Captain Morgan

WESTFIELD – The Indianapolis Colts offense didn’t start well in Thursday’s practice against the Carolina Panthers. But the finish certainly was cause for optimism. The first and second teams scored three touchdowns in red-zone drills – and just missed a fourth by the length of wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.’s foot – to cap a physical and productive day at Grand Park. PLAY OF THE DAY After dominating their own offense for the first two weeks of camp, the Indianapolis defense continued the trend against the Panthers. On six snaps inside the red zone Thursday, the first-team defense did not allow a touchdown. THEY SAID IT “I think we won the physical battle, and that was the most important thing for us.” – linebacker Bobby Okereke on the battle against the Carolina offense. THEY SAID IT “I think we won the physical battle, and that was the most important thing for us.” – linebacker Bobby Okereke on the battle against the Carolina offense. https://www.heraldbulletin.com/sports/colts-notebook-quarterbacks-thrive-in-red-zone-against-carolina/article_51126084-fbc4-11eb-b8d0-0fd6e6e49a86.html#utm_campaign=blox&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

Darin Gantt @daringantt · 48m The Panthers kept calling Thursday a measuring stick, and you can only say they didn’t measure up to the Colts. Matt Rhule didn’t love the play of his receivers (a lot of dropped balls), and his offensive line didn’t hold up particularly well against a good Colts front either. Joel A. Erickson @JoelAErickson · 39m Darnold 7 of 13, P.J. Walker 4 of 7, Will Grier 2 of 3, INT

saw this on the Colts board "Matt Rhule (listening to his presser right now) says they definitely wanted to come to Indy because we're an 11-5 playoff team. He is impressed by our defense, called it physical and says that's where their defense wants to get too (funny because i think they have a good defense). I get the sense we'll see a better Panthers team in tomorrow's practice, and in the game. "

Carolina Blitz @KeepBlitzin · 28s Rhule says overall he wasn’t quite pleased with the play of the offense. Mentioned the lack of precision and specifically pointed out the receiving crew. Says he wouldn’t put the struggles on Darnold. “He was the least of my worries”

and this Michael Strachan making it look easy against eighth overall pick Jaycee Horn. pic.twitter.com/Z3EaxKKhRb — Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) August 12, 2021

just saw this from earlier Joel A. Erickson @JoelAErickson 1 on 1 notes: - Kenny Moore had two great snaps against DJ Moore on go routes - Rock Ya-Sin had two PBUs in five attempts and ripped the ball out of Krishawn Hogan’s hands after the catch on another - Marvell Tell had issues with flags - Robby Anderson beat Rhodes twice

Alaina Getzenberg @agetzenberg · 20s Matt Rhule called C.J. Saunders a “football player” today. That’s a high compliment.

game tonight btw

Joel A. Erickson @JoelAErickson · 8m First-team defense kept Panthers out of end zone on 6 red zone snaps. Big PBU by Kenny Moore, sack for Rochell/Okereke

Joe Person @josephperson · 47s Good news: I did not see any Panthers’ injuries.

George Bremer @gmbremer · 5m Unofficial final numbers today: Sam Ehlinger 13-16, 3 TDs, sack; Jacob Eason 8-11, TD, 3 sacks

Alaina Getzenberg @agetzenberg · 2m Nice TD catch by Colin Thompson in corner of end zone. Throw by Will Grier

Bill Voth @PanthersBill · 1m Colin Thompson makes a fantastic, sliding, one-handed catch of a Will Grier pass in the back of the EZ during a RZ drill.

Stephen Holder @HolderStephen · 23s Colts offense looks crisp in this redzone period. Ehlinger threw two TDs, Eason just threw his first.

Carolina Blitz @KeepBlitzin · 42s 1st team not looking great in this red zone period.

Will Palaszczuk @WilliePStyle · 1m Shaq Thompson with a nice PBU during the defensive team period in the end zone.

George Bremer @gmbremer · 1m Jacob Eason is not far behind. 7-for-10 in team drills with a couple nice completions to T.Y. Hilton. He has been sacked three times, including one that killed his last drive.

George Bremer @gmbremer · 1m Excellent drive by Sam Ehlinger ends with a laser TD throw to Mike Strachan. No. 4 is 10-for-11 in full team drills today.

Alaina Getzenberg @agetzenberg · 26s Keep an eye on RB Rodney Smith. He’s had a couple of nice runs today and has been with the second team offense.

Alaina Getzenberg @agetzenberg · 1m DJ Moore and Steve Smith chatting on the sideline. A fan from the stands asked if Steve is going to draft DJ for his fantasy team this year.

Carolina Blitz @KeepBlitzin · 25s ALERT Chinn is still that dude - makes a huge play on 3rd down to prevent the 1st. Hard hit that gets the crowd going.

Bill Voth @PanthersBill · 17s But Christian McCaffrey just juked out Xavier Rhodes, drawing an “oooooooh” from the crowd.