Ink on Indy
Fansided

Colts Training Camp: What We Learned From a Night Under the Lights

By Dave McKee

facebooktwitterreddit

Thursday was an off day in Anderson for the Colts training camp. There is much to be gleaned and reconsidered from Wednesday Night’s Full Pads Practice including thoughts on the toughness of the defense.

Before the Colts training camp, they have been labeled as a team with a potential juggernaut offense, a mediocre offensive line and an even worse defense who can’t stop the run.There are three points of fact we learned from the Colts night practice.

-= Related: Colts Training Camp – Ink On Indy Roundtable Discussion =-

First, it is apparent that the defense took exception to such negative assessments. Heading into the team’s first full pads session Wednesday night’s the talk of Colts training camp was that Andrew Luck had yet to throw an interception in 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 drills. That streak ended during the night practice three times.  Vontae Davis, Greg Toler and Darius Butler each had an interception on Luck during the 11-on-11 session. Luck threw two more interceptions during 7-on-7 drills.

Davis had the defensive highlight of the night with this interception on Luck while covering T.Y. Hilton:

Where the defense may have been the talk of the night for overall performance, one player stood out for his individual performance. Rookie Phillip Dorsett has consistently received praise since being drafted 29th overall by the Colts.

He has matched the praise with his own consistency in the field and in the classroom as he takes on the challenge of being a rookie in the NFL.

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport appeared on the Around the NFL podcast and spoke on the Colt’s belief in Dorsett:

"“They could not be higher on Phillip Dorsett,” said Rapoport, who was with the NFL Network visiting Anderson, Indiana, on Tuesday afternoon. “I think they think they added a superstar.”"

Dorsett finally struck pay dirt on a nice touchdown in double coverage. He received the most first team snaps of Colts training camp on Wednesday night. He has impressed offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton with his speed and playmaking ability.

Finally, Colts owner Jim Irsay was on location for the first nigh practice of Colts training camp. He provided an update on Robert Mathis‘ return. Irsay said he doubts that Mathis will be ready to come back by their week 1 game against the Buffalo Bills. Irsay believes it is more likely that Mathis will be back on the field in late September or early October. Taht being said, look for Trent Cole, Jonathan Newsome and Erik Walden to take on the pass rushing duties until Mathis returns.

Honorable Mentions

Frank Gore got the loudest cheer off the day with a 50-yard touchdown featuring a sweet cut-back move that allowed him to pull away from the defenders. The defense’s played  was tough against the run outside of that play.

We have had four straight days of the same starting offensive line combination. Anthony Castonzo, Lance Louis, Khaled Holmes, Todd Herremans and Jack Mewhort are building chemistry with these consistent reps.

Duron Carter also made some nice catches Wednesday night including an acrobatic catch on a ball thrown behind him which he hauled in for a touchdown.

Next: Colts Training Camp: Day 3 News and Notes

More from Ink on Indy

Home/Andrew Luck