Biggest takeaways from the Colts second training camp practice

The Indianapolis Colts completed their second training camp practice on Saturday, July 27.

I was on the field during the team's practice, and below are my biggest takeaways from the day.

Anthony Richardson and Michael Pittman Jr.'s chemistry

Last season the majority of QB Anthony Richardson's rookie year was robbed from him after a shoulder injury ended his season after making just four starts. The Colts QB is now healthy and is entering training camp as the locked-in starter, as opposed to having to compete for the job like he did a year ago. Richardson's individual play is, of course, crucial for the success of the Colts in 2024. This includes him progressing as a player, but it's also essential that he and his WRs are on the same page.

Last year during camp, it was evident that Richardson and Josh Downs had built a solid connection together as rookies, which remains true this season.  But leaving today's practice, it was the duo of Richardson and Michael Pittman Jr. that impressed me the most. You can tell the two have a much better understanding of each other as teammates entering this season than last season. There were multiple throws today that the two executed flawlessly, with both appearing entirely in sync. I'm sure the offense's pre-training camp trip out to California played a significant factor in this development. And if the two can continue this throughout camp and into the regular season, it would be massive for the Colts' passing offense.

The Colts plan at FS

The Colts chose not to make a move this offseason for a new starting FS ahead of the 2024 season, which remains one of their most puzzling roster decisions in recent memory. This means Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas II are set to compete for the job to begin training camp.

During practice today, the Colts gave Cross the majority of the first-team reps during 11-on-11s, with Thomas II logging the majority of the first-team reps during 7-on-7s. Cross easily outperformed Thomas today and, if I had to guess, has the upper hand as this competition begins. The team also worked in Ronnie Harrison Jr. throughout the day, who appears to have been moved back to safety going forward.

My biggest thoughts about the FS position, though, is something many of us have shared throughout the offseason . They need to sign one of the few viable veteran safeties who remain free agents. The most popular players often mentioned as options are Justin Simmons and Quandre Diggs, who both would instantly improve the floor and the ceiling of this Colts' defense.

Under the radar standouts from practice

Kedon Slovis

For the majority of today's practice, the defense outperformed the offense. However, the Colts' passing game still had multiple bright moments. All four quarterbacks (Flacco was gone today attending a funeral) made at least one highlight-reel-level throw.

If I had to pick the best throw of the day, though, I think it came from Colts UDFA Kedo Slovis, who found rookie Anthony Gould, which got one of the loudest reactions from fans on the day. Beyond just this throw, though, I think Slovis commanded the pocket with a lot of confidence and hit multiple targets in stride throughout the day. He and fellow UDFA Jason Bean split reps with the Colts' third-team offense today, but I think he had the best day of any QB that participated in today's practice outside of Anthony Richardson.

Jaylon Carlies

The Colts drafted Jaylon Carlies with the 151st pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He played mainly safety during his college career at Missouri, but the team announced him as a LB instantly after drafting him due to the team's belief that his athleticism and skill set are a better fit at LB going forward.

Today in practice, he worked as the Colts' second-team WILL LB and had a really strong day. Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley spoke about Carlies and why he's a solid fit at LB in their scheme after practice today.

"Generally speaking, knowing our LB coach Richard Smith, he is a really good fundamental teacher, toughness, hand placement, strike and shed all those things him and Cato do a great job coaching that up. So in our scheme, what we can't coach up is speed, or change of direction, things like that. So you've seen us evolve to where we are wanting to go take a safety who maybe hasn't had a lot of opportunities to use his hands and strike and shed, but we think we can coach that side up. Thats JC (Carlies), he's a safety whose playing LB, but he has really great length and he has that mindset he just has to develop that skill set."

"Right now he is playing the WILL (LB spot), but I would look for him to also get some reps on the outside in that SAM spot."

- Colts DC Gus Bradley

Ameer Speed

The Colts claimed CB Ammer Speed off of waivers during last season, so this is actually his first training camp with the Colts. He worked with the second and third-team defenses throughout July 27's practice and had a really impressive day. He had multiple pass breakouts, making life hard for every WR he was assigned to cover throughout the day. Arguably, the biggest defensive play of the entire practice came off a pass that Speed tipped, which led to a would-have-been pick-six by rookie LB Jaylon Carlies. There will be some tough battles at CB throughout training camp, and if Speed can continue stacking practices like this one, he will certainly be in the conversation to make the team's roster.

Related: Colts' 2024 53-man roster prediction ahead of Training Camp

Related: Colts head coach Shane Steichen compares his year two plan for Anthony Richardson to Steph Curry