INDIANAPOLIS —
The Indianapolis Colts began their full-squad mandatory mini-camp around 11 a.m. Tuesday. Just four minutes later, with rookie quarterback Andrew Luck completing a short lob pass downfield to veteran wide receiver Reggie Wayne, the torch was officially passed from former starter Peyton Manning to begin a new era for the franchise.
Per NFL rules, Luck wasn’t allowed to attend Indianapolis’ three-week organized team activity practices — which wrapped up last Thursday — since spring-quarter classes hadn’t ended at Stanford University.
He was one of three Colts forced to miss the entire OTA workout schedule, along with rookie wide receivers Griff Whalen (also from Stanford) and LaVon Brazill (Ohio University). A fourth rookie, tight end Coby Fleener, participated in the first two weeks of OTAs but missed the final sessions because of graduate-student finals at Stanford.
Whalen, Fleener and Luck will return to Palo Alto, Calif., this weekend for Stanford’s graduation exercises. The ceremonies will take place Sunday.
Luck’s pass to Wayne was symbolic of all the changes that have occurred with the Colts since the end of the 2011 season. No more Manning, Dallas Clark, Joseph Addai, Pierre Garcon, Jacob Tamme, Anthony Gonzalez, Jeff Saturday or Ryan Diem on offense. Almost two-thirds of the roster that started the 2011 season are no longer with the team.
The Tuesday morning practice consisted of an hour-long walkthrough session in jerseys and shorts. A more involved workout, lasting about two hours with players wearing helmets, took place in the afternoon.
In total, the Colts are scheduled to have four practices during the three-day mini-camp (two Tuesday, one today at Lucas Oil Stadium at 2 p.m. and a final workout Thursday morning back at the team’s West 56th Street headquarters). This afternoon’s practice is open to the public.
• Luck looks for the veteran — The first-year quarterback had thrown passes to a couple other players prior to his throw to Wayne on Tuesday morning, Yet it was the toss to the five-time Pro Bowl performer that caught everybody’s attention.
When Manning first arrived in Indianapolis as the team’s first pick in 1998, he quickly developed a bond with receiver Marvin Harrison that served both men well during the course of their careers with the Colts.
Team officials are hoping, and are quietly confident, that Luck and Wayne will be able to duplicate the Manning/Harrison model.
“To get any snippet of advice, how a quarterback in the past did it or how they’ve seen other guys do it, that will be a big part of the learning curve,” Luck said after Tuesday’s first practice. “Why not take advantage of resources around you when you have a Pro Bowl wide receiver three lockers down.”
Wayne is enjoying the attention that comes with having the No. 1 pick of the draft as his quarterback. As the team returned to the practice field for the afternoon workout Tuesday, he walked out with Colts cornerback Jerraud Powers.
“Everybody’s here to see my new quarterback!” Wayne yelled to a large group of media that was on hand to document Luck’s Tuesday practices.
Even recently acquired defensive end Cory Redding got into the act. Redding, who played for Baltimore last season, hollered to Luck as the team took the field for the afternoon practice.
“Hey [No.] 12! The photographers are down this way,” he joked.
Luck, Fleener and rookie tight end Dewayne Allen are the only three draft picks who have yet to sign their contracts.
• New kids in town — Luck and the rest of the Colts’ 2012 rookie class went through a one-day mini-camp of their own Monday. The workout was designed to help the first-year players better acclimate themselves to Indianapolis’ offensive and defensive schemes before taking the field with the veterans.
Indianapolis’ returning players, though, are pretty much in the same boat as the rookies due to a new coaching staff. There’s a new offense and defense for them to learn as well as a new way of doing things.
Colts coach Chuck Pagano liked what he saw of Luck on Tuesday.
“Like we’ve said all along, the guy is off the charts in terms of football IQ,” Pagano said. “Just coming back out here Monday, we had a little session with the rookie guys, which is legal in the guidelines of the new CBA. He [Luck] hasn’t missed a beat.”
Veteran wide receiver Austin Collie was impressed as well.
“As far as an attitude standpoint, which is probably the only thing I can make a judgment on, the kid Andrew’s got it,” Collie said. “He’s a hard worker. You can tell he’s on his stuff, just by being out there and the way he’s pointing out the hots [pass plays at the line of scrimmage]. That’s always reassuring.”
