:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/6773321/143824800.jpg)
The 2012 Indianapolis Colts begin their Organized Team Activities (OTAs) tomorrow, May 15th, at the Indiana Farm Bureau Complex. All players, signed or drafted, can attend. Rookie tight end Coby Fleener reportedly flew into Indianapolis last night, anxious to get started:
Headed back to Indy today. Can't wait to meet some of my new @NFLColts teammates! Hope I don't get a middle seat...
— Coby Fleener (@CobyFleener) May 13, 2012
While on the way to Indy, Fleener apparently didn't realize he had some rather important guests sitting right behind him on the plane:
Just got off the plane in Indianapolis and realized that Coach Harbaugh's parents were sitting behind me. Nice to catch up.#smallworld
— Coby Fleener (@CobyFleener) May 13, 2012
"Coach Harbaugh's parents" are likely those of Jim Harbaugh, the man who coached Fleener and Andrew Luck at Stanford.
Speaking of Luck, neither he, rookie free agent Griff Whalen, or sixth round selection LaVon Brazill will be able to attend OTAs until June. All three have yet to complete graduation at either Stanford (Whalen and Luck) or Ohio University (Brazill). Both schools are on quarter systems. The reason Fleener can participate (despite coming from Stanford) is because he has already graduated and is working on his graduate degree.
OTAs are when teams usually install their offensive and defensive systems. With Luck, this shouldn't be a problem. However, Whalen is the one who could be affected most by this. He's a long shot to make the roster as is, and missing precious time in May could affect his ability to make the 53-man roster in September.