Tom James
Tribune-Star Correspondent
Anderson —
Training camp, the Anderson University portion of it, is now over for the Indianapolis Colts. The team broke camp after an hour-long practice Wednesday morning and immediately headed for the Indianapolis International Airport.
Indianapolis will face the Buffalo Bills in the second preseason game of the year for both teams tonight at Rogers Centre (7:30 p.m., Channel 4) in Toronto. The Colts are coming off a 37-17 loss at home to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday while Buffalo lost 42-17 at Washington last Friday.
The No. 1 offense and defense — which each got about two full series against San Francisco — could work into the second quarter this evening. But Colts coach Jim Caldwell did offer a few caveats.
“It depends,” Caldwell said after Wednesday’s workout. “We certainly can’t give out a blanket statement all the way across the board. We have a couple of guys that may not play quite as long for various reasons, but that’s probably a pretty good assessment that we will play some of the starters a little bit longer.”
Injuries will play a large factor in who sees playing time in the Bills game.
Eight players have already been listed as most likely out: tight end Dallas Clark, defensive end Keyunta Dawson, offensive guard Kyle DeVan, wide receiver Pierre Garcon, running back Mike Hart, offensive tackle Charlie Johnson, cornerback Jerraud Powers and center Jeff
Saturday.
Defensive end Dwight Freeney and safety Bob Sanders, who both sat out the 49ers game, could see their first playing time of the preseason. While Freeney’s status remains up in the air, Caldwell said Sanders would most likely be in the game at some point.
Safety Antoine Bethea participated in Wednesday’s practice. Bethea had missed the last two days of workouts due to a death in his family. He is expected to play today.
• • •
• Looking back at camp — After nearly three weeks of training camp, the Colts are now ready to begin the second portion of their preseason.
“I think it’s gone very, very well. Overall, I think we got a lot done. It’s just like any camp. You may have some situations that may not be ideal that you have to work yourself through,” Caldwell said.
“I think the guys did a tremendous job in that. We’re a little thin in certain positions but still were able to get a lot of work done. I think we improved.”
• A teachable moment — Caldwell said there’s plenty to learn traveling to Toronto for the Buffalo game.
“It gives us an opportunity to kind of work on some things that we’re going to face during the course of the season during the course of a road trip,” Caldwell said. “How we travel, what we go through. Maybe a few more nuances, particularly dealing with immigration and customs. But other than that, I think it’s going to be a great experience for our team.”
• First trip — Powers, who had hoped to be able to suit up for the Buffalo game, has never been out of the country. So just getting to today’s game will be an experience in itself.
“Never been across the border. I’m actually kind of nervous a little bit. But I’m looking forward to it,” the second-year defensive back said.
Powers has been sidelined in practice the last couple of days because of a sore right foot. It’s the same injury that bothered the former Auburn standout late last year and in the postseason. He is hopeful of returning to practice early next week.
• Looking back — Anderson University and the city of Anderson got a big thumbs up from the Colts coaches and players for the way training camp was conducted this year.
Large crowds were the rule as approximately 85,800 fans flocked to watch the team work out since camp started on Aug. 1. Nearly 300 people were on hand for Wednesday’s getaway practice.
“[It’s] a tremendous place with how giving they have been, how well-organized it’s been, the fan appreciation, the connection our players made with the fans I think is something to behold. It was quite a memorable experience. This city itself certainly has gone through some tough times a lot like my hometown [Beloit, Wis.],” Caldwell said.
“They both are similar in size and similar in unemployment rate and things of that nature. They certainly put their best foot forward and did an absolutely tremendous job across the board. I can’t say enough about Anderson University and the city as well.”
The question now: What happens next year? The Colts and Anderson University signed a one-year deal to host the camp, but officials on both sides have said that they want to continue the relationship. Negotiations between the NFLPA and the league on a new collective bargaining agreement has the team and school in a holding pattern.
“It has been a great experience. [Whether to come back to Anderson] will be left up to those that make those decisions. What we do is come and prepare and it has been a great place to prepare. I can tell you that for certain,” Caldwell said
