ANDERSON – One-by-one players rolled into Anderson University on Saturday morning to embark on another training camp that leads to the start of the 2012 NFL season.
This marks the third straight year the Colts have called Anderson home for training camp. The team will practice at the university through August 17.
Like many of the Colts' rookies, the earliest arrivals to camp were the first-year players.
Newly-signed quarterback Andrew Luck greeted the media with a cleanly-shaved face as he prepares for his initial NFL training camp.
"It'll (training camp) be very important, so many new guys, new coach, new system," Luck said. "I think just to have practice reps and to be around each other all day for however many weeks it is, is going to be very beneficial."
This past month Luck headed to Miami for four days to train with a number of the Colts wide receivers, among them Reggie Wayne.
It was Wayne who once again stole the show at the arrival of training camp. As he has done before in the past, Wayne had a little meaning behind his entrance into camp as he was dressed head-to-toe in army fatigues and exited out of a Humvee.
Wayne was flanked by soldiers from the Indiana National Guard in Shelbyville and announced, "Reggie Wayne, reporting for duty."
That duty officially will begin on Sunday. The public may view a practice from 1:50-4:30 p.m.
Players will work daily through Tuesday, then they will have Wednesday off.
The chance finally to put on pads is approaching. That will be a step up from work earlier in the spring when pads were not utilized. It is that spring work and the training camp that are critical to the forming of a team.
"This (training camp) and OTA's are the most important parts of the season," linebacker Pat Angerer said. "This is where you win games and become a great team."
NOTE OF THE DAY
The Colts will see a very familiar face at practice Sunday as former Head Coach Tony Dungy will be in Anderson. Owner and CEO Jim Irsay invited the Super Bowl-winning coach to training camp. Dungy is expected to attend practice and meet with Head Coach Chuck Pagano. Dungy will meet with the team Saturday evening before attending practice on Sunday. This will be Dungy's first Colts-affiliated summer visit to Anderson. Dungy coached the team from 2002-08, amassing a 92-33 record in becoming the franchise's winningest coach.
TRIVIA QUIZ
Tony Dungy (92) holds the franchise record for most wins by a head coach. Don Shula and Ted Marchibroda are tied for second with 73 regular-season victories each. Who ranks fourth and which team did that coach beat for his first win?
PLAYER QUOTE OF THE DAY
Quarterback Andrew Luck (on if he accelerates expectations over the next couple weeks)
"I think you get a little more sense of urgency because training camp is the beginning of the season really. So you understand there are games coming up. I think you put a little more pressure on yourself to make sure you really are in the playbook and understanding the nuances of what is going on."
COACH QUOTE OF THE DAY
Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians (on his excitement of finally being able to put pads on players in practices)
"I can't wait to put pads on. I'm really tired of this soccer stuff. I watched the Olympics last night, but we need to put the pads on and get going and find out who's going to get physical."
INJURY UPDATE
Offensive tackle Justin Anderson and linebacker Tim Fugger were placed on the physically unable to perform list. Nose tackle Josh Chapman was placed on the non-football injury list.
CAMP SCHEDULE
Sunday's practice session is 1:50 to 4:30 p.m.
WEATHER REPORT
The weather in Anderson on Saturday was partly sunny with a high of 84 degrees. The low was 64 degrees. The forecast for Sunday calls for mostly sunny skies and a high of 84 degrees.
TRIVIA ANSWER
Weeb Ewbank, a native of Richmond, Indiana, won 61 games for the Colts from 1954-62. His first win as the club's head coach game versus the New York Giants on October 2, 1954, 20-14.
