A Categorical Look at the Day in Colts Camp
EYE ON CAMP
This was a different Colts Training Camp for Dallas Clark.
Not that Clark – the Colts' sixth-year tight end – approached things much differently. He said he worked to improve, and to become more consistent.
But things around Clark were new.
With the offseason departure of veterans Bryan Fletcher and Ben Utecht, and the drafting of rookies Tom Santi and Jacob Tamme, Clark said the tight ends meeting room has had a decidedly different feel this season from past seasons.
"It's definitely something you think back on – the tight ends who have been here," Clark said. "It makes it interesting. We've had it pretty good the last couple of years in terms of consistency of the room with Fletcher and Tech. Now, both of those guys are gone, so I'm the only one left, so it changes.
"Those guys knew what they were doing. They've been around and had been in the system and now we're fresh. It's back to Square One and it's the process of the game and the nature of the s"
Clark downplayed his role as a leader, saying that the rookies are intelligent and picking the offense up well, but Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy said, "You can tell the guys have looked up to him (Clark)."
"He has demonstrated how to do things and stayed on top of the details," Dungy said. "He's helping those guys, explaining things. He's doing a good job from that standpoint.
"That's part of the process. You become a guy who goes from, 'I have to learn my part of this and just function well' to 'I'm one of the guys who has to do a little more than just play.' "
CAMP SKED
The Colts held two practices Thursday at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute – a full-team practice at 8:30 a.m. and another at 3:30 p.m. The Colts will practice at 9:30 a.m. Friday before breaking camp and traveling to Atlanta to play the Falcons Saturday.
WEATHER REPORT
The temperature in Terre Haute on Thursday reached 77 degrees. According to weather.com, the forecast for Friday morning at 9 a.m. calls for a temperature of 66 degrees.
PLAY OF THE DAY
Marvin Harrison has had a productive, healthy camp.
That continued to be true on Thursday, the final day of two-a-day practices at Colts 2008 Training Camp.
Harrison, who has participated in practice throughout the past three weeks, caught several passes in practice Thursday morning, including the most memorable play of the two-hour session. On the play, Harrison got well behind the defense and caught a 50-yard touchdown on a bomb from fourth-year quarterback Jim Sorgi.
Harrison, who missed 11 games last season with a knee injury, started and played three series against Carolina this past Saturday. He caught three passes for 22 yards.
PRACTICE HIGHLIGHTS
--- Tight end Gijon Robinson caught a short touchdown pass from quarterback Jared Lorenzen in the morning practice.
--- Rookie wide receiver Pierre Garcon caught a 15-yard pass from quarterback Quinn Gray in the morning practice.
--- Running back Joseph Addai had several nice runs through the middle of the line in the morning practice.
--- Rookie tight end Jacob Tamme caught a touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone from Jim Sorgi in the afternoon practice.
WHO'S COVERING THE COLTS
Media in Terre Haute on Thursday covering Colts 2008 Training Camp included Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"Every year, I think (training camp) it has gotten better. My first year, I was fatigued mentally. My second year, it was a little bit of fatigue mentally and physically. Then, last year, it was me growing more and more. This year, I feel great. I'm excited. I'm confident and comfortable. It's just an exciting moment for me right now. The playbook – I kind of know it now. Now, I have a chance to work on the little things and worry about doing my job. I know I can do my job. Now, it's time to get better at doing the little things."
--- Colts Cornerback Kelvin Hayden
TRIVIA QUIZ
When was the last season the Colts did not have at least one player selected to the Pro Bowl and how many different Colts players have been selected since?
DUNGY SAYS
"Overall, it's been a pretty good week. I think we've been a little more focused than last week. We expect to come out and play a little bit better."
--- Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy
TRIVIA ANSWER
The last year without a Colts player in the Pro Bowl was 1997. Since then, 14 Colts players have been selected – running back Marshall Faulk (one Pro Bowl appearance/selection), wide receiver Marvin Harrison (eight), quarterback Peyton Manning (eight), running back Edgerrin James (four), tight end Ken Dilger (once), defensive end Dwight Freeney (three), kicker Mike Vanderjagt (one), offensive left tackle Tarik Glenn (three), linebacker Cato June (one), safety Bob Sanders (two), center Jeff Saturday (three), wide receiver Reggie Wayne (two), running back Joseph Addai (one) and safety Antoine Bethea (one).
