Colt Linebacker Bickett Expects to Have Improved Second Year

ANDERSON, Ind. —  Linebacker Duane Bickett, the Indianapolis Colts’ No.1 draft pick a year ago, says there will be no discussion this year of a sophomore slump.

That’s because the 1985 NFL defensive rookie of the year doesn’t figure on slowing down this season.

“It’s ridiculous to talk about a sophomore jinx when I know I’m only going to get better this year,” Bickett said. “I spent all last year learning and improved, and I’ll only get better this year as I learn more.”

Another thing the 6-foot-5, 240-pound USC product doesn’t want to discuss is an incident last May outside a bar in Los Angeles. He’s charged with assaulting a policeman, and will go on trial sometime in January, Bickett said.

“Let’s just say I’m fine until the end of the season--after the first playoff game,” Bickett said. “It was just something unfortunate that happened. I’m not going to the big house.”

Bickett’s more concerned with battling the heat and humidity at the Colts training camp at Anderson College.

“How do you handle this? I’d certainly like to find out,” Bickett said, referring to the weather.

Bickett, hoping to get a jump on the other veterans, showed up a week early for camp this year. He missed three weeks last summer while negotiations were continuing on his ultimate four-year, $1.8 million contract.

“Coach (Rod Dowhower) said he’d like me to come in early and I agreed with him,” said Bickett, the fifth pick overall in the 1985 draft. “This can only help.”

Bickett’s development as the starting right outside linebacker last season was the key to the defense’s rapid improvement.

“Every outstanding defense needs players who can make big plays and Duane was making those plays for us at the end of last year,” Colts defensive coordinator George Hill said.

“You need great plays to win big games and Duane’s the type of guy who makes it infectious for the others. He’s a winner because his leadership makes the other players around him better,” Hill said.