Hey there Colts’ fans! Here are some initial reports and observations as the Indianapolis Colts open training camp this week on the north side of the city:

The biggest story all offseason – and likely all throughout this entire season – is QB Anthony Richardson. Is this a make-or-break season for him? Will he beat our QB Daniel Jones to win the starting job? Is his twice-injured shoulder okay? Will her perform like one of the least efficient passers in the NFL? Will his rushing prowess again make him a fantasy godsend? So many questions, and none of them will be answered in the early stages of camp. Here is what I can tell you: Richardson has been cleared to throw and practice, so that bodes well for the rest his arm received this summer. Not that he was ever anything less than a solid physical specimen, but he reported to camp looking jacked and fit, ready to practice. Jones has been lauded for his intelligence and grasp of the new playbook, but despite his proficiency, he simply does not possess that "wow" factor as does AR5.

Jones probably enters camp as the 1A, but if the competition is close then 1B Richardson will get the nod. Two complicating factors: It is my guess that Richardson will play some slightly more limited snaps in preseason games so as to protect him if possible, so he will have to prove it in practice. Coach Steichen told both players that the decision will be based on consistency and moving the ball up and down the field – two things that may give the edge to Jones as well. Secondly, and in AR5’s favor….radio jock Dan Dakich reported this week that the Irsay ladies want not just wins but some "pop" and excitement in the team, or else GM Chris Ballard is gone after this season. This could put some extra pressure from above to get Richardson successfully into the game. Finally, if the competition is a tossup….the veteran Jones would probably do far better in a reserve role than would Richardson, so there is the mental aspect of making the team the most successful as well. FWIW, on the first day of practice, they evenly split the first team reps in the 1-hour session, as Steichen said would be the case until a starter is decided (with no timetable). The team will still likely be led by force-feeding RB Jonathan Taylor the ball as often as possible, so the consistency at quarterback is all that is needed to keep this offense moving and this defense fresh. Time will tell, I guess.

The only injury news is that NFL’s leading tackler LB Zaire Franklin will start by sitting out the on-field portions of practice in training camp as he recovers from offseason ankle surgery. The team did not place him on the PUP list though, indicating that they expect him back sooner rather than later. Another of the players expected to help fill the void at linebacker is LB Jaylen Carlies, who was just today cleared for practice and will resume all regular activities on Thursday. DE Samson Ebukam blew out his Achilles early in camp last year after leading the team in sacks in 2023. As a result, the team has also said they will limit his snaps a bit in [practices, but he has also been cleared for full activity. The only other injury concern is Richardson’s shoulder; Steichen said that he will not be limited in any of the 7-on-7 drills and activities, but that he may dial back some of his repetitions in the individual drills to save the wear and tear on his shoulder. The team is about as healthy as any in the NFL heading into camp, as they placed zero players on IR or PUP to start camp.

On the first day, the maligned secondary showed the value of its revamping as new signees CB Charvarius Ward and S Cam Bynum, as well as Colts mainstay CB Kenny Moore made the unit look pretty good despite some solid accuracy from both of the team’s quarterbacks. I still have my concerns about the depth and productivity of the linebackers and the special teams, but the secondary and the front four look to be extremely deep and solid, especially as compared to last season. Speaking of the front line, DT DeForest Buckner was very clear that he was dissatisfied with the team’s performance on defense last season and has vowed that he will move heaven and earth to help this make a big turnaround in 2025. If there is anything scarier than Big Buck, it is an angry and motivated Big Buck….

That is all for this month from the Crossroads of America. I will be back in August after a few more training camp practices and perhaps the first preseason game so we can get a view on what is going on under center. There are 16 camp practices, plus a joint one with the Packers here in Indy and one with the Ravens in Maryland later, plus the requisite three preseason games, culminating with the traditional finale against the Bengals on August 23. Until then, good luck preparing for your drafts and auctions as the season is drawing closer!

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