Hey there Colts’ fans! Here are some thoughts and observations after the last mandatory minicamp session before the real deal training camp starts in July:

Roster: The Colts did shore up some of their roster by extending a few of their own in underrated LS Luke Rhodes and young P Rigoberto Sanchez in the last few weeks, and then gave what many thought to be a surprisingly solid extension to young CB Kenny Moore to keep the band together from last year as much as possible. While they have done a good job of resigning their own free agents and making a few veteran signings like WR Devin Funchess and LB Justin Houston, they still have a fair amount of cap space available should they see something they like on the open market, or see a trade that will help the team that costs them a bit more. After successfully trying out during minicamp, the team also signed DL ObumGwacham, formerly of the Jets and Saints; they released DL Chunky Clements when they made this signing. This week they also signed the last of their rookies yet outstanding without a contract as 3^rd rounder LB Bobby Okereke signed his offer during the minicamp. And perhaps a great addition that might go unnoticed was the luring of O-line coach Howard Mudd out of his second retirement to work with this stellar young offensive line. This is a guy that just might make the HOF as an assistant coach, he has been that good at his craft for that long; remember he was the line coach during the Manning era here in Indy when the quarterback rarely got touched.

Injuries: Both TE Eric Ebron, LB Darius Leonard and DE Jabaal Sheard were each able to see a little work during minicamp despite recovering from fairly recent offseason surgeries. Even more exciting was the fact that TE Jack Doyle was running routes at full speed all throughout the minicamp, showing no ill-effects of what was essentially a lost season with a variety of injuries. SS Clayton Geathers, CB Quincy Wilson and WR Deon Cain were just observers all throughout camp, although all were seen as merely precautionary moves and not a sign of any setbacks or concerns. Similarly was the biggest injury story of minicamp, with QB Andrew Luck not participating at all as he rested a strained calf rather than risk anything in this early stage. And when people started to raise an eyebrow and wonder if this was being too conservative…. seeing Kevin Durant’s injury during the same time frame probably made the team feel like they made the right move in protecting Luck from his own worst enemy….himself ! The only serious injury that occurred during rookie or veteran minicamp was the loss of rookie OL Javon Patterson, who tore his ACL a few weeks back; Patterson had never missed a game in college and his durability was a big par of his value, so this was a blow to the O-line depth and a bit of a shock.

Observations: Top pick CB Rock Ya-Sin looks like the real deal as a playmaker, picking off a pass in 4 of the first 5 sessions open to the media. Former 2^nd round pick CB Jalen Collins has been a relentless and fierce competitor on the field, and is looking to earn a roster spot despite his troubled personal past. These two guys could make the secondary very good, very fast, if they both continue to look this good. RB Marlon Mack looks ready to carry the load as the feature back and HC Frank Reich is talking like they want him to do that. If this really happens, this could reduce the role of pass catcher RB Nyheim Hines and veteran signee RB Spencer Ware, but I feel that Ware will have a bigger role than many think due to his physical presence (especially on the goal line). TE Mo Alie-Cox has continued his upward trajectory and development and could be an on-field factor even if both Doyle and Ebron stay healthy all season – maybe not for fantasy purposes aside from giving Luck an embarrassment of riches to which he can successfully throw at any time. Rookie WR Parris Campbell was used in a variety of ways to get the ball in the speedster’s hands. They showed a double-reverse, several bubble screens and some underneath routes as well as running him deep down field.

That is all for now from the Crossroads of America. The Colts return for training camp on July 25^th at which time they will start to cohere the unit together to build on their surprising 2018 season and create the future of the franchise in the present with their young roster. Until then…..GO BLUE!!

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