2011 Colts Training Camp: Notes From The The Second Day

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Articles of this kind pull together notes and observations from Colts beat writers, bloggers, and fans who attend camp and watch practices. If you are at camp and have access to Twitter, tweet us what you see @stampedeblue.

With all the free agency craziness that has engulfed the Colts front office, it's been hard to gather information about training camp. What is also important to note about camp is that, unlike previous years, NFL teams like the Colts are easing people into the camp routine. Remember, there were no OTAs. No mini-camps. The lockout killed all those. As a result, conditioning and injury presentation are key, as are learning sessions (classrooms) for the new players to learn the systems.

Today, I recommend following @andrewmishler of the Ball State Daily News. He is at camp tweeting the morning events.

Notes from yesterday's practices:

• I personally take this with a HUGE grain of salt, but it seems Jerry Hughes has looked good in camp. He's in shape and looks quick. He's working with the second team defense, and he was, by several accounts, blowing by Jeff Linkenbach.
• Speaking of left tackles getting schooled, Anthony Castonzo lined up against Dwight Freeney yesterday. Take two guesses what happened. 

• Defensive backs have looked poor in coverage, but I would not freak out about things like that just yet. Practices don't usually allow for QBs getting 'sacked,' and if a QB can run around all afternoon, he will find an open receiver.
• Mike Newton has looked decent at safety, picking off a few passes in practice.
• During special teams drills, Pierre Garcon and Anthony Gonzalez were returning punts. The drills were light, and it did not seem as if both men would be on ST duty. But, it's worth monitoring going forward.
• Players held out include Taj Smith (hamstring), Kevin Thomas (quad), DeMario Pressley (hamstring), Fili Moala (foot), Mike Pollak (hamstring), and TE Brody Eldridge (knee).

Colts Training Camp Schedule

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tonight is the night practice. Are you going?

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