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INDIANAPOLIS – The second day of mini-camp shed light on the situation involving free safety LaRon Landry, who is missing work because of health reasons.
"It's the old buzzword now, 'soft tissue,' " said Ryan Grigson, using the same term employed by Chuck Pagano yesterday when he addressed Delano Howell. "He'll be fine.
"He's a guy whose throttle is full-bore. He's out there in parts unknown working out. We trust he's going to go hard or harder than anyone. You'd rather have a guy you have to throttle down than ratchet up. He's got some things that have flared up. We're just making sure he's okay."
Landry, who frequently tweets photos of himself after workouts, is one of the most well-constructed players in the club's Indianapolis era.
A look at the first day of veteran mini camp!
Long-time club followers might remember physical specimens like Chip Banks, Quentin Coryatt and Tony Bennett, and Landry fits in that same mold.
Landry was in town this week at the appropriate time, but he could not clear all the medical protocols that would allow him on the field.
"He looks like the picture of health (and) wants nothing more to get out there with his brothers and show what he can do," said Grigson. "We know LaRon has a presence about him. He knows we expect great things out of him this year, and we have to get him back on the field as quick as possible."
Discretion entered into the equation as Landry missed workouts three and four today and does not appear in the picture for Thursday's morning session.
"We don't want to set him back any further," said Grigson. "He'll be fine. We love LaRon. We're expecting great things out of him this year. We need him right. He's a race car."
Is it a perfect situation? No. Is it something with long-term ramifications? Not likely, and this is not the first time (nor the only Colts player this year) a guy has missed action.
"You wish everyone was here, but there are no utopias. Someone told me that a long time ago," said Grigson, who also reiterated he and club knew full well when it signed Landry last year that he approached off-season work on his own. "He's a guy that's constantly trying to push his body to the limit.
"You can see he's doing something. He's put together as well as anybody I've ever seen and is as explosive as I've ever seen. When he gets out here, he's as dialed in as anyone I've ever seen. He's definitely a difference-maker. He has a couple of dings that we don't want to (hurt) more."
From 2012 to today, perception has changed for Grigson's Colts. Year One had Indianapolis ranked 32nd in power polls by an international news agency and this year, the Colts have been mentioned among title contenders.
Grigson said the team must focus within to achieve aspirations.
"We're nowhere close to where we want to be, truthfully," said Grigson. "The arrow's up. With each position group, we feel like some guys have to emerge and answer the bell, so to speak.
"Everyone has to play at a championship level. Guys that aren't have to at least be playing at a winning level. We have to all converge at some point and be playing at a championship level.
"This whole league, everybody works long hours. There are a lot of smart guys on 32 teams in this league. It's a fraction of a difference between who wins and who loses in this league. We have to do everything we can to keep moving in at least a positive direction, and I think we are. I think we have enough horses to win a lot of games."
INJURY UPDATE – Grigson parroted what Pagano said yesterday about players mending well from injuries.
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"From every bit of information I compile, they should all be ready for camp," said Grigson. "Guys (are) coming back from serious injuries. In this league, you still have to be able to play at a high level once you get cleared. It's all about producing."
Speaking specifically about Reggie Wayne and Donald Thomas, he said, "Reggie looks fantastic. It's a little bit mind-boggling, but it doesn't surprise me when you consider the person. He looks fantastic.
"Donald looks great physically. His lower body lifts are significantly better than they were a year ago. He has to really improve his lower body strength because he's so strong up top. In the style of offense we run and the things we're going to ask him to do, he really has to have that lower chassis really strong. It's a significant injury he had."
