INDIANAPOLIS -- Giving the veteran players the final day of minicamp off wasn't the only thing Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano told his team before parting ways for the final five weeks before training camp.
Pagano's other message to his players was: Avoid causing negative headlines for the franchise.
That's an understandable message from Pagano considering the Colts had three players get in trouble in the summer of 2013.
Receiver LaVon Brazill and tight end Weslye Saunders were suspended by the NFL for violating league policies. Saunders was released and later re-signed. Safety Joe Lefeged was arrested in Washington.
The last thing the Colts need is anymore more negative headlines since owner Jim Irsay (arrested) and linebacker Robert Mathis (suspended) have already given the franchise some unwanted attention this offseason.
"If you look at, every year we get the stats at the owners' meeting when guys happen to make bad choices and this is usually the time of year where the volume of that goes up," Pagano said. "We talk to them daily about it, it doesn't matter what time of year. They do have to make great choices and it's all about protecting the shield and protecting the shoe. If we make a decision, any decision, ‘Is this going to harm the shoe and harm the name on the back of my jersey?' I trust our guys. We've got good character guys and they'll make great decisions."
