Colts.com Catches Up With RB-Mike Hart
Entering his third season with the Indianapolis Colts, running back Mike Hart is still learning from his veteran teammates and ready to have an impact on the field. Hart was drafted by the Colts in the sixth round of the 2008 draft following an impressive career at Michigan, where he ranked fourth in Big Ten history in career rushes and yards. Missing much of the 2008 season with a knee injury, Hart quickly bounced back in 2009, appearing in nine games with the Colts as a reserve running back and special teamer. Colts.com caught up with the New York native after practice at training camp at Anderson University and asked him some questions about the upcoming season.
Question: What do you like most about training camp?
Answer: It is football season again. You get back and you get into the routine of things again like hitting, catching and remembering the plays and all those little things to get ready for the season.
Q: How do you feel about this team early in camp?
A: I think we look solid again. We have some of the same players returning from last year and the biggest thing is I think we are healthy this year. I think as long as we stay healthy we can do big things, but I think the biggest thing I know is that we are a healthy team.
Q: What is one thing that you want to work on at camp to make you a better player?
A: I think just the little things. I think that one thing that we focus on as a team, and I carry this over to myself, is focusing on the little things. Whether it is my footwork, going into the hole or whether it is running the right route at the right steps, just (take care of) the little things and the big things will take care of themselves later.
Q: What are your personal goals entering the 2010 season?
A: I always have the same goals going into the season. First of all just making the team, I think that is one of the biggest things. Also, just helping the team out in any way I can, whether it is special teams or coming in on third down or where I can help out.
Q: What have you learned over the last three years playing with the Colts?
A: I think that it is just a roller coaster ride. I just think that is the NFL in its entirety, whether it is through injuries, getting cut or not playing or playing a lot. I think that it is just a roller coaster. I think the biggest thing that I have learned in the past three years is nothing is ever set in stone. There are a lot of ups and downs, and it is good to just stay positive.
Q: How do you want grow into a better player?
A: Really, just becoming someone that the team can count on. So if Joe (Joseph Addai) happens to ever go down, they know that I am someone that they can count on to perform and pick up from where they left off.
Q: Who or what motivates you to do well on the field?
A: Myself, my family and all the fans. I think that when you get an opportunity you kind of owe it to yourself and owe it to people to work your hardest and give it the best you have every time you get on that field.
Q: What do you do after a long day at training camp?
A: Sleep! Anytime you get a break during camp you always take a nap.
