Colts open training camp looking to avenge AFC Championship loss

TERRE HAUTE -- Amid the 90-degree heat Tuesday at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, the Indianapolis Colts ran through the offense that led them to 12 wins, the AFC South Division title and a berth in the AFC Championship last season. The Colts were ranked No. 1 in scoring offense in the NFL and No. 2 overall.\nEven with all of their recent success, they think they can be even better.\n"Each year we come out with the mindset to improve some facet of our game that wasn't where we wanted it last year," center Jeff Saturday said. "We know our goal that we need to improve on. I think we can do it. I think we as an offense have a good mindset and good mind frame to come out there in camp and get the things done we need to work on."\nThe big question for the Colts during training camp is the defense. The squad was No. 7 last year overall, but the loss of some keys veterans could hurt the team. New players are going to have to adjust to coach Tony Dungy's style.\n"I think defense is really being aggressive, being quick, making the other team react," Dungy said. "We don't really keep an eye on the rest of the league and what they're doing. We try to get our thing kind of tailored the best we can."\nOne loss on defense already is safety Bob Sanders, who was the Colts' first pick in the draft and has yet to have signed. Veteran offensive tackle Tarik Glenn has also missed some practices due to arriving at the camp overweight.\nQuarterback and last year's NFL co-MVP Peyton Manning said the team is off to a fast start. He said he is happy with the team's depth, especially at running back, tight end and wide receiver.\n"In years past, if Marvin (Harrison) and Edgerrin (James) weren't in there, or Marvin and Reggie (Wayne), there was a little bit of a drop-off with whoever was the three or the four," Manning said. "We have six or seven receivers now. You can throw a lot of guys in there and get good execution of the play. There's no drop-off there. That's a good problem to have."\nUntil last season, there had been questions as to whether or not Manning could win the big game. \nAfter failing in his first three attempts, Manning won his first two playoff games last season as the Colts reached the AFC Championship for the first time since 1995.\nIndianapolis lost to New England 24-14, and the Patriots are the favorites to win it all again. Now the Colts must clear the next hurdle and reach the Super Bowl. \n"I think they've got to find a way, whatever that way is, whether it's mental toughness or whatever, to get to the next level," ESPN analyst Mike Ditka said. "How good is good? They're good, but I mean the only thing that really counts ever is, can they bring home the big prize?"\n-- Contact staff writer Tyler V. Hoeppner at thoeppne@indiana.edu.