Colts DB Kelvin Hayden Blog-September 2
The last couple of weeks have been tough. As a player, you don't envision missing most of training camp. The whole deal, just sitting back watching the guys, it's tough. But you have to take it for what it is and make the best of it, concentrate on getting better and taking those mental reps while rehabbing. I'm going to continue to work hard and look forward to getting back on the field for that opening weekend. Speaking of getting back on the field, it was great to see Marlin out there last weekend against Detroit. I know he's worked so hard to the point where he's at right now. I can't wait to get back out there with him.
Thursday is our final preseason game against Cincinnati. For the veterans, this week is more about getting yourself ready. You want to be mentally sharp knowing that this is the last preseason game, and you want to get ready for the regular season. The regular season is on a whole different level from the preseason. You always want to get off to a great start, and since I have been here, we typically have been able to get off to great starts. For my first three years, we started 13-0, 9-0 and 7-0. And last year, the 3-4 start was kind of tough. We don't want to make a habit of those starts. We prefer to get off to the starts we had my first three years. So our main thing, we want to start out fast, play smart and enjoy opening day like we're used to.
Just like the opening day of the NFL, the start of college football is also exciting, and it starts back this week. I just want to sit back and enjoy the weekend and watch some football. Guys in the locker room, we take a lot of pride in the schools we went to. I still refer to Illinois as 'we,' and we open up with Missouri this year. We've played those guys the last few years, and lately it's been a rivalry that has been in their favor. But I think this is going to be the year that we get it together. We have a lot of returning starters, an experienced quarterback, a go-to-guy. I don't want to say, 'Watch out,' but…I like the direction we're headed.
