INDIANAPOLIS – The Colts are in their new home for the next month.
On Tuesday morning, the Colts officially reported for the start of their 2021 training camp.
Practice will commence on Wednesday for the 2021 Colts, as they will begin camp without head coach Frank Reich.
What was learned from the Colts on move-in day?
- We had a Reggie Wayne-type training camp entrance on Tuesday. Big-time IndyCar fan Kenny Moore rode into camp as a passenger in a two-seater to IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward. Moore has been seen around O’Ward and the IndyCar paddock a whole lot this offseason. Moore said that one thing he’s learned from watching O’Ward this year (O’Ward has won 2 races this year and ranks 2nd in points) is that you ‘keep competing at a high level’ no matter the situation.
- Jonathan Taylor has migrated from yoga to Pilates in his off-season work. Taylor said he wanted to give attention to the ‘smaller, more intricate’ muscles in what contributed to his decision in trying to prevent injuries even better. Taylor went back and dissected his rookie film and wants to see his ‘more attacking’ self, which was there in the 2nd half of last season, translate to the entire 2021 season.
- Year 10 for T.Y. Hilton has him hungry for a couple of individual goals. One is reaching 10 touchdowns in a season. Hilton has never had more than 7 touchdowns in a season, averaging 5.5 touchdowns per season in his career. Hilton also wants to eclipse 10,000 receiving yards for his career (needs 640 yards). Currently, 49 players in NFL history have reached 10,000 career receiving yards, including Reggie Wayne (14,345 yards, 10th all-time) and Marvin Harrison (14,580 yards, 9th all-time).
- Parris Campbell will be full-go with no rest days when camp practice begins on Wednesday morning, the third-year wideout said on Tuesday. This confirms what Chris Ballard said on Monday about where the Colts are with some of their injured players.
- Nyheim Hines was part of a Colts’ contingent to head to Texas this summer for a throwing session with Carson Wentz and hanging at the QB’s house. So many are curious about the touches Hines will receive on a routine basis this season. Hines said a big focus of his this offseason was to work on his route tree further down the field. He wants to receive some touches on routes 10 yards plus down the field, and not as much underneath action. Hines said there’s no update on potential contract talks between the Colts and his representation.
- Both Hines and Hilton were asked about Carson Wentz on Tuesday. Hines says he sees a lot of similarities temperament wise between Wentz and Frank Reich. Hilton sees major potential in this offense led by Wentz: “I think it can look great, explosive. We have a run game. And he’s able to do what he can do outside of the pocket. And he has a big arm. So when plays break down, he’s able to get out of the pocket, keep plays alive with his legs. He has all the intangibles.”
- The hype around Julian Blackmon is still alive and well. Khari Willis said on Tuesday, ‘Don’t be surprised when (Blackmon) balls out.’ The Colts feel Blackmon has All-Pro potential.
- Tuesday was the first in-person interview for DeForest Buckner and the Colts media since he joined the team last March. As you’d expect, Buckner’s individual goals for 2021 are lofty. He mentions All-Pro and Defensive Player of the Year as items on the goal list as he heads into his 6th NFL season.
- Last week, we heard from Jim Irsay and the Owner is quite bullish on the Colts defense in 2021. Several defenders commented on Tuesday that it’s time for the unit to go from ‘pretty good, to elite.’ What we saw in 2020 was a unit that had plenty of flashes. But when the competition upped offensively, the Colts defense often became an average to below average unit, particularly in the pass game.
- We heard from 8 Colts on Tuesday, with 5 of them stating that they are vaccinated for COVID-19 or on their way to being fully vaccinated. The fully vaccinated players were Kenny Moore, Zaire Franklin, DeForest Buckner and Nyheim Hines. Parris Campbell says he has received 1 of his 2 shots. Jonathan Taylor, T.Y. Hilton and Khari Willis chose not to reveal if they have been vaccinated or not. For a guy like Franklin, he said a big reason to get vaccinated, after initially being hesitant, was seeing his family when they travel to road games. Buckner said he wanted to get the vaccine, despite contracting COVID last year, with family reasons leading that decision. For Hines, he called it a ‘business decision’ to get vaccinated. Campbell was a recent addition to getting vaccinated, pointing to the stringent protocols as a reason why he decided to do it. The common theme around those not wanting to comment on their vaccination status was that it’s a ‘personal decision.’ Based off what Chris Ballard said on Monday, around 30 Colts players remain unvaccinated.
- The Colts will have their first practice of camp on Wednesday morning. Here’s a full camp schedule, with practices open to the public, and free tickets available.
Weekly Camp Schedule
-Wednesday: 10:00-11:30 Practice
-Thursday: 10:00-11:30 Practice
-Friday: 10:00-11:45 Practice
-Saturday: 1:00-2:30 Practice
-Sunday: Off day
-Monday: 10:00-11:30 Practice
-Tuesday: 10:00-11:45 Practice
-Wednesday: 10:00-11:45
-Thursday: Off day
