INDIANAPOLIS – After taking a look at the film following the Colts 36-10 loss to the Eagles, Chuck Pagano met with the media on Monday evening.
It will be a busy week for the Colts, ahead of their preseason home opener on Saturday night against Chicago.
What did Pagano have to say to the media on Monday?
Roster/Injury Notes
The Colts signed undrafted free agent inside linebacker Nicklas Haag and waived-injured outside linebacker Cody Galea, who hurt his hamstring in the preseason opener on Sunday. If Galea clears waivers, he will revert to the Colts Injured Reserve list. Haag, 6-2, 250 pounds, played the last two seasons with the Cedar Rapids Titans of the Indoor Football League.
Chuck Pagano said on Monday that cornerback D'Joun Smith is undergoing the concussion protocol. Smith exited Sunday's preseason opener after eight snaps.Chuck Pagano on the areas that need to be addressed after the preseason opener:
"We talk about ball security day-in-day-out. There's nothing more important than the ball."
Bowen's Analysis: Colts fans are used to piling up wins in September and beyond, not typically in August. In the last 12 preseasons, the Colts have won just 11 games but have gone on to make the playoffs in 10 of those years.
Chuck Pagano was clear on Monday, during his conference call with local media, that no matter who the Colts run out there in the preseason, the No. 1 objective is still to win the game. In dissecting Sunday's loss, Pagano pointed to four giveaways as a point of focus heading into Week Two of the preseason. The Colts led the NFL in fewest committed turnovers back in 2013, a definite area they are striving to get back to in 2015. Improved tackling is also on the head coach's mind.
Chuck Pagano on the play of Josh Robinson on Sunday:
"Robinson had a good day. He's a powerful guy. He's got burst, some juice."
Bowen's Analysis: Perhaps the best individual performance on the offensive side of the ball Sunday came from sixth-round pick Josh Robinson. With 44 rushing yards on 10 carries, Robinson was consistently productive for the Colts offense and had the lone touchdown in Week One of the preseason. That nine-yard touchdown run from Robinson showed off the power and some make-you-miss ability in dodging three potential tacklers.
Like any rookie running back, you wonder how they will play without the ball in their hands. Pagano pointed out that Robinson was solid in this aspect of the game on Sunday. With Robinson healthy, he could very well move up the depth chart with reps to be had behind Frank Gore and Boom Herron.
Chuck Pagano on scrimmaging the Bears this week:
"We want to compete at a high level but at the same time, take care of each other, just like we do ourselves at Training Camp."
Bowen's Analysis: Any time you hear about teams scrimmaging each other in the preseason, making sure tempers stay cooled is always a hot topic. Pagano said he and new Bears head coach John Fox have already talked about this prior to the two teams getting together on Wednesday and Thursday this week.
The benefits from this week will come in the Colts evaluating their roster against a different scheme and versus players who don't know each other's tendencies. The Bears will be without their top two wide receivers this week but Pro Bowl running back Matt Forte is expected to make his preseason debut this weekend.
