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ANDERSON – The Colts were back in Anderson on Tuesday to begin their final week of
the 2012 training camp.
It was back to two-a-days for the Colts, and that will remain the same on Wednesday before the team participates in a final night practice open to fans on Thursday evening.
Quarterback Andrew Luck backed up his strong performance on Sunday with another efficient afternoon in cooler temperatures.
The focus for Luck and the rest of the Colts now switches to this Sunday night's nationally- televised game with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It will be the first road game in the NFL for many of the Colts regulars, and working on playing in that type of environment will be a focal point this week.
"It's the first road game, not knowing what to expect, so trying to pick some of the veterans' minds to prepare for that. But preparing for the noise, crowd noise, silent counts, whatever that may be," Luck said.
The game will be a homecoming of sorts for Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians, who spent the last eight seasons with the Steelers organization.
Along with seeing a different defense on Sunday, the trip to Pittsburgh will provide Luck a chance to play in front of his parents.
Luck's father, Oliver, is the athletic director at West Virginia University and is expecting to make the short drive north to watch his son in action.
"Obviously, it's a different scheme than what St. Louis ran, so we have to familiarize ourselves with that," Luck said.
"I'm happy it's only an hour drive for my parents to be able to get to the game, so that's probably what I'm happiest about. But they're a great franchise, great history, great recent history, so it'll be a lot of fun and an honor to go out there and play."
Offensively, running backs Delone Carter and Mewelde Moore sat out Tuesday's practice with rib injuries.
Arians said he expects rookie running back Vick Ballard to get more reps this week but he does not want any of his running backs to force the issue with the lack of depth.
"Four yards or more, don't be dancing around and trying to make long runs," Arians said of the running back position. "Get positive yardage, block linebackers and safeties in pass protection and play all-around football. We have quality guys at the position and it's high competition right now to get guys on the field."
One difference Colts fans will see Sunday night in Pittsburgh is a new face making the calls for the first-team defense.
With linebacker Pat Angerer sidelined for a period of time due to a foot injury, the Colts will turn to a number of different players this week to fill his void.
Defensive Coordinator Greg Manusky made it very clear that there are no "backups" on the Colts roster, and he said it will be a collective effort in trying to replace the leading tackler from last season.
Greg Lloyd has been with the Colts for less than two weeks but the former Eagles linebacker knows that this is no time to take a backseat at such a vital position.
"A lot of the pressure is on the 'mike' linebacker but then again, you got guys who've been out there and know what's going on so in case you miss a beat or something or you're not exactly sure, you've got 10 other guys out there on the field that kind of know what the deal is," Lloyd said.
While Lloyd will head back to the state he previously played in just two weeks ago, for many Colts it will be a new experience playing a road game in the NFL.
Luck will be one of those players and although he is not sure what to expect in Pittsburgh, he was very appreciative of the support his teammates and he got in Lucas Oil Stadium against the Rams.
"It was great to see all the support for just a preseason game, and to see the fans out in full force," Luck said. "What a great stadium, what a beautiful stadium, great energy. It was a lot of fun."
PRACTICE HIGHLIGHTS
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The pass defense had an impressive afternoon on Tuesday with interceptions for safety Joe Lefeged and cornerback Chris Rucker. The loudest cheer on the afternoon came when outside linebacker Robert Mathis batted away a jumped ball in the end zone intended for tight end Coby Fleener.
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PLAYER QUOTE OF THE DAY
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Inside linebacker Greg Lloyd on the injury to Pat Angerer and the need for someone to emerge to fill the void:
"We prepare every week, especially us young guys, for opportunities or situations like this where somebody ahead of you goes down then you have to step in and fill their position. You can't not know your work. You got to be ready and willing, and that situation popped up and it's a shame because you never want to see somebody go down like that. It just means that the young guys got to step up and show that, 'Okay, even though I do back this guy up, I also know what I'm going to do and what I'm supposed to do when I step in and play that role.' "* *
COACH ARIANS SAYS
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Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians on the injury to offensive guard/center Mike McGlynn and what that means for the offensive line:
"That happens every week. You've got to have seven guys and if you think you're just going to play with five, that doesn't happen. That's a Godsend if that ever happens. We went to the Super Bowl with seven offensive tackles and four quarterbacks (in Pittsburgh). The next man standing, the next man in line, he jumps in and he plays. There's no drop off. There's never an excuse for an injury. If you're a backup, you're one of the most valuable guys on the team."
TRIVIA QUIZ
Tuesday's Trivia Question: When was the last time the Colts won their preseason opener and name the last time the Colts won a preseason game by at least 35 points?
WHO'S COVERING THE COLTS
Alex Marvez of FoxSports.com was in Anderson on Tuesday to take in the Colts practice.
CAMP SCHEDULE
The Colts were back on their two-a-day schedule on Tuesday and will have one final two-a-day practice on Wednesday. The afternoon practice scheduled from 1:50-4:30 p.m. is open to the public. Looking ahead to Thursday, the Colts will have their final night practice of training camp scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
WEATHER REPORT
The final week of Colts camp started off nicely in the weather department as clear skies and cooler temperatures in the low 70s greeted players and fans. Wednesday's forecast calls for more of the same with the temperature expecting to rise to 84 degrees.
TRIVIA ANSWER
Tuesday's Trivia Question: When was the last time the Colts won their preseason opener and name the last time the Colts won a preseason game by at least 35 points?
Answer: 2004 was the last time the Colts won their preseason opener when they defeated San Diego, 21-17. One would have to go back all the way to 1966 when the Colts beat the Redskins, 35-0, to find the last time they won a preseason game by that margin.
