Notes from Tuesday's Training Camp

Tuesday was a great day for the Colts, signing Anthony Castonzo, Ernie Sims, and Tommie Harris. However, the Colts still had a training camp that day, despite all the big news off of the field. Tom James is the CBS RapidReport Indianapolis correspondent, and has done a great job sending updates from camp. Here are a few tidbits from his reports: Quotes from Reggie Wayne

"It's going to be a cram session for everybody. But the young guys are at such a disadvantage, especially dealing with the offense," "It's going to be terrible, especially for some of the undrafted free agents," Wayne said. "It's going to be up to the leaders on this team to keep encouraging them and keep them going."

Coach Caldwell:

Coach Jim Caldwell doesn't think that rookie OT Anthony Castonzo will have major issues getting up to speed whenever he gets to training camp. "He's been around working with the guys throughout the summer," Caldwell said. "The big thing is he'll be in shortly, and we'll get him caught up."

More reports:

OT Anthony Castonzo, the Colts' first-round draft pick, is happy to have his contract negotiations settled after a brief holdout.  “Thanks to the Colts organization we were able to get this done,” Castonzo said in a statement. “Now I am excited to get into camp and get to work with my teammates. I know there is a lot for me to learn and I am going to do whatever I can to get on the field.”

Glad that it doesn't sound like there's any hard feelings about the contract, which doesn't have the guaranteed fourth year that Castonzo's agent, Tom Condon, was going for.

OT Anthony Castonzo , DE Jamaal Anderson and LB Ernie Sims arrived in time for Tuesday's afternoon practice. Castonzo, the Colts' top draft pick, had been a holdout. He signed with the team earlier in the day and was able to participate in drills. Anderson and Sims did not practice.

Finally Castonzo is in camp. He's the one that needs to adjust to the game. The Colts are going to need him on that line this year. Link has potential at tackle, but Castonzo is the man from here on out.

Sitting out Tuesday afternoon's practice were WR Taj Smith (hamstring), Kevin Thomas (quad), DT DeMario Pressley (hamstring), OG Mike Pollak (hamstring), TE Brody Eldridge (knee), DT Fili Moala (foot)

Again, most of these are likely precautions, but I still don't like seeing injuries so early. I know every team has them, but I still don't like it. From George Bremer at the Herald Bulletin:

“He’s (Castonzo) going to have to be a fast learner,” head coach Jim Caldwell said Tuesday morning, before the signing was announced. “He is though, too. He’s a smart guy that I think will catch on rather quickly. But the big thing is you have to get out there on the field and have a chance to see Dwight (Freeney) and Robert (Mathis) rush the passer, trying to pass protect against those guys. But we have probably the best situation for young guys because he’s going to see two guys that know how to throw the fastball. So he’ll get a lot of work.”

Kyle Devan's advice to rookies:

“I’m sure they’re extra wide-eyed this year being that yesterday was the first time they had ever put on a Colts helmet, but I was in their shoes a few years ago and the biggest thing is not to make the same mistake twice and more importantly don’t make it a third time,” DeVan said. “If you can do that and you can process our offense, you can find a spot on this team. That’s the biggest thing I learned when I got here. ‘Well, I messed up this time.’ But when I got that same look or same play I tried not to mess it up again.”

Ben Ijalana's progress (same article as above):

The NFL lockout nixed any chance second-round draft choice Ben Ijalana had to learn the ropes of being a pro football player before Colts training camp. But he’s proving to be a quick study. “My mindset is to acquire as much knowledge that I can learn from any veteran and try not to make any mistakes,” Ijalana said. “I play O-Line, if nobody says my name, I did good. I’m just looking to do my part, hopefully right away.”

Overall, all indications out of camp are good. With the new free agents the Colts' signed in the past two days, combined with taking care of rookie signings, there is a lot of positive vibes coming from the Colts lately. In Polian we trust.