Each workforce at all times has to play the fragile steadiness of enjoying time in the course of the preseason, and the Indianapolis Colts aren’t any totally different.
Whereas it’s vital for the gamers to get reps in a stay ambiance, there’s a wonderful line to stroll with out risking damage an excessive amount of. Getting the brand new gamers acclimated to the schemes is important, however having them obtainable for the season is the precedence.
So whereas the Colts have a tentative plan for taking part in time in the course of the preseason, it’s at all times topic to vary.
Head coach Frank Reich informed reporters Saturday that the starters might play a little bit extra this preseason in hopes of getting extra ready for the beginning of the season.
“Perhaps play a little bit bit greater than we’ve performed prior to now, not an entire lot extra, however perhaps a little bit bit extra,” Reich mentioned.
It’s no shock Reich would really feel this fashion. Given the accidents that hit the beginning unit throughout coaching camp and the preseason final 12 months, after which the next 1-4 begin to the season, it’s no shock that he needs the 2 models gelling as a lot as doable.
However Reich is aware of he needs to be good along with his gamers, particularly those that play positions of upper danger like operating again and linebacker. It’s a continuing dialog between him and normal supervisor Chris Ballard
“Chris and I’ve talked about this at size. It’s like, usually talking within the first sport, it’s 1 / 4. It is going to be 1 / 4 however it actually relies upon what number of performs per sequence and all that stuff. We form of have a play quantity,” Reich mentioned of the method. “Then we’ll make particular person exceptions as wanted, and we are going to decide that. That may solely be decided as we get to that day. However yeah, I might say typically, proper now the plan can be to play a little bit bit extra.”
When the Colts host the Detroit Lions for joint coaching camp practices earlier than the Week 2 preseason sport at Lucas Oil Stadium, the enjoying time throughout that preseason sport might not matter as a lot given the physicality that may doubtless come from these two practices main as much as it.
“In Week 2 towards the Lions, as a result of we’re having aggressive apply towards them, there’s an excellent likelihood the starters gained’t play in that sport as a result of we’ve obtained two good days of labor towards them, it’s extremely aggressive,” Reich mentioned. “Dan (Campbell) and I’ve already talked so that may in all probability doubtless be the plan for that sport.
“Then bounce again and play a little bit bit extra within the third sport.”
It’s a wonderful line to stroll all through the preseason. Each coach has a unique philosophy in the case of enjoying time in the course of the preseason, and Reich isn’t any totally different.
Whereas the plan is definitely topic to vary, we may even see a bit extra of the starters within the first and third preseason video games.
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