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:Zack B. (Indianapolis)
With you saying Boom is #2 back will we see him involved in the offense as much as Ahmad Bradshaw was?
Bowen: Zack, this is a good question. In recent weeks, we saw Bradshaw log around 30-ish offensive snaps behind Frank Gore. Chuck Pagano has talked about how banged up Gore is right now and that's with the 32-year-old running back playing 51 snaps against Tampa Bay. The Colts are going to lean on Boom Herron to definitely take over the role that Bradshaw had, mainly as a third-down back. Herron knows the playbook and had been playing with Buffalo, so there shouldn't be too much of a mental/physical hurdle now with an expanding role. The Colts want to keep Gore as fresh as possible, so I expect Herron to see a similar workload to that of Bradshaw.
Sunil A. (Houston)
Hi Kevin,
How is Anthony Castonzo progressing in his recovery from injury? Also, what are Ben Heenan's chances of getting promoted from the practice squad to the active roster during this season? Thank you.
Bowen: Right now, Chuck Pagano is still listing Anthony Castonzo at "week-to-week" with a sprained MCL. The injury obviously isn't a season-ending injury or else the Colts would have placed him on injured reserve. Typically, a sprained MCL is a couple of weeks to a month, so it looks like Castonzo will miss some more time. As far as Heenan (the Canadian Football League Product), I can't see him making the move to the active roster unless an injury occurs. This is pretty late in the season for a non-active roster player to make his NFL debut. At least Denzelle Good had been on the active roster for 10 straight weeks before he was called up (due to injury).
CJ P. (Washington D.C.)
Sunday's game vs Tampa Bay For Denzelle Good Was Pretty Good. Do You Think When AC Gets Healthy, Good Could Keep Starting? I Think A O-Line Of Castonzo(LT) Mewhort(LG) Harrison(C) Reitz(RG) and Good(RT) Wouldn't Be That Bad. During The Offseason I Think We Should Draft Or Sign A Center And We Would Be Okay.
Bowen: Fans definitely like what they saw in Good last Sunday and the Colts coaching staff agrees. Now, I don't think Good will stay in the starting lineup once Castonzo does return. The Colts obviously feel really comfortable with the five they had been going with: Castonzo, Mewhort, Harrison, Thornton, Reitz. Specifically, Reitz has played at a very high level out on the edge this season. The good news is the Colts now have a young tackle they can definitely groom going forward. In talking to Good this week he said the biggest crowd he played in front of at Mars Hill was maybe a couple thousand. There will be a few more than that on Sunday night at Heniz Field.
Thomas P. (Summitville, TN)
Why do coaches throw the challenge flag after the upstairs booth has already seen the evidence that the challenge is not warranted???
Bowen: The decision to throw a challenge flag has to be one of the most difficult, spur of the moment, moves a coach has to decipher through on game day. On Sunday, the two plays Chuck Pagano challenged he watched referees differ on signals right in front of him. That indecision I think certainly led to the challenges. Also, it's not like there's that much time from the time the play ends, to a replay being shown upstairs, to the flag needing to be thrown. The "evidence" you're seeing in that short amount of time is rarely substantial, so that's where the risk comes into play.
Oliver B. (Northampton, UK)
Well, it FINALLY happened! The Colts are coming to London!!!!!!!! I am beyond excited for this! :D
My question is this, will the Colts organisation be organizing any events in the UK prior to or during the run up to the game? I know the NFL does a few things in London during the few days before, but will the Colts organization be doing anything specifically?
Bowen: Oliver, that is a great question. It's still very, very early in the whole London process. Those things will begin to matriculate in the offseason so stay tuned to Colts.com for all of that info. For now, head here with the Colts looking to start a "booster club" in the UK area ahead of their trip next year in early October.
Richard W. (Tulsa, OK)
Kevin, Any chance the team will bring up Duron Carter this season? Thanks, Colts Strong 2015-16
Bowen: I can't see Carter being called up this season. The wide receiver group is already filled with an abundance of talent and guys that have proven themselves. Then, you factor in Phillip Dorsett likely getting back on the field in the next week or two. That is really going to complicate the number of wide receivers on the active roster. Keeping Carter on the practice squad is an ideal option for the Colts before giving the youngster another NFL offseason of work.
