WESTFIELD, Ind. — Today was Day 2 of the Indianapolis Colts' 2018 training camp practices at Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield, Ind.
Here were some top takeaways from the day's session:
OFFENSE
— Quarterback Andrew Luck threw again today. He went 15-of-19 combined in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills, with no obvious touchdowns and no interceptions. Many of his passes found their way to tight ends Eric Ebron and Jack Doyle as well as wide receiver Ryan Grant. Luck looked a bit more crisp today than yesterday, although there are still some things to work on. Balls that were thrown into tight windows were a bit more precise. He primarily threw shorter passes early before going downfield more often later on.
— Luck to Ebron has been a common occurrence that continued today. Perhaps Luck's nicest pass of camp so far was today on an approximately 20-yard out route to the right sideline to Ebron.
— Guard/tackle Denzelle Good — who came off of the Active/Non-Football Injury list yesterday and was with the first unit at right tackle — was out for personal reasons today. Tackles Anthony Castonzo and Austin Howard remain on the Active/Non-Football Injury list, as well as guard Jeremy Vujnovich on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Center Deyshawn Bond is active and has been in uniform with his teammates but has only done positional drills to this point.
— The first-team offensive line today was Jack Mewhort (LT), Quenton Nelson (LG), Ryan Kelly (C), Matt Slauson (RG) and Tyreek Burwell (RT).
— The second-team offensive line was Le'Raven Clark (LT), Mark Glowinski (LG), Joe Haeg (C), Braden Smith (RG) and Jared Machorro (RT). Smith also got some reps briefly at right tackle, still with the second unit.
— Rookie wide receiver Deon Cain continues to be one of the bright spots of camp. After a highlight-reel catch yesterday on Day 1, he did it twice again today. The first was about 25 yards down the right sideline from Jacoby Brissett. Cain made the catch while falling to the ground. The second catch was another leaping grab similar to yesterday's. It was about 30 yards down the right sideline from Luck over Kenny Moore II.
— Running back Robert Turbin has gotten out to the field early both days, getting extra work while a four-game suspension awaits him to start the regular season. He's worked on ball security drills where he holds a football that has a rope attached to it. Meanwhile, a coach yanks on the other end of the rope, attempting to get it out of Turbin's grasp.
— Through two days, there has been no favoritism shown individually at the running back position. The veterans — Robert Turbin, Christine Michael and Marlon Mack — tend to get first dibs with the first unit followed by Nyheim Hines, Jordan Wilkins and Josh Ferguson. Overall, everyone tends to get some looks with the first unit.
— Wilkins showed really good agility a couple of times during drills. There was a scenario in which running backs would run shallow comeback routes while a linebacker had about 10 yards to meet them and try to get them squared up. On one occasion, Wilkins shook the defender to the ground. On the other, he did a stutter step and froze the linebacker long enough to gain a step.
— Hines was again used in a variety of ways. On top of kickoff return duty, he took handoffs (including multiple times on reverses), caught balls out of the backfield, and lined up outside and in the slot.
— Several different wide receivers and tight ends got run with the first unit. This includes T.Y. Hilton, Grant, Chester Rogers, K.J. Brent and James Wright at receiver as well as Doyle, Ebron and Erik Swoope at tight end.
— Basketball player-turned-football player Mo Alie-Cox has been as involved as I can recall seeing him in his time with the Colts. The tight end has caught a few passes in these two days.
(via Jake Arthur/Colts.com)
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DEFENSE
— New Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is a ball of energy, particularly during position drills. During one drill combining the linebackers and defensive backs in particular, Eberflus was repeating himself over and over: "Show me your speed!" That could very well be the new saying for the Colts' defense in general now that they've transitioned over to the 4-3.
— There was lots of drill work being done on change of direction, recovery and then sprinting to the would-be ballcarrier. By the time the 11-on-11 portion came on Friday, there's no doubt that every defensive player already had been through more than their fair share of a full workout. When head coach Frank Reich stressed tempo, you could definitely feel that during defensive drills — led by Eberflus.
— When the team did get into 11-on-11 drills, we saw John Simon working in much more with the first-team defensive line at defensive end opposite Jabaal Sheard. Tarell Basham/Anthony Johnson and Margus Hunt/Kemoko Turay were the other defensive end matchups commonly seen on Friday.
