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INDIANAPOLISWe are less than one week away from Training Camp starting for the Indianapolis Colts.

 

A second year of camp at Grand Park will have the Colts on the practice field starting July 25, with 16 open sessions to the public up in Westfield, Indiana.

 

So it’s time to pick back up our ‘burning questions’ series on 1070TheFan.com

 

Here are our burning questions for the special teams group heading into the 2019 Training Camp:

1. Will the Colts return game improve in 2019?

 

It’s atop the priority list for special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone going into 2019.

 

He wants the Colts to be better in the return game.

 

The Colts ranked 13th in punt return average and 29th in kick return average last year.

 

On the flip of that, the Colts ranked No. 1 in punt coverage and No. 9th in kick coverage.

 

In Ventrone’s first season as a special teams coordinator, his units did a great job keeping opponents from playing with short fields.

 

But they didn’t do a good enough job at creating shorter fields for Andrew Luck and the offense.

 

From a personnel standpoint, the Colts do bring back their two returners: Punt-Chester Rogers, Kick-Zach Pascal. Will rookie Parris Campbell supplant either in those return duties?

 

The last time the Colts had a kick return for a touchdown? Jordan Todman in 2016. The last time for a punt return touchdown? T.Y. Hilton in 2012.

2. What is left for Adam Vinatieri?

 

The GOAT is back for a 24th NFL season.

 

A mid-season injury in 2018 did impact the kicking success for Vinatieri last year.

 

Vinny finished last year just 18th in field goal percentage (85.2{5dd8c7b63a028b9b3d9631c150841b4edbdaa573473167044a48eb9cc9fbf1fb}), and the sting of a couple misses in the playoff loss to Kansas City definitely hurt.

 

If healthy, Vinny should be back around the 90 percent mark for field goals, especially with the Colts not looking to be in too many inclement weather road games next year.

 

Individually, the records are all there for Vinatieri, after he re-took the top spot in career field goals made and the most points scored last season.

 

The drive for a 5th Super Bowl, one that has eluded Vinatieri for more than a decade remains though.

 

3. Will Rigoberto Sanchez earn some Pro Bowl consideration?

 

With a new juicy contract signed, Rigoberto Sanchez enters his third season with the Colts.

 

Sanchez, 24, has the arrow pointing up on the trajectory of his very young NFL career.

 

Last year, Sanchez played a pivotal role in key late-season wins. He should have merited more Pro Bowl chatter.

 

Another year in the league, with name recognition growing, plus a strong season individual/team wise, should put Sanchez into the conversation for his first Pro Bowl nod.

 

Often with specialists, it takes more than just individual stats.

 

In 2018, Sanchez finished 3rd in the NFL in net punting average and 5th in kickoff touchbacks.

 

ICYMI:
Quarterback Burning Questions
Running Back Burning Questions
Wide Receiver Burning Questions
Tight End Burning Questions
Offensive Line Burning Questions
Defensive Line Burning Questions
Linebacker Burning Questions
Defensive Back Burning Questions

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