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:David B. (Clearwater, FL)
Think there is any chance at all of trusting 42 Gathers one-on-one with Gronk. Size, power and speed. Rookie yes but vets cant guard him either. Give the man a chance? Go Colts!!!
Bowen: David, you ask one of the major storyline questions of Patriots week. Colts defensive coordinator Greg Manusky mentioned Thursday that Geathers could definitely be an option in trying to defend Rob Gronkowski. When the Colts drafted the 6-2, 215-pound Geathers he was thought to be an option in the ever-growing roles tight ends are playing in the NFL. I think Geathers will get a chance at Gronk on Sunday night but it definitely doesn't stop there. Manusky said the Colts will mix and match their looks at the All-Pro tight end. The Colts have to get their hands on Gronk at the line of scrimmage and try to re-route the 6-7 freight train. Then when Gronk does get the ball in his hands, yards after catch cannot be a staple of his receptions.
Stephen G. (Spokane, WA)
Any idea why they passed on Ahmad Bradshaw? Seemes like Gore & Bradshaw could make a great one, two punch.
Bowen: The Colts did not pass on Bradshaw, signing him on Thursday. Stephen, I think you, the Colts, and fans around have a very similar to thinking in how a tandem of Gore and Bradshaw can operate together. Both are very similar backs and I think that can be really advantageous to the Colts not tipping their hand one way or another when one of them enters the game. I still expect Gore to be the definite lead back. However when Bradshaw enters, the offensive production shouldn't taper off. We saw last year what Bradshaw can do for an offense whether he's running, blocking or a threat out of the backfield. I expect that to continue in 2015.
Michael C. (Scottsburg, IN)
Kevin, I was wanting to know if you guys could set up a motivational speaker before the game Sunday to pump up the team. I want the team to be psyched and ready to go in the first quarter and lead the game and win. Thank you for reading. Have a nice day! #COLTSNATION
Bowen: I think if anyone needs a motivational speaker to play this game then that's an issue in itself. How the last two seasons ended in New England should be plenty of motivation for the Colts. We got a few "motivation" type questions this week. Anytime it's Patriots and Colts standing on opposite sidelines, that should be plenty of reason to be full tilt come kickoff.
Tommy G. (Utah)
Hey Kevin,
With Henry Anderson playing so well at DT is it fair to now say that losing Art Jones wasn't too big of a loss after all? Anderson seems to get off blocks almost every run play and get involved in bringing down the ball carrier.
Bowen: Tommy, I don't think that's the case at all. Let's start with Anderson. He's been terrific. I've been extremely high on him since the draft and he's exceeded my expectations. Now can you imagine if the Colts had a healthy Jones and therefore some really quality depth up front? The defensive line can be a war of attrition over the year. A rotation of the current group along with Jones would give the Colts some rare depth in the defensive trenches. The numbers last year show what Jones meant to the run defense when he was on the field. His presence would certainly be welcomed with outstanding play already coming from Anderson, David Parry, Kendall Langford, Zach Kerr and Billy Winn.
Isak H. (Mexico City)
As the season passes, we know Adam Vinatieri might retire soon. If the colts draft a kicker, do you think Ross Martin is a good possibility? I know the hype is around Roberto Aguayo, but he seems to lack something. In other subjefts, DL needs depth, what do you think about Penn St.'s DL?
Bowen: More draft questions have entered the mailbag this week. If the future Hall of Famer Vinatieri does indeed retire this season, I can't see the Colts investing that high of a pick in a kicker. Look at what the Colts have found lately in Training Camp guys Brandon McManus and Cody Parkey. Those two kickers were undrafted and simply camp bodies for the Colts. They now are starting kickers in the NFL. The Colts can find quality kickers outside of the draft. Isak, I haven't really watched much of Penn State this year but it does seem like they have one of the better run defense units in the Big Ten.
