The Colts are coming! The Colts are coming!
Doesn’t exactly stir folks into a frenzy, does it? Especially in August.
Still, with Shane Steichen bringing the boys from Indianapolis to town this week, first for a joint practice on Tuesday morning and then for the preseason opener on Thursday night, a big week lies ahead for Mike Vrabel’s New England Patriots.
Here are four key areas to watch for this week from the Patriots when they finally get to hit guys in a different color uniform.
1. Will Campbell microscope is on
The second-year left tackle has been solid against a cast of New England unknowns the past couple weeks.
Now, the other guys are a bit more real. Regardless of who he sees, the Colts will rush with more intention and won’t be shy about unleashing fury.
Campbell put in the offseason work. He religiously rehabbed his knee, earning one of the team’s awards for diligence. The LSU product sought help from some of the game’s best, working out with Philly’s Lane Johnson and Buffalo’s Dion Dawkins.
But you’re either an NFL left tackle, or you’re not. It’s time to start finding out for real.
2. Inside track at linebacker
If you had to get the absolute truth from Vrabel, he’d probably admit a need for new talent at inside linebacker.
The coach milked all he could out of Christian Elliss last year, and Robert Spillane is rock-solid. But we all saw how vulnerable this team was in the run game when Spillane got hurt late.
The team is high on both Chad Muma and Khalil Jacobs as reinforcements at inside linebacker.
No, they won’t get a ton of Jonathan Taylor Tuesday or any on Thursday, but Indy will pose a solid test to monitor.
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3. Receivers fight for their lives
The five-player battle for four spots continues to play out.
We’ll get a better feel for what Josh McDaniels is seeing with the group on Tuesday morning in joints. Expect A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs to get their work done then.
The guys who play with the 1’s on Tuesday most are at the top of the pile. Anyone playing in the game on Thursday has something to prove.
4. Tommy’s time
He’s been solid enough in camp that you figure Tommy DeVito is locked in as the No. 2 QB.
Now, he’s got to flash his entertainment value on Thursday night.
Be sharp. Be on target. Be on time. And be creative Tommy.
