Indianapolis, IN
Colts' Blackmon happy to stay 'home' after testing free agency
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Safety Julian Blackmon is staying in Indy.
After testing the waters of a tough free agency market, Blackmon decided to return to the Indianapolis Colts with a one-year deal reportedly worth up to $7.7 million.
Blackmon visited the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers looking for a multiyear deal, but ultimately decided that staying with the team that drafted him back in 2020 was the best option.
“This was home, and this is the place where it started and it this is the place I want to finish if I can,” Blackmon said Tuesday after signing his new contract. “Everybody knows how free agency went this year for safeties. We just wanted to be patient with the whole process and we were able to come up with something that everybody was happy with.”
Blackmon finished the 2023 season with a career-best four interceptions. He was one of the few experienced players in the Colts young secondary, and his impact was especially noticed when he wasn’t on the field.
Blackmon’s season ended early after he injured his shoulder during the Christmas Eve game in Atlanta. For the next two weeks, the Colts struggled in the already-streaky secondary — especially in the season-finale loss to the Texans, which cost the Colts a spot in the playoffs.
Visiting other teams was all a part of the plan for Blackmon, who was entering free agency for the first time since being drafted in the third round out of Utah. He wanted to see what the other teams were about. When he found out, it just brought him right back home to Indiana.
“You see how other teams compete, what makes them winning cultures, and, honestly, that’s what made me want to come back, too, at the same time,” Blackmon said. “You see all these other teams that talk about what they have and how they’re in-house. For me, it was like I feel like we have the same thing in Indy. My heart was always like, ‘OK, well, this has been a great process,’ but, at the same time, I want to continue to build with something that I’ve helped start.’”
Blackmon is one of now seven players who Colts general manager Chris Ballard has offered new contracts or extensions this offseason. Blackmon joined receiver Michael Pittman Jr, Zaire Franklin, Kenny Moore II, Grover Stewart, Rigoberto Sanchez and Tyquan Lewis, all returning to the Horseshoe in 2024.
Blackmon was especially excited for close friends Pittman and Moore when he heard about their new deals.
“Man, it was awesome,” Blackmon said. “We all have actually been in contact throughout this whole process, especially Kenny and I. We’re FaceTiming like every day talking about, ‘Man, what it would be like for us to come back?’ Even Pitt, he’s like, ‘Hey, when are you signing back? When are you coming back?’ It was just one those things where all of us were able to just stay together and trust that we all wanted to be back and the fact that we made it happen – it couldn’t be more of a blessing. We’re just all excited to be back.”
As far as his shoulder injury recovery, Blackmon said that he’s “feeling really good” as he sat his sights on the Colts first offseason workouts coming in May.
Indianapolis, IN
IPS to host vaccine clinic for students and families
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Students and families in Indianapolis are encouraged to attend an immunization clinic next week.
The Indianapolis Public Schools district is hosting the clinic on Thursday, Aug. 15, at the Shepherd Community Center on East Washington Street. It will be held from 4:30- 8 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome, however, people are asked to complete the online registration form, use the enrollment code: IN65942, and select Shepherd Community-8/15/24.
People under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian consent. You are also asked to upload or send the immunization records for the person getting vaccinated and bring insurance cards.
Organizers say all insurance types will be accepted and billed (commercial, Medicare, Medicaid). For people without insurance, there is no cost for vaccines – except for the Shingles and adult RSV vaccines, which may require a co-pay.
According to IPS, all CDC-recommended vaccines will be provided. If you wish to refuse a specific vaccine, please contact the Indiana Immunization Coalition at least 48 hours before the event at clinic@vaccinateindiana.org.
Indianapolis, IN
Colts QB Anthony Richardson reacts to being featured on the JW Marriott Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — JW Marriott Indianapolis is known for making sports “larger than life.”
For instance, the hotel has featured a large March Madness bracket on its windows in the past. Most recently, it featured an image of Fever rookie guard Caitlin Clark in a Gatorade ad.
This past week, the hotel put a new image on the east windows of its building. The image features three members of the Indianapolis Colts, quarterback Anthony Richardson, running back Jonathan Taylor and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
News 8 Sports’ Andrew Chernoff asked Richardson about the image on Friday after the team’s training camp practice in Westfield, Ind.
