INDIANAPOLIS -- Progress starts in the offseason. And for the Indianapolis Colts, the progress they’ve shown during offseason workouts is at a level it’s never before reached since general manager Ryan Grigson and coach Chuck Pagano were hired in 2012.
The current organized team activities (OTAs), for example, are voluntary, but unlike the past couple of offseasons when veteran LaRon Landry decided to workout elsewhere, all of the veteran players are taking part this year.
The only players not participating are the injured ones such as Donald Thomas, Vick Ballard, Gosder Cherilus, Nate Irving and Robert Mathis. But even then, they’re still at the facility rehabbing on a regular basis, as the Colts just wrapped up their second week of OTAs.
“Excited about this football team,” coach Chuck Pagano said. “We’ve got great energy out there. Participation has been outstanding. We’re making great progress. We’re further ahead, I think, than we’ve ever been at this point in any offseason since we’ve been here. Love the young guys, love the additions, free agency, draftees, CFAs [college free agents]. We’ve got a bunch of smart guys, guys that are picking up. We’re throwing a lot at them in all three phases. Obviously the vets, we’re able to take them to a different level because they’re not having to relearn some things.”
The Colts will have OTAs again next week before finishing up with their mandatory three-day minicamp June 8-11.
Colts owner Jim Irsay has said it’s not Super Bowl or bust for the franchise next season. But you wouldn’t think that based off the commitment -- and competition -- shown so far during offseason workouts.
“The purpose is the same for everybody in here,” running back Frank Gore said as he pointed to a number of different lockers. “We’re all in here to win.”
The rookies, especially receiver Phillip Dorsett and safety Clayton Geathers, have been turning a lot of heads with their skill level and ability to soak up all the information being thrown their way. Veterans like Gore, receiver Andre Johnson and Trent Cole have made a seamless transition from their former teams where they had spent their entire careers.
“I’d like to think we are getting a little better each day as well,” quarterback Andrew Luck said. “The coaches are putting a little more pressure on us each day to learn, to improve, to understand our weaknesses, understand our strengths and be the best football team that we can be. I think every week guys have stepped up to the plate and gotten better.”
The Colts, who have done the hunting the past three seasons with Luck & Co., will be the hunted next season because many have labeled them Super Bowl contenders in the AFC based off their offseason moves.
“We need to take care of us,” Pagano said. “The enemy is always in your own camp. If we do the right things right now, we take care of us and we do what we’re supposed to do. Once we break camp, there’s a big window from the middle of June until Aug. 1 when we reach training camp. We take care of us, then we’ll take it one game at a time and one day at a time. When it’s all said and done, we’ll see where we’re at.”
