HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (general comments)
"Good afternoon. We got off to a good start, we think, today. I had an opportunity to take the young guys through their paces. It's a very important time, primarily because the teaching and information that we are trying to dispense is important for them to be able to grasp and, at some point in time, regurgitate. Over years, kind though the history of since I've been here at least over the last seven years, individuals that we've had to take part in this particular rookie mini-camp, there's been on average about 12 of them per year that have actually played some type of role during the course of the year. Last year, it was a little different because we had 18 guys that participated and played for us. This is a very important time. One of the things that we tried to do in our teaching is to make certain that they get an opportunity to hear our system, the great majority of it being taught four times. This is the first time that they will hear it. They will hear it one other time as we start our OTA's on May 19th. They will hear it again just before training camp. We bring them in a couple of days early, and then, obviously, during training camp itself. They have an opportunity to hear it four times, to get it taught, get a good feel for it and then put it to action. It's a very important time, and they started out very well."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on free agent players that can play in this camp)
"That's been one of the great things about our system here. We have a track record. I think often times people can give certain things lip service and not have anything to back it up. We can point to so many guys within our organization that have come through and have done extremely well. Just presently, Jeff Saturday and Gary Brackett are two guys that have been great leaders in our organization. Both came via free agency. We are excited about the opportunity that these guys have and could tell they were extremely excited as well."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on important things he tells the rookies)
"There's not any one thing. We try to go into the weekend with some objectives. The three objectives that we have this particular weekend are to become acclimated to our philosophy, our techniques and fundamentals. That's very important to us, to teach them how we do things because there's a 'Colts way' of doing things, and we want to make certain that's being stressed, and also the pace at which we do those things. Those three things are very important to us. That's what the weekend is for."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on the importance of learning in the classroom and practice field)
"I think they both are extremely valuable because we certainly do not want just classroom work alone. It's tough to learn without doing. I think you do learn some things in the classroom, but you also learn doing as well, and the combination of both is extremely important."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on getting bigger at defensive tackle)
"I think it's a bit more to it than just simply a size matter. I've mentioned before that bigger doesn't always mean better. It's a combination of being able to certainly improve your strength and being able to play effectively at whatever size you are. If you can do the things that we require in our scheme with a little bit more weight on, then obviously that's a plus. From a schematic standpoint, there are going to be probably just some slight tweaks here and there but nothing drastic in that regard. We anticipate the results are going to be that we are going to be better in some areas in which we were weak."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on P-Pat McAfee's potential position)
"He's trying out for the punter position. He's a guy that is very versatile. He's been able to do a number of different things in his career. We want to give him an opportunity to fight for that job as our punter."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on the first impression of RB-Donald Brown)
"We were not disappointed. It's very difficult to evaluate anyone one day for a two-hour period. A lot more goes into it than that. He certainly did well today."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on the number of guys here today)
"I'd say 30 or 32. There are a number of guys that are on the squad presently that are eligible, but right around 30 or 32."
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HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on his general impression of today)
"You could tell it's a very attentive group. It's a group that learns quickly, and they were pretty efficient for the first time going out and operating within our system. They were pretty efficient on their first day."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on what's doing to prevent guys from being overwhelmed)
"We take it slowly. That's part of the teaching process. We go as slowly as we can, as slowly as you can go in the league. We try to make certain that we know teaching is the most important thing. We'll slow it down if we have to if we find that they are not grasping the material. Today, there was fairly a large amount of information that was given to them. They seemed to grasp it well. We were able to go out on the field and do O.K. for the first day. Now, we are going to heap a little bit more on that. You'll see things start to slow down a little bit. Usually, it becomes kind of a paralysis by analysis. We think we have a smart group here. We feel that if we give them a little too much, we'll slow it down on the third day."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on LB-Tyrell Sales' mistakes in his past)
"He has some unfortunate incidents. One of the things that happened as a result of it is that he took responsibility for his actions and has begun to try to rectify those things. That's the most important thing that they (players) do indeed show some accountability and then make a move towards improving those aspects of their life. He's shown that he's willing to do that, and we fully anticipate that he will. After research and taking a real good look at the individuals, you have to look at every case individually. You can't just throw out a blanket statement about a situation and hold to it. There has to be some research and some thought put into it."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on bringing back LB-Freddy Keiaho and the impact at linebacker)
