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Last updated: July 24, 2008 11:43 a.m.

CAMP TALES

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Associated Press

Anthony Gonzalez

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The Journal Gazette

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The Journal Gazette

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Associated Press

Dominic Rhodes

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Associated Press

Peyton Manning

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Associated Press

Jake Scott

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Associated Press

Mike Pollak

Camp facts
When: Friday through Aug. 15

Where: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute

Cost: All practices open to public and free of charge; school charges for parking

Directions from Fort Wayne: I-69 south to I-465 south, then I-70 west to Indiana 46 exit toward Riley/Terre Haute; go north on Indiana 46 to U.S. 40 and turn right; Rose-Hulman will be on the left

Notes: Practice times vary but are in the morning and afternoon or evening. … www.colts.com will have detailed times and information on interactive events. … There will be no practices Sunday, Aug. 3, Aug. 4, Aug. 9 or Aug. 10.

When the Indianapolis Colts arrive today in Terre Haute for the opening of training camp, not many introductions will be made.

They won't be necessary.

As is their custom, the Colts did little tinkering in the offseason. They opted instead to keep one of the NFL's strongest teams intact, even if defense of a Super Bowl championship came up short with a loss to San Diego in the division round of the playoffs and a 13-4 record.

But this doesn't mean there won't drama when the Colts show up at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

Here's some things to look for heading into camp:

Are the Colts too beat up already?

Try as they might to downplay the significance, quarterback Peyton Manning is recovering from knee surgery. The best-case scenario is that he is back in time to play the last of five preseason games.

But this was surgery, to the team's best player, and it would be foolhardy to assume it's not a big deal. If this turns into anything but best-case, the Colts will be looking to backup Jim Sorgi.

Safety Bob Sanders, the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year, is recovering from a shoulder injury. Defensive end Dwight Freeney (foot) and wide receiver Marvin Harrison (knee) missed much of last season with injuries, too.

The Colts insist all will be fine by the regular season. Don't believe it until you see it.

Did the Colts sign an impact free agent?

That depends on your definition.

The biggest signing was running back Dominic Rhodes, who split time with Joseph Addai en route to the Super Bowl title in 2007. After a season in which he was seldom used with Oakland, he has returned and will likely usurp Kenton Keith at the No. 2 spot. Unless Addai is injured, though, Rhodes' effect will be about 400 yards and three touchdowns.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Will the draft picks make an impact?

Mike Pollak, the Colts' first pick - in the second round - from Arizona State, agreed to a deal Wednesday.

Pollak could land the starting job at right guard. The Colts have a history of starting youngsters on the line and his competition, Charlie Johnson, has been spotty in the past.

Also on Wednesday the Colts reached agreements with fourth-round pick Jacob Tamme, a tight end from Kentucky; fifth-round pick Marcus Howard, a defensive end out of Georgia; and two sixth-round picks - Mike Hart, a running back from Michigan, and Steve Justice, an offensive lineman from Wake Forest.

Receiver Pierre Garcon, a sixth-rounder from Division III Mount Union, agreed to his deal Tuesday.

The Colts are still trying to lock up deals with linebacker Philip Wheeler, a third-rounder, and offensive lineman Jamey Richard, a seventh-rounder.

Were there significant losses this offseason?

The biggest was guard Jake Scott, who signed with the rival Tennessee Titans after three years as a starter with the Colts. He was reliable.

Tight end is a position of note, too, even though Dallas Clark is back. Ben Utecht is now in Cincinnati and Bryan Fletcher is gone. While both were streaky at best, they did make contributions. Now six players are battling to take their places; fourth-round pick Jacob Tamme looks the best bet.

Also, Rob Morris, the longtime linebacker, was cut loose after failing a physical.

Which player has the most pressure on him?

After a good rookie season, with 37 catches for 576 yards and three touchdowns, it's wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez. With or without wide receiver Marvin Harrison back to form, the Colts will want to put the ball into Gonzalez's hands more, and it's essential he perform well to take the pressure off the run game and receiver Reggie Wayne.

He seemed to click with Manning, though, so there's no reason to think Gonzalez won't be OK.

Justin A. Cohn is a writer for The Journal Gazette and has been covering sports in Fort Wayne since 1997. He can be reached by e-mail jcohn@jg.net; phone, 461-8429; or fax 461-8648; or to discuss this column or others he has written recently, go to the “Sports” topic of “The Board” at www.journalgazette.net.