ANDERSON, Ind. – Wednesday had the feel of a "Day One" Training Camp practice for the Indianapolis Colts.
Guys were in and out of the lineup. Players struggled with the heat. Plays were made from both sides of the football.
What were the takeaways from the Colts' first day on the practice field in Anderson?
PRACTICE TAKEAWAYS
- From an individual standpoint, new cornerback Patrick Robinson made a couple of nice plays on Wednesday. If we were giving out a "play of the day" award, Robinson would get it for his toe tap interception of an Andrew Luck pass intended for Jacoby Brissett.
It was another play that stood out for Robinson. On a deep pass from Luck to Josh Boyce, Robinson knocked the ball away at the last second. Last season, Robinson defended the big play better than virtually every other cornerback in football. The Colts, who struggled against the deep pass in 2015, welcome that ability.
- T.J. Green's anxious start came to a screeching halt on Wednesday. Early on, there was Green playing in the first unit, next to Mike Adams. Green's highlight came on batting down a pass in the direction of tight end Jack Doyle.
After that play, Green's day was over. This year's second-round pick headed for the team's medical tent with cramps. If Green can return to the lineup quickly, he's going to continue to see ample work with starter Clayton Geathers missing time.
- It didn't take long to spot Chuck Pagano and Ryan Grigson at Wednesday's practice. Rocking black "humble and hungry" shirts, the duo observed the offensive line drills at the onset of the first camp session.
The Colts continue to work with the same four starting spots they had during the offseason program: LT-Anthony Castonzo, LG-Jack Mewhort, C-Ryan Kelly and RT-Joe Reitz. At right guard, Hugh Thornton, Denzelle Good and Jonotthan Harrison all rotated in with the first team. This was Thornton's first work of the 2016 offseason.
OTHER PRACTICE MUSINGS
- How bleak did things get at the safety position on Wednesday? Darius Butler, the team's starting nickelback, was taking first-team reps at safety towards the end of practice. That's what happens when you're missing a starter (Geathers) and two others (Green and Winston Guy) had exited due to cramps. Again, the injuries were a precaution with temperatures nearing 90 degrees on Wednesday in Anderson.
- The Colts did get back several guys who missed the entire offseason program. That list includes DT-Arthur Jones, OLB-Curt Maggitt, WR-Donte Moncrief, ILB-Antonio Morrison and CB-D'Joun Smith. It's an easing process for those guys to work back up to their normal allotment of reps, but a step in the right direction to see them back to work on Wednesday. Smith did make a couple of nice plays in coverage.
- From a passing game standpoint, the secondary got the best of the offense on Wednesday. Interceptions of Luck were made by Robinson and backup safety Winston Guy.
- Offensively, Phillip Dorsett and Jack Doyle had productive afternoons.
- Henry Anderson's rehab work on Wednesday included some running. On Wednesday, Chuck Pagano did say Anderson is ahead of schedule for his ACL rehab.
- With a boot on his right foot, Clayton Geathers was observing from a golf cart on Wednesday. Geathers is three weeks into rehab for his injured foot.
INJURY REPORT
The following players left Wednesday's practice early: DE-Sterling Bailey, OT-Le'Raven Clark, RB-Josh Ferguson, S-T.J. Green, S-Winston Guy. They all were deemed to have "cramps" and sat out practice for "precautionary" reasons.
PAGANO QUOTEWORTHY
Chuck Pagano on the four-game suspension for Arthur Jones:
"Disappointed. Just like he was. There are consequences for everything and he'll pay the consequences for that but disappointed. Just like Art is disappointed and everybody else in our organization, but we will support him, back him and look forward to him getting back on the field during training camp and honing his craft again and then when he comes back and getting back on the football field."
PLAYER QUOTE OF THE DAY
Henry Anderson on Chuck Pagano saying the second-year defensive end is "ahead of schedule" in his ACL rehab:
"My knee feels awesome. I don't think it could feel really any better than it does right now. It's just, I did have a pretty fairly major surgery so I know that they want to make sure it's 100 percent healed before they throw me out there cause I'm sure they would rather have me out there at 100 percent than 85-90 percent and I think that's the smart thing to do. We've got a good plan going."
TWEET OF THE DAY
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUIZ
On Tuesday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame officially announced the presenters for the 2016 inductees. Who will be presenting Tony Dungy and Marvin Harrison on Saturday, Aug. 6?
SPOTTED IN CAMP
NFL Network and Pro Football Focus both were present for the first practice day of camp.
PRACTICE ATTENDANCE: 1,465 TOTAL FOR CAMP: 1,465
WEATHER REPORT
Wednesday was a beautiful first day of practice for the Colts. Sunny skies greeted the Colts at Anderson University. There is a chance for storms the next two days, with temperatures in the 80s heading into the weekend.
CAMP SCHEDULE
Thursday, July 28
1:55-4:40 p.m. – Practice
12:30 p.m. – Colts City opens
5:00 p.m. – Colts City closes
Friday, July 29 – Armed Forces Day presented by BOSE
1:55-4:40 p.m. – Practice
12:30 p.m. – Colts City opens
5:00 p.m. – Colts City closes
Saturday, July 30
Players' Day Off
* *
Sunday, July 31 – Kids Day presented by Riley Children's Health
1:55-4:40 p.m. – Practice
12:30 p.m. – Colts City opens
5:00 p.m. – Colts City closes
Monday, August 1- Community Take Back Day presented by the Attorney General's Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Task Force
* *
1:55-4:40 p.m. – Practice
12:30 p.m. – Colts City opens
5:00 p.m. – Colts City closes
Tuesday, August 2 – BBQ Bash Night Practice
6:25-9:10 p.m. – Practice
5:00 p.m. – Colts City opens
9:30 p.m. – Colts City closes
* *
Wednesday, August 3
Players' Day Off
* *
Thursday, August 4
1:55-4:40 p.m. – Practice
12:30 p.m. – Colts City opens
5:00 p.m. – Colts City closes
Friday, August 5
* *
1:55-4:40 p.m. – Practice
12:30 p.m. – Colts City opens
5:00 p.m. – Colts City closes
* *
Sunday, August 7
NFL/Hall of Fame Game – Canton, Ohio – Indianapolis vs. Green Bay
Tuesday, August 9
1:55-4:40 p.m. – Practice
12:30 p.m. – Colts City opens
5:00 p.m. – Colts City closes
Wednesday, August 10
1:55-4:10 p.m. – Practice
12:30 p.m. – Colts City opens
5:00 p.m. – Colts City closes
Thursday, August 11 – BREAK CAMP
8:05-10:30 a.m. – Practice
Colts City Closed
