and) what he was always capable of. I know it was big for him to be able to step into a big-time role and play every snap, and he’s taken that with grace and pride and the results are there.’’
The timing couldn’t be better. Speed is in the final year of a two-year, $8 million contract. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
The Colts have re-upped Franklin twice, because he earned it. In March, he was rewarded with a three-year, $31.25 million extension that included $17.6 million in guarantees.
Speed is piling up evidence on a weekly basis – 13 tackles, 12, 12 and 10 more last week against Pittsburgh – that only increases his value.
“I’ve always been a consistent guy,’’ he said. “Since I got in, I’ve gotten better every year. Fruits of labor of just going out there and taking offseason seriously and getting in a routine of being consistent throughout the season. We’re on a two-game win streak. That’s dope, you dig? With the record, that’s just icing on the cake.’’
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.