We're back with another edition of The Colts Show Mailbag, where I'll answer listener questions both on the podcast and here on Colts.com every week.
You can submit your questions to me a few ways: At Colts.com/Mailbag, on social media (like X and Instagram) and in the YouTube comments for the podcast. Get your questions in, since next week's episode will be a full season preview – and I'll probably answer more than one on the podcast.
For this week's podcast mailbag question, I answered one from Dylan Durnal about Daniel Jones and if he's in the early stages of a Sam Darnold-like turnaround. For the answer, check out this week's episode of The Colts Show – I was also joined by wide receiver Alec Pierce for a fascinating conversation about football, Daniel Jones, triple jumps and a whole lot more – wherever you get your podcasts, including on:
Let's dive into the rest of this week's batch of questions:
Andrew Carter (North Manchester, Ind.): With the difficulties in getting into the end zone over the first two weeks and the consistency of getting into the red zone with Jones, why not give AR some opportunities inside the red zone? He has shown/proven he's got a nose for the end zone! It was just his inconsistency in getting to red zone. Mix it up! Let's GO HORSE! We all like what we see except for the lack of TDs.
Dustin Kluesner (Indiana): Why do you think we don't use AR5 in short down situations. We got stopped twice last week on 4th and 1. To me it just makes sense to use him in those situations like the Saints used (Taysom) Hill. Just think about it AR5, JT and maybe Warren in the backfield is pretty scary for a defense. Just curious on your thoughts about this and hopefully we can see this happen in the future.
JJ Stankevitz: I wouldn't discount that all options are on the table for the Colts looking to improve their red zone offense, which I wrote about here – it's almost like Andrew here read my article before I published it. Maybe the solution is sprinkling in Richardson here and there, maybe it's something completely different, but it's absolutely a focus for the Colts.
One thing to note here is what head coach Shane Steichen said prior to the season when he was asked about using Richardson in certain situations.
"I want to make sure he crushes his new role and takes it in stride and does a hell of a job there," Steichen said. "We'll see. ... I want him to crush his new role, be a pro every day, come in the building, work and we'll see where it goes."
Notably, the Colts did just fine on fourth-and-short situations against the Miami Dolphins in Week 1, with Daniel Jones throwing to Josh Downs for a first down on one of them.
Last week, though, Steichen was asked about how Richardson has handled being Jones' backup.
"He's doing good," Steichen said. "He's been real good throughout the week, preparing the right way, still developing the fundamentals, technique on the practice field, getting those reps on the scout team. Continues to lock in – like I said, he's one play away."
Christopher Pagano (Bargersville, Ind.): With our Colts 2-0 we shouldn't have much to complain about. When should we expect to see multiple sack games for our defense?
JJ Stankevitz: To be fair, we did in Week 1 – Kenny Moore II, Nick Cross and Samson Ebukam each had a sack against the Dolphins.
But I think Christopher's question came in because not only did the Colts not have a sack against the Denver Broncos in Week 2, but they pressured Bo Nix on just seven of his 35 dropbacks.
It's worth noting here that in 2024, the Dolphins allowed the NFL's third-lowest pressure rate (27.5 percent, per PFF) and the Broncos were fifth (28.8 percent). Both offenses are designed to mitigate how much pressure is on Tua Tagovailoa or Nix; the Broncos, in particular, have an offensive line regarded as one of the best units in the NFL.
The Colts on Sunday were also missing defensive end Laiatu Latu (hamstring) and cornerback Charvarius Ward Sr. (concussion).
Let's see how this one plays out over the course of the 2025 season. And it could change as soon as this weekend, when the Colts face a Tennessee Titans offense that's seen rookie quarterback Cam Ward be sacked a league-leading 11 times.
Shawn Pitts (Terre Haute, Ind.): First off congratulations with the 2-0 start! My question is will anything that will be done differently on road games that isn't done at home games to try and win road games? My dad was a huge fan of the Colts and we watched every game together last year until he passed on Christmas Eve. He watched every game since I can remember and got to attend one. The Colts starting out this year with a winning record means a lot more to me then just a football game. Wish my dad was here to see it.
