WESTFIELD, Ind. – Colts defensive end Yannick Ngakoue chased down quarterback Nick Foles twice on Monday, plays that would've been sacks if it were a game and not a training camp practice. Ngakoue's first-step burst, surgical technique and relentless motor have been disruptive staples of the first two weeks of Colts camp – and Monday was no different.
But for as big an impact as Ngakoue has made on the field, he's striving to do the same off the field. Last week, Ngakoue sent this tweet out to his 78,000 followers:
As hundreds of replies streamed in, Ngakoue explained why he took this initiative:
And a few days later, teachers around Indiana began receiving their surprises from Ngakoue:
"Teachers are one of the biggest superheroes we have in this country," Ngakoue said. "And they chip into their own pockets to make sure that guys coming from my similar background have food, extra things to learn and gain knowledge. I'm just super excited about it."
"... I was just pulling from my heart. I didn't know it would make a big impact like that. I was just trying be my best at serving this community and being a servant leader."
Ngakoue is also partnered with Everyone Home DC, which supports individuals and families at risk of or experiencing homelessness in his hometown.
But ever since he arrived in Indianapolis in March, he's felt like this is home, too.
"I just feel like here is different," Ngakoue said. "I just feel like this is home. For me, it's a different vibe here, everybody has humility, it's no ego. I just feel like it's my duty to put my best foot forward and to make an impact in this community."
Other highlights and observations from Monday's padded practice at Grand Park:
- Quarterback Matt Ryan threw his first two interceptions in 11-on-11 periods of training camp. Safety Julian Blackmon caught the first one, while undrafted rookie cornerback Dallis Flowers hauled in the second during a two-minute drill. Offensive coordinator Marcus Brady there were clear reasons why the interceptions happened – with clear ways to fix them.
- Ryan frequently found wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. during those two-minute 11-on-11 sessions, and also connected with wide receiver Ashton Dulin and running back Nyheim Hines in them.
- Running back Jonathan Taylor produced a familiar sight – a 70-plus-yard touchdown run during a four-minute 11-on-11 period. Brady said it reminded him of Taylor's game-sealing touchdown in Week 15 against the New England Patriots last year.
- Defensive end Kwity Paye had a pass-rush win that would've resulted in a sack during 11-on-11 two-minute work.
- Wide receiver Keke Coutee had an explosive catch-and-run from Foles during 11-on-11.
- Cornerback Brandon Facyson swatted a pass out of the hands of wide receiver Alec Pierce during a goal line 11-on-11 period.
- Ryan found tight end Kylen Granson for a chunk gain during seven-on-seven, while Foles hit wide receiver Dezmon Patmon on a deep ball in seven-on-seven, too.
- Pierce had an impressive go-up-and-get-it grab on a throw from Ryan in one-on-ones.
The Colts held their eighth practice of 2022 Training Camp on Sunday, August 8.
23 CB Kenny Moore II
34 CB Isaiah Rodgers
90 DT Grover Stewart
78 C Ryan Kelly
99 DT DeForest Buckner
83 TE Kylen Granson
52 DE Ben Banogu
51 DE Kwity Paye, Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Frank Reich
54 DE Dayo Odeyingbo
32 S Julian Blackmon
46 LS Luke Rhodes
Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Frank Reich, #3 K Rodrigo Blankenship
46 LS Luke Rhodes
46 LS Luke Rhodes
5 CB Stephon Gilmore
31 DB Brandon Facyson
36 LB Brandon King
57 LB JoJo Domann
58 LB Bobby Okereke
44 LB Zaire Franklin
99 DT DeForest Buckner
53 LB Darius Leonard
51 DE Kwity Paye, #59 DE Ifeadi Odenigbo
Nate Ollie Defensive Line, #94 DT/DE Tyquan Lewis
52 DE Ben Banogu, Nate Ollie Defensive Line
47 CB Anthony Chesley
Nate Ollie Defensive Line, #51 DE Kwity Paye
85 TE Drew Ogletree
15 WR Keke Coutee, #23 CB Kenny Moore II
38 CB Tony Brown, #16 WR Ashton Dulin
29 CB Will Redmond,
84 WR Michael Young Jr., #34 CB Isaiah Rodgers
5 CB Stephon Gilmore, #11 WR Michael Pittman Jr.
83 TE Kylen Granson
14 WR Alec Pierce
14 WR Alec Pierce
80 TE Jelani Woods
7 WR Ethan Fernea
21 RB Nyheim Hines
2 QB Matt Ryan
2 QB Matt Ryan
53 LB Darius Leonard
44 LB Zaire Franklin
16 WR Ashton Dulin, #38 CB Tony Brown
60 G Josh Seltzner, #54 DE Dayo Odeyingbo
51 DE Kwity Paye
78 C Ryan Kelly, #90 DT Grover Stewart
59 DE Ifeadi Odenigbo
44 LB Zaire Franklin, #28 RB Jonathan Taylor
28 RB Jonathan Taylor, #2 QB Matt Ryan
78 C Ryan Kelly, #56 C/G Quenton Nelson
44 LB Zaire Franklin, #32 S Julian Blackmon, #39 CB Marvell Tell III
69 T Matt Pryor
11 WR Michael Pittman Jr.
78 C Ryan Kelly
31 DB Brandon Facyson, #14 WR Alec Pierce
31 DB Brandon Facyson
21 RB Nyheim Hines
71 T Jordan Murray
39 CB Marvell Tell III, #16 WR Ashton Dulin
4 QB Sam Ehlinger
56 C/G Quenton Nelson
32 S Julian Blackmon
2 QB Matt Ryan, #28 RB Jonathan Taylor
72 T/G Braden Smith, #94 DT/DE Tyquan Lewis
25 CB Rodney Thomas II
9 QB Nick Foles
59 DE Ifeadi Odenigbo, #71 T Jordan Murray
2 QB Matt Ryan
23 CB Kenny Moore II
14 WR Alec Pierce
2 QB Matt Ryan
58 LB Bobby Okereke
14 WR Alec Pierce, #20 S Nick Cross
2 QB Matt Ryan, Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Frank Reich
11 WR Michael Pittman Jr., #28 RB Jonathan Taylor, #2 QB Matt Ryan, #56 C/G Quenton Nelson, #81 TE Mo Alie-Cox
44 LB Zaire Franklin
66 T Brandon Kemp, #99 DT DeForest Buckner
32 S Julian Blackmon
72 T/G Braden Smith
72 T/G Braden Smith, #54 DE Dayo Odeyingbo
51 DE Kwity Paye
62 C Wesley French
90 DT Grover Stewart
32 S Julian Blackmon, #23 CB Kenny Moore II
28 RB Jonathan Taylor
28 RB Jonathan Taylor
