Mandatory minicamp will take place for the Indianapolis Colts from June 9-11. This is often the last big milestone in the NFL offseason calendar before training camp arrives in late July.
Through the first two weeks of OTA practices, we’ve gained some valuable insights into where things stand on the depth chart, along with who may be standing out early on, but questions at each position group remain, and that’s normal at this time of the year. It won’t be until training camp and the preseason take place that playing time and final roster decisions are made.
So as part of our Colts’ minicamp preview, let’s highlight the one big question facing each position group. We close out our preview with the specialists.
Who will be the Colts’ kicker this season?
An under-the-radar position battle taking place this summer for the Colts is at kicker between Spencer Shrader and Blake Grupe.
Shrader was the Colts’ kicker to begin last season, but suffered a knee injury in the early going. After Michael Badgley struggled filling in for Shrader, the Colts then signed Blake Grupe during the second half of the season. He was then re-signed as a free agent this offseason.
From Week 14 through the end of the season, Grupe was a perfect 10-for-10 on field goal attempts and 11-for-11 on extra points, according to PFF.
Shrader, meanwhile, was 14-for-14 on extra points and 13-of-14 on field goals prior to his injury. This included making a game-winner against Denver.
In terms of experience, Grupe has the edge, with 105 career field goal attempts, compared to Shrader’s 19 career attempts.
“One of them will certainly win the competition and be starting for the Colts, and one of them will be fortunate enough to start for someone else,” said special teams coordinator Brian Mason earlier this offseason. “But I think they’re both gonna be starting kickers this year in the NFL.”
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Big question facing Colts special teams unit heading into minicamp
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Paul Bretl, Colts Wire | USA TODAY Network
