Colts training camp competition takes a turn, one coach weighs in
One Colts' training camp competition has taken a turn in recent days. Here is what one coach had to say.
The Indianapolis Colts are currently engaged in a critical positional battle for the kicking job, with two players - Blake Grupe and Spencer Shrader - vying for the coveted role. Up until recent practices, the competition has been fairly tight, but a recent turn has seen Grupe gaining a significant edge. During Tuesday's practice, Shrader missed four out of his six attempts, including two crucial kicks from 45 and 57 yards, as per Jake Arthur of Roundtable Sports.
In stark contrast, Grupe has been on fire, going 6-for-6 during Monday's practice, bringing his overall training camp record to a remarkable 12-for-12. Shrader, on the other hand, stands at 9-for-12 in the same period. Even considering the spring, Grupe has proven to be a more consistent kicker.
Special teams coordinator Brian Mason commented on the situation, highlighting the importance of live kicking sessions in their evaluation process. He stressed that while Grupe's form is impressive, they are not making any hasty decisions. Mason emphasized their commitment to looking at the bigger picture, focusing on who can consistently kick the best during preseason games and who is making the most progress towards being the best in the regular season.
Despite some fluctuations in Grupe's performance, including a few misses even in the ones he made, Shrader's steady progress after his ACL injury last year remains a comforting sight for the coaching staff. Mason believes they have a good understanding of why a few misses were made. After a lengthy layoff due to the injury, Mason acknowledges that Shrader is progressing at his own pace. The full story was originally featured on Colts Wire.
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