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Answering your twitter questions about the Colts:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/Coltsfanwilson">@Coltsfanwilson</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/StampedeBlue">@StampedeBlue</a> how long till the colts start considering an extension for luck?</p>— Andrew Hey (@slangforhello) <a href="https://twitter.com/slangforhello/status/514189219485347840">September 22, 2014</a></blockquote>
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There's really nothing to consider. The Colts will absolutely extend Andrew Luck, but right now they can't. With the way the rookie wage scale is set up right now, for first round picks they cannot renegotiate their contract through their first three years. So right now, the Colts can't work on it, and there really isn't any rush. The Colts even have the option to pick up the fifth year option in Luck's contract to keep him around under his rookie deal for two more years, though don't expect that to happen. The Colts will extend Luck to a long-term, mega deal soon enough, but there's no rush.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/Coltsfanwilson">@Coltsfanwilson</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/StampedeBlue">@StampedeBlue</a> Doyle could overcome Fleener as a better fit at TE?</p>— FanColtsBrasil (@BituJunior) <a href="https://twitter.com/BituJunior/status/514190583704076288">September 22, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Colts fans have been very disappointed with Coby Fleener this year, but let's hold off on exaggerating just how bad he has been. He still has done a solid job as a pass catcher - as long as he catches the ball. That's the real knock on him so far, but if he can get better at catching the ball he could develop into a solid receiving threat for the Colts. I don't know if he'll ever turn into the star tight end the Colts drafted him to be, but that doesn't mean he can't be a good player. While Jack Doyle has been impressive so far and I've been happy with what I've seen from him, he's not going to replace Fleener. Besides, they play different roles. Doyle fills a more traditional, blocking tight end type role and also plays some snaps at fullback, while Fleener is (or at least should be) used almost exclusively as a receiving tight end. Neither one is the team's best tight end, however, and that's beyond clear - that distinction goes to Dwayne Allen.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/Coltsfanwilson">@Coltsfanwilson</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/StampedeBlue">@StampedeBlue</a> Will we see Dewey McDonald at some point? Has he made any strides at all?</p>— Chris Petrovic (@RebornRonnie) <a href="https://twitter.com/RebornRonnie/status/514197917406855169">September 22, 2014</a></blockquote>
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He's currently on the practice squad, and we really don't hear or see much of any of the practice squad players during the season, so I can't really update you on his progress much. That said, I can say that I don't expect to see him on the 53-man roster this year unless there is an injury, and even then the Colts will likely have to contemplate whether to promote McDonald or sign someone else. Basically, expect this season to be a year of learning and improving for McDonald before getting the chance to compete for a roster spot next offseason and training camp.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/Coltsfanwilson">@Coltsfanwilson</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/StampedeBlue">@StampedeBlue</a> can the colts have this success against good teams? Or was it because it was the jags?</p>— Aaron Andrew Hankins (@AAHankins) <a href="https://twitter.com/AAHankins/status/514211157104947200">September 23, 2014</a></blockquote>
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The answer is yes. The Colts can certainly have this success against good teams, but let's also be sure to acknowledge the opponent the Colts were playing on Sunday. The Jaguars stink. Like, they really, really stink. First of all, though, let's give the Colts credit for handily beating a team they were supposed to beat handily. That's the first step towards becoming a good team - winning the games you absolutely should win. Furthermore, the Colts played very well. Their offensive scheme was exactly how they should be playing, and Andrew Luck was lights out - and it wasn't just the Jaguars defense being terrible (which, granted, it is). I think this offense can definitely play well against good teams. The defense will likely look worse, however. So yes, the Colts can absolutely play this way against good teams. Now they just need to actually do it.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/StampedeBlue">@StampedeBlue</a> Is Werner a bust?</p>— Rushi Patel (@rushpat1) <a href="https://twitter.com/rushpat1/status/514189268919414786">September 22, 2014</a></blockquote>
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I won't call anyone a bust until they play three seasons (as long as they're with the team for three seasons, that is). So I'm not going to call Werner a bust yet, considering he's just three games into his second season. But so far, he has been unimpressive. Last year he notched only 2.5 sacks in a season hampered by injuries. While the expectations for him entering this season were too high (expecting him to replace Mathis), but the expectations for him to generate consistent pass rush were fair, especially for a first round pick a year ago. So far, he hasn't done much at all. For much of the season, he's been nearly invisible. I think we saw on Sunday against the Jaguars a big problem with him, and it's finishing plays. He had some nice pass rushes on Sunday, but he didn't finish the play. I remember one play in particular when he should have definitely had Blake Bortles but allowed him to spin out of a sack. That's a play Werner has to make, and there's too many plays that Werner gets pressure on but doesn't make the play - and that's if he gets pressure at all. It's been a very disappointing season for Werner so far.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/StampedeBlue">@StampedeBlue</a> Why did we use Allen so sparingly yesterday?</p>— Ryan Stroud (@Rpstroud) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rpstroud/status/514190586887561217">September 22, 2014</a></blockquote>
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They didn't use him sparingly at all. In fact, he was in on 77% of the snaps on Sunday, the most of any offensive player besides the starting linemen or Andrew Luck. More than any of the receivers, any of the other tight ends, and more than any of the running backs. In week one, the Colts targeted Allen five times. In week two, the Colts targeted Allen zero times. On Sunday, the Colts targeted Allen six times. He caught 4 of them for 43 yards and a touchdown. The thing about Allen is that he's such a good all-around player. He's a great receiving target for Andrew Luck, but he's an even better blocker. On Sunday, the Colts used Allen as both and it was easily the best game of the season in terms of their usage of one of their best player. If they continue to get Allen this involved, I'll be happy.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/StampedeBlue">@StampedeBlue</a> Some have suggested that Werner and Walden should switch positions. What are your thoughts?</p>— Garrett (@smileymoth) <a href="https://twitter.com/smileymoth/status/514191255207563264">September 22, 2014</a></blockquote>
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I'm surprised I'm saying this, but I think it might be worth a try. So far this year, we've seen Erik Walden be the most consistent pass rusher the Colts have (I know, I can't believe it either) and he has done a good job. However, he still hasn't done a great job at setting the edge. Werner seems better suited for Walden's role but has been thrust into the rush linebacker spot because of Robert Mathis' suspension and injury. He hasn't gotten much consistent pass rush at all this year. I wouldn't do it right away, but if what we've seen so far this year continues, I think the Colts should really consider switching Erik Walden and Bjoern Werner.