ANDERSON, Ind. -- The Indianapolis Colts return to Anderson (Indiana) University for the final three days of training camp Tuesday. The team hasn't practiced since last Friday. They had a walk-through Saturday before heading to Canton, Ohio, for what was supposed to be their preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers. The game was cancelled because of the poor field conditions, and coach Chuck Pagano gave his players Monday off.
Here's a quick recap of where things stand in several key areas for the season:
Offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski on the overall offense:
"Working our way through the installations, but we have a lot of work to do before we sleep. Just a couple of things I would like to bring up. I’m really happy with some of the leadership that we’re getting from some of the veteran guys: Andrew (Luck), Frank (Gore), AC (Anthony Castonzo), T.Y. (Hilton) and Dwayne (Allen). All of those guys have been outstanding and really have helped. I think you see it with some of the younger guys. That’s another thing that I think that I’m pleased with -- the progress of a lot of the young guys that we have. We’re a young offense overall, a lot of those guys we’re looking at are in the middle of competitions right now, so them responding and the leadership they’re getting and the help they’re getting from the older guys I think is paying off, and you see it on the field with that kind of improvement that they’re making."
Chudzinski, who is in his first full season with complete control of the offense, on how Luck has handled everything thrown at him:
"Andrew has handled that great. He has no issues with that. That’s about technique improvement, and that goes for all positions. It’s not just learning what you need to do, but it’s also how you have to do it and the best way to do it, and then being consistent in those techniques. We’re working on trying to get the ball out quicker and speeding up Andrew’s feet and working on his feet. It was a primary objective and goal, and I know he’s talked a lot about that. With Andrew, he embraces anything and everything that has to do with work. He’s been working diligently at that, and you see the strides out there in practice, and I think that we’ll see those as the season comes around."
First-year defensive coordinator Ted Monachino on his frame of mind for having an aggressive defensive approach. The Colts finished 26th in the NFL in total defense last season:
"Well I think that fits our DNA, first of all. Defensive players want to be aggressive. I think by nature those are the calls that they like the most. I’ve had a great experience in this business, all the way from being a high school coach to 10 years in college football and now 11 years in the National Football League with a bunch of great coaches that have been influential with me. You get those things that you like out of each system and you try to install them and you try to embrace those ideas and build on them. That’s how I’ve built my philosophy of being aggressive. We have calls that aren’t necessarily -- they don’t look aggressive, but there are aggressive components in all of them. I think we all would like to be viewed that way, that, 'Hey this guy is an aggressive go-getter, play-caller.'"
Health status worth keeping an eye on:
Rookie starting center Ryan Kelly has not practiced since suffering a left shoulder strain July 31. Pagano had already ruled him out for the game against the Packers. The first-round pick out of Alabama needs as many snaps as possible so that he's ready for the start of the regular season.
Guard Hugh Thornton was seen wearing a walking boot on his right foot in practice last Friday. Thornton continues to remain behind second-year player Denzelle Good for the right guard spot.
Starting defensive lineman Kendall Langford didn't practice last Friday because he was "dinged up a little bit" in practice the day before.
Starting right tackle Joe Reitz missed some practice time last week with a soft tissue injury in his thigh.
