INDIANAPOLIS – Those on the Colts sideline going crazy knew they would still be Colts when the calendar turned to September.
Tyler Varga did not, but he was doing everything he could to make sure his final impression on Saturday night would lead to at least another week of work.
The Colts starters were taking notice of Varga, the undrafted running back from Yale, making the most of extended work in the third and fourth quarters on Saturday night.
Whether it was pinballing off would-be tacklers or giving a second effort in the receiving game, Varga had the Colts sideline in a frenzy.
"I just try to play my hardest every single game and I think my effort is evident on the field," Varga said following his nine touches for 35 yards on Saturday.
"I try to hustle on special teams and I think I've gotten noticed for that. (Saturday) some good things happened and I'm really grateful for the opportunity."
Varga's one-yard touchdown plunge early in the fourth quarter on Saturday proved to be the eventual game-winning score.
Following Varga's touchdown and subsequent spike, running backs Frank Gore and Boom Herron were waiting for their fellow classroom mate.
With Vick Ballard sidelined Saturday and Josh Robinson in the locker room (due to a concussion), Varga certainly left his mark in a Colts backfield that initially carried four running backs on their 53-man roster last season.
While Varga made his noise for the Colts offense, it was "Mr. Anderson", Jalil Brown, forcing a turnover on the Colts defense.
Brown's interception to end the third quarter on Saturday night, set up the Varga touchdown, and was a play fans who attended Training Camp saw so often back in August.
Now, in this third season with the Colts (played 10 games the previous two seasons), Brown finally had a full offseason in this defense which led to a playmaking Training Camp.
"I was able to stay here the whole offseason, and start camp with a firm grasp of the playbook, unlike the year before," Brown says of his comfortability in the scheme.
"I'm able to play free and play without worring about what my job is. I'm just flying around out there, trying to make as many plays as I can."
Embarking on a fifth NFL season, Brown knows what these precious chances in Weeks Three and Four of the preseason are all about.
Production is how you are ultimately judged in the NFL, and Brown definitely produced on Saturday night.
"It's an opportunity to make some plays out there and give the coaches another opportunity to see why you should stay on the team," Brown said after his interception.
"You've got to make it hard for them when it's time to cut down the roster to 53."
