As the Indianapolis Colts jump in to their second day of training camp, the players are coming in ready to get after it. Virtually every player, previous to the first day’s practice stated how excited they were to get on the field.
The enthusiasm is real, and to be expected each and every year.
First-year head coach Frank Reich, though, is taking a more measured approach to the first two days of activities. With Andrew Luck getting back under center for the first time in forever, but kicking it off a little slower isn’t just for the team’s franchise passer as he returns with his surgically repaired shoulder.
“We didn’t overload any of the guys today. Kind of the philosophy is: first two days back, just be smart. Don’t overdo it.”
The practices in general are going to be a little less intense as the Colts get everyone back from their break, but once Sunday night rolls around, it looks like the team will get back to full-go.
“Practices will get a little bit longer with a few more reps as we go. But get two days under our belt, let the guys get their legs back and then really start to grind it.”
This has been the expectations for the team this year with a new voice running the show. Reich is expected to keep the team hopping from drill to drill, get the players moving to earn as many reps in as short amount of time as possible. Practices won’t drag on.
Easing everyone in to the start of the season is good for the group as they obviously intend to get Luck back into the daily grind of camp, but also want these initial days to be filled with instruction, and precision.
Achieving the ability to have the playbook and muscle memory become unconscious to everyone, then start hitting on all cylinders.
Additionally, the timing aspect of Luck and the rest of the offense is key as the team gets familiar with so many new faces. Eric Ebron mentioned a critical point in regards to this and what the receivers have been doing while waiting for Luck to be back in the mix.
“I’m going to have to adjust to him. We’re all going to have to adjust to him at quarterback because we know Jacoby (Brissett). We’ve been practicing with Jacoby. Now we have Andrew and we have to all adjust to him and the way he throws the ball, his mindset..”
It will take more than the first week or so to allow Luck and his receivers to get acclimated to each other. Nothing, aside from him excelling dramatically from day to day is going to mean very much until the Colts go full pads on Sunday evening.
Nevertheless, 11 on 11 and 7 on 7 drills are going to be exciting events within the structure of the practice today.