JJ Stankevitz: First of all, Shawn, thanks for sharing and very sorry for your loss.
Sunday's game isn't just a road game, it's a road divisional game – the sort of contests the Colts need to win if they want to end their 11-year AFC South drought. I'm interested in how the Colts' offense is able to communicate in a hostile setting for this one – Jones and the offensive line have consistently got their protections right to account for the Dolphins' and Broncos' blitz looks, but that emphasis on communication certainly will be heightened on the road.
The Titans are not as blitz-heavy of a defense as the Broncos (who have the third-highest blitz percentage since the start of the 2024 season) and Dolphins (fifth); defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson has sent blitzes on 25.8 percent of snaps in that time span (15th). But the Colts will have to be aware of those pressure looks and sort them out properly, because one of the undercurrents to this team's offensive success so far has been Jones only taking two sacks.
Daryl LaBar (Fishers, Ind.): Indy has had trouble consistently stopping the run recently. What can we do Lou do to turn the tide? Also, what's up with second rounder JTT? He looked like he could be trusted for some reps from what I saw in the preseason.
JJ Stankevitz: I talked about Tuimoloau on last week's podcast – he didn't play in Week 1 because of a numbers game at defensive end – and he played seven snaps in his NFL debut against the Broncos in Week 2. We'll see if he can carve out more playing time as the season goes on, but the Colts like their other four defensive ends (Latu, Samson Ebukam, Tyquan Lewis, Kwity Paye) quite a bit.
As for the run defense, you're right – the Colts are 29th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per attempts (5.4) and 28th in explosive run rate allowed (18.3 percent).
"I think it's something that we're focused on this week, for sure," defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo said. "It's something that we've got to put to bed early. A little bit in the first game was let's play a lot of split safety and limit 10 (Tyreek Hill) and 17 (Jaylen Waddle). Specifically, the first call of the season was a total pass call. They end up running it and get 10 yards. I would never do that in a normal situation. I just didn't want Tyreek to catch a slant the first play of the game. There are things we have to improve overall at all levels – up front, at the linebacker position and at the secondary spot. It's something we're focused on. We certainly want to be up in the top five when it comes to run defense, for sure."
Give it time, but it's a good reminder that even for as good as things have looked for the 2-0 Colts, there's always room for improvement somewhere.
Thomas Heubeck (Germany): Hey there and Greetings from Germany! Unfortunately I wasn't able to get tickets for the Berlin Game, but I'm so excited to See MY Team in MY home country! How are you and the organisation preparing for the Berlin Game and what do you expect of the stadium and the crowd? Thank you and keep it up! For The Shoe and For The Boss!
JJ Stankevitz: I had a chance to go on an advance trip in April to Berlin, where I was able to tour both Olympic Stadium and the Das Center, where the Colts will have an expansive Fan Zone from Nov. 5-9. I fell in love with the city – the culture, the people, etc. – and cannot wait to go back in a couple of weeks. Check out more at Colts.com/Berlin – and even if you don't have a ticket to the game, come by the Das Center for what's going to be a really neat event building up to gameday.
As for the crowd and stadium – I can't wait. We have a few things up our sleeve to bring a little Colts flair to gameday...stay tuned.
Anthony Miller (Fort Wayne, Ind.): Season ticket member here. I missed being there for the Denver game. But I noticed in week 1 that none of the starters were announced at the beginning. Is this something that will be the new normal and if so why?
JJ Stankevitz: Good question, Anthony. Steichen was asked about this after Week 1.
"I thought it was really important – I told the team that we were going to come out as a team," Steichen said. "I thought it was just kind of symbolic of Mr. (Jim) Irsay – it was his day, and we were going to come out as a team for Week 1, for sure."
Last weekend, we went back to individual introductions with the Colts' offensive starters. Tyler Warren was the first guy out of the tunnel; as usual, Jonathan Taylor was the last. And I gotta say – it's an honor and a privilege to be behind the mic for those.