Luck completed 15 of 16 passes in the Colts’ 11-on-11 walkthrough drill during the morning practice. His only incomplete pass came when Allen couldn’t come up with a throw deep across the middle.
Safety Tom Zbikowski almost came up with Luck’s first mini-camp interception during the afternoon session but dropped the ball after hitting the ground. Cornerback Kevin Thomas also bobbled a potential interception.
In that afternoon practice, Luck completed a combined 25 of 42 passes in 11-on-11 and seven-on-seven drills.
• Injury update — Sitting out Tuesday’s workouts were defensive tackle Drake Nevis, safety David Caldwell, rookie wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo, offensive guard Ben Ijalana, rookie defensive tackle Josh Chapman and rookie cornerback Buddy Jackson.
Recovering from a sprain, Nevis was wearing a walking boot on his right foot. Castonzo had a brace on his left ankle after undergoing surgery on the foot after the season. Ijalana, meanwhile, continues to rehab a knee that was surgically repaired last fall after he was hurt early in the season.
Chapman suffered an ACL injury to his knee midway through his senior year at Alabama last fall. He underwent surgery in January.
Running back Delone Carter, who had thumb surgery after the season, saw limited work Tuesday morning but did not take part in the afternoon practice. Carter did not participate in the team’s OTA workouts.
Colts
Luck takes Colts through 1st drills
- Colts
-
-
Luck having fun with his first OTAs
A year ago, quarterback Andrew Luck was unable to attend the Indianapolis Colts’ organized team activity practices due to school commitments at Stanford.
Luck, though, went on to have a stellar year for the Colts despite the lack of summer work with the team. Still, in a sense, he is a rookie during this year’s OTA workouts.
“These are my first OTAs. I missed these last year, so I think it’s great. It’s great to get on the field with the defense and trouble-shoot some stuff. Obviously, some of us ran some of this stuff [offense] at Stanford [under new offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton]. But to get out there with the defense and trouble-shoot some stuff is good,” Luck said Wednesday as the team wrapped up its first week of on-field voluntary practice sessions. -
Colts' coordinators enjoying getting rookies acclimated
While the Indianapolis Colts put their rookies and a handful of second-year players through workouts this weekend at the team’s Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, a pair of first-year coordinators are getting a chance to do some valuable on-field work as well.
-
Werner, 36 others open Colts’ mini camp
The Indianapolis Colts welcomed 37 players to the start of the team’s rookie mini camp Friday at the West 56th Street headquarters.
-
Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
A year ago, the Indianapolis Colts received high marks for the impact players the team added through the NFL draft.
Of the 10 players selected, five ended up either starting or seeing extensive playing time (quarterback Andrew Luck, tight ends Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen, wide receiver T.Y. Hilton and running back Vick Ballard) during the Colts’ 11-5 season.
While this year’s class may not rival that group in terms of name recognition and flash, it may produce just as many major contributors once the 2013 season gets underway. -
Werner at top of game
Bjoern Werner was a late comer to football. But after being selected in the first round of the 2013 National Football League draft by the Indianapolis Colts, Werner realizes that he has reached the pinnacle of the sport in a relatively short amount of time.
-
Colts select pass rusher Werner in first round
The Indianapolis Colts selected Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner. The 6-foot-3, 266-pound defensive lineman can also play left outside linebacker.
-
Colts in wait-and-see mode for tonight’s NFL draft
As the 2013 NFL draft gets underway tonight at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, the Indianapolis Colts are continuing their wait-and-see stance in regard to the first-round pick.
The draft begins at 8 p.m. — televised by the NFL Network and ESPN — with the Kansas City Chiefs making the night’s first selection. Teams will have 10 minutes to make their decisions during the first round. Indianapolis will have the 24th overall pick in the first round.
There will be only one round tonight. The second and third rounds are scheduled for Friday, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with seven minutes allotted per pick in the second round and five minutes allowed in the third. The final four rounds are slated to begin at noon Saturday with four minutes between selections.
