REPORTING FROM ...
COLTS TRAINING CAMP

Christopher Hall/Indianapolis Colts

The Colts might have been missing their on-field leader, but the boss was still standing guard over training camp.

They must be out of #18 jerseys across Indiana. Especially the pint-sized ones, given the scores of kids that showed up wearing the jersey for the Colts 8:30 AM practice in Terre Haute today at the scenic campus of the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. An autograph line formed on the field adjacent to the practice field before practice even began. The fans knew they'd have zero view of the actual practice; they were just waiting for its conclusion to grapple for autographs. Clearly, these were loyal fans, and not just in their jersey-wearing.

But #18 was nowhere to be found. Still dealing with repercussions after surgery to remove an infected bursa sac from his knee, head coach Tony Dungy likened Peyton Manning's whereabouts to a "Where's Waldo" game.

"Peyton's doing fine and following doctors orders," Dungy said. When asked if the star QB was in Indianapolis or Terre Haute, Dungy only smiled and replied, "We don't want lots of people trying to see him, but he's progressing well. I will say that he's here in town."

Back-up QBs Jim Sorgi (who behind Peyton has never started a game) and Jared Lorenzen (a former back-up to brother Eli) looked comfortable in the pocket, running mostly pass plays. Popular WR's Anthony Gonzalez ("Gonzo"), Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison continued to work on the Colts' dominant three-receiver set plays while Dungy called the campaign for the remaining WR roster spots would be a "hectic battle."

"Everyone's going to have to do something a little different," Dungy said.

Veteran DT Raheem Brock— injured for part of last year but healthy again but undergoing a possible position change—told reporters he was "tired" after practice. Repercussions from the injury? All the hard work? "Well," he said smiling, "mostly from the heat." Indeed, the sweltering temps weren't pleasant, but they didn't hold back all the die-hard fans. Now if only they could find the real #18.

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