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INDIANAPOLIS – Readers of 1070TheFan.com can submit their questions to have a chance of them being answered in our mailbag.
Submit your questions here.
Here is the collection of Monday questions:
Jim (Charlotte)
Do you know if Luck went to LA to work with Tom House before he went to Stanford to throw to his receivers. I was hoping he would so House could sign off on his rehab and declare him 100{d2e80646b1e79cdd491325e9e711c37ca5f63afe4c67c85c6fac488c3d7d2221} to let it rip.
Bowen: In regards to the question, we don’t know if Luck did go to House. I would think since House is based in LA, it’s the Colts who will be offering any further necessary clearances, considering that all parties have to be on the same page with camp starting in about a week and a half. Maybe a brief stop in LA, but nonetheless Luck was at Stanford last week. Chester Rogers (plus other Colts pass catchers?) was present as well. With the videos seen, Rogers was busy catching balls, on all levels on the field. However, you couldn’t pinpoint who the quarterback exactly was (assuming it was Luck, obviously). On the same day Luck and Rogers were in California, some videos were posted of Jacoby Brissett and Eric Ebron working together elsewhere. We knew that when Luck was planning to get together this month, the quarterback would want things very hush, hush in terms of information about the workout. That was achieved.
Alan (Big Pine Key, FL)
Might injury have something to do with not having Darius Leonard signed?
Bowen: That’s a good question, Alan. I don’t think it’s the case though. We see injured guys sign rookie contracts all the time and it’s not like the Colts have been overly outspoken with severe disappointment in Leonard’s recovery. They knew of the injury to Leonard before drafting him. It is a little odd we haven’t seen this deal done yet. He’s the NFL’s only second-round pick left unsigned. Leonard has been doing some on-field drills during the down time before Training Camp. He looks like a guy ready to go for camp next week.
Collin (Hicksville, OH)
Hey, Kevin. Just finished reading the last mailbag and got a question of my own. What do you think about the potential of Jabaal Sheard and Tarell Basham (our presumed starters) in 2018? I personally think Basham will be much improved in the 4-3 and take pressure off of Sheard. If this can happen, I’d expect more of Sheard’s many pressures to become sacks instead and lead to a season of about 10 – 12 sacks for him and 6 – 8 for Basham. Does that sound right? Also, when do pass rushers “show their age” so to speak? Sheard is 29 and I’d really like him to get resigned if his production keeps increasing. Thanks!
Bowen: This is something I actually just wrote about last week, in reference to Chris Ballard believing this change in systems will really aid the poor pass rush from last season. I’ve always been a Sheard fan. With Basham, I see why the Colts are optimistic, but I still need to see a little prove it before I’m going to pencil him in for 6-8 sacks and Sheard for another 10-12. That’s a massive jump for a team that only had 25 sacks last season. In terms of pass rushers showing their age, you rarely find many present-day rushers north of the age of 30. Sheard will be in a contract year in 2019. After that, I can’t see of Sheard around much longer. You have a young rusher waiting in the wings (Kemoko Turay) that needs to take over after being selected in the second round. Still, I like what Sheard brings as a 3-down player.