As it stands now, Indianapolis does not have a second-round pick. It was traded to Miami last fall in exchange for veteran cornerback Vontae Davis. But second-year general manager Ryan Grigson has nut ruled out the possibility of trading down from the first round if the Colts aren’t satisfied with the players available. -
Direction clear for Colts in 2013 draft
The Indianapolis Colts head into the 2013 NFL Draft with some definite plans.
-
Colts veteran among those excited to see Luck's growth in 2013-14
Veteran defensive end Cory Redding is a big fan — literally and figuratively — of Indianapolis Colts second-year quarterback Andrew Luck.
Redding, who has become one of the Colts’ lockerroom leaders after just one season with the team, thinks he has some reasonable expectations of Indianapolis’ former No. 1 draft pick. -
Heyward-Bey feeling fortunate to hook up with Luck
Add one more player to the list of veteran free agents signed by the Indianapolis Colts this offseason.
Former Oakland Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey agreed to a a deal with the Colts late Monday evening. Bey, who played collegiately at Maryland, was the seventh player selected in the first round of the 2009 National Football League draft. -
Colts sign nose tackle
Another day, more player signings for the Indianapolis Colts.
Nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin agreed to terms with the Colts on Tuesday evening and officially signed with the team Wednesday. Franklin (6-1, 315) is a 10-year NFL veteran with stops in Baltimore (2003-06), San Francisco (2007-10), New Orleans (2011) and San Diego (2012). -
Colts sign Matt Hasselbeck to back up Luck
The Indianapolis Colts’ roster moves just keep coming.
While the Colts haven’t yet added that big-name wide receiver that team owner Jim Irsay hinted at in tweets over the weekend, Indianapolis has addressed one area on offense.
Former Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck had agreed Monday night to be the Colts’ primary back-up to second-year starter Andrew Luck. He officially signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the team Tuesday morning.
“We are very pleased to announce the signing of Matt Hasselbeck,” general manager Ryan Grigson said in a prepared statement. “His body of work, intangibles, and extensive league experience speak for themselves. Those factors, plus his familiarity with our offensive scheme, will make him a great asset to our team and its vision as we move forward.” -
Colts likely done signing free agents, for now
With the possible exception of adding a few lesser-priced players, the Indianapolis Colts’ big-time foray into the veteran free-agent marketplace is pretty much done.
-
Landry, Jean Francois join Colts defensive unit
After adding five veteran free agent players to the Indianapolis Colts roster on Tuesday, general manager Ryan Grigson plucked two more plums late Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon.
New York Jets safety LaRon Landry and San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois both signed contracts with the Colts. Landry, a strong safety who appears to be a bigger version of former Indianapolis Pro Bowler Bob Sanders, and the versatile Jean-Francois are expected to make immediate impacts on the Colts’ defensive unit. -
Colts introduce free-agent signees
What the Indianapolis Colts accomplished last season — posting an 11-5 record and earning an AFC wild-card berth with a young team plus having that kind of success without its head coach on the sidelines for 12 games — didn’t go unnoticed by players around the NFL.
That was especially true for the five veteran free agents who were added to the Colts’ roster Tuesday. Offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus (Detroit), cornerback Greg Toler (Arizona), outside linebacker Erik Walden (Green Bay), offensive guard Donald Thomas (New England) and linebacker Lawrence Sidbury (Atlanta) admitted as much Wednesday.
“I felt like this would be the best fit for me at this point in my career. I really liked what I saw was happening with the program here and the way things have taken shape. I feel like we have a really great team here and it’s on the rise. I really wanted to be a part of that,” Thomas said during a teleconference interview with the Colts’ media. -
Colts sign five free agents, filling needs at offensive line, cornerback
The Indianapolis Colts were a busy team on the opening day of the National Football League’s veteran free agent market, which got underway at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
-
Jeff Saturday retires as a Colt
An Indianapolis Colt for life. Pencil in Jeff Saturday for that honor.
The 14-year veteran center in the NFL put an official stamp on a career Thursday that began in Baltimore in 1998 and ended in Green Bay in 2012. But it was those 13 seasons in between — from 1999 to 2011 in which he played for Indianapolis — when Saturday earned his greatest rewards. -
Saturday thrilled to retire as a Colt
The 14-year veteran center in the National Football League put an official stamp on a career Thursday that began in Baltimore in 1998 and ended in Green Bay in 2012. But it was those 13 seasons in-between — from 1999 to 2011 in which he played for Indianapolis — that Saturday earned his greatest rewards.
