Magicgames II » INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Darius Leonard and Quenton Nelson

made a quick impression on their veteran teammates.The first time the Indianapolis Colts wore pads at training camp https://www.coltsfanshop.com/Braden-Smith-Jersey , longtime left tackle Anthony Castonzo watched Nelson, the new left guard, stop defensive linemen cold on successive plays. Andrew Luck got a glimpse of Leonard's skills when the new linebacker leapt in the air, twisted his body and picked off his pass.The veterans knew instantly this rookie class would be different. On Friday, Leonard and Nelson were rewarded for their remarkable debut seasons by becoming the second set of rookie teammates to be voted to The Associated Press All-Pro team. Gale Sayers and Dick Butkus were the other players to achieve first-team status in 1965, and both went on to have Hall of Fame careers with the Bears."In both cases they bring a lot of juice into the meeting room, into the weight room. They have infectious leadership qualities," first-year coach Frank Reich said. "Their love for the game, their love to compete at the highest level I just think is very infectious and you love their confidence to be able to just let that loose."It happened quicker than expected.While analysts generally regarded Nelson as a star down the road when the Colts took him No. 6 overall in April's draft, the 6-foot-5, 330-pound guard was immediately penciled into the starting lineup and started showing flashes of what he could do. When the pads went on, Nelson turned up the intensity and became a smash hit.His nasty attitude set the tone for the Colts' offensive line, and he teamed with Castonzo and center Ryan Kelly Jabaal Sheard Jersey , Indy's first-round picks in 2011 and 2016, to change the team's reputation. As a result, Indianapolis (10-6) allowed a league-low 18 sacks this season after giving up a league-high 56 in 2017. Marlon Mack rushed for 100 yards four times — the most by a Colts running back in 11 years — and the Colts reached the playoffs for the first time since 2014.Now the honors are piling up, too.Nelson became the first Colts offensive linemen chosen to the Pro Bowl since Jeff Saturday in 2010, Indy's first rookie Pro Bowler since Marshall Faulk in 1994, and the first guard to make it since Ron Solt in 1987. Now, he's the first Colts' All-Pro linemen since Saturday in 2007.Castonzo knew it was possible right from the start."The first morning (of practice) at camp, he went in and absolutely stoned somebody just locked him down. I don't even know who it was," Castonzo told the AP. "Then he did it again on the next play and you knew it wasn't a fluke."Leonard faced a more daunting challenge after starring at South Carolina State, an FCS school.General manager Chris Ballard became a fan after watching Leonard make 19 tackles against eventual national champion Clemson in 2016. He didn't wait long to take Leonard, selecting him with the first of four second-round picks, No. 36 overall.Leonard's transition was delayed, too. He worked out at the combine despite a quadriceps injury Pierre Desir Color Rush Jersey , and was held out of offseason workouts when he tweaked the muscle. Naturally, Leonard felt like he was behind when he arrived at training camp. But he turned heads at camp with his interception — and never stopped.He wound up setting a franchise-record with a league-leading 163 tackles and had seven sacks, six forced fumbles and two interceptions despite missing one game with a knee injury. He's the first Indianapolis linebacker to be voted All-Pro since Robert Mathis won the league's sacks title in 2013.How'd he make the transition so smoothly?"You feel behind, but you know that's when I got with coach (Matt) Eberflus and coach (Dave) Borgonzi every morning," Leonard said. "We were doing everything, just spent more time going over everything in the morning (before practice)."It worked.Ballard issued a statement in which he took no credit for hitting the jackpot with his first two draft picks, though he certainly understands the magnitude of the feat after spending his first 12 NFL seasons in the Bears' scouting department."We are thrilled for Quenton and Darius and they are both deserving of All-Pro recognition," he said. "Both will also be the first to credit their teammates for the honor. That's a testament to the unique culture that has been developed in our building." Andrew Luck Sits Out First OTA Practice With Calf StrainIndianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck on Tuesday sat out the team’s first OTA practice with a strained calf; head coach Frank Reich..." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteStampede Bluean Indianapolis Colts communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsColtsShopAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Colts StoriesScheduleRosterStatsYahoo Colts NewsYahoo Colts Team PageYahoo Colts ReportYahoo Colts Depth ChartYahoo Colts TransactionsYahoo Colts PhotosShop About Masthead Community Guidelines StubHub ✕Filed under:Stampede Blue Colts LinksColts News: Andrew Luck to sit out the first week of OTAs with a calf strainNew,6commentsEDTShareTweetShareShareColts News: Andrew Luck to sit out the first week of OTAs with a calf strainPhoto by Michael Hickey/Getty ImagesAndrew Luck Sits Out First OTA Practice With Calf StrainIndianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck on Tuesday sat out the team’s first OTA practice with a strained calf; head coach Frank Reich anticipates re-evaluating Luck’s status next week.Colts Day One OTA Notebook: Cal Strain Sidelines Andrew Luck | 1070 the FanThe Colts held their first OTA session of the 2019 spring on Tuesday. Here are the highlights from the first OTA of the season.Colts OTAs: Newcomers shine, receiver battle heats up, Gerald McCoy under consideration? – The AthleticJustin Houston looked impressive, and the battle at wide receiver is already heating up during OTAs.Colts OTAs: Frank Reich on Andrew Luck's injury, Chad Kelly and Justin HoustonAndrew Luck sat out Tuesday's practice with a minor calf strain according to coach Frank ReichTop Takeaways: Frank Reich On OTAs https://www.coltsfanshop.com/Kemoko-Turay-Jersey , Day 1Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich on Tuesday spoke to reporters after the team’s first OTA practice of the offseason. What were the top takeaways from Reich’s session?2019 Colts Practice Notes: OTAs, Day 1Colts.com’s Andrew Walker breaks down the action at the Indianapolis Colts first day of 2019 OTA practices at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.Colts Feel Good About Current Defensive Tackle Depth | 1070 the FanChris Ballard offers his thoughts on how the Colts currently look at the defensive tackle position.Frank Reich needs new motivational material in year 2 with Colts | CBS 4 - Indianapolis News, Weather, Traffic and Sports | WTTVINDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Motivation is where you find it, and Frank Reich found his in the complete lack of respect shown for the team he had inherited.Peyton Manning reportedly isn’t interested in Jets job – ProFootballTalkThe Jets may want Peyton Manning to run the football operations, but they apparently aren't going to get him. Ralph Vacchiano of SNY reports, citing an unnamed source close to Manning, that the Jets G.M. job is "not a job he seems to want.Where does Gerald McCoy go? Our writers offer eight landing spots – The AthleticMcCoy's $13 million salary was too expensive for the Bucs, but he should attract teams looking to upgrade their interior pass rush.COLTS MEDIA