INDIANAPOLIS – Bjoern Werner is nearly signed, sealed and delivered with the Colts as the team starts a three-day rookie camp process that leads to the opening of training camp at Anderson University on Saturday.
Werner, 6-3, 260, is the club's first-round pick (24th overall), and he is the last outstanding piece of business among the club's rookies.
Werner will be a vital component for the club in the 3-4 defense, and he is one of the most prominent defensive players selected by the Colts in recent drafts.
At Florida State, Werner was named the ACC's Defensive Player of the Year and was a unanimous All-America first-team selection as a junior in 2012. He opened 14 games, and his 13 sacks ranked among the nation's leaders.
Among his 2012 exploits were 18 tackles for losses and eight passes broken up. For his career, Werner had 99 tackles, 23.5 sacks, 35.0 tackles for loss, 17 passes broken up, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries, including a 25-yard return for a touchdown.
|
Bjoern Werner's Career Statistics | |||||||||
|
Year |
G |
UA |
A |
TT |
TFL |
PBU |
FF |
FR |
SACKS |
|
2010 |
14 |
8 |
12 |
20 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
3.5 |
|
2011 |
13 |
25 |
12 |
37 |
11 |
8 |
1 |
2 |
7.0 |
|
2012 |
14 |
30 |
12 |
42 |
18 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
13.0 |
|
TOTAL |
41 |
63 |
36 |
99 |
35.0 |
17 |
3 |
3 |
23.5 |
Described by Chuck Pagano as "just a natural," Werner's head coach at Florida State, Jimbo Fisher, loved the career forged by the Berlin, Germany native.
"He was productive immediately," said Fisher of how Werner began his career at Florida State.
"He was one of those kids who when he came in and he did something (it wasn't), 'Look, I'm done,' then went and sat down. He did what he had to do, whether it was lifting, whatever it was (and said), 'Hey, coach, what do you want me to do next? What do you want me to do? You tell me what our team (needs).'
"There was no governor on his work ethic or attitude. It was, 'What can I do and what do I need to do?' "
Werner joins a veteran Indianapolis defense that was bolstered through free agency additions like Aubrayo Franklin, Ricky Jean Francois and Erik Walden. He had been one of fewer than 15 first-round picks who had not reached agreement. Werner will be ready for action when the contract is approved.
