ANDERSON – The Colts were back in full pads on Saturday morning marking the third time they have done that this Training Camp.
Sunday will be an off day for the Colts with the first preseason game coming in New York on Thursday, August 7.
Here are three takeaways from Saturday's practice
PRACTICE TAKEAWAYS
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- For the third time this camp, the Colts strapped on the full pads and got to work. It might have been the hottest day of camp so far and the Colts were focusing on more situational drills, specifically in the run game.
Andrew Luck was 15-of-19 on the afternoon (many short to intermediate throws) but the heavy focus involved those in the trenches. The first team defense had its moments on Saturday with the Colts running game getting the better of them at the end of the day. Chuck Pagano seemed very pleased with what he saw out of the run game with the Colts having their off day on Sunday.
- One particular situation called for a fourth-and-two on Saturday. Some pre-snap jawing upped the intensity and it would be the offense who would get the last laugh.
Following the right side of the line, Trent Richardson ripped off a significant gain to "move the chains." Andrew Luck let out a, "Yeah, baby," as Richardson burst through the right side of the line. We did see a variety of formations and play calls from the Colts in short-yardage situations but the highlight definitely came from Richardson.
- Taking things for granted shouldn't happen often and in the case of Adam Vinatieri, I think it happens a bit too much. You almost forget about the 19-year vet until No. 4 trots out there week-after-week. He was heard loud and clear on Saturday by drilling a 60-yard field goal to get the Anderson faithful cheering a little louder.
Punter Pat McAfee has also had a very solid camp. The Colts got in some quality kicking work in on Saturday with McAfee displaying the driver (his "booming" punts) to go along with an effective short game (the ability to down punts inside the 20-yard line).
INJURY REPORT/ROSTER MOVES
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The following players did not participate in Saturday's practice: Daniel Adongo (groin), Josh Lenz (hamstring), Xavier Nixon (knee), Davin Meggett (hamstring), Josh McNary, Andrew Jackson (hamstring) and Robert Mathis.
PAGANO QUOTEWORTHY
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Chuck Pagano on Paul George
"Obviously on behalf of the entire organization, our thoughts and prayers go out to Paul. Injuries happen, this is a devastating injury to a great, great young talent. We all want to let Paul know that he's in our thoughts and prayers. We've got his back. We're all family in this city. We support one another. We all love Paul. The thing that Paul has to understand is that right now it's a tough pill to swallow as we know, but we're all going to be faced with adversity. We're all going to be faced with circumstances and our message to him is take it one day at a time and keep chopping wood. Pick that axe up and keep chopping wood. If you keep doing that, that tree will eventually fall and he'll get healthy and he'll be back better than ever. Again, he's in our thoughts and prayers."
PLAYER QUOTE OF THE DAY
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Andrew Luck on the run game's performance Saturday
"Some real positive stuff. I think the line is taking it very personally, they get positive yards. In the run game I think Trent, Ahmad, Boom (Daniel Herron), all the guys have really been running it well. We got a couple gashes today, yesterday. A combination of good, long runs, wide receivers working their butts off down the field. If we can run the ball, we realize that we can be a good team."
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PLAYER TWEET OF THE DAY
I really appreciate the support from my family friends teammates coaches and fans. God has a plan for me and the fight will continue! — Donald Thomas (@Thedthomas64) August 2, 2014
YESTERDAY'S TRIVIA QUIZ
Chuck Pagano is the fifth Colts coach to earn playoff berths and have double-digit victory totals in the first two seasons with the club. Name the others and do it in chronological order (naming the seasons involved is a bonus).
ANSWER: The others in addition to Pagano are Don McCafferty (1970-71), Ted Marchibroda (1974-75), Tony Dungy (2002-03) and Jim Caldwell (2009-10).
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUIZ
Last year, the Colts led the NFL with the fewest penalties (66) and turnovers (14), becoming only the second NFL team in 26 years to pull the feat. Name the other team and the season it did it.
See the next Colts Camp Notebook for the answer.
SPOTTED IN CAMP
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The national media train that had been rolling through Anderson this past week quieted down on Saturday. Just ESPN's Kevin Seifert remained from that contingent. Peter King from Sports Illustrated is expected to be in Anderson next week.
PRACTICE ATTENDANCE: 975. TOTAL FOR CAMP: 24,800
WEATHER REPORT
With rain forecasted for late Saturday afternoon, the Colts practiced in the morning. It was a hot and sunny morning/early afternoon for the Colts to get their three-hour practice done. Some more humid weather is in the early forecast for next week.
CAMP SCHEDULE
The Colts adjusted their practice times on Saturday to the morning for a three-hour session from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sunday will be an off day for the Colts before they return to Anderson next week with open practices scheduled from 1:50-4:25 p.m. on both Monday and Tuesday.
