Indianapolis Colts’ free agent signee, cornerback Charvarius Ward, impressed during the team’s first training camp practice.
“Very impressed,” Shane Steichen said of Ward, via Locked on Colts. “Great signing by Chris (Ballard) to get him on this football team. You saw how sticky he was and the plays he made. I don’t know how many he made today, but he made a ton. Great to have him out there.”
According to the Indy Star’s Joel Erickson, two of the plays that Ward made in practice were pass breakups against Alec Pierce on a deep route and then against Michael Pittman.
This offseason, the Colts signed Ward to a three-year, $54 million free agent deal. He joins the Colts one year removed from an All-Pro season in 2023. That year, Ward had five interceptions, 17 pass breakups, and allowed a completion rate of just 54%, per PFF.
Beyond the production, Ward brings winning experience to the Colts defense–something this team doesn’t have a lot of–having played in two Super Bowls, winning one of them. He’s also a great fit for Lou Anarumo’s defensive system, with his ability to play on an island and match up with a variety of wide receiver skill sets.
“It’s go time,” Ward said via Locked on Colts after practice. “It’s training camp time. It isn’t time to be eased into anything right now. I’m getting ready for the season. We’re getting ready for a long run, hopefully to make the playoffs. We all in, 10 toes deep right now.”
Ward, along with Cam Bynum and Anarumo calling the plays, will play a key role in turning this Colts’ secondary around this season. A year ago, the Colts ranked in the bottom third of the NFL in passer rating, completion rate, pass deflections, and yards per pass attempt allowed.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts’ free agent signee stands out on Day 1 of training camp
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
