INDIANAPOLIS – The Colts have wrapped up their practice portion of game week.
One final practice took place on Thursday before the team has a walk-through on Friday morning in preparation for Saturday night's home matchup with the Saints.
Here are three takeaways from Thursday's practice/media sessions:
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THURSDAY TAKEAWAYS
- Mother Nature forced the Colts indoors on Thursday for their final day of practice this week. While Ahmad Bradshaw, LaRon Landry, Jerrell Freeman (still wearing a red jersey) continued to practice, a few notable faces did not participate. Reggie Wayne and Jack Mewhort were spectators on Thursday.
Pagano would only commit to Robert Mathis NOT playing on Saturday night. With Bradshaw practicing all week (and without a red jersey on), he's trending in the right direction. Pagano said the "arrow is up" in regards to the rehab process for Khaled Holmes' ankle injury.
- LaRon Landry talked with the media on Thursday afternoon for the first time this offseason. He talked about he’s trying to form some continuity with so many different safeties lining up next to him.
Pagano said he wants to see Landry be "an enforcer" this season and be the "dominant" Pro Bowler that he was back in 2012. With so much uncertainty next to Landry, having a reliable safety that can be a game changer would go a long way in the Colts shoring up the backend of their defense this season.
- Pagano started off his Thursday presser with some very unfortunate news. Montori Hughes has been away from the Colts for about the past week because his three-month old daughter unexpectedly passed away. The head coach shared his thoughts on the awful news.
"I don't know if you guys were at camp a week and a half or two weeks ago when (Montori) had little baby Maveah up there with him and she was perfectly fine. She became ill and they lost her, they lost their child. I can't imagine. No parent should have to bury a child, and we all go through circumstances. This is obviously an extremely, extremely difficult time for Montori and his family, but we've got his back and we'll get through this thing as a family like we get through anything. I just ask that you guys, like along with us, just to keep Montori and his family in your thoughts and prayers."
INJURY REPORT
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The following players were not seen, or did not appear to be participating, during the media portion of Thursday's practice: Khaled Holmes (ankle), Xavier Nixon (knee), Josh McNary, Ulrick John (leg, was on crutches yesterday), Delano Howell (neck), Montori Hughes, Cam Johnson, Jack Mewhort (knee), Reggie Wayne (knee), Henoc Muamba and David Sims.
PAGANO QUOTEWORTHY
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Chuck Pagano on the next step for LaRon Landry:
"I think, just like all those guys, just be there 16 games, that's all. Greg (Toler) 16 games, Vontae (Davis). Seriously, you know? That's his mindset, it's our mindset as a coaching staff, and all those guys. Easier said than done when you play the game at the rate of speed that guy plays at. It's a tough game, and there's going to be stuff that happens. He's growing from a communication standpoint. He knows the defense better going into year two, all that stuff. He's got to be an enforcer back there. He's got to be a dominant, dominant football player, which he's done and will continue to do. We need all those guys, we need more interceptions, more out of all of them. Just make the plays you're supposed to make, be where you're supposed to be and the rest will take care of itself."
PLAYER QUOTE OF THE DAY
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Reggie Wayne of if he thinks he will play Saturday:
"I was expecting you guys to tell me. I haven't heard anything yet. Like I told you, I'm in the bullpen. I'm just waiting on them to pick up the phone and tell me to come in. I've had a pretty good week of practice. The week's not over with. Will just sit back and see what coach Pagano says. He's arrogant towards caution. I did here somewhere he said he might, so I guess there is hope. But at the same time, if he says no go, then I guess it's a no go. The one thing about it is, I am ready, whenever he gives me the opportunity, to go out there and do whatever I can."
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PLAYER TWEET OF THE DAY
Saturday night special. Colts vs. Saints!! #BTM #ColtStrong pic.twitter.com/rYGfZWxGxQ — Weslye Saunders (@Wes_Saunders88) August 21, 2014
YESTERDAY'S TRIVIA QUIZ
Peyton Manning (10-game jump, 1998 to 1999) and Andrew Luck (nine-game jump, 2011 to 2012) are two of six NFL QBs to help a franchise have at least a nine-game one-season jump in victories in the last 25 years. Name the four others.
ANSWER: Chad Pennington helped Miami jump by 10 wins from 2007 to 2008. With nine-game one-year jumps are Kurt Warner (St. Louis, 1998 to 1999), Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh, 2003 to 2004) and Alex Smith (Kansas City, 2012 to 2013).
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUIZ
Chuck Pagano's 22-10 regular-season record with the Colts stands among the best two-season starts in franchise history. Two coaches tied with him won world titles, while only three exceeded Pagano's 22-win total. Name the three who earned more wins in that span and the two who are tied with him. See the next Colts Camp Notebook for the answer.
CAMP SCHEDULE
Friday will be a walk-through for the team before Saturday night's home kickoff off at 8:00 p.m. EST between the Colts and Saints.
