HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On today's practice) * *
"Well, we had a good solid practice today. Our intensity level was where we wanted it. We certainly didn't have everything ironed out, but we performed I think pretty well in today's practice. And you also might have noticed we had a few guys back. Marlin Jackson is back, Antonio Johnson and also Charlie Johnson were back on the practice field today. We're happy to have them back. They looked good and I think all three of them were happy to be back out there in the middle of the rigors again."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On the quarterback situation)
"Chris Crane, we had to bring another one in obviously because of the fact that Jim's (Sorgi) injury. We're not quite certain how long it's going to take, maybe a couple weeks or so. The doctors are going to guide that through, but he will be back at some point. We certainly couldn't go into any ballgames coming up with only two quarterbacks. He'll step in there, and he knows our system and he'll do a great job."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On Charlie Johnson at left tackle)
"That's where we had slated for him to play, at left tackle, and he obviously is a guy that's played a number of different positions for us, but that's a key spot. What we'll probably do is have Tony (Ugoh) actually bounce back and forth to both spots, maybe put him over at the right by Ryan Diem, behind Ryan Diem. He'll also get a little work at left as well."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On if Charlie Johnson is the starter at left tackle)
"That's correct."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On the battle at left tackle)
"It was something we had, we were slated to do at the onset. Charlie got hurt, but we'll let the two of those guys battle it out and see how they do. Tony is not out of it by any stretch of the imagination. He's still got a chance to keep battling, and just like anything else, we're expecting him to take a step forward and play well."
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HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On Ryan Lilja's health)
"He looks good, he looks good. Everything is going as planned. He's moving well. I think he feels good about his progress and where he is physically, and obviously we're glad to have him back."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On whether Curtis Painter should expect a heavy workload Friday vs. Minnesota)
"Obviously, due to the circumstances, he's going to get a pretty good amount of work, which will be good for him."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On the progress of Curtis Painter)
"He's doing well. He's catching onto the system. Our system is not an easy one to master. It takes a while and it's fairly complex. We're just trying to feed it to him a little bit at a time, but he's a smart guy. He's studious, and right now I think he's coming along well."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On adapting Curtis Painter to the system)
"Probably just like you noticed, limit the amount of things that he has to do. Try to give it to him in small chunks and then as he grows and develops, we give him a little bit more."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On the status of Roy Hall)
"Roy Hall was just a day off to kind of rest him a little bit. He's been battling through some little injuries here and there, and particularly last week. He's been able to fight through and today we gave him a little break in the action."
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HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On the importance of preseason games)
"I think anytime that you go out and you're playing a game, when they stop keeping score then I'll stop worrying about whether or not we win. Nevertheless, it's important. It's important for us to go out and try to learn as much about ourselves as we possibly can. That's the key. But you also want to win as well."
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HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On LB-Adam Seward)
"Adam is doing well. Adam is doing really a great job, I think, of grasping what we're doing. He's been a real pleasant surprise for us. He's been running well. He's been making plays. He's caught on to what we do rather quickly and some of it is primarily because of the fact that the defense in Carolina was similar to ours, so he's been able to fit in and do quite well."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On depth at linebacker)
"That's one thing I'm certainly not going to talk a whole lot about, is depth. The minute you do, you have some difficulty. We're pleased where we are right now, but we've just got to continue to get better."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On whether he's determined playing time for Friday)
"Not yet, but that's something we'll determine here in the next couple of days and then we'll kind of go from there."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On the increase in temperature)
"I am (glad). It's not doing me any good, but nevertheless, our team certainly needs it. It was great for them to be able to handle this heat. We're going to have some games where it's going to be quite humid, and it's important for them to have an opportunity to run around in those pads (and) get their bodies acclimated."
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OL-RYAN DIEM (on having Ryan Lilja back)
"It is great. I know this is something he's been waiting for, for a year and a half. He's been itching to get those pads back on and its just great that he's back out here and he looks pretty good, he hasn't missed a beat."
OL-RYAN DIEM (on what makes Senior Offensive Line Coach Howard Mudd unique)
"His experience, No. 1. He's been around for forever – 30-35 years. He's got a pretty unique personality that might take a little getting used to for the younger guys but once you get to know him you realize he's kind of a joker and likes to have fun but he'll work you hard at the same time."
OL-RYAN DIEM (on if he was upset this could be Mudd's last year)
"We've had a pretty good run together, all of us, Jeff (Saturday) being with him 10-11 years, myself, nine, and he's had a great year. You've got to respect him. He knows when to say when and if he's ready to hang them up you've got to respect his decision."
OL-RYAN DIEM (on the dynamic of the line with Lilja back)
"I think he brings a little attitude to us. He plays ferociously and it's contagious. He likes to get fired up and run the ball, and that's a lineman's dream right there. He fits right in with all of us and raises our game."
