INDIANAPOLIS – Each week, readers of Colts.com can submit their questions to have a chance of them being answered in our Wednesday or Saturday mailbag.
With the abundance of questions in recent weeks, we will have two mailbags each week. This one comes via a weekend edition (here’s the Wednesday version from this week).
Here is this weekend's collection:Mark M. (Rexburg, ID)
I see that the Colts signed QB Alex Tanney to their practice squad.
- Does this mean that Andrew Luck might miss some time with his chest injury?
- Why not Tim Tebow? He would be a great publicity move. He showed great ability in the Pre-Season. He is low risk as far as off-field stuff goes. Why don't teams, or even the colts, give him a backup QB chance?
Bowen: It goes without saying, but the Saturday mailbag received plenty of questions about Andrew Luck's right shoulder and the Colts offensive line. The signing of Alex Tanney and Josh Johnson is obviously for insurance regarding Luck's injury. In the Luck era, the Colts have never had four quarterbacks on their roster (including practice squad). They've really carried just two quarterbacks for much of the last two seasons. This is a clear indication that there's uncertainty regarding Luck's injured shoulder. As far as Tebow, he's gotten his chance from a couple of NFL teams. There's a reason teams aren't banging down his door to sign him right now.
Chris A. (Charlotte, NC)
Colts Fan here. Since it's no secret that Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers are on pace to meet in the Super Bowl, my question is, when will Andrew Luck play like them?? He has the total package to outplay every quarterback in the league. His turnovers are killing us. As for the excuse, "the offensive line is weak", true statement, but even the best (Aaron Rodgers) knows how to operate under pressure from defenses.
Bowen: I do agree that Luck has the package and the makeup to reach the level of Rodgers and Brady one day. Those two are the class of the quarterback position in the NFL right now. Luck has had his early troubles in 2015 and protecting the football is atop that list of why he hasn't played at his normal Pro Bowl level. Based off past years, this sort of stretch for him is beyond rare. While his health is priority No. 1, the injury comes at a time where Luck has plenty of momentum after the fourth quarter on Sunday. Luck was 11-of-13 in the fourth quarter down in Nashville. Had Luck turned the corner with the performance when game pressure was at its peak last Sunday? We might find out Sunday, if Luck's right shoulder injury doesn't force him to miss his first NFL game.
Richard W. (Tulsa, OK)
Why have a backup QB who is 40 ? Can he really carry the team if Luck were to miss time? Thanks, Colts Strong
Bowen: This question could have some serious relevance come 11:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. That is when the inactive list is due for the Colts. Will Andrew Luck be on that list? If he is, Matt Hasselbeck will be under center come kickoff at 1:00 p.m. EST. We obviously don't know the exact answer to how Hasselbeck might perform if called upon for a game, or more. Hasselbeck had his struggles in the preseason, but he did play very solid last year in game action. He was a 68 percent passer in 82 snaps last season, including playing the majority of the Colts season-finale win down in Tennessee last year. Teams inquired about Hasselbeck in the offseason about possibly leaving Indianapolis for a potential starting role. The recently turned 40-year-old quarterback returned to Indianapolis for an emergency situation that might arise on Sunday afternoon.
David B. (Clearwater, FL)
Kevin,
I have a great wife from London Eng. Impossible to explain her passion for Chelsea Football Club. Each week we (in our fifties) transform into children and enjoy our teams. We both love to say We were there then or I was a fan then. We share the glory and the pain and have been doing so for many years. I am always surprised to see the older Baltimore fans who stuck with Indy in the move. Kevin do u know of an old geezers web site we can get together on? Thanks and beat Jags.
Bowen: David, Colts.com has a tremendous fan forum with passionate and intelligent fans. I’ll direct you to the forum where the message board is always having a debate over something Colts related.
Jarett D. (Virginia)
Another question for you Kevin, Andrew Luck was always good when he had that "lumberjack beard." Do yo think since he shaved could be why he is playing poorly this year? One of a big Colts superstition
Bowen: Jarett, I don't know if you've gotten a good look at Andrew Luck lately but the beard looks to be in full "lumberjack" mode to me. He's prepared for the winter that hopefully is still weeks away. I figured we would get a few "Luck body" questions this week, but I was thinking more around his right shoulder area, than his facial region.
John K (Syracuse, NY)
Hello Kevin,
Good Gritty win last week, our offense seemed to find its rhythm when Luck was winging the ball. With all the defensive questions coming up I thought I would ask one as well. Since we seem to be lacking in the sack department, im wondering when Robert Mathis is in he seems to be exclusively on the Right side of the lineup where Freeney used to be, Why hasn't he been lined up on the left side? That was the position he used to wreak havoc from.
Bowen: John, I must say I haven't watched Mathis that exclusively to see where he's been lining up in his 23 snaps this season. It has been just 23 defensive snaps for Mathis this season so as that number continues to rise, I think the Colts would move him around even more. I know he's been in a standup role a couple of times, too. I'm sure as the reps for Mathis grow, the Colts are going to move him around more and more.
Jean G. (Rio Rancho, NM)
Who should I start on my fantasy league--Hilton or Moncrief? I have them both--1 for bench and 1 to start?
Bowen: Wow, that's quite the duo to have. I would lean towards Hilton this week but honestly you can't go wrong with either. Hilton's last outing against Jacksonville included his famous "baby cradle" touchdown. Moncrief has been the touchdown machine for the Colts in the first three games of 2015. On Sunday, I think it's Hilton's turn to get into the end zone.
Chris McCorkhill (Indianapolis)
I had a question about newly acquired Sio Moore. I've yet to see him out on the field, but I know he was a promising player for the Raiders and was possibly on par with being a starting linebacker with the Colts. When can we expect to see him, and what linebacker position might he be playing?
Bowen: Last week we saw Sio Moore get his first defensive action with the Colts, logging seven snaps. He's been playing on plenty of special teams units and was in on the Colts two-point stop to complete the comeback. It looks like inside linebacker will be Moore's position right now. We haven't received any indication of whether his playing time will increase. As of now, he appears to be the team's third linebacker and rotating in.
