The Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday did something that has become a common occurence during 2009 Training Camp, holding a two-a-day practice day with a shoulder pads session in the afternoon, but a very light session in the morning.

Light physically, anyway.

The Colts for the third time during camp limited their morning session to what Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell calls a 30-30 session — 30 offensive plays and 30 defensive plays — but what’s notable isn’t the number, or even the one-hour timeframe, but the near walkthrough nature of the work.

“Today was obviously one of those days where we tried to really focus in on things that happen before the ball is snapped,” Caldwell said. “I think the guys were concentrating extremely well and we got done what we wanted to get accomplished this morning.”

Which Caldwell said is the idea of the 30-30 sessions: to focus mentally.

“This not the first time we’ve done it,” Caldwell said. “Our pace was a little bit different, but it was exactly the same practice — 30 and 30. We just slowed it down a little bit to focus in on the thigns that we think are going to help us become a better football team in terms of making certain we don’t have a lot of mistakes presnap, beating ourselves with penatlies and things of that nature, knowing exactly what you’re supposed to do, then how to do it. We feel if we can slow it down sometimes and get these things talked about and emphasized, we”ll be better for it.

“Details have always been kind of a hallmark of ours. It’s making certain we stay on top of them and making certain we perform well. It’s making certain we stay on top of them and making certain we perform well. We’ve always been a team that made very few mistakes and very few penalties and we want to make certain we maintain that.”

Colts quarterback Peyton Manning said his understanding is that the lighter physical practices are also designed to prevent injuries and fatigue.

“That was Coach Caldwell’s call,” Manning said. “It was explained to me because of the decrease in the amount of players we could bring to training camp — we have lower numbers, and of course, you have guys who are injured who are not doing two a days and aren’t practicing at all. Next thing you know, you’re at 80 and cut down to 65. It was just a matter or taking advantage of the time and maybe protecting some bodies physically so we are healthy during training camp.

“The key is even though we’re not doing it full speed it’s 100 percent into it mentally.”

Said Caldwell, “Perhaps they feel a little better in that regard (physically). Were working them pretty hard. They’re wearing pads in the afternoon, which is something that we had not done before. We typically would go pads in the morning and shells in the afternoon, but we intentionally are putting them on in the afternoons to make them carry those pads in the heat.”

 

Other Tuesday notes and highlights:

* Colts TE Dallas Clark did not practice Tuesday morning or afternoon. Clark missed practice Monday, but Caldwell said he should return soon.

* The injury to backup QB Jim Sorgi won’t change starter Peyton Manning’s playing time Friday in the preseason opener against Minnesota, Caldwell said. Manning typically plays about a series or two – or 10 plays – in the preseason opener. Sorgi is out 2-to-3 weeks with a hamstring strain.

 * The Colts are not interested in signing QB Michael Vick, Caldwell said, adding that the injury to Sorgi does not change that stance. “We feel we’re in good shape in terms of our quarterback position,” Caldwell said. “Sorg will take a little bit to heal, but he’ll be back shortly. We feel good where we are.”

* RT Ryan Diem left practice in the afternoon with an unidentified injury. Caldwell said he didn’t know the extent or the nature of the injury immediately after practice. Diem was the only Colts OL to start 16 games at the same position last season.

* CB Marlin Jackson practiced full speed in the afternoon practice. Jackson, who returned from the Physically Unable to Perform list Monday (knee), looked strong and had good coverage on WR Reggie Wayne on one pass in a red-zone drill.

* Reserve QB Chris Crane, who was signed after Sorgi was injured, likely will play extensively Friday. “He’s going to have to,” Caldwell said. “He was with us during the entire OTAs and rookie minicamps, so he heard our offense presented a few times. He has a good grasp on it. He’ll be able to function.” Caldwell said he will run a scaled-down version of the offense. “We’re certainly not going to let him have the whole ball of wax,” Caldwell said. “We’ll try to spoonfeed him a little bit and we think he’ll do well.”

* Reserve OT Corey Hilliard missed practice Tuesday to attend the birth of his child. A third-year veteran from Oklahoma State, he’s competing for a backup role on the line.

* Reserve RB Mike Hart, who sustained an ankle injury last week in practice, has missed practice Monday and Tuesday, but Caldwell said he should return soon. “I know he’s making real good progress,” Caldwell said.

* Colts CB Kelvin Hayden, who missed practice Monday, returned Tuesday morning then sat out Tuesday afternoon with a hamstring injury.