Colts Training Camp

This weekend I had the opportunity to see my two favorite professional sports teams in action. On Friday and Saturday I made the trip up to Anderson University to watch the Colts at training camp, and on Monday I went to see the Cardinals play for the first time this season at Busch Stadium. I planned on writing about both teams today, but my writing about the Colts went on longer than expected… and I’ve already written about the Cardinals on here (I may or may not get to them later). Anyway, here are my thoughts from Colts Training Camp.  

On Friday we arrived to camp a little late. Well, we were there right when the Colts were beginning their team practice, so from a standpoint of being able to see, we were definitely late. We stood in the corner of the endzone and got to watch a couple of passes come our way. Ultimately, with vision obstructed, we decided to check out Colts City and the Colts Pro Shop, and come back early the next day to get a good seast. For those who wish to experience Colts City, don’t get your hopes up. It’s almost identical to what the Colts bring with them on their tour throughout the state. The only difference is that, as a I mentioned, they have the pro shop set up and there are plenty of booths trying to get you to sign up for stuff. These booths are easy to avoid, but if you go around them, you’ll miss out on free chocolate milk and free ice cream (not at the same stand).

While I’m here I should mention that this is the first time I’ve been to Anderson since the Colts held camp there in the mid to late 90s. Since Terre Haute is a much closer drive for me, I was prepared to say that Rose-Hulman was a much better host than Anderson. But truthfully, I have to say that as a host the two sites are almost identical. Which brings me to my main point: Why can’t the Colts work out a deal with both schools to alternate sites every year? Doesn’t this make too much sense?  Why would anyone want to drive more than three hours to get to camp? This way fans from all over the state get to attend Colts training camp every other year without having to give up an entire day to do so. (So, technically this kind of disregards northwestern Indiana and Southeastern Indiana, but aren’t most people in those places Bears or Bengals fans anyway?)

Two things really stood out at the pro shop. One was the new Nike jerseys. They look fake and too slender for a big guy like me. I’m not a fan. Fortunately the three jerseys I’ve worn to games over the past two seasons (Wayne, Mathis and Bethea) are all back with the team, so I won’t have to worry about buying a new jersey for a while.

The second thing that stood out was all the jerseys and memorabilia that were on sale. Joseph Addai jerseys, Dallas Clark jerseys and even an Adam Vinatieri jersey (he’s still on the team! Do they know something I don’t?) were on sale for a measly $20. And of course, anything with Peyton Manning on it was at least 20 percent off and probably more than that. Look, I understand why Peyton left and I really don’t blame either side for the way it happened, but that doesn’t make it any easier.

What does make it a little easier is what I saw on Saturday. We arrived much earlier on Saturday, and after getting our seats near the 50-yard line, waited only about 30 minutes before the special teams took the field. This may sound boring, but I was highly entertained. What excited me most was that the first person out on the field stretching was T.Y. Hilton. In case you don’t know Hilton was the Colts third round pick out of Florida International as a wide receiver. It’s unclear right now whether or not he’ll be returning kicks, punts, both or neither once the season starts, but the fact that he was the first one out there at least tells me he knows he’s got a chance. I later checked out his highlight video on youtube and was amazed with his speed. I also enjoyed seeing him make plays against Florida, Kansas and Louisville. Obviously those last two aren’t great football programs, but they’re in BCS conferences, so at least it’s some sort of competition. And who knows, maybe he’ll be a bust, but right now he’s got me excited. The Colts have never had a returner that opponents needed to fear, and I think we finally may have one.

And of course, how can I talk about Colts training camp without talking about Andrew Luck. Several people said to me, before going to camp, “Hey, let me know how Luck looks.” I never really knew how to answer that. While I know a lot about football, I’m far from being an expert on the quarterback position, especially analyzing it. Especially when you consider that the only NFL QB I’ve ever really watched was Peyton Manning. All I can really say is this: From watching Andrew Luck, Drew Stanton and Chandler Harnish, it was clearly evident who the starting quarterback is. Harnish and Stanton each made several bad throws, and, in going against live defenses, held the ball far too long. From warm-ups to scrimmage, to goal line plays, I probably saw Luck throw 40 to 50 passes. I can only remember him throwing one bad ball (on a goal line play, linebacker Kavell Connor undercut a receiver on what was either a slant or a crossing route—hard to tell from our angle—and picked off the pass. Optimistically, I choose to look at this as Connor, who  will start at inside linebacker along with Pat Angerer, making a great play).

I also (illegally) took some video of Luck hitting three different receivers in stride on a deep ball. I’d love to post them, but I really don’t want to face the NFL’s wrath. I’m sure Luck will face some growing pains, but I’m truly excited about what he’ll bring to the team. I was also pleasantly surprised with the offensive line. Only two players return from last year’s abysmal line, and one of them (Anthony Castonzo) was a rookie and will be vastly improved. The running game will be a question mark, but at some point, you’d think Donald Brown would feel the need to live up to his first round selection. My biggest concern/disappointment is Coby Fleener. This is mainly due to my high expectations, but still. The dude is really tall, but he’s also much skinnier than I thought he’d be. That alone wouldn’t be a concern, except that he doesn’t appear to be able to block that well, which is at least in part contributed to his skinny frame. On the bright side, everyone I talked to around camp seemed to be high on the other tight end we drafted, Dwayne Allen. As long as one of these guys can make an impact this year, I’ll be happy. And who knows, maybe Fleener can run some plays out of the slot.

The defense will be very interesting. I’m excited to see what the 3-4 defense can bring, especially with Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeny playing new positions. They’ll still line up on the defensive line in nickel and dime formations, but when the Colts run the base 3-4, they’ll be standing, and with that will occasionally drop off in pass coverage. The defensive line will be much improved, and Angerer and Conner should be solid up the middle. I really like the addition of Tom Zbikowski to play safety alongside pro bowler Antoine Bethea, but the corner position is a great concern. Jerraud Powers is OK, but there’s a big drop off after him. On the bright side ESPN’s John Clayton pointed out that, with new head coach Chuck Pagano’s familiarity with Baltimore’s personnel and GM Ryan Grigson’s with Philadelphia, the Colts will likely add their No. 2 corner when those two teams make cuts.  Now, it’s hard to get too excited because obviously whoever we add wasn’t good enough to make the Ravens or Eagles. But on the other hand, they’ll be better than what we have now.

Ultimately I loved what I saw from the Colts' practice. It would be very overzealous of me to expect this team to go to the playoffs this season, but I will say that crazier things have happened. What really works out in the Colts favor is that (Clayton pointed this out in the above link), while the road schedule is difficult, home games include possible matchups against Christian Ponder, Blaine Gabbert, Brandon Weeden, Jake Locker and Ryan Tannehill. I think it's entirely possible for the Colts to win nine or even 10 games, but EVERYTHING WOULD HAVE TO GO PERFECT for that to happen. People around the organization are trying to avoid the word "rebuilding," but the truth is, that's what the Colts are doing. And typically things don't go perfect for teams in rebuilding mold. This weekend someone asked me what the Colts would finish, and without really thinking I said 6-10. Four or five wins would be a safer bet, but regardless, this will be a playoff team sooner rather than later