Colts Fans and Stampede Blue Community Q&A - Wildcard Week Answers

Colts fans and Stampede Blue readers can submit their Colts questions to have a chance of them being answered in our Q&A.

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Let’s jump straight into this week’s questions:

FtWayneFan (Stampede Blue Comments): Do we really have the No.1 WR of the future and TE on this team. TY is getting up there and Pittman has flashed but cannot say he is the one at this point. Campbell Injured again. Should we shoot for the stars and try to get a FA like Robinson etc? Is our wideout problem partly a QB problem, will some one like a Robinson want to play here?

Answer: The Colts have some good options a wide receiver for the future but none have shown yet that they are capable of being a number 1 wide receiver. TY Hilton is a clear number 1 wide receiver but as you mentioned he is getting older, 31 years old, and the team needs to have a plan in place for future number 1 wide receiver. The Colts should absolutely look into free agency for a wide receiver their are some very good options such as Allen Robinson (Chicago), Kenny Golladay (Detroit) or Chris Godwin (Tampa Bay) all are very good receivers with proven top production. For the tight end position the Colts have only one tight end under contract next year, Jack Doyle who is set to be 31 in the off-season. Both Trey Burton and Mo Alie-Cox are set to be free agents, Burton is going to be an unrestricted free agent and Alie-Cox is a exclusive rights free agent. Colts could look into free agency for the tight end position too with options such as Hunter Henry (Los Angeles), Gerald Everett (Los Angeles R) or Jonnu Smith (Tennessee) all really good options. The Colts wide receivers “problem” is not on the quarterback as Philip Rivers has been amazing this year but it never hurts to add more talented weapons on offense.

Sorkoth (Stampede Blue Comments): What are we going to do at left tackle going forward? Anthony Castonzo is in his twilight. I don’t see a tackle on this team that can step up. Quenton Nelson could play left tackle but has never needed to in college or the pros. (He has been next to 3 first round draft picks in his career at ND and the Colts. Ronnie Stanley, Mike McGlinchey, and Anthony Castonzo.) Do we move him over and find a guard since he’s gonna make $$$?

Answer: Anthony Castonzo is still the teams left tackle although after the retirement thoughts last year and his season ending injury it does put some doubt on his future with the Colts. If Castonzo does retire then it leaves a huge hole to fill on the offensive line. There are no current long term options on the team to be the left tackle of the future and i don’t think moving a three time all pro left guard, Nelson, over to a position he’s never played is the answer. The Colts long term left tackle is not currently on the teams roster, whether it be via free agency, trade or the draft, the team will need to add a left tackle.

Coltitus (Stampede Blue Comments): What should we do with Malik Hooker? Clearly we didn’t pick up his 5th year option but he then suffered a season ending injury. He was basically on a 1 year prove it season, which failed, maybe a 1 year contract offer for $5m, and battle Blackmon and Willis. We regularly play 3 safeties anyway.

Answer: The Colts did not pick up the fifth year option for safety Malik Hooker and he is scheduled to be a free agent this off-season. Unfortunately for Hooker he torn his achilles and ended up missing the majority of the season in a contract year. I think the Colts would be open to bringing him back for the right price but I can also imagine Hooker wanting a decent sized contract. The most logical process for the Colts would be to remain in contact with Hooker but to let him test free agency. If the Colts feel that the offers match their evaluation then they will re-sign him if not I could see them letting him walk.

Smonroe (Stampede Blue Comments): Is it fair to say that Saturday’s game may give us an idea if Rivers plays next season? If we win, it will probably be a mutual agreement that he should come back. If we lose, and it’s because our offense couldn’t keep up with theirs, do you think the Colts will want to move on? In other words, is this Rivers’ ceiling, maybe making the playoffs (if we’re lucky) and we want more?

Answer: I think after what the Colts have seen from Rivers this season they will definitely be thinking about trying to bring him back next year. The only way I could see the Colts not bringing him back on the back of Saturday’s game is if Rivers has an absolute stinker of a game and even then one game shouldn’t really overshadow a very good year of play by Rivers. The Colts should absolutely look into upgrading the quarterback position whether it be via free agency, a trade or the draft. However, re-signing Philip Rivers would definitely be a good move by the team.