Thank you for submitting questions for my Colts mailbag! I hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving!
Well, a lot has happened since I last checked in with you all in this format, and with the bye week around the corner, now feels like a good time to see how you’re feeling. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
What changes have you seen in how Anthony Richardson is handling business since his benching? Is he treating the media differently? — Robert M.
From those I’ve spoken with, both on and off the record, Richardson has been more focused and dedicated after his benching than he was before. Examples include getting to the facility earlier to begin his game preparation, diving deeper into film study and the playbook and speaking up in team meetings. He’s also taken a more business-like approach with the media by giving a lot of cookie-cutter answers in interviews, which I don’t love as a reporter, but totally understand given the nature of his job.
#Colts QB Anthony Richardson on the team’s urgency and playoff hopes:
“Man, everything still on the table for us. But there’s a sense of urgency, just getting some Ws, stacking the up. Because we know we need the rest of them to get what we want. …” pic.twitter.com/gJnurIl9Sa
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) November 27, 2024
My biggest thing is just monitoring how the 22-year-old continues to carry himself because I don’t think anyone can truly change in a matter of weeks. A true metamorphosis will still take time, but that starts with building the right habits. So far, it appears Richardson is doing that as he gains a better understanding of what it means to be the face of a franchise.
How can the Colts fix their tight end situation? Second, how can they fix the offensive line and right guard Dalton Tucker’s issues? Lastly, the Lions picked on our linebacker core in the middle of the field and with the quick screens; how does this get fixed? — Jake F.
A three-parter! OK, first, I don’t think the Colts’ tight end group is fixable at this stage of the season. Jelani Woods had the most upside of any tight end on the roster, and after he was lost for the year due to a toe injury in the preseason, there wasn’t much hope another TE would break out. As expected, the Colts have produced the fewest receiving yards (299) and receptions by tight ends (26) of any team in the NFL through the first 12 weeks of the season. Expecting them to get more involved with five games left is … well, it’s not going to happen.
New episode of The James Boyd Podcast is liveeeeeeee with @jimayello!!
Come join us as we discuss #Colts QB Anthony Richardson, RB Jonathan Taylor, the O-line issues and the playoff hopes that still lie ahead!
Apple —> https://t.co/lckCad2hpV
Spotify —> https://t.co/BWc4U77CFG pic.twitter.com/OTnbrvSWEW
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) November 26, 2024
I do think Will Mallory deserves so more looks, though, and he could eventually be a valuable pass-catcher for Richardson. The 2023 fifth-round pick’s calling card in college was his ability to separate and make downfield catches, but he’s been inactive five times this season. If Indianapolis can’t find a way to get him onto the field down the stretch, then that tells me they simply do not believe in him. As for long term solutions, tight end is a huge position of need entering the 2025 NFL Draft (more on that later).
Now, onto the offensive line. It’s kind of the same answer. I don’t know if there are any great solutions at Indy’s fingertips, considering the amount of injuries that have piled up. The team signed veteran guard Mark Glowinski to its practice squad last week, so maybe he could take over for the struggling Tucker.
#Colts HC Shane Steichen, asked if they’ll make a change at RG this week:
“We’ll see. We’re looking at some things, some stuff. So, we’ll see how that goes.”
On Dalton Tucker:
“He’s played tough. … He’s gritty. I’m sure he’d want some plays back, but he’s been battling.” pic.twitter.com/3ZXQzzE2aM
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) November 27, 2024
Glowinski may not be the stalwart he used to be when he started 55 games for the Colts from 2018-21, but he may be worth a shot, since Tucker — an undrafted rookie — has given up the third-most pressures of any offensive lineman in the NFL since becoming a full-time starter in Week 6. I don’t think fellow rookie Matt Goncalves is a realistic option at right guard, either, because most of his college and early NFL experience has been at tackle.
Another tidbit I’ll throw out there is that left guard Quenton Nelson and right tackle Braden Smith, who are on $80 million and $70 million contracts, respectively, must simply be better. Smith has been flagged a team-high 12 times, and three of them have led to stalled drives. Nelson, meanwhile, has been penalized 11 times and a staggering seven of them have led to stalled drives. Indianapolis cannot win with its two highest-paid offensive linemen making so many mistakes.
Lastly, I think the Colts linebackers’ inability to cover is the Achilles heel of this defense, which opposing teams will continue to exploit. Zaire Franklin and E.J. Speed have made a few plays in coverage this year, but it’s not their strong suit, and that won’t change overnight. For now, it’s on defensive coordinator Gus Bradley to weigh the risk versus the reward of bringing more pressure so that the linebackers don’t have to cover as much ground.
Looking ahead, Franklin isn’t going anywhere during the offseason since he inked a three-year, $31.3 million extension last year. Speed, however, is in the final season of a two-year, $8 million deal, and his play this season doesn’t make it a no-brainer to bring him back, especially if he’s expecting a raise.
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