Tag: Shane Steichen

For the second time during the Indianapolis Colts’ three-day minicamp, head coach Shane Steichen spoke with reporters.

In case you missed it, here are the highlights from the conversation. To see the full interview, click here.

– Steichen opens the press conference by saying, “It was a great camp. Guys flew around these last three days.” He adds that he really likes where the team is at heading into training camp.

–  Steichen on Anthony Richardson missing practice: “Rest assured, if we played on Sunday, he’d be starting. He just had some soreness in his arm, so we’re just precautionary reasons we held him out today.”

– More on Richardson: Steichen says the soreness started during Wednesday’s practice. They’re going to keep monitoring everything and if he feels soreness like he did on Thursday, the team is going to hold Richardson out. Steichen adds that Richardson will have a plan while he’s away to have him ready to roll for training camp.

– Steichen says that Richardson is a competitor and wanted to be on the practice field, but the team has to do what’s best for them and Richardson, so they held him out.

– “I thought all the positions competed their tails off,” said Steichen.

– Steichen was asked what he’s seen from the team during OTAs and what’s stood out to him is the communication and the chemistry they have with so much continuity from the 2023 season to now.

– Steichen on Alec Pierce missing practice: “He had his foot stepped on last week. So again, just a precautionary reason holding him out.”

Prior to the Indianapolis Colts’ first minicamp practice on Tuesday, head coach Shane Steichen met with reporters.

Here are the highlights from that conversation. To see the full interview, click here.

– Steichen opens the press conference by announcing that safety Daniel Scott tore his Achilles and will be out for the season: “To have that happen to him again, it’s a tough break. You never want it to happen in back-to-back years, but you’ve seen guys who’ve had injuries throughout their careers, major injuries, it’s a bump in the road.”

– “We’re always looking at stuff. We’re always looking,” said Steichen when asked about adding to the safety position.

– These three days of minicamp are big for setting the tempo heading into training camp said Steichen. “We’re about communication, right now, energy, tempo, competing, and then really finishing strong.”

– As far as Steichen knows, Anthony Richardson weighs the same as he did last year.

– Steichen on being in his second season: “It’s great.” He adds that he’s excited and grateful to be a part of the organization.

– Richardson will have a detailed plan in place for when the team breaks following minicamp. “He’ll have a good plan heading into the summer break and then coming into training camp, for sure.”

– Message to the team when they leave minicamp: “It’s smart. Take a little time away. Relax the minds. But comeback ready to roll.” Steichen adds that when they return, they make sure their minds and bodies are training camp-ready.

– “It’s real exciting,” said Steichen of having Richardson back. He also notes his energy, the way he attacked his rehab and his interactions in meetings and with teammates.

– Steichen on what he wants to see from Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas: “Just growth, really, more than anything. Just getting better every day.” He also mentions the importance of communication and the continuity with this being the third year in Gus Bradley’s system.

– Steichen’s message to Scott: “Really, just hang in there. He’s a pro now. When he got hurt last year, he was at every practice, he had the script in his hand, he was taking mental reps, and then he was doing a hell of a job out here in OTAs.”

– Michael Pittman will be held out of minicamp this week just for precautionary reasons to get him ready for training camp after he banged his knee two weeks ago.

– Steichen was asked about what he likes about the cornerback room, he notes the length, vision and ability to play press coverage that Jaylon Jones, JuJu Brents, and Dallis Flowers all have. “I love those guys. It’s a good room.” He’s excited about the competition that will take place.

– Steichen was asked about the report from Adam Schefter that said the Colts called the Vikings about trading for Justin Jefferson: “He’s a good player. There’s probably 31 other teams that tried to trade for Justin Jefferson. But I’ve got no comment on that.”

Following Thursday’s OTA practice, the second of which was open to the media, Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen spoke with reporters.

In case you missed it, here are the highlights from that conversation. To watch the full interview, click here.

– Jonathan Taylor was not at Thursday’s practice. Steichen said he will be back next week and is dealing with some “personal stuff.”

– After leaving last week’s practice after banging knees with a defender, Micahel Pittman did not participate on Thursday. Steichen said “he’s in a good spot and we’re just resting him” Steichen adds that he probably could go out and practice but they are being smart with him.