-
Saturday to retire as Colt on Thursday
Former Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday will make his retirement from the National Football League official on Thursday.
-
Indianapolis franchises punter McAfee
A week ago, Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano said it was a priority that the team retain the services of punter Pat McAfee.
McAfee, an unrestricted free agent who’s contract is due to expire March 12, was designated as the Colts’ franchise player Friday. The move allows Indianapolis extra time to work out a long-term deal for the team’s special-teams ace.
“He’s huge. He’s a major priority in free agency. Obviously, we’ve reached out and are working to get Pat re-signed,” Pagano said during the National Football Scouting Combine. “We saw what he did for us last year. He’s a great weapon, not only kickoffs and touchbacks. -
Colts GM enjoying time at combine
Indianapolis Colts second-year general manager Ryan Grigson makes no bones about it. He enjoys watching prospective football players strut their stuff.
-
Colts keeping eye on large crop of talented linemen in NFL Draft
According to most National Football League draft observers, this year’s crop of prospects is deep with quality offensive and defensive linemen.
Among the offensive line candidates who have been showcasing their talents at the National Football Scouting Combine, which began in earnest Thursday and wraps up on Tuesday, the spotlight has been on the offensive tackles. Offensive left tackles in particular. -
Colts' Pagano back to full work schedule at combine
Back and ready to go.
That’s the attitude Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano is taking during the National Football Scouting Combine, which completed its second day of operations Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium. During a wide-ranging press conference at the combine, Pagano confirmed that he is back to a full work regimen after missing 12 games last fall as he battled a rare form of leukemia.
After undergoing cancer treatments that featured heavy doses of chemotherapy, the second-year head coach was able to return to the sidelines for Indianapolis’ final regular-season home game against Houston and for the team’s AFC wild-card matchup with eventual Super Bowl champion Baltimore. -
Colts looking forward to different approach to draft in 2013
A year ago, the Indianapolis Colts had the first overall pick in the 2012 National Football League draft.
It was a foregone conclusion that the Colts would select former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the selection. While Indianapolis front office and player personnel officials certainly had to do their due diligence in preparing for the draft, the Colts find themselves this year in a bit different situation.
The team will have the 24th overall pick in the first round, which is a double-edged sword. Indianapolis picks lower in the round due to a successful season. But the pool of available can’t-miss talent isn’t quite as plentiful as drafting earlier in the round. -
Former Pro Bowl selection Freeney won't return to Colts
The news coming out of the Indianapolis Colts headquarters Friday afternoon was not totally unexpected. Team officials have confirmed that two veteran players – former Pro Bowl defensive end/outside linebacker Dwight Freeney and wide receiver Austin Collie — will not be returning for the 2013 season.
-
Colts’ new offensive coordinator will offer variety
Quarterback Andrew Luck running the Pistol offense? Wide receiver T.Y. Hilton lining up in the Wildcat?
-
Colts moving on to the off season
Moving on. That’s the immediate plans for the Indianapolis Colts as they head into the off season.
-
Baltimore ends Indy’s playoff run early
The Baltimore Ravens want one long final ride for Ray Lewis. Having disposed of Andrew Luck and the Colts, they now face a more imposing challenge.
Next up, Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. -
Switching sides: Colts-Ravens matchup includes old friends on new teams
Just as Baltimore Ravens players and coaches will be seeing some old friends returning to M&T Bank Stadium today, several Indianapolis Colts veterans will also have an opportunity to renew acquaintances with a familiar face.
-
Pagano prepares Colts for tough crowd in Baltimore
As a former resident of Baltimore, Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano knows all about the hard feelings that still run strong about the move of the Colts franchise to Indianapolis in 1984.
- More Colts Headlines
-
Luck having fun with his first OTAs
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Suspect in Killing of Officer Found Dead in Cell
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Jersey Shore Open for Business
ShowBiz Minute: Pickler, Franklin, Potter
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Today in History May 24
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
