WESTFIELD, Ind. – Two of the biggest head-turning plays during the Colts' Wednesday training camp practice at Grand Park came on deep throws, which shouldn't be surprising given the team's renewed emphasis on pushing the ball downfield.
One pass was broken up (by safety Julian Blackmon). The other was caught (by wide receiver Alec Pierce). Both belonged on a highlight reel.
During a seven-on-seven period, quarterback Anthony Richardson unleashed an arcing deep ball to Pierce, who looked to have a step on the defense well down the field. But Blackmon, as he's done a few times during camp, quickly closed from the intermediate to deep part of the field and, at the last second, leapt to swat the pass away.
"He's gotta be a guy for us that's around the ball quite a bit," Bradley said. "He makes plays and he's got really good instincts."
The Colts envision a big year ahead for Blackmon, who re-signed as a free agent this offseason after setting several career highs in 2023, his first year playing strong safety in Bradley's defense. At strong safety, Blackmon usually lines up closer to the line of scrimmage, meaning he has to quickly identify deep routes and then flip his hips to keep up with whoever may be streaking downfield.
It was a small sample size – just six targets – but Blackmon in 2023 allowed only one completion when he was targeted 20+ yards downfield, and his 91.2 Pro Football Focus coverage grade was tied for second-highest among safeties on deep balls.
"I feel like I just understand my role," Blackmon said over the weekend. "Going into Year 3 with the same coaches, I feel like I'm getting a lot more comfortable and when I can and when I cannot take risks. And so, it also allows me to make plays."
Later in practice, during full-team work, it was Pierce's turn to make a play down the field.
Pierce showed impressive body control and strong hands to snag a Joe Flacco deep ball, adding to a strong Wednesday put together by the third-year wide receiver. The catch was impressive; wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne sprinted about 40 yards across the field to celebrate with Pierce after it.
Earlier in practice, Pierce elevated for a contested completion from Richardson (who showed good touch on the pass).
"He made some big plays," offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said. "He always brings it to practice — every single day, he is as consistent as they come. His work ethic, his pre-practice habits, just the way he prepares himself to have a shot at having some success during that practice when those opportunities go up."
News & Notes
- Tight coverage from cornerback JuJu Brents forced an incompletion in a goal-to-go 11-on-11 period.
- Running back Trey Sermon broke through for a touchdown during the same goal-to-go full-team part of practice.
- Wide receiver Adonai Mitchell's quickness and fluidity showed up with a nasty route leading to a wide-open completion during 1-on-1 work.
- Blackmon had a bead on a zippy completion from Richardson to wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. – the sort of play that could've resulted in a forced incompletion or physical tackle in live game action.
- Safety Ronnie Harrison Jr. had a pass break-up during seven-on-seven, while Flacco connected with tight end Jelani Woods for a chunk gain in that period, too.
- Running back Evan Hull ripped off an explosive run during 11-on-11.
- Tight end Kylen Granson had an impressive one-handed catch later in full-team work.