OL-RYAN DIEM (on being happy with his first week of practice)
"I am. One of our goals is to get the run game stepped up this year. Last year it wasn't anywhere near what we wanted, so that's one of the main goals, to get our yards per carry up. I think its been fun so far, we've changed the way we are running a few plays, seems to be pretty effective, so I'm excited."
OL-RYAN DIEM (on having Charlie Johnson back today)
"This is the first time in awhile we've had everyone together and on the same page and it feels good. Its kind of cool to see everyone out here and the unit we are most likely starting the first week with. We can't get enough practice together to gel but it looks good together so far."
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OL-CHARLIE JOHNSON (on being back on the field)
"It feels really good to come out here and be a part of this team again and be a part of this line, and just get back to it. It feels great. It's hard to sit back and watch so it feels good."
OL-CHARLIE JOHNSON (on playing left tackle in Monday's practice)
"I just go where I am told. It's been this way for four years now. I come back they say, 'Go play here.' And I just go play."
OL-CHARLIE JOHNSON (on if left tackle is a step up)
"If it is, I've played there before, played some games there and I'm comfortable. But I'll go play and play to the best of my abilities."
OL-CHARLIE JOHNSON (on if it's good to have the whole offensive line back)
"It does. It's been awhile since we've had Lilja back and actually, it's been a good while since we've had everyone together. Hopefully now we'll get caught up with the plays and we'll start playing together, and that's the biggest thing having that chemistry back and getting back to where we were a couple of years ago."
OL-CHARLIE JOHNSON (on playing multiple positions camp)
"That's what a lot of these young guys do, they play everywhere, and that's what I did. You just try and get as many reps as you can in different spots because that's how you're going to make the team. My example coming out, they said the more you do, the longer you'll stick around. So that's kind of what I do – I go play wherever, I don't say much and I just go out and do it."
QB-CURTIS PAINTER (on if this is more than he expected)
"One, you never wish to get reps this way. Hopefully, (Jim) Sorgi can come back and (have a) speedy recover, but its certainly an opportunity to get some more playing time, especially in practice and it's a great opportunity."
QB-CURTIS PAINTER (on if he's ready)
"It's just like what happened, one play in practice, but I'm ready. Hopefully with another week of practice I'll be even better."
QB-CURTIS PAINTER (on grasping what he's doing out there)
"Part of it is just keeping it a little more simpler for me. You hope you get to (Peyton Manning's level) at some point, but right now I'm just keeping it simple, sticking to basics, and hopefully it will slowly progress."
QB-CURTIS PAINTER (on how great of an opportunity this is)
"It is huge. Just being around Peyton, and Sorgi, those guys' experience with the organization is extremely helpful in meetings and on the field. It's a great opportunity be around them and kind of listen and learn from them."
QB-CURTIS PAINTER (on what specific things he's picked up)
"I think you just look at their type of leadership skills. Both have been here for a while and have a great sense of leadership on the field. In the meeting room, just listening to them and how they talk about plays and coverage's, and things all about the offense. They have more knowledge in the classroom and on the field (I look at) how they carry themselves and how they lead."
QB-CURTIS PAINTER (on how far away he played in high school)
"High school was just about an hour south. I had a lot of people from the Vincennes community come up and I got to see them so its great to see some familiar faces in the crowd."
QB-CURTIS PAINTER (on if he's had a fun club at camp)
"A little bit, a lot of family. I've always had great support from my family so a lot of them have made the trips for some practices."
QB-CURTIS PAINTER (on being a Colts quarterback and playing in the upcoming exhibition game)
"It has been my dream since I've been little to play in this position. So to experience this for the first time will be exciting and hopefully I'll get the nerves out of the way before I start a drive or anything. But it's going to be exciting, it's going to be fun and hopefully we'll do well."
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QB-CURTIS PAINTER (on if he expects some nerves)
"Yes. I'm sure it will be a different feeling but it will be really exciting."
QB-CURTIS PAINTER (on if he's been with the Colts ever since he was drafted)
"I think there were a couple of weeks after the draft we were home, and then pretty much after that I was in Indianapolis and stayed there throughout."
QB-CURTIS PAINTER (on if the playbook is thick)
"It is. There is a lot of attention to detail and that's what is hardest to grasp, all the little things and getting them right and to run smoothly when you are out on the field."
QB-CURTIS PAINTER (on if he feels comfortable on the field)
"I think everyday it kind of progresses. It may be baby steps, but I guess its normal for a guy just first coming in. Like I said earlier, I have a lot of great guys in front of me and coaches to help out."
QB-CURTIS PAINTER (on having an opportunity with an injured player)
"Fortunately for Sorgi, it is nothing too serious, so he'll be back. In the time that I have right here, to get this opportunity and make most of the reps is huge."
QB-CURTIS PAINTER (on the team usually carrying two quarterbacks)
"You just have to let it play out. I just want to be in a position to help out. If that's the case, maybe I'll be there on the sidelines and be able to put something into the game and that's just where I'm trying to be. Its not a matter of any battles for a position its just being there to help out in any way that I can."
