INDIANAPOLIS –The live tackling has arrived for the 2017 Colts.
A six-play live tackling period was easily the highlight of Tuesday's full-padded practice.
What were the takeaways from the Colts' eighth practice of the 2017 Training Camp?
PRACTICE TAKEAWAYS
- After an off day on Monday, Chuck Pagano decided to insert some live tackling into Tuesday's practice. The session lasted six plays (three for the starters, three for the backups) with short-yardage scenarios being drilled.
You heard the clanging and banging throughout this drill as the Colts had their fourth full-padded practice of the 2017 camp. The team will be in full pads again on Thursday and Friday, when the Detroit Lions arrive to town.
- With defensive starters Johnathan Hankins and Jon Bostic sitting out Tuesday's practice, the Colts had some new bodies running with the starting unit.
On the defensive line, youngsters T.Y. McGill and Hassan Ridgeway were frequently out there in place of Hankins. At inside linebacker, Edwin Jackson played alongside Antonio Morrison, the combination the Colts used in the final month of last season.
- Another practice, another highlight from rookie safety Malik Hooker. Tuesday's play from Hooker came when he was back pedaling deep in coverage on Chester Rogers and managed to get a hand on the ball for a last second pass deflection.
Chuck Pagano listed Hooker among the guys that have impressed him so far in camp. The reps are increasing for Hooker, and that has included some more time with the starters.
OTHER PRACTICE MUSINGS
- Tuesday was the fourth practice in full pads for the Colts. With full pads coming again Thursday and Friday, the Colts will have been in full pads much more than they were last year in Anderson.
- Undrafted free agent Bug Howard has had a nice camp thus far. At 6-5, Howard stands out among the rest of the Colts' receivers. If Howard can make some plays in the preseason he could complicate things even more at an already deep receiver position.
- Chuck Pagano likes Darryl Morris and rookie Nate Hairston at the nickel position right now, in that order. Getting Morris more involved on special teams is a goal for the Colts in 2017. Hairston, a fifth-round pick out of Temple, clearly has made a nice impression in recent practices.
- Along with Hooker's nice play, fellow safety Darius Butler ran down an overthrown deep ball for an interception. That's the playmaking the Colts really want, and need, out of their safeties.
- Hall of Famer and former Colts' running back Marshall Faulk was present at practice on Tuesday (see below).
- Lineman Joe Haeg and Jack Mewhort returned to practice on Tuesday. But we saw some of Denzelle Good and Jeremy Vujnovich spelling the two starters. Vujnovich appears to be a solid rotational option.
- The Colts will have one more practice with themselves on Wednesday, before the Lions arrive for joint practices on Thursday and Friday.
ROSTER MOVE
On Monday evening, the Colts signed free agent wide receiver Marvin Bracy and waived-injured wide receiver Harvey Binford. If Binford clears waivers, he will revert to the Colts Injured Reserve List.
Bracy, 5-9, 172 pounds, participated in the Carolina Panthers' 2017 rookie mini-camp on a tryout basis. He is an Olympic sprinter who has participated with USA Track & Field for the last five years (2013-17). Bracy qualified for the 2016 Summer Olympics in the 100-meter dash. From 2014-16, he won three consecutive U.S. National Championships in the 60-meter dash.
Collegiately, Bracy redshirted as a true freshman on the Florida State football team in 2012 while also running track for the Seminoles. He ranked No. 1 in the nation in the 60-meter dash most of the season after registering the fastest time in the NCAA. Bracy earned the No. 1 seed at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships. He left Florida State in 2013 to pursue a professional track career.
TWEET OF THE DAY
CAMP SCHEDULE
Wednesday, August 9
8:00-10:45 a.m. – Practice
Thursday, August 10 – Joint practice with Detroit Lions (full pads)
9:30-11:40 a.m. – Practice
Friday, August 11 – Joint practice with Detroit Lions (full pads)
9:30-11:40 a.m. – Practice
Sunday, August 13
Preseason Game 1 – Indianapolis vs. Detroit – 1:30 p.m.
Monday, August 14
Players' Day Off
Tuesday, August 15
1:45-4:05 p.m. – Practice
Wednesday, August 16
8:00-10:45 a.m. – Practice
Thursday, August 17
8:00-10:45 a.m. – Practice*
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.*
