Indianapolis
Colts

"Right now, it's tough. I lose patience with myself, expecting to pick things up quickly. My brain is fried every day," he said recently. "I'm making mistakes right now. But I'm going to learn it."

First-year head coach Jim Caldwell is confident that Collie will be able to make the transition from college receiver to the NFL.

"We do feel that Austin is a young rookie force that has done a tremendous job in learning. He seems to be the kind of guy that catches on quickly. He has a good feel for spatial awareness. He's gotten to the point where it seems that he is starting to connect well with Peyton (Manning). I do feel that we have certainly made some ground in that area," Caldwell said.

OFFSEASON STANDOUT: Wide receiver Pierre Garcon is making a strong bid to become the third receiver in Indianapolis' starting rotation. Garcon had an inconsistent rookie season in 2008, both as a potential punt and kickoff returner as well as receiver in limited work. He has improved as a receiver during the offseason, both in catching the ball and in running his routes.

LINEUP WATCH: Both of Indianapolis' outside linebacking positions remain largely unsettled. With the return of free agents Freddy Keiaho and Tyjuan Hagler, along with the rapid emergence of 2008 rookie Philip Wheeler and the continued improvement of third-year veteran Clint Session, the Colts appear to be as deep as they've been in several seasons.

ROOKIE IMPRESSIONS: Running back Donald Brown appears to be the real deal. The Colts' first-round draft pick has done a pretty good job of picking up the team's offense in a relatively short amount of time. Brown showed good burst between the tackles and could be used as a weapon as a pass receiver out of the backfield.

INJURY WATCH: Place-kicker Adam Vinatieri had surgery on his right hip in early June. Vinatieri had been bothered by soreness in the hip for more than a year. While team officials expect Vinatieri to make a complete recovery and be ready for the start of the regular season on Sept. 13, the Colts have added Shane Andrus to the roster as an insurance policy. Andrus began his NFL career with Indianapolis as a free agent in 2006.

CONTRACT TO WATCH: Cornerback Marlin Jackson looks to be making strong progress from midseason knee surgery. Getting Jackson back on the field will be key for the Colts, who have to make a decision on what they want to do contract-wise with the 2005 first-round draft pick. He could become a free agent after the 2009 season.

--Getting offensive assistants Tom Moore and Howard Mudd to remain with the team for the 2009 season was a major objective for Caldwell this past spring.

"The big thing is continuity, No. 1. No. 2 is that they are two outstanding football coaches. They have done a great job within this system, and those would be two of the primary reasons. Obviously, I've had an opportunity to work closely with them over the past few years. I know their value and input. It's something that we all benefit from. We certainly would like to have them back," he said.

--Having OG Ryan Lilja back on the practice field, and returning to the starting lineup, will be important in as the Colts look to get their running game back to where it was a couple of seasons ago.

"It really makes all of us feel a lot better, adding the experience we have in the interior, plus if we can stay healthy, I think that is very important. One of the things I think you can't discount is the fact that last year we had so much upheaval upfront we had to play a lot of younger guys a little bit sooner than we anticipated," Caldwell said.

"Well, you go through some tough times doing that, but when you have a chance to look back on it, like at his point in time for us, we have a lot of young guys who have some good, valuable experience because they've been in the middle of it. They've had to make the adjustments, and when you couple that with the veterans we have coming back healthy again, I think it really should make for a strong unit."

--Lilja said recently that he learned a lot about himself while sitting out the 2008 season due to multiple knee surgeries.

"I've come to grips with what can happen after football. I've done a lot of soul searching. You don't take it for granted anymore, and maybe I did before. I learned my lesson," he said. "I'm having a blast out there just running around practicing, getting in the huddle and hitting guys and moving around. It's 10 times better than sitting in an ice tub or working with the therapist on your knee all day."

--S Bob Sanders likes what he's seen of the way new defensive coordinator Larry Coyer is handling things so far.

"We're excited to have him here. (He's added) a lot of different wrinkles for us. Good thing is he'll move us around a little bit more. We're excited. Everything has not been installed yet, but from what he said there's a lot of good things that we haven't done, which is good. It opens up everyone's game," Sanders said.

"There are some things that we are doing a little bit different, (but) a lot of things are the same. The terminology has changed a little bit. I think once (training) camp comes around we'll know a little bit more on what I'll be doing and some of the other safeties."

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Some of the guys will probably get out there and work on their own, but there won't be any coaches involved with any on-field activities. The guys continue to throw and catch and continue to hone their skills. That's important because they can't just put it down right now and start up again come August 2. So they will continue to work and build on what we've already established." -- Caldwell on what the Colts will be doing between the end of spring workouts and the start of training camp.

"The guys are learning and they are adapting. (Defensive line coach) John Teerlinck coaches those guys and does a tremendous job in terms of getting them in place and ready to play. We have a lot of work to do in that area, but I do believe that they are making good progress."

FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered)

--DE Josh Thomas (not tendered as UFA June 1).

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

--RB Lance Ball: ERFA; terms unknown.

--G/T Daniel Federkeil: ERFA; terms unknown.

--S Matt Giordano: UFA; terms unknown.

--LB Tyjuan Hagler: UFA; terms unknown.

--CB Kelvin Hayden: Potential UFA; $43M/5 yrs, $22M guaranteed.

--LB Freddy Keiaho: Not tendered as RFA; terms unknown.

--DT Daniel Muir: ERFA; terms unknown.

--C Jeff Saturday: Potential UFA; $13.3M/3 yrs, $7.45M SB; 2009 cap: $3.98M.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

--PK Shane Andrus: FA; terms unknown.

--DT Ed Johnson: FA; terms unknown.

--LB Adam Seward: UFA Panthers; 1 yr, terms unknown.

PLAYERS LOST

--LB Buster Davis (released; had been re-signed as ERFA).

--RB Clifton Dawson (released).

--WR Marvin Harrison (released).

--LS Bryan Pittman: UFA Seahawks; terms unknown.

--CB Keiwan Ratliff: UFA Steelers; terms unknown.

--DT Darrell Reid: UFA Broncos; $6.8M/3 yrs, SB unknown.

--RB Dominic Rhodes: UFA Bills; 2 yrs, terms unknown.

--P Hunter Smith: UFA Redskins; (1 yr, terms unknown.