2010 Colts training camp: More notes from Aug. 9th morning practice

by Brad Wells on Aug 9, 2010 2:12 PM EDT in 2010 Colts Training Camp

Regular reader GoBigBlue88 has a FanPost up highlighting some things he saw at this morning's practice at Anderson. Much of what he saw seems consistent with what we reported on earlier today. Here are a few interesting notes:

Trevor Anderson really stood out to me. I didn't figure him for anything more than a camp body, and he still isn't likely to make the roster. But he looked good moving in space today and supplied one of the practice's harder hits. No idea why he's listed as a DE; he looks and plays like a LB. I didn't expect this kid to surprise and didn't go with any intention of noticing him, but as soon as I got home, I had tolook up #56 to see who had impressed me so much.

Haven't heard much about Anderson until this. Like John Chick, he seems to have caught the eye of more than a few.

I'm hesitant to give too much praise in these light practices, but I thought Deshea Townsend looked phenomenal out there. He guessed wrong once, on an 11-on-11 drill which resulted in him slipping and a TE releasing for an easy catch in the spot he had vacated. But the rest of the day, he was right on his man and broke on a ball beautifully for a pick. Again, he's not anything better than CB4, but he looked right at home out there. Consistently, I thought that - next to Anderson - Townsend was the most impressive player during the morning practice.

Good to hear that the ole vet is finding his niche on the roster. The value of a tough, experienced vet cannot be over-estimated. Townsend could be a big boost to a secondary that was very much in need of better depth.

Check out the rest of BigBigBlue88's FanPost for more camp observations. After the jump, I have a few additional observations from from this morning's practice.

More notes from this morning's practice:

Mitch King looks improved on special teams. This is very key for him. With John Gill likely gone, King now has a strong shot to make the active roster. Colts are also using him as a Dan Klecko style fullback.
Brody Eldridge is the real thing. He might be this year's Austin Collie in that he might be more than meets the eye. Eldridge, drafted to play mostly H-Back, is a physical blocker who runs good routes and seems to catch everything thrown at him. Colts are using him more as a standard tight end.
Jacob Tamme looks great. running routes. Catching passes. He'll make the roster.
Colts continue to use Eric Foster at defensive end. Look like Eric is replacing Raheem Brock in that department.
Jerry Hughes is deadly fast. Kid continues to turn heads.
So far in camp, the defense looks better than the offense. That has to be a first in the Peyton Manning era.

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Comments

Good news on Hughes

Is Fili stinking it up? I haven’t seen much on him. When he was drafted I thought he’d do quite well……..I hope doesn’t bust.

by tim55 on Aug 9, 2010 2:20 PM EDT reply actions

take all of this with a grain of salt

As nice as it is to have all the information we do these days, you should not rely on it overly much for determining how good the team is. Every year we hear of players that look great in camp and they don’t make the team.

This is a combination of many factors some of the most obvious being:
1. We are getting reports from amatuer football fans, not NFL professionals.
2. The things that people notice tend to be the obviously flashy things (how fast some players are, how often a player is used with the first team, etc.)
3. Some of the most important aspects of camp are not open to the public.
4. Some of the items that are being evaluated are hard to spot in slow motion HD, they are nearly impossible to spot in real time from the stands. Interior line play on botht he offensive and defensive sides of the ball is a prime example.

So not hearing about how a DT performs is not that odd, nor would I be completely surprised if someone who is making a huge name for themselves at camp (for example B. James) to not make the active roster at all.

by kasey_junk on Aug 9, 2010 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

+10 get'em

by blue31 on Aug 9, 2010 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

he was getting talked up early on

by teammates and coaches, haven’t heard much from fan/media reports though.

Choke/Clutch is the fetishization of the small sample size.

"People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do." -Isaac Asimov

by shake n bake on Aug 9, 2010 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, Shake.......

But that was basically talk about his attitude…….It would be a shame if he washed…..He was a playmaker at SC. Hopefully, he will perform in preseason.

by tim55 on Aug 9, 2010 3:12 PM EDT reply actions

Agree tim,

When he was drafted I expected him to perform like hell his first season. Then…..nothing. Maybe his work ethic isn’t what it should be.

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
"As I grow older, the list of people who can kiss my ass grows longer"-Ancient Hoosier Proverb.

by Indy Lori on Aug 9, 2010 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd say the problem is with expectations not his work ethic

If you expected a rookie in the NFL to perform like hell, you have unrealistic expectations. It happens so infrequently, that it is a story when it does happen. Most of the players on the Colts roster who we now consider huge stars did not perform their rookie years.

It is way too early to be talking about him washing out now, even if he we don’t hear another word about him in the preseason.

by kasey_junk on Aug 9, 2010 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions

would love to know whats going on with dallas clark. when i saw his name as people not participating for days in a row i knew something was up. dallas clark doesnt may take a practice off here and there but hes like manning. if his name is on the not participating in practice two days in a row something is not right

by kinnickcolt on Aug 9, 2010 6:29 PM EDT reply actions