– OTAs are a great time to build the comradery and chemistry within the team. Steichen loved how everyone was flying around and the back-and-forth trash-talking that was taking place.

– Steichen on Thursday’s practice: “You can feel the competition. You can feel the energy from the guys and that’s how you build team off energy and effort and they’re giving it out here in these OTAs, so it’s really good to see.”

– Steichen says that Bernhard Raimann has taken the next step in his pass protection and the run game. He complements OL coach Tony Sparano for the work he’s done with Raimann. “I think with any young player, the more you play, the more you learn,” added Steichen. “He’s really settled into his own.”

– Steichen on AD Mitchell: “The explosiveness that he comes off the ball and wins one-on-ones. I mean he’s been making a ton of plays out here the last couple of days. He’s going to bring an element to our offense that we’re really excited about.”

– Steichen says that Jelani Woods has “been making a ton of plays.” Adds that he’s a big-bodied tight end who can run vertical routes, run the shallows, and run the deep cross. “It’s been good to see.”

– Steichen on Drew Ogletree: “He’s a great competitor. He made a ton of plays for us last year. Obviously, we’re past what happened; we let the legal process play out, and he’s here, he’s in our room, and we’re excited to have him on our football team.”

Following Wednesday’s OTA practice, Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen spoke with the media.

In case you missed it, here are the highlights from that conversation. To watch the full interview, click here.

– Michael Pittman left Wednesday’s practice with what looked like a leg injury. Steichen said that Pittman bumped knees out there. Steichen didn’t have a full update at that time but did say that Pittman “should be fine.”

– Steichen says any player coming off missed time will have some rust, but Anthony Richardson has been “pretty smooth,” completing passes and knowing where to go with the football. “I like where he’s at right now.”

– Steichen on what he’s looking for with Richardson: “Just accelerated vision stuff.” Steichen adds he’s also watching Richardson’s mechanics, but knowing where to go with the ball and when is key.

– Fundamentally, Richardson “has been on it.” Steichen has no concerns in that regard. “Arm motion looks real good out there,” and his feet look quick.

– Steichen on where he’s seen the most growth in Richardson since his rookie year: Knowing how everyone and everything operates. He mentions Richardson going about his business and knowing how to be a pro. “All those little details that go into it, not being a rookie, he’s shown those so far.”

– “It’s fun and it’s exciting,” said Steichen on having a variety of playmakers on offense who can handle different responsibilities. “It’s our job as coaches to up them in position.”

– Richardson, who just turned 22, is a young player, but “he has a great spirit about him,” said Steichen, “the character he has, how he treats people, in the building, outside the building is phenomenal.”

– “He’s long and athletic,” said Steichen of Jaylon Carlies, who is transitioning from safety to linebacker. Like any young player, Carlies has a lot to learn, but with his athleticism and explosiveness, “you can see his ability.”

– Steichen on the cornerback position: “We got some guys, obviously, but we compete.” He adds that he likes the corner spot and that this group as a whole is playing well during these first two OTA practices.

– Steichen on Jelani Woods, who was back at practice after missing all of 2023: “To see how long he is, how he can run. A vertical threat, all the different things you can do with him, it’s good to have him back out there.”

– “It’s nice. It’s real nice,” said Steichen on having Jonathan Taylor fully healthy and having him and Richardson in the backfield together.

– “They’re battling. All those guys behind him, they’re battling,” said Steichen of the RB2 competition. Adds that there is good depth and “they’re going to compete their tail off.”

– There was a play during practice where Richardson got out of the pocket and connected with Kylen Granson on a very well-placed ball. Steichen notes that having that ability to create can lead to big plays.

– “Having D-Scott back out there is big. He’s a smart player.” Scott intercepted Richardson during practice, in what Steichen called a very good play by Scott. As far as Richardson throwing the pick, “you learn from them.”

– “I think all those guys on the back end, right, everyone’s competing,” said Steichen of the safety position. “The opportunity is going to present itself to all those guys, they go take advantage of it when they get those opportunities.”