Now, three training camp practices in for the Indianapolis Colts, what has stood out most in the early going?
Let’s dive into our three takeaways from what has taken place up to this point.
Early-round rookies capitalize on opportunities
All three days of practices, third-round pick Justin Walley has been working with the first-team defense. On two of those days, he was lined up outside, while on Day 2, with Kenny Moore getting a vet rest day, he played the nickel.
“He’s a pretty damn good player,” Shane Steichen said after Wednesday’s practice. “He did some really good things in the spring, so he’s going to compete at that spot.”
Tight end Tyler Warren, meanwhile, had a quieter first day, but was much more involved on Day 2 and had a big day on Friday. One of the many aspects of Warren’s game that drew the Colts to him is his reliability as a pass-catcher, which has been on display, particularly over the middle of the field in tight coverages or with off-target throws.
Secondary is making plays on the ball
A needed change from the Colts’ defense this season was more plays on the football from the cornerbacks and safeties.
To accomplish this, GM Chris Ballard signed Charvarius Ward and Cam Bynum in free agency. But Lou Anarumo’s more aggressive and disguise-heavy scheme will play a key role in generating more ball production as well.
Through three practices, passing windows for Richardson and Jones have been tight, and with that have come a number of pass breakups from the Colts’ defenders.
“We’re facing a lot of tight coverage out there,” offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said via Colts.com. “At receiver, they’re pressing up, they’re running tightly with our receivers, which makes the quarterbacks really have to deliver the ball exactly where they want to, because a lot of times that DB is right in position to make a play if you don’t throw the ball accurately. It’s been really good from that standpoint.”
Where does the Colts’ quarterback competition stand?
In Stephen Holder’s Friday training camp report, he would write that there “does not appear to be a clear leader so far” in the quarterback competition.
With that said, Richardson is coming off what many have said was his “best” training camp practice so far. The next step will be making that level of play more so the norm.
As Shane Steichen has said, consistency is ultimately what he is looking for at the quarterback position. Passing game coordinator Alex Tanney recently detailed what that consists of.
“It’s quite a few things,” Tanney said, via Locked on Colts. “It’s command of the offense and the huddle. It’s command of the line of scrimmage–if you have multiple plays called, getting us in and out of the right play. Moving guys pre-snap, snapping things at the right time, and then making good decisions with the football, and being the leader of the offense. It’s all-encompassing. There’s a lot of things that go into it.”
