INDIANAPOLIS —Quincy Wilson celebrated his 21st birthday on Wednesday, but had other things on his mind.
Three days after making his NFL debut in the Indianapolis Colts' 2017 preseason opener against the Detroit Lions, Wilson was on the practice field once again. It was yet another prime opportunity to get better.
It may sound simple, but it's that approach that has caught the attention of both Wilson's teammates and his coaches.
"Just everything, man," Wilson said when asked what he wanted to attack this week in practice as he prepares for his second preseason NFL game. "I want to go into practice with an open mind and just improve on everything, and just keep soaking in everything that I need to know and keep moving forward."
Wilson on Sunday played more defensive snaps, 50, than any other player on the Colts' roster. In those opportunities, he said he thought he mostly put up some quality game film, though it's the not-so-great results that he knows he'll learn from the most.
One of those plays occurred midway through the first quarter, when Lions rookie receiver Kenny Golladay beat him in the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown reception. Wilson played tough, physical defense on the play, but just couldn't get his eyes up in time to bat the ball away before Golladay was able to come up with the catch.
Wilson, the Colts' second-round pick out of Florida, said he's learning how to have a "short memory" as a cornerback — as in, not letting plays like that one affect him for the rest of the game — but also wants to learn from those scenarios so that he can eliminate those mistakes in future contests.
"Playing cornerback, you've got to have a short memory. And that's it," Wilson said. "I mean, he made those plays; I came back next drive, I made a play — it's football. I'm not going to beat myself up over it. (I) just know what I need to improve on."
Colts head coach Chuck Pagano said that attitude has worked — and will continue to work — wonders for the young Wilson, who declared for the NFL Draft at 20 years old after playing three full seasons for the Gators. Simply put, at the cornerback position in the NFL, you win some and you lose some, but staying true to the process is what's really important.
"He's a tough-minded kid. He's a tough competitor," Pagano said. "He's pushing through. We've challenged him ever since he's been here and he's done a good job. He's working hard at everything – changing his body, working on his conditioning, spending time in the play book – and getting that stuff down."
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