The Colts training camp at Anderson University officially opened Monday August 3rd. The Anderson training camp has become as popular with fans as the games. The Colts “city” is outside the practice fields and has games, activities, food, and souvenirs available for the fans and is opened from 12:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. The team hits the practice field at at 1:00 p.m. and goes until 4:40 p.m. Practices will be open to the public until August 14. The first preseason game is on Sunday, August 16 against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Finance Field in Philadelphia at 1 p.m.
The Colts have released right offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus. Cherilus was on the injured reserve most of last season. Cherilus was the number one draft pick of the Detroit Lions in 2008. While he had his moments playing with the Lions, his career there was generally marred by injuries.
In 2013, the Colts picked up the former Boston College player and collegiate teammate of Anthony Castonszo in 2013 and signed him to a two year deal. He enjoyed a successful season in 2013 and it was hoped he would be one of anchors of the offensive line. In 2014 he suffered the same kind of injury problems that have dogged his pro career and the Colts chose not to resign him. His agent says that Cherilus is healed and ready to play for 2015. He’ll most likely be picked up sometime during the season by a team that runs short of offensive tackles due to injuries.
This means that second year offensive lineman Jack Mewhort will probably move to the right offensive tackle position. Mewhort was the Colts 2014 second round draft choice in 2014 out of Ohio State. The Colts plugged the 6’ 6” 308 pounder into the left guard position and he was the club’s Rookie of the Year playing there. However, the Colts’ long range hope for Mewhort was that he would move to the offensive tackle position. You can view Mr. Mewhort in the buff in the 2015 ESPN Magazine “Body Image” issue that recently hit the newsstands.
Ms. Linebacker Coach
With all the coverage of Deflategate and other issues on the NLF Media radar, an historical event is happening in the Arizona Cardinals training camp. The first female coach in pro football history is working with the Cardinal’s defense. Jen Welter will be coaching the linebacking corps this season.
The 37-year-old is from Vero Beach, Florida and attended Boston College where she played on the women’s rugby team. She received a Masters in Sports Psychology from BCU. She holds a PhD in psychology from Capella University. Ms. Welter was a 5’ 2”, 130 pound running back in the Women’s Professional Football League with the Dallas Diamonds and the Dallas Dragons. In 2014 she was signed as a running back with the Texas Revolution of the Indoor Football League. She has also coached with the Diamonds, Dragons, and the Revolution.
Best of luck to Ms. Welter who certainly has the educational background to be a success at her new position. She has already received the endorsement of several of the Arizona players and head coach Bruce Arians who is one of the NLF’s most innovative coaches. Hats off to the Arizona Cardinals for becoming such a forward thinking franchise.
Last Friday, July 31 was my 65th Birthday so the Nicewanger Tribe took Papaw to the Vic to watch our Baseball Tribe take on the Charlotte Knights. There was a whole bunch of activity going on downtown. Gen Con and the One Direction concert, along with the regular crowd of downtown fun seekers so there was plenty of excitement in the air- all because it was my birthday! Of course, the Boss led the evening along with my daughter Mary, Son-in-Law Pete, son Chris and the Dynamic Duo my beautiful grandkids, the Lady Bug and the Little Big Man. I consumed a foot long dog and some Tribe fries as part of my birthday feast. It was a simply gorgeous night and our hometown boys gave me a 5-1 victory to savor, and then to top the evening off the Vic launched a pulse pounding fireworks display after the game was over to honor my birthday. It was better than a key to the city. Honestly, I can’t think of any better way to celebrate any family event than a night of baseball at Victory Field with the Indianapolis Indians!