"That's something we'll start to look at even in OTA's. They will all be here and we'll have the opportunity to put them through their paces and see how it indeed unfolds. The great thing about it is we do have some experience. It was an area where we were a little thin. He comes back and certainly helps us in that area. He knows the system. He's also been a very gallant special teamer as well. We're pleased to have him back."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on injuries to CB-Marlin Jackson and RB-Mike Hart)
"They all are doing very well. They are all making very good progress and right on schedule."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on DT-Pat Kuntz)
"He's a tough, hard-nosed guy. He's put together. We really anticipate that he's going to be able to show improvement and get a little bit better. He fits within what we do in terms of our system. We were looking for a guy that can stand up and stop that run and be a force. We think he has some potential."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on what rookie linemen have to grasp)
"The speed at which everything happens. One of the things that I think oftentimes they have a misconception about is how quick people move, particularly on the other side of the ball the guys that are attempting to block them. Oftentimes they are big, but they are also quick. That's the thing I think they have to get accustom to, the speed of the game."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on his first day)
"It was great. It was a great opportunity for me to get out there. I've been extremely excited about having an opportunity to direct the squad. It was a lot of fun. The first day, just like anything else, you anticipate some things that may not go as smoothly as you would think, but it was a good day today. The operation was pretty seamless."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on QB-Curtis Painter and what he talked to him about)
"I didn't specify anything in terms of his role. I'd like for him to fall in line and see what he's capable of doing at this level. He had a great year his junior year and played extremely well and you could see that he has potential. He has a strong arm and is a very smart individual. Within our system, because of the fact we allow the quarterback to do so much and give some latitude, you have to be a fairly intelligent individual to operate it effectively. He has all of that. Hopefully, he can grow within the system and we'll see how it works."
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HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on if this will be the roster for training camp)
"This is the makings of it. We'll be fairly close. We have somewhere in the neighborhood of 87 or 88 guys right about now. We go to camp with 80. We'll have to make some decision towards the end of our OTA's."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on if WR-Marvin Harrison would come back)
"I'm not real certain. You never say never. There's been no discussions in that regard."
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RB-DONALD BROWN (on first day of camp)
"It's going real well. It's good to get the rust off, and get back out there and start playing. It feels good. The guys are out there flying around, we had a good time."
RB-DONALD BROWN (on feeling like a Colt)
"Now it's finally hit me and I'm having fun with it."
RB-DONALD BROWN (on the competition between him and RB-Joseph Addai)
"I'm here to contribute any way possible. They're (coaches) going to put the best guy out there and hopefully we'll both get some playing time. I'm here to compete and play wherever I can. I just what to contribute anywhere possible. It's going to be a fine relationship, no problems."
RB-DONALD BROWN (on meeting veteran players today)
"I've met a couple. I got to meet Peyton (Manning) and Jeff (Saturday). It was nice. It was nice kind of different. He's (Peyton) my teammate now."
RB-DONALD BROWN (on getting the playbook)
"It's big. I'm taking it one day at a time. Rome wasn't built in a day. There are some classes that are just as tough as this playbook. You can't get frustrated. It's a new system that you're just learning. Just take it in stride."
RB-DONALD BROWN (on the amount of work put in today at practice)
"A good amount, we were all running around having a good time. Like the coaches said, 'This is a learning process, a learning weekend. You're going to make some mistakes. You've just got to make sure you're giving all your effort, and you'll be alright.'"
DT-FILI MOALA (on putting on a Colts jersey for the first time)
"The Colts are a great franchise, historically one of the best, so it was an honor just to come in here and put the gear on and go out there and practice as a Colt today. I look forward to being the best that I can be."
DT-FILI MOALA (on what he offers to the Colts)
"Speed, strength, production and quiet leadership."
DT-FILI MOALA (on playing at a successful program in college and now in the pros, and if that eases any pressures)
"I don't think it takes any of the pressure off your shoulders. I think it's more pressure just because they need you to contribute, and that's fine. I love that feeling. I've played at a great program the last five years of my career, so I don't expect anything different. I want to come in here and be the best player I can be and be very productive."
DT-FILI MOALA (on if there's anything that stands out with the Colts and joining a successful team)
"I think the biggest thing is they expect you to pick things up quickly. Once you go over it once, you should be done with it….You are expected to police yourself, and that's probably the biggest change, is being accountable and responsible for your actions on the field as well as off the field."
DT-FILI MOALA (on if there was a moment today he realized he was in the NFL)
"When I was sitting in the meetings with (Defensive Line) Coach (John) Teerlinck. It's just crazy. He was giving us all the little (schemes) in the defensive line room, very similar to USC, but it's totally different here. It was great being a Trojan, but it's even better being a Colt."
DB-JERRAUD POWERS (on the approach in the NFL)
"It's all business. This is a job now. They're paying you to play this game. You have to take it from a business standpoint, and take it as work. That's the way they (coaches) expect us to take it."
