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Answering your twitter questions about the Colts:
@StampedeBlue do you think the colts will make moves for a player to fill in for Mathis?
— Thomas Barwick (@Warbick) September 9, 2014
Probably. I mean, the Colts need to do something to help that pass rush. I was asked this question a lot and it's clear that many fans want the Colts to make a move. And while I certainly think it's very possible that the Colts will add a pass rusher, I think the most likely option for them is to go with what they already have. The Colts are confident in Bjoern Werner (whether or not they should be, now that's a different question), and then they're going to need guys like Erik Walden, Jonathan Newsome, and even Cam Johnson (depending on his health) to step up. The Colts will also look to blitz more (similar to preseason) and bring pressure from other places. Jerrell Freeman is a good pass rush option, but the Colts can't send him all the time. There's a possibility that Josh McNary will see some time at outside linebacker, as he's a good pass rusher. Ultimately, the Colts know that no one player is going to be able to replace Robert Mathis. The Colts are taking a team approach to replacing him. While it's certainly possible that the Colts will bring in some pass rush help, I don't think anyone they get will make a huge difference in terms of impact or philosophy in replacing Mathis.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/Coltsfanwilson">@Coltsfanwilson</a> Should Colts fans be worried about the play calling and general coaching staff decisions throughout the season?</p>— Diego Rodrigues (@IND_Diego) <a href="https://twitter.com/IND_Diego/status/509147330336264192">September 9, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Absolutely. Until this coaching staff can prove to us that their in-game decisions and play calling aren't hurting the team, it's fair to criticize and to be concerned. I'll have an article up on this more in depth later today (it was going to be yesterday, but then some news about Robert Mathis broke...), but Sunday wasn't a good showing for the coaching staff. I wasn't impressed with Pep Hamilton's play calling, nor was I impressed with Chuck Pagano and Greg Manusky's defensive gameplan. While there were a few in-game decisions I disagreed with from Pagano, the biggest question mark had to do with the gameplan and preparation. This wasn't the first time for the concern, either, and the Cotls' constant slow starts last year and repeated questionable decisions from Pagano led to questioning. And, Pep Hamilton's playcalling and Chuck Pagano's gameplans were questionable last year too. Ultimately, nothing in week one should do much to answer any questions about this coaching staff or calm any fears. Now, let's be certain, none of these coaches are on the hot seat, but it's fair to be concerned until the coaching staff shows otherwise.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/Coltsfanwilson">@Coltsfanwilson</a> You think Shipley or Holmes starts next week?</p>— Thomas Payton Weeks (@tpweeks) <a href="https://twitter.com/tpweeks/status/509149345795821568">September 9, 2014</a></blockquote>
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It all depends on health. I think that if Khaled Holmes is healthy, he'll be the starter. A.Q. Shipley had a very rough start to the game on Sunday night, but he eventually settled in and played well overall. He's a good backup option for the Colts, but I think the team clearly still views Holmes as their starter and are intent on starting him if he's healthy. We'll see if he's healthy enough to be deemed totally ready, but if so, Khaled Holmes will be the starter.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/Coltsfanwilson">@Coltsfanwilson</a> Will Walden ever consistently set the edge or will he keep diving inside and giving up the outside run on his side?</p>— JimSavage (@boileralum1) <a href="https://twitter.com/boileralum1/status/509151090739126273">September 9, 2014</a></blockquote>
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I think Erik Walden is who he is at this point. We know his limitations and that he hasn't done a great job setting the edge. Despite that, I don't think Walden is a terrible player. Again, Walden just has a hard time getting past the perception his contract gives - he signed a 4-year, $16 million contract, and by those standards he hasn't lived up to it. But that doesn't mean he's a terrible player. He has plenty of limitations and looking back (and even at the time) the contract was a bad. So to answer your question, no I don't expect that we'll ever see Walden consistently set the edge. I think we've seen about who Walden is.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/Coltsfanwilson">@Coltsfanwilson</a> why is Landry a starting safety in this league? He hasn't shown anything to warrant a starting role</p>— Ryan Noblitt (@RyanNoblitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanNoblitt/status/509150883339579392">September 9, 2014</a></blockquote>
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He hasn't done anything in Indianapolis to warrant a starting role, but it's important to note that he hasn't always played in Indy. Remember, he was a Pro Bowler in 2012 with the Jets. Because of that year, Ryan Grigson signed him to a big deal and brought him to Indy. In 2013, Landry was bad. Like, shouldn't-have-been-starting-bad. He was just as bad, if not moreso, Sunday night in the 2014 season opener. So your question, from an Indianapolis standpoint, is valid. Outside of his contract, nothing in his time in Indy would really suggest he should be starting. But there are two main reasons why he is: 1) he had a good year in 2012, but more importantly, 2) the Colts really don't have any better options. Mike Adams was bad on Sunday too. The depth behind them is Colt Anderson and Sergio Brown. It's not like the Colts have a lot of options at safety. While it's unlikely the Colts would bench Landry regardless, there's no way they will given the state of their safety position.