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INDIANAPOLIS – You asked them and we answered them.
Here's the first installment of "Inside the Huddle", which is a weekly Twitter Q and A piece that will run every Friday.
The first installment of questions are below with topics ranging from Daniel Adongo's potential to how the Colts offensive line will hold up against Jadeveon Clowney and the Texans defensive front.
@KBowenColts @Colts has Donald Thomas been working out with the rest of the team? How is his recovery coming along? — Alfredo Sandoval (@mafmajor) June 25, 2014
Bowen: While many Colts veterans are off on their vacations all over the world, Donald Thomas remains in the 317. It's remarkable, yet a bit scary, that Thomas is trying to rehab from both a torn bicep and a torn quad. Thomas has not hit the practice field in 2014 but is making his rounds throughout the Colts weight room. Khaled Holmes thinks Thomas is stronger now then he was before got hurt, in both the lower and upper bodies. It's the lower body strength of Thomas that has caught the eye of Ryan Grigson this offseason.
The guard position saw three guys run with the first team during minicamp (Lance Louis, Jack Mewhort and Hugh Thornton). Add Thomas to that group and you will have quite the position battle for the starting guard spots up in Anderson.
@KBowenColts @Colts how is donte Moncrief looking in minicamps and otas — Jabril BURR (@Brillo_95) June 25, 2014
Bowen: When watching Moncrief out there, you have to remind yourself that this guy is just 20 years old. He certainly doesn't look that young and made some really impressive plays late in OTAs and minicamp. Where he exactly fits in the fold this year is a bit murky due to a trio of 1,000-yard receivers on the roster.
There's no question the future is bright for Moncrief. He had a knack for big plays at Ole Miss and backed that up with some eye-popping numbers at the NFL Combine. Moncrief has also impressed Colts defensive backs this offseason. Greg Toler points to Moncrief's ability to hide his hands until the last possible second, a technique that defensive backs play against, as a strength for the Colts third-round pick.
@KBowenColts how is adongo progressing? Is he going to see meaningful snaps outside of special teams? — Arke (@ArkeApps) June 25, 2014
Bowen: This is a question I think we will see a lot between now and September. For Adongo to make the Colts 53-man roster this year, he's in all likelihood going to have to contribute in some fashion outside of just a few special teams snaps like last season. In my opinion, placing him on the practice squad in 2014 would be too risky as another team would likely try and claim Adongo.
In minicamp, we saw Adongo playing in 11-on-11 situations at outside linebacker, getting after the quarterback, along with dropping into coverage. At 280 pounds, Adongo has room to even add to his already massive frame (although he has said he's not trying to add more weight). Adongo's position coach Jeff Fitzgerald says Adongo is "a project that's moving himself into the ranks somewhat." Perhaps no snaps in the preseason for a Colts player will be watched closer in terms of evaluation than those of Adongo.
@KBowenColts @Colts with #Texans now having #Clowney and #Watt,how will offense line keep andrew luck vertical? — Brian Doucette (@deu930ce) June 25, 2014
Bowen: During Chuck Pagano's book tour earlier this week, this particular question came up in a few of the head coach's appearances. Colts fans all remember how Watt wreaked havoc with three sacks back in that 2012 meeting down in Houston. Since then, the Colts have done a solid job against the All-Pro (one sack for Watt in three games).
Yes, the addition of Clowney has the potential to turn Houston into a St. Louis like front with recent first round picks Whitney Mercilus and Clowney coming off the edge and then Watt demanding a double team in the interior. However, Houston did lose defensive end Antonio Smith to free agency and he was a key piece to the Texans' pass rush---who also happened to give the Colts fits with four sacks in the team's last four meetings.
@KBowenColts @Colts Most improved unit this year?!? — Dan Schulte (@showltee) June 25, 2014
Bowen: Let's start on the offensive side of the ball. I'll go with the running backs. Health is the obvious concern with this group but you have three proven and viable options. In the last two seasons, the guy who has been the starting running back in Week One has not been the Colts' leading rusher at the end of the season. A stable of Trent Richardson, Ahmad Bradshaw and Vick Ballard gives the Colts a trio of guys that should allow this offense to rely much more on the ground game in 2014.
On defense, I'll go with the defensive line. Art Jones has been the talk of the offseason and how he gives the Colts a versatile part up front that excels against stopping the run. With a year of playing in the NFL under his belt, Josh Chapman looks be the No. 1 nose tackle. A potential starting three-man front of Chapman (340 pounds), Jones (337 pounds, he says he wants to drop about 15 pounds before camp) and Cory Redding (318 pounds) gives the Colts the right body types needed to have a successful first line of defense in the 3-4 scheme.
