SPORTS

Camp observations: Rookie adds versatility to defense

Stephen Holder
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton begins to run his route at other wide receivers watch during their first day at training camp Sunday, August 2, 2015, afternoon at Anderson University in Anderson IN.

ANDERSON -- Here are our observations from Colts training camp on Sunday:

• Luck to Hilton

The play of the day was, perhaps, also the day's longest.

In a full-team drill, with the Colts' starting defense opposing the starting offense, receiver T.Y. Hilton got off the line of scrimmage clean and gained a half-step on cornerback Greg Toler. That was all the room Hilton needed to streak down the sideline, where he ultimately hauled in a sharply-thrown strike from Andrew Luck for what would have been an 80-yard touchdown.

Hilton had himself a heck of a day, making his trademark, effortless sideline catches and having success on a variety of routes – deep ones, curls and deep outs.

Seeing how he is in the midst of some tricky contract negotiations, Hilton picked a good time to reinforce his value and body of work.

• Geathers with the LBs

Rookie safety Clayton Geathers, a fourth-round pick from Central Florida, spent the individual portion of practice with the linebackers. It was yet another indication that the Colts have plans for Geathers as a hybrid safety-linebacker in sub-packages, allowing him to utilize his physical style of play inside the tackle box.

Geathers is generally regarded as a box safety, but he could be a unique option depending on an opponent's personnel. Having him on the field could permit the Colts to have a player near the line of scrimmage who is capable of supporting the run but also one who can peel off and cover a tight end who releases and heads down the field.

Inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson can be a liability in the passing game, his strength being stopping ball carriers at the point of attack. A player like Geathers could mitigate that weakness.

• OL taking shape

If the season started today – and it most certainly does not – the Colts would probably have a starting offensive line of Anthony Castonzo (left tackle), Lance Louis (left guard), Khaled Holmes (center), Todd Herremans (right guard) and Jack Mewhort (right tackle).

That was the lineup that worked with the first-team offense during Sunday's practice, though you should expect some potential shuffling – specifically at left guard.

It remains unclear whether the Colts think Hugh Thornton has what it takes to contend for a starting job there. But as a former fourth-round pick and 12-game starter in 2013, Thornton should presumably be making more of an impact.

Time will tell whether he begins to do so.