A Categorical Look at the Day in Colts Camp
EYE ON CAMP
Cameras snapped, children smiled, and Colts players smiled, too.
This was the scene on Saturday morning following the Colts' one-hour practice on the second day of training camp at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
The event was a visit by a group of 20 current and past Riley Hospital patients serving as ambassadors and fundraisers for Riley through the Kids Caring and Sharing program.
The youth watched the morning practice, met Colts players after practice and visited Colts City.
"That's part of what we're all about," Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy said. "We want to win games and championships, but we also want to make things special when we can for our community and these kids are certainly a big part of that. It makes it gratifying.
"All our guys came over and it's such a neat feeling to see that communication and connection between the kids and our players. Believe it or not, our players probably enjoy it as much as the kids, because a lot of them are away from their family out here.
"I think these kids remind them of how special families are."
CAMP SKED
The Colts will hold two practices Monday at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology – a full-squad session at 9:30 a.m. and another practice at 3:30 p.m. All practices at Rose-Hulman are free and open to the public. Rose-Hulman charges a fee for parking.
WEATHER RE
The temperature in Terre Haute on Saturday reached 85 degrees. According to weather.com, the forecast for Monday calls for a high of 88 with morning thunderstorms.
WHO'S COVERING THE COLTS
Media in Terre Haute Saturday covering the Colts included Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com and Pete Prisco of CBSSportsline.com.
PLAY OF THE DAY
The Colts practiced in full pads for the first time in this year's training camp on Saturday afternoon, and that meant contact for the first time since last season.
Actually, it meant a little too much contact for Dungy's liking.
Midway through the afternoon practice, rookie running back Mike Hart – a sixth-round selection from the University of Michigan – took a swing pass near the sideline and turned upfield. As he did, starting outside linebacker Freddy Keiaho – a third-year veteran from San Diego State – leveled him with a hit that drew cheers from the crowd and defensive teammates, but not as much from Dungy.
"It's different," Dungy said. "I told the team afterward, 'We have to learn how to practice in pads.' We've gone three months and the first two practices, so we have to learn how to hit and deal with the contact and get done what we need to do without blowing each other up.
"That's always something you have to learn."
PRACTICE HIGHLIGHTS
--- Third-year veteran running back Joseph Addai had several touchdown runs in red-zone drills in the afternoon practice.
--- Second-year running back Clifton Dawson had several long runs in the afternoon practice, including a pair of 15-yard sweeps for touchdowns in red-zone drills. Dawson also had several long runs in the morning practice.
--- Wide receiver Marvin Harrison had a 15-yard reception from quarterback Jim Sorgi in the afternoon practice.
--- Wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez turned a short pass from Sorgi into a long catch-and-run gain in the afternoon practice.
--- Running back Dominic Rhodes had a long run in the afternoon practice.
--- Safety Brannon Condren had an interception in the morning practice.
--- Rookie wide receiver Sam Giguere caught a 45-yard touchdown pass from veteran quarterback Jaren Lorenzen in the morning practice.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"You can get lackluster and think it's just going to happen. From our team's approach, we have a lot of veterans who stay hungry. We have guys who want to win and it's something we're committed to doing. We'll do what it takes. Guys study extra film. They train hard in the offseason. You don't see guys having to come into camp and get into shape when they're here. They're ready to play. As individuals, they get themselves ready and when we come together as a team, things turn out the way we want them to."
--- Colts center Jeff Saturday
TRIVIA QUIZ
How many first-round draft selections are currently on the Colts' roster and how many total Pro Bowls have they made?
DUNGY SAYS
"I think it (a new rule eliminating the NFL's so-called "force-out" rule) will be bigger for the offense, just having to understand that some of those balls that you threw up on the sidelines, the jump balls right on the boundary, may not be completions this year. I like the rule. I think it will be much easier to officiate consistently. We won't have those plays that get maybe get reviewed or maybe don't get reviewed, and maybe it's a force out or isn't it. What constitutes that? I think everyone knows now – you have to get both down – and that will make it easier."
--- Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy
FOR THE FANS
Colts City was open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Cheerleader Day and Blue's Birthday presented by Dairy Queen and will be open Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Indiana All Sports Day II.
Elements will include Colts Inflatables (Mountain Slide, Football Bouncer, Quarterback Throw), Colts In Motion traveling museum, Colts Retail Express (merchandise sales), Other Indiana Sports Teams attending, Rock Climbing Wall, Colts Kids Club, Kids Pavilion and Sponsor Booths.
TRIVIA ANSWER
Eight – Wide receiver Marvin Harrison (1996), quarterback Peyton Manning (1998), wide receiver Reggie Wayne (2001), defensive end Dwight Freeney (2002), tight end Dallas Clark (2003), cornerback Marlin Jackson (2005), running back Joseph Addai (2006) and wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez (2007). They have played in a total of 22 Pro Bowls, with Harrison and Manning playing in eight each, Freeney playing in three, Wayne playing in two and Addai playing in one.
