Let's dive into this week's Indianapolis Colts mailbag:
@MikeWellsNFL who goes if Rogers becomes a 6th reciever?
— michael rathke (@michaelrathke1) August 29, 2014Mike Wells: I don’t see the Colts keeping six receivers now that they’re dealing with injuries at other positions. Da'Rick Rogers also didn’t help his cause with by punting the ball into the stands after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against Cincinnati. But since you asked, let’s act like the Colts do keep six receivers. I could see them cutting a tight end such as Weslye Saunders, or not keeping fullback Mario Harvey.
@MikeWellsNFL Can we pretty much count out a solid running game with the receivers the Colts are keeping & the lack to acquire another RB?
— Jay Rodriguez (@TSN_JRodriguez) August 29, 2014Wells: The idea is for the running game to complement the passing game. The Colts won’t have much of a passing or running game if the offensive line can’t block. If -- and it’s a big if at this point because of the injuries -- the line does come together the Colts will win with quarterback Andrew Luck's arm, but the running game will have some kind of impact.
@MikeWellsNFL In the past, Grigs has traded when there's a gaping hole at a position. Could we see a trade for a starter at SS?
— King's Mindset (@Ovaltine_Jenkin) August 29, 2014Wells: Ryan Grigson definitely has a reputation of being an aggressive general manager. There are questions at safety, but Grigson’s focus has to be on the offensive line. You’re talking about protecting your franchise player. You can expect him to be paying close attention to the waiver wire so that he can add some players to the roster to help out an offensive line that’s been hit hard with injuries.
@MikeWellsNFL If we don't sign Richie after last year's playoff loss in Foxboro, are we really serious abt winning or abt being nice guys?
— hmmm (@yesper8231) August 29, 2014Wells: The Colts have signed players who are rough around the edges in the past. Chris Rainey is a prime example. Rainey was arrested in Florida while with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Richie Incognito's issues are different than Rainey’s. You’re talking about a player who was an atrocious teammate while with the Miami Dolphins. Has Incognito changed? Of course he’ll say he has. That’s what he’s supposed to say so that he can get another shot in the NFL. You won't know if he's truly changed until a team takes a shot with him. The Colts -- if they do pursue Incognito -- have to decide if he would fit in their locker room and not be a distraction.
@MikeWellsNFL U think Purifoy makes the team, or nahh? Return man? 4th CB??
— DJ Johnny Cash (@djjohnnycash) August 29, 2014Wells: Coach Chuck Pagano talked Friday as if he wants to keep Loucheiz Purifoy and Marcus Burley. A lot will hinge on how they team handles the offensive line situation. “[Purifoy and Burley have] played well, and you know how hard it is to find cover corners and guys that have those traits that you’re looking for at that position, especially to do what we ask them to do down after down, playing our system and our style on defense,” Pagano said. “Both those guys have done well. They’ve had good camps, good offseasons, good training camps. They’ve played well in the preseason, certainly made a case. We always talk about made a case for themselves. They did a nice job.”
@MikeWellsNFL what do you think the defensive line rotation will look like in the first four weeks during Mathis' suspension?
— D'Brickshaw (@WaltelWhite) August 29, 2014Wells: Second-year player Bjoern Werner will start in Robert Mathis' spot at outside linebacker. He’ll join fellow linebackers D'Qwell Jackson, Jerrell Freeman and Erik Walden. As far as the defensive front goes, Arthur Jones, Josh Chapman and Cory Redding are the starters.
