The Colts went full-go Tuesday night in front of a packed Macholtz Stadium, strapping on the pads for the final time in Anderson.
Practice began with some field goal work from kicker Adam Vinateri before breaking up into position drills.
When the first-team Colts offensive line came out to begin its drill the starting five included some new faces in new places.
To the left of center Jeff Saturday was guard Joe Reitz and rookie tackle Anthony Castonzo. Moving from the left tackle spot to the right tackle was Jeff Linkenbach and Ryan Diem slid over to right guard.
During the Colts first 11-on-11 work of the night, rookie running back Chad Spann ripped off a couple of impressive runs off the right side of the line.
The first-team offense then went up against the second-team defense with Curtis Painter leading the offense right down the field and finding wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez over the middle for a touchdown.
Next up was the first-team defense's turn and they delivered. Linebacker Kavell Conner caused quarterback Dan Orlovksy to overthrow his intended receiver and Gray Brackett made the interception and returned it all the way to the end zone.
The offense and defense then broke up into some 7-on-7 work while the offensive and defensive lines went one-on-one with each other in the towel drill.
Both rookie offensive tackles, Castonzo and Ben Ijalana, held their own during this drill while Eric Foster, Robert Mathis and Drake Nevis had impressive reps.
Another noteworthy performer during practice was safety David Caldwell who twice applied pressure on the quarterback after a blitz.
The Colts only have two more practices left in the 2011 training camp before returning home to face the Washington Redskins on Friday.
SATURDAY MAKES DONATION
Shortly before Tuesday night's practice Tire Barn partnered with Jeff Saturday and made a $10,000 donation to the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Awareness Fund.
Saturday is an avid supporter of breast cancer awareness, and Tuesday evening's presentation was just one of many contributions he has made.
"It (breast cancer awareness) was one of the things my wife and I picked even before we knew anybody who had breast cancer, just knowing how many women and some men it affected," Saturday said. "It's been amazing throughout our life we have known more and more people who have gotten the disease and we realize what a big deal this thing really is."
The $10,000 raised is just the beginning of what Saturday hopes will be a profitable 2011 season when it comes to donations.
"We are going to do every home game," Saturday said in regard to raising money. "Tire Barn has been fabulous in getting people out, raising awareness and helping raise money to fund and try and find a cure."
Saturday is entering his 13th season with Indianapolis and he has seen firsthand how powerful this city is when it comes to supporting breast cancer.
"Anything we can do to help raise money and help raise awareness for it goes a long way," Saturday said. "Central Indiana is a key area to helping find a cure. Our doctors here, people who are involved, it's really a great place to be."
COLTS AND ANDERSON REACH FIVE-YEAR DEAL
Here are a few more quotes and notes from Anderson Mayor Kris Ockomon and Anderson University's Director of Communications Chris Williams about the Colts signing a five-year deal to hold training camp at Anderson University through 2016.
-Anderson was the training camp host for the first 15 years of the Colts' era in Indianapolis (1984-98). When the Colts moved to the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology for the next 11 seasons, Anderson University made some improvements around the campus, including building the Kardatzke Wellness Center.
-Williams said Anderson University had approximately 85,000 fans attend camp last year over 18 days and has more than 200 volunteers all over campus to help training camp run as smoothly as possible.
-Mayor Ockomon said the city of Anderson received $6.4 million last year over the 18 days along with constant national media coverage.
-"This year has kind of been a fine tuning year for us," Ockomon said. "We learned a lot last year being that it was the first year (back in Anderson) from several years ago. I think we've done a nice job partnering with the university and the Colts organization in meeting their expectations of what they need and what we need to provide."
PLAY OF THE DAY
The highlight of two practices on Tuesday came in the evening. With the defense already having gotten the best of the offense the previous night in a team function bowling event, it was the same unit who stole the show on the field. Linebacker Kavell Conner applied pressure up the middle and caused an errant Dan Orlovsky throw. Defensive captain Gary Brackett picked off the Painter pass and took the turnover back for a touchdown.
NOTE OF THE DAY
The Colts released defensive tackle DeMario Pressley on Tuesday and signed nine-year veteran and defensive end Tyler Brayton (Carolina).
PLAYERS WHO DID NOT PARTICPATE IN PRACTICE INCLUDE:
DB-Al Afalava (Groin)
DE-Jamaal Anderson (Groin)
WR-Austin Collie (Knee)
LB-Cody Glenn (Neck)
DT-Tommie Harris (Hamstring)
DB-Joe Lefeged (Groin)
LB-Ernie Sims (Appendectomy)
OG-Jaimie Thomas (Back)
CALDWELL SAYS
On Kevin Thomas' progression after missing all of his rookie season with a knee injury:
"The first day he was out there we noticed he was moving extremely well. He's got speed and he's athletic, a rangy guy, and we're just going week-to-week to see how he progresses and he seems to be coming along pretty well. He played an extensive amount in the last game and he'll play a pretty good amount this game as well. We just want to see how he develops, but he certainly has skill. He seems to have caught on pretty well. I know he watched and listened. He's a pretty observant guy, and I think it has helped him."
QUOTE TO NOTE
Cornerback Jerraud Powers on the announcement of the Colts agreeing to spend the next five years in Anderson for training camp:
"It's first-class for training camp. Usually, when you think of training camp you think of the worst but Anderson (University) is a wonderful facility. The fans here are phenomenal. They are out here every practice no matter if it's a walk-through or a full-go practice. They are out here supporting us, cheering us on and it gives us that excitement to come out here and practice every day rather than think, 'Oh my gosh, it's another day of training camp.' For them to announce that we will be here the next five years, it's tremendous."
TRIVIA QUIZ
Tuesday's question is: Name the two Colts who have the highest combination of receptions in one season. The duo combined for 204 receptions.
CAMP SCHEDULE
The Colts had their final two-a-day of the 2011 training camp on Tuesday. In the morning, the Colts went through a walk-through in shorts and then went full pads for the two-hour night practice. There is only one practice scheduled for Wednesday and that comes at 2:00 p.m. lasting two hours.
WEATHER REPORT
Another gorgeous day in Anderson on Tuesday with sunny skies and a high temperature of 82 degrees. Temperatures for Wednesday's afternoon practice is expected to be in the low 80s with a chance of rain in the evening.
COLTS CITY
Tuesday marked the final day for Colts City and the concert act for the night was country singer Clayton Anderson. A Bedford, Ind. resident, Anderson's album 'Torn Jeans and Tailgate' was No. 17 on iTunes Country Billboard Chart.
TRIVIA ANSWER
Monday's Question was: The Colts record against the Houston Texans is 16-2 in franchise history. Name the only other team in the NFL that the Colts have lost to fewer times than the Texans. (Hint: the Colts have only lost once to this team and play them this season)
The answer is: the Atlanta Falcons. The Colts are 13-1 all-time against the Falcons and will face Atlanta at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 6.
