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INDIANAPOLIS – The signs of football returning were everywhere on Monday at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.

The players' parking lot had the look of a fall morning, with all the cars there before daylight had barely shown.

A few hours later, the sound of weights clanging in the weight room served as another indication of what time of year it was.

The work and sweat for players spilled into the indoor facility, as the conditioning aspect of the Colts offseason program also began on Monday morning.

It might read "April 20" on the calendar, but the Colts have started to build their foundation for a season they hope will last well into 2016.

"Definitely feels like the first day of school, seeing some old guys, some new guys in the locker room," safety Mike Adams said. "It just brings excitement.

"Day One is in the books and that's just one step towards our goal."

Monday marked the debut of the Colts eight-week offseason program, which will span three phases. Phase One last two weeks and consists of activities limited to strength and conditioning and physical rehabilitation only.

Offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo is a veteran of this time of year and knows how vital work in the spring can be once the attention come fall and winter shifts a bit.

"We have a lot of opportunity to work on our fundamentals, stuff that you don't work on a lot during the year because you are working on game plans," Castonzo said of his goals for the early part of the offseason program.

The fundamental message was common throughout the Colts locker room on Monday.

T.Y. Hilton said a film session on Monday this time of year is especially "critical" in trying to become a more complete player.

Without Reggie Wayne in the wide receiver room, Hilton is ready for more of a leadership burden in his fourth NFL season.

"I don't really have a choice," Hilton said of his leadership role in 2015. "I've got to make sure everybody is on point, on point with Andrew (Luck).

"For me, whatever (Wayne) taught, make sure that I'm teaching everybody else because (Wayne) was normally right. Marvin (Harrison) did it with him. (Wayne) did it with me and now I've got to pass on the torch."

As Hilton was concluding his first day back to work, new wide receiver Andre Johnson was a few lockers down unpacking.

Set up right next to Frank Gore's locker, Johnson will help Hilton with some veteran leadership in the Colts wide receiver room.

But, more importantly to Hilton, he's just glad that Johnson is no longer an opponent two times a season.

"I was tired of playing against (Johnson) with the Texans," Hilton said on Monday. "Every time he made a play, I made sure I came back and answered.

"Now we are on the same team and hopefully we can make plays together."