DB-JERRAUD POWERS (on being selected by the Colts)
"It was a blessing. I thanked God after my name was called. I went and told my mom, and she was already crying because she was watching (on TV). I didn't even watch it (the draft on TV). I was just waiting for the phone call because I didn't want to stress myself out. After everything settled down, I realized what a great organization this is and what a great team this is and what success it has had over the last eight to 10 years. It's a blessing."
DB-JERRAUD POWERS (on fitting in with other Colts defensive backs)
"They're all great players. They have been in the league a while. Right after I got drafted, I called Marlin (Jackson), and he was giving me a run down. He was saying the same thing, just how blessed he is being a part of this organization. I can tell just talking to him it's a family-type atmosphere."
WR-AUSTIN COLLIE (on being with the Colts)
"It's a dream come true. I'm happy to be here with the organization, and to be able to learn the playbook with the Indianapolis Colts is a dream come true."
WR-AUSTIN COLLIE (on practice today)
"It was good. I learned a lot. I had a lot of things going through my mind. It was fun and exciting. It was also fun just watching how the coaches react."
WR-AUSTIN COLLIE (on meeting the Colts' veteran players)
"I met Peyton (Manning) today in the locker room. That was cool. I met Jeff Saturday in the weight room. We had Taj Smith at wideout working with us. He's been here about a year. I was able to watch him and see how he does things. I learned a lot. They are smart and know what they are doing. It was easy to pick things up."
WR-AUSTIN COLLIE (on being a good situation for him here)
"It's perfect. It couldn't be better. I couldn't have picked it any better. This is a great organization and a good transition from BYU to here. They run things in a very similar fashion. The coaching staff is phenomenal. You have guys who have great character and who work hard and who are technicians."
WR-AUSTIN COLLIE (on QB-Peyton Manning)
"He's probably one of the smartest players. Just being able to feed off him and feeling what he feels is going to be a great opportunity."
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DT-TERRANCE TAYLOR (on if it has set in yet, being in the NFL)
"It really hasn't set in yet, but I'm pretty sure when we get to practice at camp and Peyton Manning's back there making his signals and stuff like that, it will probably set in. But right now I'm just focused on my technique and learning the defense and really paying attention…because right now, what mini-camp is for is hands-on, one-on-one attention from the coaches. So I've been trying to take that in and take as much information back home so when I come back I'll be a little brighter."
DT-TERRANCE TAYLOR (on breaking the mold and drafting bigger defensive tackles)
"They're wanting to stop the run and they went out and got a couple of run-stoppers (in he and DT-Fili Moala). Coming from Michigan and the Big Ten, they run the ball a lot. I stopped the run a lot of times there, so if they're wanting me to be a run-stopper first and then a pass-rusher, then that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to do everything in my power to stop the run at the nose(tackle) position, even at the three(-technique) if they move me there."
QB-CURTIS PAINTER (on if he has met Peyton Manning)
"Actually I was down at the Manning Passing Academy in Louisiana this past summer, so I met him there, him and his family."
QB-CURTIS PAINTER (on working on footwork and if he is where he wants to be right now)
"I think more than anything right now, it's so much mental. Obviously there's a lot of physical stuff as far as footwork and making the throws, but I think so much at this point is learning the offense and kind of soaking in as much as you can. That's not just what I'm focusing on, but I think that's really a big part of it right now."
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QB-CURTIS PAINTER (on the playbook)
"It's interesting because you see some similarities. There are some things that are the same, but there are a lot of things that are different. Of course it's a lot more in-depth, naturally. It's quite a bit bigger so it's going take a lot of work, but it's a lot of fun, too."
QB-CURTIS PAINTER (on if there was a moment today when he realized he was in the NFL)
"No, that kind of ended the first day when they threw me the playbook and I saw how big it was. I stopped thinking about that stuff and kind of got my nose in it."
QB-CURTIS PAINTER (on how much he watched Peyton Manning growing up)
"I watched him a lot. Just being in state, you hear a lot about him, and then of course he's one of the greatest, if not the greatest, so that right there is a good person to try to follow, to try to emulate. So just being here and being able to work behind him, we watched some film today, and just seeing some of the things that he does, it's a tremendous opportunity I think for a young quarterback to learn behind one of the greats. So I'm just really fortunate."
QB-CURTIS PAINTER (on if it's easier being in his home state)
"I think to a certain extent, just having some family close and some friends close I think they're excited. It's definitely a good thing for them, should the season roll around and they get an opportunity to come see some games I guess."
