Somewhere around the league every year, there is a big story about how a notable player doesn’t show up for voluntary workouts. The Indianapolis Colts don’t have to worry about that.
Though the entire spring is voluntary until veteran minicamp, the Colts have had an attendance that is well above average across the league. Even the big names are showing up to get better at OTAs.
Head coach Frank Reich believes its simply a testament to the type of culture they have built in the locker room.
“I think it’s a credit to the locker room leadership,” Reich told reporters Tuesday. “Guys want to be here and I just think it’s the culture that the guys have set here. And relatively speaking, I think our attendance is way above average. So I am very happy with it.”
The Colts have gotten through OTAs, which were voluntary, without any reports of major players missing. When veteran minicamp takes place next week, though, all players must be in attendance.
Having players in the building that like to come work on their game and learn more about the offense is a big deal to Reich and the coaching staff, regardless of how far away the season actually is.
“Just give Chris (Ballard) and the scouts a lot (of credit) – we get guys who like to practice. As you guys know, that’s a big deal to us,” Reich said. “I mean I know that everybody likes to play football, but there are levels of that. We like guys in this building who want to play football like all the time. So, it’s paying off for us, I think we are getting better.”
The strong attendance allows the Colts to get deeper into the schemes on both sides of the ball and while they might not be wearing pads, Reich believes it makes a big difference.
“Yeah, to me, it’s night and day,” Reich said. “You are really getting to second and third layer issues that make you a better team rather than trying to spend the energy and the focus on corralling the troops together rather than focusing our energy on that, babysitting people and trying to – ‘Come on, let’s go.’ You’re just talking about other things that are more relevant to getting better. So it’s a big help.”
The Colts wrap up the offseason training program with mandatory veteran minicamp—which begins June 11—before breaking for summer.
