INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Colts have had experience with off-the-field distractions in the past year.
That’s why it’s not surprising that coach Chuck Pagano made sure to remind his players to avoid the temptation of getting in trouble in the next few weeks while they’re on a break before reporting for training camp on Aug. 1.
“We can’t afford to lose one person because of a bad decision, so really hit home on that,” Pagano said.
The Colts’ threshold for putting up with players who make irresponsible decisions away from the field has become smaller. They released receiver Da’Rick Rodgers and linebacker Andrew Jackson after they were arrested for DUIs in the past year.
The team’s front-office officials won't hesitate to make a similar move if a player gets in trouble.
“Be a pro,” Pagano said. “We just had the NFL security meeting, and they pointed out all the mistakes that have been made by former players. Not here, but throughout the league. Showed them the statistics and all that stuff. When you’ve got free time, that’s usually the time that things happen, so we hit that hard.”
The next seven weeks are a time for the players to get away and take a break, but it can’t be all fun and tropical vacation destinations. The coaching staff expects them to work out and also stay on top of things in the playbook so that they can pick up right where they left off. Pagano recently said this team is further along at this point in the offseason than the previous three offseasons.
“They’ve got to connect, and that means connect with family,” the coach said. “There’s nothing more important. Be where your feet are. Get with your kids. Get with your loved ones Get with your wife, girlfriend, whatever that is and connect. Then it’s the physical part. You’ve got to stay working out. You’ve got to run; you’ve got to lift; you’ve got to do all those things. You’ve got to continue to work at your skill set and your craft. Then the mental part. Stay in your iPad. Stay in your playbook. Study, study, study.”