QB-CURTIS PAINTER (on if he wants coaches to be able to rely on him)
"Right. I just want to be able to give the coaches confidence in me to know that should I go in, I can handle myself."
DB-MARLIN JACKSON (on his first day practicing at training camp)
"It was good. Obviously, there are still some things you need to work on and get back out there and get a feel for and be more patient with some things. Overall, it was good. My legs felt good to get out there and run around. I did some good things, but also there are some things you need to work on."
DB-MARLIN JACKSON (on how he is feeling)
"It's feeling good. I couldn't ask for a better situation to be able to come back and be ready and get some work in, so that I go into the season feeling comfortable."
DB-MARLIN JACKSON (on what helped him come back so quickly)
"I think it was just attacking the rehab. First of all, it's having a great surgery. Both surgeons did a great job, fixing my meniscus and my ACL. Then really going after the rehab. The people here at the Colts, the people in Arizona at API (Athletes' Performance Institute in Tempe, Ariz.), the people in Alabama, all just working together and combining everything and just having that drive to get back."
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DB-MARLIN JACKSON (on if it was difficult to watch training camp during the first week)
"Definitely, it was difficult. I had to tell myself all week to be patient, that my time would come, and I was ready but just had to be patient."
DB-MARLIN JACKSON (on if he's on the timetable for return that he thought he would be)
"Yes, it was right when I said I expected to be back, right when camp started. The way we did it was the best way, coming in the first week and doing individual things and coming to practice the second week.
DB-MARLIN JACKSON (on if it feels normal to be out there)
"You get overaggressive when you first get back out there with some things, and sometimes when you're overaggressive then you go against what you want to do. It's just a fact of working back in there and getting that patience with some things and being more aggressive in other things."
DB-MARLIN JACKSON (on if he's worried about his knee)
"No, just play. That's what the rehab is for, to assure yourself that you are able, you've made all the moves before you go out there. You can't be thinking, you just have to go."
DB-MARLIN JACKSON (on if he will play Friday in the first preseason game against Minnesota)
"No, I won't be getting in a game yet. I'm just going to practice and get everything down first."
DB-MARLIN JACKSON (on if he has any limitations)
"None. I'm full go. I just won't be playing in the first preseason game."
DB-MARLIN JACKSON (on what is different about the defense this year)
"(It's) more aggressive, a lot more one-on-ones, more blitzing, things like that. I think it is more pressing the offense instead of just sitting back."
DB-MARLIN JACKSON (on the defensive line moving around a lot pre-snap)
"Exactly. We're trying to create confusion within the offense, and I think we're doing a good job of that with all the movement we have up front. It's hard to know where to slide the protection to and guys are doing a good job of executing."
DB-MARLIN JACKSON (on the weather getting hotter this week)
"It did. It was cool last week, and I hopped in on the hottest week thus far."
DT-FILI MOALA (On how he feels)
"I feel good. Besides the norm, being sore every day. I'm coming out here and really just taking a new approach, a new angle. They've got me playing a lot of three-technique. (I'm) more just kind of try to be everything; stop the run, rush the passer, relieve guys when they need a blow (rest). They've got me doing pretty much everything right now."
DT-FILI MOALA (On whether he feels comfortable or not)
"Definitely, I feel very comfortable in my role. I know that we're all competing for a starting position but whatever way I can be an asset to the team that's all I want to be. Really, it's just on me to just come out and improve on all the positives every day and kind of set the negatives to the side and improve on those as well."
DT-FILI MOALA (On Friday's preseason game)
"You're always ready to hit somebody other than your own teammates. I'm excited (for my) first NFL game ever. It is what it is. Just take it as an opportunity to get better and showcase my improvement on Friday."
DT-FILI MOALA (On how he views his role with the Colts)
"I see my role as utilizing my athleticism, my size, my strength and just implementing it into Coach (John) Teerlinck's philosophy. Taking all of the coaching tips and just applying Coach (Larry) Coyer's defensive scheme and just being an asset to this team. That's all I'm worried about."
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DT-TERRANCE TAYLOR (On how training camp is going)
"It's going well. I'm learning a lot of things and catching on pretty fast. The good thing is it's a new defense for everybody so everybody is learning at the same tempo. There are little bumps here and there, little missed assignments and mistakes but things that can be corrected."
DT-TERRANCE TAYLOR (On what the coaches talk about to him)
"They talk about a lot of (stuff). It's important to stop the run, deflect the pass. They've been good on defense here rushing the passer but the run defense needed improvement. That's one of the things that we focus on at practice; stopping the run, first down, second down, third down, short yardage, goal line. There's a big emphasis on this year to improve that from last year."
DT-TERRANCE TAYLOR (On the importance of technique in stopping the run)
"You can do it with size and technique but it's a lot about technique and knowing your job and where you need to be at. Working on the d-line is like working as a unit. The push up the middle, make sacks for the ends, the ends coming off the edge makes the quarterback step up. We provide the run stopping to make them pass more. It's more of technique and knowing your role."
