Many Colts face Patriots for first time

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A refreshed and confident Colts team returned to the practice field for the first time in nearly a week, just in time to prepare for a rivalry that’s foreign to many, but still familiar to some. It’s the 10th straight year the Colts and Patriots face off. One Colt born and raised in Indy remembers well.

"Oh yeah, oh yeah, I can scroll back in the memory bank,”said guard Joe Reitz, who went to high school at Hamilton Southeastern. “It seemed like every year the Colts and Patriots found a way to meet, whether it be the schedule-makers or the Colts and Patriots football gods like to see that game."

Reitz is in the minority. Remember, more than half this roster is new, and the coach got a feel for it.

"It's funny because I had a show of hands how many guys are making their first visit to Foxboro — way too many!" said Arians, familiar with the Patriots with his past history in Pittsburgh.

"Just about half the room lifted their hands saying they haven't been up there, so he showed us a picture of Tom Brady so we wouldn't be there staring at him on the sideline, and that's his way of him saying the Patriots are who they are," added rookie tight end Dwayne Allen.

Veteran defender Cory Redding, whose Ravens lost to the Patriots in last year’s AFC championship game, couldn’t believe it either.

"A few hands were raised. Take a good look, Tom Brady on the front, don't be star-struck, let’s go play football so its one of those deals. We're getting mentally ready to go do our job,” Redding said.

After the mini-bye, the Colts are as healthy as they've been in months. Only Vontae Davis and Coby Fleener will miss the battle in New England.