“That’s definitely cool,” Richardson said. “I appreciate the city embracing me. It means a lot to me and lets me know I’m doing something right. I got a lot of support behind me. So, I’m thankful for it.”
The north window features the phrase “For The Shoe,” the official hashtag of the Colts on X, formally known as Twitter.
Richardson is gearing up for his second season as the Colts starting quarterback. Last year, his rookie season was cut short after he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in October.
He’s back healthy and ready to play a full 2024 season.
“It’s definitely easier to manage our offense now,” Richardson said. “I’m a lot more comfortable, a lot more comfortable with the calls when Shane (Steichen) is calling them. Then just looking at a defense, I’m able to scan the defense a lot longer and just check out what I’m going to have on a certain play. So I’m definitely a lot more comfortable in the offense, and I want to plan on continuing to get more comfortable in it.”
The Colts continue training camp on Monday when they practice from 2 p.m. EDT to 3:30 p.m. EDT at Grand Park.
The team’s first preseason game is just one week away when it hosts the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Aug. 11 at 1 p.m. EDT inside Lucas Oil Stadium.
Indianapolis, IN
Oregon Duck, Indianapolis Colt DT Closing in on Franchise Records
EUGENE – Former Oregon Duck and current defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts, DeForest Buckner, is rising in the record books. The former Duck has established himself as one of the most dominant interior defenders in the NFL, and his impact on the Colts has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Buckner is just one sack away from breaking Ellis Johnson’s franchise record for most sacks in Colt history with 32.5 Sacks. While Johnson’s tenure with the Colts lasted seven seasons, Buckner is on track to beat this record in just his fifth year with the Colts.
His impact extends far beyond sacks. Buckner has already solidified his position as the Colts’ all-time leader in quarterback hits for defensive tackles with 87 total quarterback hits. Buckner is also on the cusp of claiming the crown for passes defended by a defensive lineman with 16 passes defended, third among Colts defensive linemen.
The defensive tackle’s ability to disrupt plays is evident in his tackles for loss. Buckner’s 42 tackles for loss places him fifth on the Colts’ all-time list. This season, Buckner has the chance to move to third in Tackles For Loss for the Colts behind Freeney and Mathis, passing Chad Bratzke and Raheem Brock with 4 more in the 2024 season. Buckner’s 281 total tackles and 166 solo tackles rank him third among Colts defensive tackles.
While Buckner’s achievements are more than impressive, it is important to note that sacks did not officially start being counted until 1982, nearly 30 years after the Colts became a franchise in 1953. Colts legends such as Art Donovan, Gene Lipscomb, and John Dutton played before sacks became an officially recorded statistic. Nonetheless, Buckner’s impact in the modern era is undeniable. His ability to command double teams creates opportunities for teammates to make plays is invaluable.
Buckner’s journey to the NFL began at the University of Oregon, where he played from 2012 to 2015. In 2015, Buckner was recognized as the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. He finished second on the team in tackles with 83 while also earning recognition as the team’s defensive Most Outstanding Player. Buckner was also awarded the prestigious Morris Trophy, an award voted on by opposing Pac-12 linemen.
As Buckner continues his Colts career, the possibility of breaking more franchise records is large. His combination of talent, work ethic, and leadership makes him a cornerstone of the team’s defense. Buckner is solidifying his status as one of the greatest defensive tackles in franchise history.
-
Mississippi6 days ago
MSU, Mississippi Academy of Sciences host summer symposium, USDA’s Tucker honored with Presidential Award
-
Politics1 week ago
Republicans say Schumer must act on voter proof of citizenship bill if Democrat 'really cares about democracy'
-
World1 week ago
More right wing with fewer women – a new Parliament compendium
-
Politics1 week ago
Trump announces to crowd he 'just took off the last bandage' at faith event after assassination attempt
-
World1 week ago
Israel says Hezbollah crossed ‘red line’, strikes deep inside Lebanon
-
Culture1 week ago
He raped a 12-year-old a decade ago. Now, he’s at the Olympics
-
World1 week ago
Italy's Via Appia enters the Unesco World Heritage List
-
News1 week ago
Sonya Massey death brings fresh heartache to Breonna Taylor, George Floyd activists