INDIANAPOLIS —
Bruce Arians, the Indianapolis Colts’ new offensive coordinator, is certainly no stranger when it comes to tutoring and developing young, highly talented young quarterbacks.
Arians was the Colts’ quarterbacks coach in 1998 when the team drafted eventual franchise icon Peyton Manning with the first overall pick of the National Football League draft. He was with the Cleveland Browns in 2001 when Tim Couch was selected No. 1.
And for the past eight years, the Patterson, N.J., native has been an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the last five seasons as the team’s offensive coordinator where he worked with Ben Roethlisberger.
Out of that group, Manning led the Colts to two Super Bowls, winning one.
Roethlisberger has won two of the three Super Bowl games in which he has played.
So it shouldn’t have come as a major surprise that when first-year coach Chuck Pagano went looking for an offensive coordinator, knowing that Indianapolis would be taking either Stanford’s Andrew Luck or Baylor’s Robert Griffin III with No. 1, he would search out the recently retired Arians.
“I’ve known Bruce. We worked together in Cleveland. His track record speaks for itself. As far as an offensive coordinator in this league, I just look at what he did with a young quarterback and developing a young quarterback [Roethlisberger]. Taking them to the Super Bowl and winning Super Bowls and those types of things. So we hit a home run,” Pagano said after Thursday’s final mandatory mini-camp practice.
“When I called him, he was on his way from his retirement home, on the lake there with a bunch of golf courses. I said, ‘Hey, you retired?’ He goes, ‘Not if you’re offering me a job.’ So he was officially retired for two days. But he’s a brilliant offensive coordinator. He works great with guys.”
Arians has been tasked with developing Luck, who has been described by many football observers as a ‘can’t miss’ prospect. The Colts coach isn’t concerned. Rather, he’s excited by the possibilities.
“When I lay my head on the pillow at night, I’m not worried about Bruce. I’m not worried about [new defensive coordinator] Greg [Manusky]. I’m not worried about Marwan [Maalouf] with the special teams. Those guys are great men. They’ve been in the game for a long, long time. They know their craft,” Pagano explained.
“But more importantly, they’re great with kids. They’re great with people. And the way they deal with these guys, they’re great teachers. They know the importance of relationships and they know the importance of building trust. I slept well at night knowing those three guys are at the helm.”
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n Arians likes what he sees — After five full-squad mini-camp workouts, the Colts’ offensive boss is happy with the progress that he’s seen.
“It’s good to have [Luck] with everybody and watch him grow with his teammates,” Arians said Thursday. “I thought we got a lot better the last two days. He’s so smart. He’s done so much work already. He just lets it flow. He gets it the first time around. It’s not hard at all.
“It’s just go out and play and get used to where the guys are and the spacing of the passing game is very critical to what we do. Those things come with time with progress. He’s learning that part of it. We’ve got plenty of time and lots of progress to make.”
One thing that doesn’t concern him is Luck’s timing with the team’s veteran receivers, such as Reggie Wayne and Austin Collie. That will come in time.
“Not really. We still have a long way to go. When you look at last year, guys didn’t even have this [organized team activities and mini-camps due to the labor lockout] and it got done,” Arians stressed.
“[Carolina’s] Steve Smith and Cam Newton, they made a nice connection. [Cincinnati’s] A.J. Green and Andy [Dalton] didn’t even work together. Sometimes that gets blown out of proportion. I think the [offensive] tackle hearing the snap count is a little bit more important than them throwing routes.”
n Rookies keep working — While Indianapolis’ veteran players are finished with their work until the start of training camp on July 29 at Anderson University, the Colts’ rookies will hang around the team’s West 56th Street facility for a few more days for more instruction.
“So many times when they leave the biggest thing is that we don’t need any distractions. You can just pick up the paper every day and you read about somebody making a bad decision. So first and foremost, take care of yourself, make great choices and continue to work out,” Pagano said, repeating the marching orders he gave the team after Thursday’s practice.
“They have put all of this time in, so the worst thing they could do right now is go take two or three weeks off and then try to get back. Training camp is certainly not grounds to get in shape. They have put too much time in right now and too much work in with strength and conditioning coach Roger [Marandino] and [Assistant strength coach] Richard [Howell] in the weightroom and running and conditioning. To put it down from a physical or mental standpoint would be disastrous. So take care of yourself, take care of one another, stay in your book, keep working out and get charged up. You have got to recharge your batteries for training camp.”
Colts
Related Photos
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He's done this before: Indianapolis tight end Coby Fleener catches an Andrew Luck pass during the Colts' mini-camp Thursday at the team's headquarters in Indianapolis.
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Indianapolis wide receiver Reggie Wayne makes a catch during the team's mini-camp at the Colts' headquarters in Indianapolis Thursday.
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck throws a pass to an open receiver during the Colts' mini-camp at the team's west 56th Street headquarters Thursday, June 14 in Indianapolis.
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On target: Indianapolis wide receiver Austin Collie catches a pass from Andrew Luck during the Colts' mini-camp Thursday in Indianapolis.
Discussion
Arians looking forward to seeing Luck develop with teammates
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Colts’ new offensive coordinator will offer variety
Quarterback Andrew Luck running the Pistol offense? Wide receiver T.Y. Hilton lining up in the Wildcat?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Pagano marvels at Colt’s progress
In the minutes after last Sunday’s win over AFC South champion Houston, Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano marveled at how the 2012 season has progressed for his team.
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