The Indianapolis Colts held their eighth coaching camp observe on Sunday, and this time the climate permitted observe to be held outdoor.
Each Andrew Thomison and Luke Schultheis had been in attendance for coaching camp on Sunday. Right here’s what stood out most on Day 8 of Colts coaching camp:
- Anthony Richardson has robust efficiency operating first-team offense:
Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson impressed in an enormous means on Sunday as he took the entire beginning reps after working with the crew’s second offense the earlier observe. Richardson was extraordinarily spectacular all afternoon and had maybe his strongest camp efficiency total, finishing 5-of-8 throws that included three touchdowns to tight finish Kylen Granson, large receiver Alec Pierce and large receiver Michael Pittman Jr. The 40-yard landing throw from Richardson to Pierce was the spotlight play of the day.
Richardson accomplished his passes to large receiver Alec Pierce (twice), tight finish Kylen Granson, operating again Evan Hull and large receiver Isaiah McKenzie. Richardson, who has continued to enhance fairly effectively all through camp, additionally showcased his dual-threat skills with a number of scrambles for pretty huge features.
- Linebacker Shaq Leonard continues work with first-team protection:
Talking of optimistic development, that’s what we’re persevering with to see from linebacker Shaq Leonard. As soon as once more, Leonard was a big-time participant in observe, taking a ton of reps throughout all durations (11-on-11, 7-on-7, and many others.). Within the 7-on-7 interval, Leonard had a near-interception of Anthony Richardson and wasn’t happy when he dropped it. Colts head coach Shane Steichen did say after observe that Leonard is on a pitch depend.
As camp has gone on, Leonard has continued to impress, not solely with the quantity of labor he continues to see, however with how he appears when he’s working towards. Leonard’s optimistic indicators of development are actually noteworthy, and his elevated stage of exercise throughout every observe is one thing value monitoring all through the rest of camp.
- Wideouts Alec Pierce and Mike Strachan proceed to impress:
Large receivers Alec Pierce and Mike Strachan have continued to show heads at camp. On Sunday, Strachan and Pierce every made spectacular performs, highlighting their big-play potential at totally different instances. Pierce, as talked about earlier, caught a 40-yard landing cross from rookie Anthony Richardson, and Strachan continues to win 1-on-1 matchups utilizing his huge 6’5” body.
Strachan is coming into 12 months 3 and is making a strong case for one of many Colts’ ultimate large receiver roster spots. Pierce, in the meantime, is heading into 12 months 2 and is hoping to take that subsequent leap for Indianapolis’ large receiving corps. To this point, each are persevering with to make strides all through camp.
- Rookie cornerbacks flash with earned reps:
The Colts determined to take a youthful strategy with their secondary for the 2023 season. At cornerback, Indianapolis has one of many youngest models within the NFL. A number of younger gamers on the cornerback spots have continued to reap the benefits of alternatives given as camp has gone on.
Rookie JuJu Brents practiced for a second consecutive day and made just a few totally different performs as effectively. Brents had a pleasant deal with towards rookie operating again Evan Hull and broke up a cross meant for large receiver Ashton Dulin. It’s a small pattern measurement, positive, however Brents has flashed for a second day in a row, which is precisely what you wish to see when you’re Indianapolis.
The identical factor might be mentioned for rookie seventh-round decide Jaylon Jones, who’s had his justifiable share of spectacular performs all through camp. On Sunday, Jones had two key cross breakups and continues to face out positively. Late-round decide or not, what Jones has proven all through camp is spectacular, and the Colts could have discovered themselves a hidden gem of their seventh-round rookie.
