INDIANAPOLIS – A conditioning test and lots of meetings.
That was the primary agenda on report day for the Indianapolis Colts.
The 2017 Training Camp for a team coming off back-to-back .500 seasons will truly begin on Sunday, with an open practice down at Lucas Oil Stadium.
For now, here's a recap from move in-day with a highlight of player quotes:
CB-Vontae Davis on his Training Camp arrival in a three-wheel, two-seat Slingshot car:
"I wanted to roll up in style, and give a tribute to the great Reggie Wayne.
"It's Training Camp, and everyone is excited, fans are excited, and shout out to Reggie Wayne."
Bowen's Analysis:* *Ah, yes, a little entertainment to report day. Reggie Wayne was indeed proud of his former teammate's arrival to camp. Davis, quiet by nature, is entering a contract year at the age of 29.
It goes without saying how important Davis is to any defensive success the Colts will have in 2017. Davis has been the top cornerback in Indianapolis since 2012. The Colts need him to play like that this year, while the staff searches for a guy to play opposite No. 21.
RB-Robert Turbin on life without Andrew Luck to start Training Camp:
"Guys have to step up. Honestly, he's one of the leaders on offense and one of the leaders on this football team and when one of your guys are out the other guys have to step up and so, especially the veteran guys, guys who have been around and the guys who have won football games, been in the playoffs and championship games and things like that.
"We just have to step up and we will."
Bowen's Analysis: Yes, life does go on for the Indianapolis Colts even with Andrew Luck sidelined to start Training Camp. Like the Colts did throughout the offseason program, they will begin this portion of the offseason without their franchise quarterback.
Like Turbin said, a leadership void, along with many other attributes, is gone with Luck not in the huddle. That should allow for some new voices to emerge on a team seeking a transition in leadership. Turbin received ample first-team work in the spring as Frank Gore was healing up, and working out in Florida.
OLB-John Simon on a more physical Training Camp:
"I think camp is supposed to be physical and especially for us on defence.
"We're trying to be a more physical group out there so it will be good for us and toughen us up a little bit. The challenge is just doing it so nobody gets hurt, but Training Camp is supposed to be physical. Football is a physical sport and I know all the guys are looking forward to it."
Bowen's Analysis: As Henry Anderson put it Saturday, the Colts have struggled defensively the last two years, so might as well try something new. That means a more physical camp with the Colts putting on pads for the first time on Tuesday.
Simon is trying to bring a mentality to the Colts that helped the Houston Texans, his former team, annually rank among the best defenses in the NFL. It will be interesting to monitor how many live tackling periods we see from the Colts in 2017.
QB-Scott Tolzien on the importance of Training Camp:
"It's all football all the time. That's how you build team chemistry, especially with free agency and rookies. It's important to get that comfort level with everybody. I can't imagine a season without Training Camp. It would be almost impossible in my eyes."
Bowen's Analysis: Never in six previous Training Camps has Tolzien been the guy to take the initial first-team reps for a team. That will change on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. Tolzien took the heavy bulk of first-team work in the spring, with Stephen Morris behind the veteran backup.
Tolzien's poise has to be something the Colts love in a backup quarterback. You won't catch Tolzien looking too big picture. We will see if the Colts do decide to juggle the reps behind Luck at all (between Tolzien and Morris), until No. 12 returns to full work.
S-Matthias Farley on his strong spring:
"Just to continue to build on it.
"I think you are only as good as your last performance, so everyone is starting over again. The install is going in again, so to just continue to be consistent day in and day out and keep the main thing the main thing."
Bowen's Analysis: One of the definite surprises of the spring was Farley, a second-year safety. The 2016 undrafted free agent played almost exclusively on special teams as a rookie. But with Clayton Geathers and Malik Hooker sidelined this spring, there was Farley, ahead of T.J. Green, starting alongside Darius Butler.
Chris Ballard had some nice things to say about Farley at the close of the offseason program. With Geathers out until mid-October and Hooker dealing with a hamstring injury, Farley has another opportunity to seize some open reps at the safety position.
The analysis from those producing content on Colts.com does not necessarily represent the thoughts of the Indianapolis Colts organization. Any conjecture, analysis or opinions formed by Colts.com content creators is not based on inside knowledge gained from team officials, players or staff.
