Thoughts from day 1 of Colts training camp
Live from Colts training camp
Colts football is officially back. As the team took the field for day 1 of their 2023 training camp. I was on site in Westfield, IN at the Grand Park Sports Campus to take it all in. While the team started off camp simple there still were multiple interesting developments on day 1.
Shaquille Leonard's shockingly busy day
There were multiple moments before practice even began when the stands let out a loud roar of applause and screams, but none louder than when Shaquille Leonard jogged onto the field in practice attire and a helmet ready for practice. Chris Ballard shared Tuesday with the media that Leonard had been cleared to practice but also made sure to point out that he is not fully back. During Wednesday's practice though Leonard worked with the starters the entire day only taking a few snaps off throughout the practice.
Last season had so many lows for the Colts, and they certainly missed Leonard the player. But the most refreshing part of seeing him back on the field with the team was the personality and spirit that he brings. A spirit that was missed tremendously throughout last season. It'll be interesting to see how Leonard and the Colts handle his training camp load, but it was a good sign of things to come for him to nearly participate in a 100% facet on day 1.
Richardson starts out camp working with the twos
The Colts gave all the 1st team snaps to veteran Gardner Minshew on day 1 of camp. As I said earlier the team kept the practice fairly simple but any time the team would involve the 1st team offensive line or line up against the 1st team defense Minshew found himself under center. Head coach Shane Steichen spoke to this after practice though saying "We will flip-flop those guys with the ones and twos all camp". What exactly that rotation looks like up until the team names a week 1 starter will be interesting to see. The talk among fans in attendance rarely went away from the topic of their new QB Anthony Richardson. Multiple fans showed up with custom-made shirts with the QB's face as well as a wave of fans already repping their number 5 Richardson jersey. So while he was running with the twos today attention in the stands always tightened up when he took his place under center.
On a day where the team didn't extend passing drills beyond red zone work each throw from the flat to an out route got huge reactions. He displayed a solid ability to maneuver the pocket giving his WRs time to get open which is an element the Colts haven[t had in quite some time. He did have a few throws get away from him out of the end zone. Overall though on the day, he was able to find the end zone multiple times through the air and with his feet. One throw specifically comes to mind where he worked his way up in the pocket before rolling out where he would end up finding a sliding WR Vyncint Smith on a pretty ball for a touchdown.
Evan Hull RB 1 in Taylor's absence
Yesterday's news of RB Jonathan Taylor going on the Colts' active PUP list came as a shock to many after GM Chris Ballard left his name off the list he mentioned in his presser Tuesday. Though not practicing Taylor was in attendance for day 1 of training camp and could be seen walking up and down the practice field throughout practice. With his absence, each member of the RB room would be getting a bump up the depth chart for the time being.
Something that I didn't expect though was seeing rookie RB Evan Hull get the largest chunk of snaps with the 1st team. Hull looked very limber in the back field and you can see how comfortable he is with the ball in his hand. During the draft process, his ability as a pass catcher really stood out to the Colts, which he did display today but what impressed me the most was how quickly he processed and hit holes off the snap. Having a partner in crime to take some of the load off starter Jonathan Taylor's plate is certainly something the Colts have interest in, and after day one of training camp the question is can that be Evan Hull?
Missing Players
Yesterday the Colts announced that RB Jonathan Taylor, rookie TE Will Mallory, and DE Tyquan Lewis would be going on the Active PUP list to begin camp and wouldn't be practicing on day 1 of training camp. Besides that group though the Colts were without 2nd round pick Julius Brents, and starting SS Julian Blackmon Wednesday. Head Coach Shane Steichen shared the reason for this after practice after being asked by Nate Atkins of the Indy Star "He (Blackmon) has a little hamstring right now, and I have no timetable on his return." And when asked a follow-up about Brents missing practice Steichen said "He (Brents) tweaked his hamstring a little bit, but he should be good and out there soon".
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Featured Image By: Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
