INDIANAPOLIS –The full pads on Tuesday clearly upped the competitive nature of the Colts.
T.Y. Hilton and Vontae Davis stole the show on Tuesday, with the Colts in full pads for the first time in 2017.
What were the takeaways from the Colts' third practice of the 2017 Training Camp?
PRACTICE TAKEAWAYS
- We saw a few skirmishes on Tuesday. The one involving the biggest names came between T.Y. Hilton and Vontae Davis. On the very next rep between Hilton and Davis, there was the Pro Bowl wideout making a sliding catch near the pylon for a touchdown.
If you are Chuck Pagano, that's what you want. Two of your best players letting the rest of the team know the level of competition needed this time of year. It was nothing malicious between Hilton and Davis. Just two competitors going at it. Davis wants to get back to the Pro Bowl in a contract year. Hilton wants to silence any remaining doubters on him being known as a true elite, elite receiver in this league.
- Malik Hooker returned to the Colts on Tuesday, after a family matter had his attention on Monday. While Hooker was again on a pitch count, he did make an impression in team drills.
A pass deflection during red-zone drills was a sample of the playmaking the Colts hope Hooker will bring to their secondary. Hooker has worked with the reserves through the first three practices.
- With the full pads on Tuesday, the Colts had plenty of attention during one-on-one drills between the offensive and defensive lines. Chris Ballard and Carlie Irsay-Gordon had a keen eye on this session.
Later in practice, newcomers Johnathan Hankins and Jabaal Sheard were rather dominant in winning their specific one-on-one battles. Speaking of the trenches, the Colts continue to work Jack Mewhort at right guard and Joe Haeg at left guard.
OTHER PRACTICE MUSINGS
- One more thing on Hilton: the league's leading receiver from last year has a new goal in 2017. He wants double-digit touchdowns. In his first five NFL seasons, Hilton has never had more than seven touchdowns in a year.
- A few guys that appear to be settling into specific roles: Chester Rogers (No. 3 receiver), Antonio Morrison (starting inside linebacker), Al Woods (starting nose tackle).
- Jack Doyle, the new No. 1 tight end in Indianapolis, made a beautiful diving catch during a red-zone drill. Doyle's catching consistency is a constant, but this snag was well out of a normal catch radius.
- For the second straight day, Andrew Luck was absent from practice. It is likely Luck is doing his rehab work during the time the Colts are on the practice field.
- Even though rookie Quincy Wilson is continuing to take some first-team reps, veteran Rashaan Melvin has remained the starter opposite Vontae Davis. Melvin, who had a nice pass breakup on Tuesday, is coming off a season in which he started nine games for the Colts.
- Despite the full pads being worn on Tuesday, the Colts did not have any live tackling periods. Will that come later in camp?
- The Colts will have a mandatory off day on Wednesday, before practicing Thursday-Sunday.
- Fans still have one more chance to catch the Colts in Training Camp. While practices at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center are closed to the public, the Colts will have an open practice Saturday night at Warren Central High School. Details on that practice can be found here.
INJURY REPORT
The following players did not participate in Tuesday's practice: S-Clayton Geathers (neck), DE-Kendall Langford (knee), QB-Andrew Luck (shoulder) and OL-Brian Schwenke (right leg). All four of those guys are on the physically unable to perform list. We also saw DL-David Parry and TE-Mo Alie-Cox sidelined on Tuesday.**
PAGANO QUOTEWORTHY**
Chuck Pagano on wanting a more physical Training Camp:
"There's a perception out there, and we have to change it. This is a grown man's game. It's a physical football game, obviously. And a physical sport. It's a team sport. It doesn't fall on one guy. There's only one way you can play it. You've got to practice it.If you don't practice it and you can't tackle on defense, you're not going to be a good defense. So we're putting an emphasis on it."
PLAYER QUOTE OF THE DAY
Wide receiver T.Y. Hilton on the skirmish with CB-Vontae Davis:
"Just competing, that's all. At the end of the day, guys are going to compete. You want to show that dog. Me and him showed our dog and at the end of the day, as soon as the period was over we shook hands and talked about it. We're just trying to get better and competing and just get guys involved."
TWEET OF THE DAY
CAMP SCHEDULE (all practices closed to the public, besides Saturday, August 5 at Warren Central High School)
Wednesday, August 2
Players' Day Off
Thursday, August 3
8:00 – 10:45 a.m. – Practice
Friday, August 4
8:00 – 10:45 a.m. – Practice
Saturday, August 5 – Practice at Warren Central High School (open to the public)
5:50 – 8:20 p.m. – Practice
Sunday, August 6
2:20-4:50 p.m. – Practice
Monday, August 7
Players' Day Off
Tuesday, August 8
8:00-10:45 a.m. – Practice
Wednesday, August 9
8:00-10:45 a.m. – Practice
Thursday, August 10 – Joint practice with Detroit Lions
9:30-11:40 a.m. – Practice
Friday, August 11 – Joint practice with Detroit Lions
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.*
