Colts get ready for minicamp

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The Colts put a wrap on their organized team activities Thursday before next week’s minicamp leads into a month-long stay in Anderson, and most of the players say the chemistry is building quickly.

It has to. The bulk of the roster has changed over with the new coaching staff, and head coach Chuck Pagano thinks things are coming along nicely.

“It’s been great. Everyone is working hard, and we’re trying to make it fun,” Pagano said. “It’s hard, it’s a grind. They’ve been here some time now, and it’s still a kids’ game, so we try to make it as fun as possible. I love the spirited part of it, the camaraderie, that kind of thing.”

His players agree, including defender Cory Redding, who played for Pagano in Baltimore.

“Coach has been firm when he needs to be, loose when he needs to be, getting guys to understand what we’re trying to achieve here, and the guys love to play for him,” Redding said. “There’s not one guy in here who won’t say they love working for Chuck because of the way he treats men, the way he expects us to practice, letting us go out there and do our thing.”

And when the team opens mini camp next week - including an open practice Wednesday at Lucas Oil Stadium – new quarterback Andrew Luck will be back after graduating from Stanford University.

Reggie Wayne said his job is to catch passes from whoever is throwing, but he’s ready to get some timing down with Luck.

“I’m just like you guys, I want to see what he can do,” Wayne said of the No. 1 NFL draft pick. “We know he can throw a college ball; we don’t know if he can throw a pro ball yet. We’ll find out next week, and I’m just as excited to see him as you guys.”