ANDERSON – It was another perfect afternoon at Anderson University, with ideal weather conditions greeting the Colts.
The Colts practiced in shoulder pads on Wednesday and concluded practice with a spirited goal line drill.
What were the takeaways from the Colts ninth day on the practice field in Anderson?
PRACTICE TAKEAWAYS
- For the second time in Anderson, one of the most popular people at practice wasn't on the field. NFL super agent Drew Rosenhaus (along with his brother, Jason) was back in Anderson to continue contract talks for client T.Y. Hilton.
Rosenhaus spoke with the media following practice and said he would be meeting with the Colts on Wednesday night. The agent noted that deals like this aren't normally done in person so these face-to-face meetings should be looked at as a positive in terms of getting a deal eventually done. It should be noted Hilton had a nice afternoon in front of his agent, including a fine toe-tap job in the back of the end zone during red zone drills (see more below).
- As far as on the field, Chuck Pagano changed up the script to end Wednesday's practice. Red-zone work was a heavy emphasis on Wednesday and the practice ended with a spirited goal line session.
The drill occurred on the far end of the field, but it appeared to be a one-on-one sequence between wide receivers/cornerbacks, with each unit rejoicing depending on if the pass was completed or not. These sorts of drills have been frequent during the 2015 Training Camp. It's clear Pagano wants to ramp up the competition level via win/loss drills which usually leaves one unit going crazy in celebration (the defense appeared to win this one).
- Rookie safety Clayton Geathers was all over the field on Wednesday. He had a couple of pass deflections and an interception to highlight the individual performances on the defensive side of the ball.
Geathers continues to get plenty of run with the first-team defense within the dime package. I'm anxious to not only see him play in that package on Sunday, but also as a normal base safety when the Colts get into their second-team defense.
OTHER PRACTICE MUSINGS
- The outside linebacker depth is going to be something to keep an eye on in the preseason. The starters in camp have been Trent Cole and Erik Walden. After that, there's some storylines involving Jonathan Newsome, Bjoern Werner and even Cam Johnson. Then, of course, you have the health of Robert Mathis to factor in, as well.
- To expand on Hilton, he bounced back from an early drop on Wednesday. During one 11-on-11 drill, Hilton caught his patented curl route. On the very next play, Hilton turned on the burners which brought an "Oh, got him," from offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton. The ball was slightly overthrown of the wide open Hilton, but the play was indicative of what that speed does to the defense. On one play, Hilton is catching an intermediate route. The next, he's behind the secondary. Wednesday was a typical T.Y. Hilton day in Anderson, filled with production.
- We saw the same starting offensive line for a ninth straight day: LT-Anthony Castonzo, LG-Lance Louis, C-Khaled Holmes, RG-Todd Herremans and RT-Jack Mewhort. Chuck Pagano mentioned after the morning walk-through how the cohesion at offensive line and safety is so critical. The Colts have definitely had that this camp with hardly any injuries at either spot.
- Numbers that just keep on flashing in Anderson are No. 5 (wide receiver Quan Bray) and No. 25 (cornerback Jalil Brown). Both had a couple of nice plays again on Wednesday. They would be my sleepers who have emerged in camp.
- A windy afternoon didn't keep Adam Vinatieri from having a perfect day in the kicking department. Vinatieri's long on Wednesday came from 64 yards out. On Sunday, the Colts will see Eagles kicker Cody Parkey, who spent last year's Training Camp with Indy.
INJURY REPORT/ROSTER MOVES
The following players did not participate in Wednesday's practice: Robert Mathis (Achilles) and Donald Thomas (quad). Both players are on the PUP list (can be removed from that list at anytime). Inside linebacker Nate Irving (knee) continues to sit out as he recovers from a 2014 ACL surgery. Running back Vick Ballard (hamstring) sat out Wednesday's practice and remains day-to-day.
The following players either missed Wednesday's practice or left early: cornerback Darius Butler (groin), cornerback Vontae Davis (groin), inside linebacker Junior Sylvestre (hamstring), wide receiver Donte Moncrief (groin) and outside linebacker Daniel Adongo (oblique).
PAGANO QUOTEWORTHY
Chuck Pagano on the play of Josh Chapman in Anderson:
"Josh is playing really consistent football right now. He's got himself in probably the best shape he's ever been in. He's got great confidence in his knee. He's doing his job, like we talked earlier, with the defense. We have to be stout up the middle and he's doing a good job."
PLAYER QUOTE OF THE DAY
Jack Mewhort on the cohesion being built through the offensive line at Training Camp:
"The cohesion is definitely a big thing on the offensive line. You talked about the shuffling last year, we played with a lot of different starting units and behind closed doors we cross train a lot too. So from the outside looking in, I've said this a lot, it may not look like if we don't put the same five guys out there that we are comfortable with each other, but we cross train so much in practice and get different lineups in there that I think a lot of us our comfortable playing with each other. We know each other's tendencies so it's not like if someone else goes in there it's going to be that much different because everybody out here has played with each other at some point whether it be a practice or a game or a preseason game. I don't think it would rattle us to much if the lineup got switched up."TWEET OF THE DAY
YESTERDAY'S TRIVIA QUIZ
Over the past three seasons the Colts have lost back-to-back games just once. Can you name the lone time the Colts have lost consecutive games since the start of the 2012 season?ANSWER: The Colts lost consecutive games to start the 2014 season (against Denver and Philadelphia). That's the only time the Colts have lost back-to-back games in the Chuck Pagano era.
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUIZ
The Colts have had at least one undrafted free agent on their Week One 53-man roster in how many consecutive years (it's the longest current such streak in the NFL)?
SPOTTED IN CAMP
With three days of Training Camp left, the national media has largely already passed through Anderson. NFL Insider Jay Galzer is expected to be in Anderson on Thursday.
PRACTICE ATTENDANCE: 2,210 TOTAL FOR CAMP: 34,102
WEATHER REPORT
Wednesday might have been the best afternoon, weather wise, we've had here in Anderson. Sunny skies look to be in the forecast for Thursday and Friday, as well.
CAMP SCHEDULE
Thursday, August 13
1:55-4:40 p.m. – Practice
12:30 p.m. – Colts City opens
5:00 p.m. – Colts City closes
Friday, August 14
1:55-4:10 p.m. – Practice
12:30 p.m. – Colts City opens
5:00 p.m. – Colts City closes
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