Colts Training Camp: An Ink On Indy Roundtable Discussion
By Dave McKee
Jun 9, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore (23) catches a pass during minicamp at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Who are your player(s) to watch during the Colts training camp?
Andrew Turpen (@ATplace2be):
I think there are two big names to keep an eye on in training camp, Andre Johnson and Frank Gore. These two newly acquired vets have had long and successful NFL careers to this point, but how much do Johnson (34) and Gore (32) have left in the tank. It will be critical for these two players to be everything Ryan Grigson and company hoped for when they inked their respective contracts.
Scott Stewart (@scostew):
I’m really excited to see how the running back core works through the offseason changes with the addition of ‘oldie but goldie’, Frank Gore, I am but also intrigued to see how T.Y. Hilton works through training camp knowing that his side wants a deal to get done before the season starts in September. Hilton is now a bargain deal player at just $1.5 million and isn’t quite at the elite level of other big name receivers in the league, but he’s still very close and deserves a good deal. It makes sense to get it done sooner rather than later for both sides.
Pierre Wilson (@pwee31):
If he participates, it’s Robert Mathis. The Colts still need a healthy Mathis to be dangerous on defense. We really struggled at times to get pressure on the quarterback last year, and a healthy Mathis would solve a lot of problems. Training camp will be a good time to see how far along he is in his recovery.
If Mathis doesn’t participate, it’s Frank Gore. There are high expectations for Gore after the Trent Richardson saga. Frank has some mileage, so you hope he can stay healthy and find holes that Richardson didn’t know existed.
Dave McKee (@thedavemckee):
Many of the new additions are going to be exciting, but I am most excited to see the progress of second-year linebacker Jonathan Newsome. He recorded the most sacks on the team in 2014 but a majority of those came when he was untouched by blockers. He has the burst and skills to be dangerous and another year of learning from Trent Cole and Robert Mathis could really expand his repertoire. With Mathis’ rehabilitation potentially lingering into the first quarter of the season he could gain the snaps necessary in training camp to make an even bigger leap in production in 2015.