Training Camp: Indianapolis Colts
In conjunction with SiriusXM NFL Radio, we spent Monday and Tuesday in Anderson, Indiana watching the Colts go through their paces under 4th year head coach Chuck Pagano.
Here are some observations and comments on their team:
· From the moment of arrival, there is a sense that this franchise is stabilized with quality leadership in Pagano, GM Ryan Grigson, owner Jim Irsay and QB Andrew Luck. Everyone here understands that it’s “Super Bowl or Bust”, but it appears that the entire operation embraces that idea and is ready to make the next step.
· Virtually no distractions or “noise” here, the focus is on improving and getting ready for the season.
· Andrew Luck is the prototype QB of this generation. He has the size of a TE/LB, can throw from different platforms with different arm angles, and yet, can uncork the football way downfield to threaten the entire gridiron. He is a superstar that is willing to be coached and has the respect of every person in the organization.
· Between the wide receivers and tight ends, this is an outstanding group of skill players. Look for T.Y. Hilton and Phillip Dorsett to stretch the field vertically with new veteran Andre Johnson and TE’s Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen doing all the underneath stuff.
· Very interested to see how offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton combines the potential of their wide-open passing attack with the downhill running ability of free agent Frank Gore. In games, he gets better with every touch and needs the football to be at his best. How do they spread the ball around, yet maximize Gore, which will help take some pressure off the defense?
· The offensive line is composed of tough, smart and versatile players. No one in the unit is a consensus All-Pro, but every one of them can move their feet and understands the scheme. LT Anthony Castonzo is under-rated and the shift of Jack Mewhort from LG to RT is a critical part of their plan.
· The run defense ranked 22nd in the NFL a season ago, so they added free agent DE Kendall Langford and drafted DE Henry Anderson from Stanford. They need a healthy Arthur Jones and another Nose must emerge in support of incumbent Josh Chapman. In other words, they are trying to create a defensive line rotation that is capable of playing in “waves” and can hold up over the course of four quarters.
· The Colts can count on ILBs D’Qwell Jackson and Jerrell Freeman for 100-plus tackle seasons, but they can be better with a stouter defensive front.
· Maybe the biggest key to their 2015 season will be the healthy return of OLB Robert Mathis. He is the spiritual leader of the defense and might be their only true difference-maker in the Front Seven.
· Indy’s staff really believes in their top three corners: Vontae Davis, Greg Toler and Darius Butler. Davis reminds of a more fluid Chris McAlister, while Toler and Butler do have quality “cover” skills.
· Safety Mike Adams made the 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2004. Eleven years later, he’s playing at a Pro Bowl-level and is one of the really good guys in the league.
· PK Adam Vinatieri and PT Pat McAfee form one of the most efficient specialty duos in pro football. Neither will “lose” a game for the Colts, because both are so consistent.
· Great to see eight rookies from the 2015 Reese’s Senior Bowl with the club: QB Bryan Bennett/SE Louisiana, WR Phillip Dorsett/Miami-FL, CB D’Joun Smith/Florida Atlantic, RB Tyler Varga/Yale, SS Clayton Geathers/Central Florida, OLB Zachary Hodges/Harvard, ILB Amarlo Herrerra/Georgia and DE Henry Anderson/Stanford.
· Looking for WR Donte Moncrief and OLB Jonathan Newsome to have “breakout” seasons as 2nd year players. Moncrief has legit talent and Newsome recorded 6.5 sacks last year.
· As a final note, everyone in the organization loves the owner, Jim Irsay. Despite the perceptions outside their own building, the coaches, players and front office have high regard for his football knowledge and appreciate his loyalty and support in their quest to win a Super Bowl.