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ANDERSON – The bright lights of Macholtz Stadium shined down on Colts players and fans Tuesday evening for the first 'night' practice of the 2012 training camp.
With an off day scheduled for Wednesday, the Colts worked on situational drills for much of the night practice.
The atmosphere of having a chance to play outside and under the lights brought back some fond memories of high school football for many of the Colts players.
"I think maybe more of a stage is set when you feel like you're in the spotlight with the lights. I think of it just as something special," quarterback Andrew Luck said. "For me it's always been that way in football, you get to play a night game under the lights even in high school or the one time in Pop Warner where you get to play under lights so it's just something about it that's special."
Quarterback Andrew Luck saw his most extensive workload of training camp as the offense worked on getting the ball off its own goal line, two-minute offense and red zone work among other things.
"There's plays being made on both sides of the ball but it's obvious to see the quarterbacks and receivers, they've got a good thing going on right now," Pagano said. "I don't care who you have on the other side, the way they're playing, they're making some throws, the quarterbacks and receivers are making plays and they're moving down the field."
The defense forced three turnovers on the evening during the 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills during practice.
Fans that stayed through the duration of practice saw a fireworks show as Tuesday night's practice is the first of two the Colts will have during training camp.
"It's great to be out here, a good change of pace for the guys to get out here and get under the lights," Pagano said. "I want to thank the fans. These guys feed off their energy and enthusiasm so it was a great break in the action from the mundane-ness of the way we've been working -- coming out here in the morning, having a walk-through and then the afternoon practice in the heat. This was a great deal for our guys. They enjoyed it. They love the fans and can't wait to get to (Lucas Oil Stadium) on Sunday to play the Rams."
On Thursday, August 16, the team once again will be under the lights providing a chance for fans to come out after work and take in a practice.
"Obviously (the fans) are great, great folks in the Midwest, great folks in Indiana. The people of Anderson have been kind and you hear people driving from Bowling Green and Louisville so it's very special to see the fans come out," Luck said.
Playing in front of the most fans they have all of training camp provided the many new faces on the Colts roster of a glimpse of what will come on Sunday.
It has been an offseason filled with new faces, new schemes and a new attitude. The game against St. Louis on Sunday might not count from a wins and loss standpoint, but even one of its veterans did not undermine the need to see another team.
"It's very important," outside linebacker Robert Mathis said. "It's not just a first preseason game. It's a first stepping-stone to what we're trying to get accomplished and that's to go as far as we want to go. Hopefully, this Sunday we'll take a step in the right direction."
PRACTICE HIGHLIGHTS
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Both sides of the ball had their fair share of plays on Tuesday evening. Defensively, cornerback Brandon King continued his impressive camp with another interception. Defensive end Fili Moala had a forced fumble and outside linebacker later recovered a botched handoff. Wide receiver Austin Collie had the catch of the day for the offense, making a diving grab in the end zone from quarterback Andrew Luck.
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NOTE OF THE DAY
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Colts general manager Ryan Grigson and strength and conditioning coach Roger Marandino went to Philadelphia on Tuesday morning to attend the funeral for Garrett Reid, son of Eagles coach Andy Reid. Grigson and Marandino both were a part of the Eagles organization last season. The two did make it back for the Colts night practice.
PLAYER QUOTE OF THE DAY
Offensive guard Joe Reitz on what an Indianapolis kid tells Colts fan about this team:
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"We're going to be exciting. There's just great energy, great enthusiasm. We had it since we started back in April. It's been way ramped up in camp. I think we've had a great camp overall as a team. I know as an offense we are getting better every day, as an offensive line we are getting better every day. We are just getting excited for the season, getting excited for practice tonight and looking forward to Sunday, getting to hit somebody else. That'll be nice to play against a different color jersey. It's an exciting time and it's going to be an exciting team. Our fans are great and we've had great support up here in Anderson."
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COACH PAGANO SAYS
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Coach Chuck Pagano on what the Colts will work on Thursday and Friday in preparation for their preseason opener on Sunday:
"I want to get their legs back, number one," he said. "We've got situational stuff we've got to work, we'll hit some of those crazy things in special teams, offense and defense that can come up in a game so we're ready for any of those situations you normally don't work -- last play of the game, hands team, onside kickoff, taking a safety, those types of things, make sure we're on point on all those types of things."
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TRIVIA QUIZ
Tuesday's Trivia Question: The Colts are undefeated at home against three NFL teams. Name the three teams.
WHO'S COVERING THE COLTS
ESPN's Paul Kuharsky wrapped up his third day in Anderson covering the Colts. Indianapolis sports radio station 1070 The Fan broadcasted live from Anderson during JMV's 3-7 p.m. show. Several Colts players and coaches had interviews with JMV.
CAMP SCHEDULE
The Colts saw a nice crowd turnout for their night practice on Tuesday. Wednesday will be an off day from the practice field for the players before two-a-days start up again on Thursday. The afternoon practice scheduled from 1:50-4:30 p.m. on Thursday will be open to the public. The Colts will hold one more night practice for fans and that will come on Thursday, August 16, at 6:30 p.m.
WEATHER REPORT
A beautiful evening at Anderson University for fans taking in the first night practice of the 2012 training camp. Looking ahead, Thursday's forecast calls for cooler temperatures in the low 80s and high 70s.
TRIVIA ANSWER
Tuesday's Trivia Question: The Colts are undefeated at home against three NFL teams. Name the three teams.
Answer: The Colts are 4-0 all-time at home against Baltimore, 10-0 all-time at home against Houston and 9-0 all-time at home against Minnesota.
