INDIANAPOLIS – Chuck Pagano's message was complete.
It was time to call Ryan Kelly into the middle of the practice huddle to breakdown his fellow rookies.
Kelly did just that, closing the door on the first day of work for the 2016 Colts' rookies.
A total of 55 players (a few young Colts players, draft picks, undrafted free agents and tryout guys) donned helmets and shorts for a two-hour practice on Friday afternoon.
The orientation into the NFL kicked off the three-day rookie minicamp with learning how to be a professional a large chunk of what these three days are all about for the Colts.
Rookie minicamp practices will continue on Saturday and Sunday. Those rookies still on the 90-man roster after this weekend will team up with the veterans on Monday for the final five weeks of the team's offseason program.
Here is a recap of Chuck Pagano and Ryan Kelly meeting the media on Friday:Ryan Kelly on his first official day of work in the NFL:
"It was the first time a lot of us had practiced, I know for myself, since January 12 so the first practice of organized football I was little bit rusty.
"All the information that we've taken in so far, it's been hours and hours of meetings not only about football stuff, but how to conduct yourself as a professional athlete---I think those are invaluable, and I think everybody's taking those to heart."
Bowen's Analysis: With his locker to the right of Andrew Luck, Ryan Kelly met the media right after breaking down the huddle at Day One of rookie minicamp. Kelly signed his rookie contract earlier this week, something that didn't surprise his head coach after getting to know the Alabama center throughout the draft process.
Work for the linemen right now is light from a physicality standpoint. Full pads won't be worn for quite some time. On Friday, it was Kelly taking the first-team reps at center with fellow rookie linemen (LT-Joe Haeg and RT-Le'Raven Clark) flanking him at the tackle spots. It's very early in Kelly's NFL tenure, but Pagano has already seen bits of "pro" qualities from the No. 18 overall pick.
Chuck Pagano on second-round pick T.J. Green:
"We have to get the safety spot down and let him get comfortable there and figure out what he's doing.
"We threw enough at him where he's spinning quite a bit just after the first day, but you're looking at a really good looking athlete. I wouldn't put any limitations on him."
Bowen's Analysis: T.J. Green, No. 32, certainly stands out. Standing a little taller than 6-2 and north of 200 pounds, Green draws some eyes when you scan the practice field.
Pagano's point about Green needing to get safety down is something that should be expected. Green played just two years of safety in college (one as a starter) so he's still not a finished product when it comes to the last line of defense. Having a 13-year veteran in Mike Adams leading that safety group this season will serve Green very well in his rookie campaign.Chuck Pagano on already having six of eight draft picks signed:
"It's a great sign that we got a bunch of guys that love football."
Bowen's Analysis: Less than a week after the NFL Draft finished, the Colts already have six of their eight draft picks signed. Pagano is quite pleased with that, as now the focus can be on football with the Colts having five more weeks of their offseason program left.
Pagano spoke on Friday about how the retention from the meeting room to the field is something the coaches are really focusing on this weekend. The undrafted free agent group (see below) is another bunch to watch, with the Colts having a strong affinity for giving those guys opportunities to play---something that's especially true this year with five preseason games (thanks to the Hall of Fame game on Aug. 7).**
Getting To Know Some Undrafted Free AgentsRB-Josh Ferguson (Illinois)**
-The guy was an all-purpose back at Illinois (168 receptions for 1,507 yards) flashed a bit on Friday afternoon. Ferguson brings a scat back type component to the Colts' backfield. It's the type of picture Rob Chudzinski painted for Ferguson during the draft process. Chud went back to his San Diego days, with Darren Sproles, to let Ferguson know how a quicker back like him could potentially be used in the Colts' scheme.OLB-Ron Thompson (Syracuse)
-The Colts desire for a young pass rusher made this "a perfect marriage," according to Thompson. At Syracuse, Thompson had 7.0 sacks and four forced fumbles in 2015. Thompson played as a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme at the collegiate level, but he doesn't anticipate too much of an adjustment to standing up more with the Colts.WR-Danny Anthrop (Purdue)
-Local fans should know the name Anthrop. The Lafayette family has produced quite a few college athletes in recent years. Chuck Pagano and Ryan Grigson went up to Purdue for a private workout in March. Anthrop is hoping to throw his name into the open competition to round out the Colts wideout group.
