As the temperature rises outside, the offseason efforts keep on rolling in the NFL. In the past month since the 2013 NFL Draft, the Colts have welcomed in their rookie class, and have gotten them on the field for a rookie minicamp. They have spent time getting their new blood acclimated to their new surroundings and system, and have also signed quite a few of them to their first pro contract.

Veteran players have been in and out of the weight and practice rooms throughout the offseason, and now things for the near future are beginning to take shape. Colts players, both new and veteran, are now getting ready for Organized Team Activities (OTAs). The competition will start amping up, as will the drills and the action on the field.

Players will not be in pads, but will be wearing their helmets and shorts. These OTAs will mark the first time that the offense and defense will be able to mix it up together. There will be ten OTA practices, putting over 70 players into the process of building the Indianapolis Colts for 2013.

The buzz surrounding the Colts is – for the first time in a very long time (circa 1998, perhaps?) – all about the rookies. After suffering through a difficult 2-14 season, missing the playoffs for the first time in 9 years, and losing Peyton Manning to free agency, #ColtsNation is hoping their fate is finally trending upward. The drafting of former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, along with nine other impressive college players, has the Horseshoe faithful seeing stars, and the new additions are already making good impressions on and off the field.

Here’s what went down for the newbies this week in #ColtsNation.

Roster Moves

The Colts have wasted no time in signing their rookies to contracts. In the past week, the Colts signed half of their draft class – those from the second half of the draft. This includes:

• Vick Ballard – RB, Mississippi State – 5th round (170th overall)
• LaVon Brazill – WR, Ohio University – 6th round (206th overall)
• Justin Anderson – OG, University of Georgie – 7th round (208th overall)
• Tim Fugger – LB, Vanderbilt – 7th round (214th overall)
• Chandler Harnish – QB, Northern Illinois (253rd overall)

The top half of the draftees, including Andrew Luck, Coby Fleener, Dwayne Allen, T.Y. Hilton, and Josh Chapmen, have yet to sign contracts, but it is only a matter of time. All 10 draftees participated in the Colts’ rookie minicamp earlier this month.

Additionally, the Colts signed two free agents this week. Added to the 90-man roster were QB David Legree and G Zane Taylor. Legree signed as an undrafted free agent out of Hampton University. He threw for 1,636 yards, including 10 touchdown passes, last season, and he had a 62% completion percentage in seven games. Taylor, on the other hand, was claimed off waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles. He was originally scouted by Colts GM Ryan Grigson, who was a former director of college scouting for the Birds. The additions of Legree and Taylor come a cost, however. To make room on the squad, TE Brody Eldridge and G Matt Murphy were both waived.

OTAs

The Colts began their first set of Organized Team Activities this week, meaning the rookies got to meet and work with the more grizzled and experienced veterans for the first time. Although Andrew Luck was visibly absent – he’s not allowed to participate in OTAs until he completes his undergraduate degree early next month – the workouts and practices were reported to have gone very well. The staff was very encouraged by the fact that almost all 90 roster members were present, including all nine of their 7-years-or-greater veterans, for the optional practices. Coach Pagano saw “progress in the offense’s execution” and communication, and he said the team had “great energy [and] enthusiasm.” Sounds promising to me!

Rookie Premiere

The 2012 NFLPA Rookie Premiere kicked off yesterday in Los Angeles. The 3-day event invites 36 rookies to get their first taste of the lifestyle that comes with being a professional athlete. With four representatives – Luck, Fleener, Allen, and Hilton – there are more Colts in attendance than players from any other team. The men will participate in photo shoots, receive their own trading cards, do some community service work, and play in a celebrity flag football game. They will also attend some informative lectures (Who could forget Herm Edward’s famous “Don’t Press Send” speech from last year?) and participate in red carpet media interviews.

Luck and Fleener also temporarily took over the NFLPA’s Twitter account to answer questions from the fans. These were just some of the responses generated by the two budding stars, but I thought they were some of the most enlightening. They shed light on Luck and Fleener’s closeness – they’ve already been teammates for 4 years and have established quite a partnership – as well as Luck’s first-year goals. Is shooting for a Super Bowl a little ambitious for a rookie quarterback? Maybe, but I like it.

That’s it for #HorseBytes this week! Make sure to check back next Friday for the latest #ColtsNation news, fresh from the Twitterverse.

While this is a good way to build a team, it is one that takes time. Some players may develop faster than others while some take time. The key is that the team actually have the time necessary to develop a player without forcing them into the limelight too early. If the Colts are unable to get some of their pro bowlers into camp they may be forced to play some young guys more than or before they would want to.

So far wide receiver Reggie Wayne, defensive end Robert Mathis, and safety Antoine Bethea have been a no-show at the team’s OTAs. Reggie Wayne has traditionally chosen to work out on his own in the off season so this is no surprise; he’s probably pretty busy dealing with his ex-girlfriend and the $93,000 she charged on his credit cards (wouldn’t mind just having a card with a limit like that myself). The team may need to be concerned about Mathas and Bethea though.

Mathis has been a large part of the success that the Colt defense has had in recent years. On any other team he would definitely be a #1 rusher; on the Colts he is the #2 thanks to the presence of Dwight Freeney on the other side. Combined the two are a dangerous duo; if you double one the other will get you. If the Colts do not do what is necessary to bring Mathis back they will have to hope that their first round draft pick is as good as expected.

Bethea will be a bit harder to replace. The Colts have gotten lucky picking up late round guys that can play pretty decent defense; they are hardly ever great (except the now-often injured Bob Sanders). When you have an offense like the Colts a great defense is not necessary.

However, when you roll the dice so much you will eventually get burned. Mike Newton currently sits behind Bethea on the depth chart. If you said ,”who?” you are not alone. He was an undrafted cornerback out of Buffalo that joined the Colts last season.

Vince Lombardi said it best,”Offense wins games; defense wins championships.” Hopefully the Colts will do what is needed to insure there is a defense fans can be proud of next season.