Colts Fans and Stampede Blue Community Q&A - Week 4 & 5 ANSWERS

Colts fans and Stampede Blue readers can submit their Colts questions to have a chance of them being answered in our Q&A. Missed out this time? Don’t worry, you can get involved next time by submitting a question when the Q&A post goes up in the comments section, in the Twitter replies, or on the Facebook post comments.

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

FTWayneFan (Stampede Blue Comments): I like the idea of Hines and JT in the backfield together, lots of speed and break away plays with a little blocking or using Hines has a receiver, stressing the D. What would you or others here think is the disadvantage of them being lined up in the backfield

Answer: The only big disadvantage of having both running backs in the back field together means that the offense would be taking a wide receiver of tight off of the field in place of a running back. I think having a package on offense of Hines and JT in the back field is a good idea and even having Hines lined up in the back field and then split out would be a great idea too. The more creative the offensive staff uses Hines and his playmaking ability the better.

ColtsSupaBowlas (Stampede Blue Comments): What is the realistic ceiling for a healthy Colts team? It stills seems like we are aiming at mediocrity at this point of the rebuild/retool? Can we beat the good teams of not then it’s like what’s the point? Are y’all ok with the Colts becoming the pacers?

Answer: I think the most realistic ceiling for this Colts team when healthy is a playoff team. The Colts should be a consistent playoff team, they should be in the mix every year in the playoffs. What the outcome of the playoffs is depends on a variety of factors. But the Colts should be in the playoffs and working towards going as far into the playoffs as possible every year.

ColtsChampions (Stampede Blue Comments): Julio Jones currently ranks 55th in receptions (via ESPN), with 12 catches off 18 targets for 204 yards and an average of 17 yards per catch. Four games into the season, does it look like Ballard made the right decision to pass on Jones?

Answer: I think if the Colts hadn’t already traded a 2nd, potential 1st, round pick for Carson Wentz then they would have been in play to make a trade for Julio Jones. I don’t think Ballard regrets not being a serious player for Jones as they didn’t really have the compensation to trade for him. Also with how this year is going with the offensive line Jones wouldn’t have made much of a difference.

JimSorgi4Pres (Stampede Blue Comments): Full disclosure, I HATE the “bend but don’t break” zone defense we play. My question is do you think it is possible that the passive philosophy of our defense has bled over into the whole team? To me this team feels soft all the way around. Maybe we have too many “nice guys” in our locker room.

Answer: I don’t think that bend don’t break means soft. The Colts defense is predicated on being fast and physical which doesn’t mean soft. Matt Eberflus complains when players “loaf” and is very hard on his defenders so I highly doubt he is preaching a soft mentality. Having good characters in a locker room is a good plan but they also need to be working towards a common goal which the Colts appear to be doing also.

Lucky Jock Strap (Stampede Blue Comments): There was a report 4 or 5 teams called about Marlon Mack. Which teams do you believe are in the mix and what can we expect in return?

Answer: I would say the teams most likely teams to be in the mix for Marlon Mack would be; the Ravens, the 49ers, the Jets, the Rams, the Dolphins and the Falcons. If the Colts can get anything near a mid round pick then they would be doing great business. I think a realistic trade compensation for Mack would be a 5th round pick.