Indianapolis Colts: What We've Learned Through Week 1 of Training Camp

Training camp has a week in the books for the Indianapolis Colts, and it's beginning to actually feel like football season.

Of course, it won't really get to that level until preseason games begin, but just getting football back into the news for issues not involving deflated balls and off-field suspensions is an excellent sign.

For the Colts, the first week in training camp meant a night practice, few injuries and varied levels of success across the team. There were reports of contract negotiations, frank conversations about needed development and even a few words from owner Jim Irsay.

Though it's only been a week, we've already learned quite a bit from Anderson, Indiana.

Khaled Holmes' Edge at Center Is Real

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

The Colts' competition at center was one of the most clear battles for the franchise heading into this offseason.

It was no secret that third-year player Khaled Holmes and second-year undrafted free agent Jonotthan Harrison would be competing for the job, especially after the team decided to forgo signing a veteran in free agency.

If somebody had to be given the edge through the offseason, it was Holmes, who replaced Harrison down the stretch last season, but there was really no way to know. But if training camp is any indication, it seems that the Colts are on a similar page regarding Holmes.

According to Mike Wells of ESPN.com, Holmes has the "clear edge" over Harrison, citing his lack of mistakes and recently taking more control over the line. Wells went as far to say that there wouldn't even be a competition if Holmes could stay healthy.

Wells also cited Luck on Holmes:

"

He’s physical, he’s tough, he’s smart, he understands football. I think you can tell he gets more confident with his calls, the more you go on. He sniffs stuff out that I won’t see and the other guys won’t see. It will be a great call and a positive play because of him. I think he’s doing a great job.

"

Of course, with people like the Indianapolis Star's Gregg Doyel claiming the offensive line looks "lousy," and co-worker Stephen Holder going with "mediocre," there isn't a ton of confidence oozing out of the Colts training camp.

Still, if Holmes can lock down the center role, it's one less thing to mess with the unit's chemistry.

Andrew Luck Is the First Priority

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

It's common knowledge that the Colts are Andrew Luck's team. There is not, nor has ever been any question about that.

The Colts go as far as Luck goes.

But with the signing of Frank Gore this offseason, it was natural to question whether or not the Colts wanted to dial back the passing offense and focus more on the run. This was especially true for anybody who watched Pep Hamilton try to install more power-run and ball-controlling concepts when he arrived in 2013.

But this training camp has confirmed the Colts' commitment to an explosive passing offense as the bread and butter. And really, signing Andre Johnson and drafting Phillip Dorsett in the first round should have been a hint that was the case.

Even still, the media has been impressed with the Colts' focus on stretching the field and making the defense uncomfortable through the first week of camp:

"

The aggressive downfield passing so far this camp is like nothing I've seen recently. Consecutive TDs to Allen and Dorsett

— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) August 5, 2015"

"

Man, this offense could be so explosive. Downfield passing game is a major factor in camp, and it's working. #ColtsCamp

— Josh Wilson (@Coltsfanwilson) August 5, 2015"

The Colts will certainly try to use Gore this season, and early reports on the veteran are very favorable. But that doesn't mean a significant uptick in actual running plays.

It should mean a more efficient offense, however, and more opportunities to score points.

Ryan Grigson Isn't Coddling Anybody

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

One of the things that general manager Ryan Grigson and the Colts have been criticized for over the past three years is being overly favorable to highly drafted or expensive players, taking too long to move on from said players.

The team gave Trent Richardson far more carries than he ever earned, continued starting Samson Satele even after more capable backups emerged and have continually promoted disappointing Bjoern Werner over a more promising pass-rusher in Jonathan Newsome, to name a few examples. 

But in one media appearance earlier this week, Grigson was very frank about a few younger players needing to improve this season. It's not particularly fun to face issues that Colts players have, but it's an encouraging move from Grigson, acknowledging that they need more.

Grigson mentioned several players on The Dan Dakich Show on ESPN 1070 in Indianapolis, including Josh Chapman, Hugh Thornton and Bjoern Werner. Comments on all three of those players were focused on their necessary development. Here are a few nuggets:

• On Chapman: "Josh has got to show us he can play in this league consistently at a championship level."
• On Thornton: "I've talked to him. Chuck's talked to him. He knows what's at stake. He knows that the hourglass isn't as full as it once was. He has to be more consistent. He knows what's at stake."
• On Werner: "Bjoern needs to stay healthy. He's got to improve as a pass-rusher. He's more of a disruptor than a finisher in the passing game. He can set an edge and he makes plays in space. But I liked how he was playing before he had some issues with parts of his body."

All three players are entering what could be turning-point seasons in their young careers.

Rookies Won't Be Ignored

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

The Colts have been forced to lean heavily on rookies in recent years, a common practice when completely overhauling a roster in a short amount of time.

With more depth this year, however, none of the rookies should start, and just about all of them should be in more developmental roles than anything else.

But that doesn't mean the Colts won't put some of their rookie standouts in key roles, and we've gotten a hint toward that this offseason, especially when it comes to wide receiver Phillip Dorsett and safety Clayton Geathers.

Colts.com beat writer Kevin Bowen called Geathers his surprise standout defensive player, and Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star called him a potential X-factor for the defense. Playing as a dime linebacker with the first unit throughout the offseason, Geathers is a tough, hard-hitting safety that could be a great addition to help improve the team's coverage of tight ends over the middle.

But Dorsett is the bigger name, and probably has a higher ceiling. According to reports from Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via NFL.com's Chris Wesseling), the Colts think Dorsett can be a superstar, and early returns in practice have pointed that way for the rookie.

"

Really nice night of practice for Phillip Dorsett. Has done nothing but impress since he got here after the draft.

— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) August 6, 2015"

According to Holder, the battle between Dorsett and Donte Moncrief for the third wide receiver role is still murky. Though Moncrief also has a high ceiling and is a year more experienced, expect Dorsett to have a significant role this season.

Contract Negotiations Continue

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

As training camp approached, there was little news about contract extensions in Indianapolis. The Colts have several key players hitting free agency next year, so getting ahead of the curve with extensions seemed to be the prudent move. Here is a list of some, but not all of the 2016 free agents:

• WR T.Y. Hilton
• OT Anthony Castonzo
• TE Dwayne Allen
• TE Coby Fleener
• K Adam Vinatieri
• CB Greg Toler
• LB Jerrell Freeman
• RB Dan Herron
• NT Josh Chapman

The most deserving extensions, without much debate, were Hilton and Castonzo, the two most important offensive players outside of Andrew Luck last season. But with little news throughout the summer on extensions, there was a question OF whether or not the two would be able to both be re-signed.

Fortunately, there has been very positive news in training camp in that regard, as it now seems that both players will likely get re-signed before the season starts. Grigson explicitly told Dan Dakich on ESPN 1070 that he expects both deals to get done:

"

First and foremost, they're two of our most talented young players. You want to get those guys locked up. But at the same time, those guys are all-in, all the time. You like to reward guys, and our owner likes to reward guys, who are shining examples to the rest of their teammates. Those guys don't say jack, they just work and work and continue to get better. Those guys, they produce on every rep.

"

It's a great sign from Grigson and the Colts. The team has struggled to find key young players that can be long-term core pieces, and Hilton and Castonzo are exactly that kind of player. Keeping them should be a top priority for the team's long-term health.