A Categorical Look at the Day in Colts Camp
EYE ON CAMP
So far, Tony Dungy likes what he has seen.
The Colts on Tuesday went through their fourth day of practice at 2008 Training Camp at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and with the preseason opener five days away, Dungy – entering his seventh season as the Colts' head coach – said progress is being made.
"The weather continues to cooperate for us," Dungy said Tuesday between a pair of training camp practices. "We were able to work our red-zone offense and red-zone defense and get a lot of running in with a no-pads practice. I'm very pleased with the way we're working and the effort level. So far, so good.
"It's constant evaluation. We're progressing in a lot of ways. I think we're learning what to do a little bit more each day – the energy level and the commitment to doing things the coaches ask, to studying.
"Our mistakes are getting cut down every day, so that's what you look for at this time."
A RARE OPUNITY
The Colts will play in the Hall of Fame Game on Sunday.
The game is more than just the NFL's preseason opener. It's also the final event of Hall of Fame Weekend and Dungy said the Colts are taking steps to ensure players and coaches get a chance to appreciate the weekend and the venue.
"We're going to take all of our rookies," said Dungy, whose team will play the Washington Redskins in the Hall of Fame Game on Sunday at 8 p.m. "We've made it optional (for veterans) and we have a number of veterans who have signed up to go. I'm going to go and a number of coaches are going to go.
"I haven't been since 1998 (when he was the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and I'm looking forward to seeing the new exhibits since I've been there. There are guys I know who are going in this year – Art Monk, Darrell Green, Emmitt Thomas, Andre Tippett – guys I've watched through my career. It will be fun to see."
CAMP SKED
The Colts held two practices Tuesday at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute – a two-hour, full-team session at 8:30 a.m. and a special-teams session at 3:30 p.m. The Colts will practice at 8:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
WEATHER REPORT
The temperature in Terre Haute on Tuesday reached 91 degrees. According to weather.com, the forecast for Wednesday calls for a high of 80 degrees with scattered thunderstorms predicted throughout the day.
WHO'S COVERING THE COLTS
Media in Terre Haute Tuesday covering the Colts included Solomon Wilcots and Jim Miller of Sirius Radio.
PLAY OF THE DAY
The Colts held just one full-squad practice on Tuesday.
That came in the morning, and toward the end of the session, sixth-year veteran tight end Dallas Clark combined with fifth-year veteran quarterback Jim Sorgi for the standout play of the day.
On the play, Clark ran a deep pattern down the right sideline. With starting cornerback Kelvin Hayden covering, Clark caught the pass from Sorgi for a 25-yard gain.
PRACTICE HIGHLIGHTS
--- Cornerback Kelvin Hayden broke up a pass in the end zone from quarterback Jim Sorgi in red-zone drills in the morning practice.
--- Tight end Jacob Tamme caught a short touchdown pass from quarterback Jaren Lorenzen in the morning practice.
--- Veteran wide receiver Reggie Wayne continued to have a strong camp, catching several passes from Sorgi in the morning practice.
--- Wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez caught a short touchdown pass from Sorgi in the morning practice.
--- Wide receiver Onrea Jones caught a short touchdown pass from quarterback Quinn Gray in red-zone drills in the morning practice.
--- Tight end Zac Herold caught a short touchdown pass from Gray in the morning practice.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"You've got to love what you do. We're off for about five or six months, then you're out here running around, playing a kid's game again. Obviously, we're very competitive. We love competing with the offensive guys. I think that's how you get better. You come out here every day with a good attitude and I think everyone recognizes that."
--- Colts Middle Linebacker Gary Brackett
TRIVIA QUIZ
When was the last time the Colts had a losing record against the NFC?
DUNGY SAYS
"Our young guys on defense are growing. We've had fewer and fewer mistakes and I think we're going to have another very fast, physical defensive team. I'm very confident our offense is going to put up points and move the ball as well as we always have, but to be a championship team, you've got to play strong defense. There are going to be games where you've got to make things happen to win it. I think our guys found that out last year and I think we're going to be able to do the same thing."
--- Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy
FOR THE FANS
Colts City is scheduled to be open Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. for the Night Practice Party. Elements on Wednesday evening are scheduled to include Colts Inflatables (Mountain Slide, Football Bouncer, Quarterback Throw), Colts in Motion traveling museum, Colts Kids Club, Colts Retail Express (Merchandise Sales), Rock Climbing Walls, Kids Pavilion, Sponsor Booths, Live Entertainment ("The MacDaddies)" from 5-7 p.m., Special Colts Give-a-Ways (while supplies last) and a fireworks show following the practice with other interactive elements to be announced.
TRIVIA ANSWER
The season was 2001, when the Colts went 1-3 against the NFC. Since then, they are 19-5 in games against the NFC, including 4-0 last season.
