Last week, it was announced that the Indianapolis Colts would be holding joint training camp practices with the Chicago Bears before their Saturday, August 22nd matchup. The two teams are scheduled to scrimmage against one another Wednesday (8/19) and Thursday (8/20) before that Saturday’s preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Unfortunately, the practices will be closed to the public, as they will be held at the Colts West 56th Complex in Indianapolis. However, it does present a great opportunity for both teams to see some fresh looks and “beat up on someone” that’s not one of their teammates. Something that just like Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, Chicago Bears head coach John Fox is really looking forward to:
"“They’re a playoff team,” said Fox after Wednesday’s mini-camp practice. “They’re talented. So I think it’s good from that standpoint for us to see and work with a good competitive football team.”“As well, at that stage of camp guys get a little bit tired of banging on each other,” added Fox. “Usually, in my experience, it has been a little chippy at that point. So it’s kind of nice timing to work against somebody else.”"
Jun 9, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano watches the team go through drills during minicamp at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
It makes a lot of sense from a logistical standpoint too. The Bears are only 3 hours up the road on I-65N, and the Colts aren’t exactly fierce rivals with them being in different conferences.
However, while it’s the first time in the “Chuck Pagano era of Colts football” that the team has held joint practices, it’s not necessarily unprecedented for the franchise. According to longtime Colts journalist Mike Chappell, the Colts have previously practiced against other teams in their training camp history:
"“The Colts have held joint workouts in the past. They worked against Detroit in 1984 and the St. Louis Rams in 1998-99 in Champaign, Ill. They also have shared practice time with the Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans,” wrote Chappell."
It’s something that both head coaches are clearly looking forward to, and it should present a welcomed change of pace for both teams as they get closer to the regular season.
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