— Speaking of Turay, the rookie showed off a nice burst off the line, as well as a good amount of bend, to get to the quarterback against tackle Le'Raven Clark. Turay's working on his consistency out there, but has flashed on occasion the first couple days of practice.
— The Colts' defense was drawn offsides yet again on Friday, one day after Luck drew the unit offsides after a big play to tight end Eric Ebron. While this new scheme is predicated on speed and quickness, the Indy defenders will need to work on their collective discipline and keep their eye on the ball instead of relying on what they hear from the quarterback.
— Cornerback Kenny Moore II registered a would-be sack on quarterback Jacoby Brissett on a play in which Eberflus brought the house on a blitz. Moore forced a quick throw out of Brissett that was caught just out of bounds by Cain.
— Cornerback Quincy Wilson made a nice heads-up play to punch the ball out of the hand of tight end Ross Travis on a short crossing route to the left side of the field. Although Travis eventually recovered the fumble, it would've been for a big loss on the play.
— Safeties Malik Hooker and Clayton Geathers were seen working off on a side field with training staff during Friday's practice. Both players, who are currently on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list as they work their way back from knee injuries, can come back to active roster at any time.
— Cornerback Nate Hairston showed off some impressive concentration to earn an interception during 7-on-7 work, quickly juggling a tipped pass and gaining possession to take the ball down the sideline for the defense.
(via Andrew Walker/Colts.com)
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SPECIAL TEAMS
— Michael Badgley handled kicking duties for veteran Adam Vinatieri today during early field goal work. It's all just part of Vinatieri's maintenance plan; one would think he knows how much work he needs to get ready for the season.
— Oftentimes, if you pay attention to who's in on kick and punt coverage teams during training camp, you can get a good idea of who might be in the lead when it comes to certain on-the-bubble spots. Those on the top kickoff coverage team for the Colts on Friday were (left to right): Nate Hairston, T.J. Green, Antonio Morrison, Chris Milton, Moore, Rigoberto Sanchez, Najee Goode, Jeremiah George, Zaire Franklin, Jordan Wilkins and Matthias Farley.
(via Andrew Walker/Colts.com)
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INJURY UPDATE
— The Colts were without defensive end Chris McCain (ankle) and tackle/guard Denzelle Good (personal) on Friday. McCain seemed hobbled after making a nice would-be sack during the tail end of Thursday's practice. Good, meanwhile, had been working with the No. 1 offense at right tackle on Thursday.
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CAMP SCHEDULE
Saturday, July 28 | Kids Day, presented by Riley Children's Health | Colts City, 12:00 – 4:00 PM | Practice, 1:30 – 3:30 PM
Sunday, July 29 | BBQ Bash Night, presented by City Barbeque | Colts City, 5:00 – 9:00 PM | Practice, 6:15 – 8:30 PM
Tuesday, July 31 | Colts City, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Practice, 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Wednesday, Aug. 1 | Colts City, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Practice, 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Thursday, Aug. 2 | Colts City, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Practice, 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Friday, Aug. 3 | Friday Night Lights | Colts City, 5:00 – 9:00 PM | Practice, 7:00 -9:15 PM
Sunday, Aug. 5 | Community Day | Colts City, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Practice, 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Monday, Aug. 6 | Colts City, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Practice, 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Tuesday, Aug. 7 | Colts City, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Practice, 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Saturday, Aug. 11 | Armed Forces Day | Colts City, 2:00 – 5:00 PM | Practice, 3:40 – 5:20 PM
Sunday, Aug. 12 | Colts City, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Practice, 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Monday, Aug. 13 | Colts City, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Practice, 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Tuesday, Aug. 14 | Final Night Practice | Colts City, 5:00 – 9:00 PM | Practice, 7:00 – 9:15 PM
Thursday, Aug. 16 | Colts City, 12:00 – 4:00 PM | Practice, 1:30 – 3:15 PM
Friday, Aug. 17 | Colts City, 12:00 – 4:00 PM | Practice, 1:30 – 3:30 PM
Saturday, Aug. 18 | Bike to Camp Day, presented by Meijer | Colts City, 12:00 – 4:00 PM | Practice, 1:30 – 3:30 PM
