Indianapolis Colts Link Storm: Pre-Training Camp Edition

The Indianapolis Colts report to training camp this Wednesday. That means we might finally have some positive news to digest from the franchise for once this off season.

Craig Kelly at Colts.com gives us his pre-camp notebook. In it, coach Chuck Pagano talks about last season and Kelly gives us the full camp roster.

To kick off today’s links, we submit the Tony Dungy story. Dungy told the Tampa Tribune that he would not have drafted Michael Sam, the first openly gay player in the NFL. The reasoning behind this is that he wouldn’t want to deal with it.

There is certain to be a bit of a media circus surrounding the St. Louis Rams, who drafted Sam. There will be extra scrutiny on the staff and front office. And should Sam not make the team, there will be a debate about the reasoning behind that decision.

Dungy had been a spokes person for the NFL and has spent time helping reach out to troubled players. It is surprising to hear him say that he wouldn’t want a player just because of the media circus around that particular person. He is setting a double standard as the patron of second chances, while in this case refusing to give someone a first chance.

Punter vs Linebacker?

Earlier this week, Texans rookie Jadeveon Clowney stated that his goal for the season was to sack Andrew Luck. While that should be the goal for any rush linebacker, Clowney cited the division rivalry as the main reason.

Apparently, Pat McAfee took some offense to this statement and released one of his own on NFL Total Access.

Reggie’s Entrance

Reggie Wayne has a history of making a spectacle of his arrival at training camp. This has ranged from showing up in recently departed Edgerrin James’ jersey to rolling up in a dump truck.

Jordan Heck of the Indy Star took the time to catalog all of his impressive entrances to camp.

Luck Top 5 in the NFL 

ESPN’s Ron Jaworski has completed his annual take on the best quarterbacks in the NFL. He listed Luck at number five, up from last seasons 10 spot.

He praised a number of Luck’s abilities as well and thinks that Luck will be moving up the list next season.

“Luck has all the attributes I look for,” Jaworski said. “Start with arm strength. He’s an easy downfield thrower. I love his pocket movement; at times so smooth you forget he’s six-foot-four and 235 pounds.

“I would not be surprised if Luck moved further up my big board after his second season. He possesses all the traits necessary to be a very special NFL quarterback.”

Roster Projections

With camp designed to trim the roster to the league mandated 53, everyone is trying their hand at a prediction.

Kyle Rodriguez at Bleacher/Report offers up his take on the final list.

Mike Wells from ESPN gives his opinion on the matter here.

Josh Wilson of Stampede Blue gives us his final 53 as well.

We’ll be looking deeper into camp this week and giving out impressions from practice every day we attend it.