INDIANAPOLIS – Thursday is usually a quieter day at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
That wasn't the case this Thursday with new offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski meeting the media for the first time as OC.
Also, the injury watch to T.Y. Hilton (foot) will certainly extend into Friday after the Pro Bowler missed his second straight day of practice.
Here are some sound bites from Chudzinski and Frank Gore meeting the media on Thursday:Rob Chudzinski on his offensive philosophy:
"I've always been aggressive offensively, stressing the balance between the pass and run game.
"I try to put guys in positions to be successful. That's the biggest thing in this league. It's a personnel-driven league and finding what the guys do the best and putting them in positions to where they can succeed and be successful for you."
Bowen's Analysis: The hours have been long for Chud this week. He knows the challenge coming Sunday is immense with everything that has transpired in the past 48 hours. Chud joked on Thursday that his wife says the rings under his eyes after gotten a bit larger this week.
When Chud first spoke to his offensive unit on Wednesday, he laid out specific areas for each position group to improve on. Chud made it clear that the penalties and turnovers have to be eliminated for him to help this offense become more consistent.Rob Chudzinski on Andrew Luck:
"Andrew wants to win. That's what I get out of any conversation with him.
"Obviously, he's a very special player and person. He's really unique. He has a plan for everything that he does and is always working to improve. He's taken the bull by the horns."
Bowen's Analysis:* *Recent history shows that Chud has had a strong influence on quarterbacks he's coordinated. From 2011-2012, Chud helped the Carolina offense and then rookie Cam Newton to turn the Panthers offense from a 32nd ranked unit to a top-ten offense. Even back in 2007, Chud called the plays for a 10-6 Browns team that was led by Pro Bowler Derek Anderson.
In helping Luck, Chud says he's challenged the Colts offensive line to be the top unit in the NFL. Chud said on Thursday that he's been pleased with how the unit has improved in recent weeks. Just like Chuck Pagano on Wednesday, Chud reiterated the need for the offense to get off to better starts.
Frank Gore on new offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski:
"He keeps the offense very basic, simple.
"He's very aggressive."
Bowen's Analysis: Chud has plenty of familiarity with two key Colts skill players. Back in 2001, Chud was the offensive coordinator on the Miami Hurricanes National Championship team, one that had Gore and Andre Johnson on the unit.
Chuck Pagano said yesterday that Chud "believes in running the football" so expect Gore and Ahmad Bradshaw to feel the effects of that. Chud, a former tight end himself, also has a propensity to involve his tight ends. At Miami, Chud coached former first-round picks Jeremy Shockey, Kellen Winslow Jr. and Greg Olsen. In his NFL days with the Chargers, Chud was Antonio Gates' position coach for his two 1,000-yard campaigns (2005, 2009).
INJURY NOTES
Here is Thursday's injury report:
- DNP: WR-Phillip Dorsett (ankle), WR-T.Y. Hilton (foot), ILB-Nate Irving (knee).
-Hilton missed his second consecutive practice Thursday. Chuck Pagano will provide an injury update on Hilton after Friday's practice. Hilton has played through nagging injuries before, but he hasn't even been seen at practice the past two days.
- LIMITED: C-Khaled Holmes (neck).
-Holmes was limited for a second straight day at practice, so his status is definitely in jeopardy for missing a second straight game.
- FULL: CB-Darius Butler (foot), CB-Vontae Davis (rest), S-Winston Guy (shoulder), ILB-D'Qwell Jackson (rest), WR-Andre Johnson (rest), QB-Andrew Luck (ankle), OLB-Robert Mathis (rest).
-After being limited at practice on Wednesday, Luck was a full participant on Thursday.
