»The Colts have not used fullback on haroster since 2013, but you can certainly understand why Frank Reich wanted to go out and add the likes of fullback Roosevelt Nix in free agency. While from week to week Nix is not expected to be on the field for a ton of offensive snaps, the Pro Bowler has a clear chance to clear his running backs, which is exactly what he did on Marlon Mack’s roaring attempt halfway practice today. Defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad came crashing down from the left, and Nix hit him in front and crooked, opening an enormous hole for the Mack to run free for a win of about 10 yards. The Colts already had a solid run game in the offseason, but the addition of Nix could give it even more oomph this year.
»Before leaving the field with a hamstring injury, Moore II had a great instinctive play when he tore out of his place at nickel angle to dive alone and return a tried and tested pass from Rivers to Nyheim Hines. It could even be considered a setback in a real game, which would have created a live ball situation for the defense to pick up. Half play by Moore II.
»It was Hines who made a notable appearance a little later when he made a diving, bobbing catch along the sideline in cover against linebacker Matthew Adams. The NC State product had 63 receptions as a rookie and 44 catches last year, and there is no reason to believe he will not be in line for the same kind of production, if not more, in year 3 with a new quarterback who ‘ t him throws the ball into Rivers.
Tyquan Lewis has had a practice in recent days, and that has continued today. He came out of the interior to fill a Jonathan Taylor run game, and wrapped his big arms around the rookie who was running in the backfield for a significant loss.
»Jack Doyle’s reputation as a reliable passing tight end comes to him, and he probably does not need much to earn Rivers’ confidence up to this point. But Doyle went ahead and recalled his new quarterback today; Rivers threw him a little air pass over the defensive lines and Doyle went all out to catch a dive fingertip. Solid play by the two-time Pro Bowler.
»There were two notable passing plays during 7-on-7 action, and both were actually pretty similar – just with different quarterbacks and receivers. First, Jacoby Brissett delivered a really nice over-the-shoulder pass to tight end Ian Bunting, who made a nice catch while being covered by safety George Odum. A few plays later, quarterback Chad Kelly made almost the same throw on the same route to rookie wide receiver Dezmon Patmon, who was able to get through cornerback Travis Reed to make the play.
»We had our first one-on-one drills today that caught the passers by against the defensive back. If you come back from the #ColtsCamp Notebooks of previous years, we make this pretty simple: either the receiver grabs the ball and it’s a win for him, or he does not and it’s a win for the defensive back. The Passers had a 19-9 advantage over the defensive backs today.
»Here’s how these 1-on-1 matchups play out: Rock Ya-Sin def. Zach Pascal, Jack Doyle def. Malik Hooker; TJ Carrie def. Parris Campbell; Xavier Rhodes def. Michael Pittman Jr .; Daurice Fountain def. Lafayette Pitts; Trey Burton def. Khari Willis; Artavis Scott def. Isaiah Rodgers; Chad Williams def. Jackson Porter; Travis Reed def. Ashton Dulin; Ian Bunting def. Tavon Wilson; DeMichael Harris def. Carrie; Dezmon Patmon def. Tremon Smith; Pascal def. Ya-Sin; Farrod Green def. George Odum; Campbell def. Rodgers; Rhodes def. Pittman Jr .; Fontein def. Pitts; Donald Rutledge def. Xavier Grimble; Scott def. Porter; Williams def. Porter; Dulin def. Reed; Doyle def. Willis; Rodgers def. Harris; Carrie def. Patmon; Pascal def. Ya-Sin; Burton def. Hooker; Scott def. Porter; Rhodes def. Pittman Jr.
Rhodes seemed to sing louder and louder with each passing rep against rookie Pittman Jr., who went 0-for-3 in his 1-on-1 chances against the veteran cornerback. Pittman jr. Told me after today’s practice that he has already built a nice little competitive back-and-forth with Rhodes up to this camp; it will be entertaining to see how this evolves over the next few weeks.
»Today’s practice did not include field goals for Rodrigo Blankenship or Chase McLaughlin. Reich said afterward that they already had some competitive scenarios for both kickers in this battle, and look forward to continuing to integrate some stressful situations for both boys into future practices to find their man at kicker in the regular season.
»The Colts are scheduled to hold another fully padded practice tomorrow and Wednesday before the players give up on Thursday.