QB-CURTIS PAINTER (on if there is any pressure playing in his home state)
"I don't think so. I don't really try to put any pressure on myself because of that. I think it makes me more excited than anything, just having some people around, having a support system that's close in my family and friends. I look at it as a bonus. I don't really try to put pressure on myself."
P-PAT McAFEE (on meeting K-Adam Vinatieri)
"I'm going to pick that guy's brain for anything I can. He's a living legend and I cannot wait to meet him and learn from him."
P-PAT McAFEE (on if prefers punting or kicking)
"I've always said, I do not mind either or. I thought coming out I could do both, and I enjoy doing both. I think there are pros and cons to both, but punting right now I'm really enjoying. I've never gotten a chance to actually work on punting because I've never been just a punter, and it's a lot of fun right now."
P-PAT McAFEE (on coming here after K-Mike Vanderjagt)
"It's going to be a tough act to follow. If I have half the career here that Mike Vanderjagt had, I think I'll be pretty happy and be a very successful human being in this NFL. We'll see what happens."
P-PAT McAFEE (on being like K-Mike Vanderjagt)
"I don't know if I have the flair of Mike Vanderjagt. Every man has his own. I think I can be pretty entertaining. I hope. We'll see what happens."
P-PAT McAFEE (on comparing himself to K-Mike Vanderjagt)
"I think we both hit the ball pretty well. I think we can compare to each other like that. We both went to West Virginia. I'm American. He's Canadian, so there's a little bit of a difference there."
P-PAT McAFEE (on the opportunity)
"It's probably the best place I could have ended up at. I have a veteran here that I've yet to meet (Adam Vinatieri). What a man to learn under. He's a living legend in a specialist world, and this is where I wanted to be. If I was going to be a free agent, I was going to end up in Indianapolis. Turns out I got drafted. I was elated and I'm really excited to be here. It's a perfect situation for me, and I'm learning a lot. Coach Ray Rychleski, our special teams coach, is a great guy, and I can't wait get in with him."
P-PAT McAFEE (on possibly being a holder for field goals)
"I've never held in a game. I cannot say that there are not any stats of me holding. In practice I used to hold for my backups all the time. I have pretty good hands. I'm pretty athletic. I'm picking it up. I just practiced today a lot and had been practicing it a lot in the last couple of weeks because I knew it was going to be a thing I had to do. Coach (Ray) Rychleski is helping me out a lot, and with the way Justin Snow snaps, I don't think it's that tough on me. I hope that's the way things will go. They are going smoothly right now."
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DT-ADRIAN GRADY (on coming to the Colts)
"The last (10) years I think the Colts have won more games than any team in the NFL, I get to play with Peyton Manning and I'm only two hours away, I just had a child in December, so this is really a good opportunity. I'm hoping and praying to be a part of this team."
DT-ADRIAN GRADY (on what he brings)
"Playmaking ability, I do my job, I'm accountable, I know my role. I've started in the Orange Bowl and I've been on the scout team before. I know my role and I know where I fit in."
DT-ADRIAN GRADY (on the Colts' history of bring in undrafted free agents and giving them a chance)
"That's the best deal ever to me. I wasn't drafted, but I still have an opportunity, and if I can play, I will play."
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DT-PAT KUNTZ (on how he decided to sign with the Colts)
"I was looking more at the scheme, personnel-wise. It ended up being a coincidence I ended up here."
DT- PAT KUNTZ (on how it felt putting on the jersey)
"It's exciting, a new step in my life's journey. It's real exciting being the young guy here trying to learn the new ropes."
DT- PAT KUNTZ (on his first impressions after walking into the complex)
"I saw Peyton (Manning) in the locker room, which was kind of shocking. You get used to it. I have to remind myself he may be my teammate. I can't be in awe that much."
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WR-JOHN MATTHEWS (on it being a good situation for him)
"I think so. Heading into the draft I knew there was a chance I would go undrafted and if that was the case this is where I wanted to be. I came out on a visit here and felt comfortable, liked the people, liked the situation and felt like if I was going to fit in anywhere, I felt like this was as good a fit as any. I'm definitely excited about the opportunity."
WR-JOHN MATTHEWS (on where he is most comfortable as a receiver, inside or outside)
"In college I played pretty much everywhere. I feel like I can play the inside and outside, run routes effectively from different places."
WR-JOHN MATTHEWS (on being undrafted and with the Colts, if you can play you can play)
"One thing I think they stress is the best players will play, so it's good to know that no matter what you'll at least get a fair shot at it. They've had a lot of undrafted guys be solid, important contributors in the past, and I think that will continue in the future."
