The Indianapolis Colts made the half-hour trip to Franklin College Saturday afternoon, holding a rare minicamp away from the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
They haven’t held minicamp practice away from the facility since April 0f 2004, when they worked one day at Ball State.
About 4,000 people attended.
Said Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell:
It’s a great opportunity for some community relations. It’s a great opportunity for people to see us practice who may not get a chance during the course of the year.
Before the team left for Franklin, Caldwell spoke to the media. Highlights:
* The status of OG Ryan Ryan Lilja. Lilja, a starter from 2004-2007 and a key figure in the Colts running game, practiced during this past week’s organized team activities sessions and worked some with the first-team offensive line Saturday. “He’s really experienced and it would be great getting him back, getting him in the flow of things,” Caldwell said, adding of the possibility of Lilja participating in training camp: “If he continues to progress, I’d sense he could do something for us during that time.”
* Working with Colts President Bill Polian. “It’s really a natural dynamic,” he said. Caldwell said the opportunity to work with Polian as Associate Head Coach last season was a big factor. “Without question, he’s one of the best in the business,” Caldwell said. “He and I talk frequently and I enjoy every minute of it. I like open ideas and exchange in terms of my staff. There is no close-mindedness in terms of this group.”
* On the status of S Bob Sanders and whether the two-time Pro Bowl selection will begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform List. “He’s progressing, coming along,” Caldwell said. “We’ll evaluate him as he goes.”
Among the practice highlights was punter Pat McAfee. The rookie from West Virginia showed a strong leg and drew cheers from the crowd with several long punts.
As an alumni of Franklin College I felt it was a good chance to get out and see the Colts team.
1. PattyMac has a powerful leg…I mean powerful. Standing on the 10 in the air to the other 10…80% of the time…wind aid of 3-5mph max…heavy humidity and a beautiful high arching spiral. This makes me think we need to make sure our gunners are top notch.
2. Ryan Diem is a large man among large men. I pick him in a street fight to have by my side. I am 6′4″ 300 (athletic build) and I feel small next to him. He was very cool though and appears to be in great health.
3. Saturday told me he is very excited about this season and is very happy that he was back in Indy. I asked him if he really was going to leave…he just smiled. I have no idea what it meant.
4. Donald Brown caught the whip of Peyton on two times that I saw. Mostly it had to do with the route out of the backfield, it was probably just teaching but it was very direct and very good for him I’m sure. He is hard to describe, but it appears that he reads his blocking and then bursts through the hole. Running style (without pads) looks like mike Harts quick read and go with a move in the hole. But who knows until there are pads on. He is quick and appears to have outstanding balance and vision. Should be a good one.
5. Saw Mike Hart and he wasn’t limping at all, he looked like he was in great shape. He and Addai stood together for most of the practice and were very into it.
6. Didn’t recognize Clint Sessions without the dreads.
7. Austin Collie was a standout in the one on one drills for the receivers. He also worked in the return game with TJ. Austin will be hard to keep off of the field. He is smart like Dallas Clark…I mean he runs great routes and uses the balance of the DB against him. He will be open a lot in the short game and he fought for poorly thrown balls and won on each that I saw. In fact he caught 10 of 10 that I saw thrown to him.
8. I don’t believe Roy Hall will make the roster. Dropped 2 balls of the 5 I saw thrown to him. Overall looked like a lot of potential but is missing…something.
9. Lilja looked rusty but like a fully healthy player.
10. The D-linemen have big hole stuffing belly’s and they look glorious.
Re3. I’d guess that means “If they hadn’t offered me enough cash.”
Re6. I’m actually kind of glad Session got rid of the dreads. 3 starting defenders with dreads was too many (Sanders and Foster).
Re8. Hall might stick around as a special teamer. He’s a beast, but he’s apparently always just been missing what it takes for a fantastic athlete to be a good WR.
I’ll have Eddie, Hold the krav:
Good observations. I agree about McAfee. He looks impressive. Collie looked good, too.