Published: August 06, 2008 10:35 pm            

Colts’ owner Irsay stops by training camp

TERRE HAUTE — Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay made his annual visit to the team’s training camp at Rose-Hulman on Wednesday, arriving in time to watch the afternoon workout.

“We’re obviously excited about the month of August and the [Lucas Oil Stadium] is on course. Getting really excited about all the events and obviously the first preseason game [Aug. 24 against the Buffalo Bills] and the regular-season game [Sept. 7 against Chicago] eventually,” Irsay told a small group of reporters afterward.

“So getting that ready, getting our guys healed up and just really excited. Everything looks to be on schedule, though, for the stadium being ready and getting our guys healthy and ready for the Bears game.”

Getting all of the Colts’ key players back on the field — such as quarterback Peyton Manning, wide receiver Marvin Harrison, defensive end Dwight Freeney and safety Bob Sanders — is, of course, the first priority.

“Well, obviously, you don’t prefer [to have so many high-profile players sidelined]. You’d rather have situations where that they’re healthy and ready and early in training camp ready to go. But I think there’s no doubt that the good news is that everyone should be 100 percent and there’s no reason to think that there would be any setbacks,” Irsay said.

“The doctors tell me that none of the injuries are injuries that would make them prone to have the same injury or anything like that. The guys are veteran players. They should be ready go. But I do know our fast starts have been something that’s really made us in the regular season, setting ourselves up for the playoffs. We want to get off to a fast start again because of the division and the conference, it’s tough playing catch-up.”

        

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