Colts observations: Spencer Ware's best traits will show up in training camp
Joel A. EricksonINDIANAPOLIS — Spencer Ware is going to have to wait until training camp to put his full skills on display.
The Colts signed the veteran running back in free agency to compete for the backup job behind lead back Marlon Mack, and in summer workouts Ware has proven he has good hands.
But a running back’s ability to stand out is limited in padless practices, and the physicality Ware brings to the table is the skill that excites Frank Reich the most.
“This is a tough dude,” Reich said. “Tough yards, not afraid to block. He is the kind of guy — not that we do this much — but if you ever wanted to get into an I-formation, you can put him there. He is the kind of guy you can count on to get tough yardage.”
Ware, who turned in a 921-yard season for the Chiefs in 2016, had interest from a few other teams, but the more he looked at the Colts, the more it felt like Indianapolis would feel like home, only a couple of hours away from his actual hometown of Cincinnati.
He knew Ed Dodds from his time in Seattle, knew Chris Ballard from his time in Kansas City.
“I know how they work, I know what type of atmosphere, I know what type of team they’re trying to build,” Ware said. “And I want to be a part of it.”
Ware landed in Kansas City right before the Chiefs turned around a 1-5 start, made the playoffs and set in motion a run of success that has kept them in the playoff mix on an annual basis. After what the Colts did last season, Ware thinks he sees the same potential to be a perennial playoff team in Indianapolis.
He just has to earn his role. Reich has already made it clear; the vision is for Mack to carry the load, Nyheim Hines to handle third-down duties and Ware to battle it out with Jordan Wilkins and Jonathan Williams for the backup job.
That’s no problem for Ware, who spent most of his time in Kansas City spotting a player with a higher profile.
“I’m a team player,” Ware said. “I just try to bring as much value as possible.”
Work rewarded
When Rigoberto Sanchez signed a four-year, $11.6 million extension last week, he ended up being the first in a string of extensions for young, talented Colts, joined quickly by long snapper Luke Rhodes and cornerback Kenny Moore this week.
Like Moore, Sanchez wasn’t expecting an extension this season. The Colts came to him, committing to a punter who has developed into one of the league’s best in his two seasons in Indianapolis.
“It’s just a big blessing, to come in here as an undrafted guy, work your tail off and then get rewarded,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez was a long shot when he first arrived in Indianapolis.
Undrafted out of Hawaii, Sanchez was brought in as competition for veteran Jeff Locke, the punter the Colts signed in the aftermath of Pat McAfee’s unexpected decision to retire. Sanchez beat out Locke, grabbed hold of the job and hasn’t let go.
To hear Sanchez tell it, his whole climb to this point has been uphill.
“I feel like I went through a lot of obstacles to get even into this building,” Sanchez said. “Before, in Hawaii, there were some things in the way. Had to beat out other kickers and punters, scholarship guys. It’s never been easy, but I feel like it all prepared me to get here.”
By locking up Sanchez and Rhodes together, the Colts now have two-thirds of their key specialists signed through the 2023 season. The lone holdout is kicker Adam Vinatieri, who is year to year at this point given that he’s 46.
“It’s just awesome to continue to progress in the right direction,” Sanchez said. “To have the chemistry and the snaps and all of that down, it’s a big thing for us.”
Extra set of eyes
Tom House, the throwing coach for Andrew Luck, Tom Brady, Drew Brees and a long list of the NFL’s other top quarterbacks, made an appearance in Indianapolis for the final day of mandatory minicamp, a short session that lasted roughly a half an hour.
After the workout was over, House stayed a little bit longer to work with Jacoby Brissett and Chad Kelly on their throwing motions.
Luck will work with House again during the summer, part of the quarterback’s plan to be ready for training camp.
“Andrew and I are meeting this weekend to go over his plan,” Colts coach Frank Reich said. “Kind of an exit interview, just so I can hear his plan, give any feedback I have on it. He’s so good at this. He’s so good at mapping it out.”
Nicks and cuts
Colts tight end Jack Doyle has been optimistic all offseason long about his return from hip surgery, targeting his return for the start of training camp.
Doyle offered a glimpse of how far he’s come at the end of practice on Thursday, running routes full speed on the practice field after the session had ended.
Beyond Doyle, the Colts also got on-field work from Darius Leonard, Denico Autry and Chris Milton during Thursday’s practice.
Cornerback Quincy Wilson, who was wearing what looked like a cast on his left arm this week, is dealing with a thumb injury, according to Reich.