Ballard bullish on Westfield as training camp host
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indianapolis Colts are entering the final days of training camp at Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield after completing their first preseason game on Saturday against the Buffalo Bills.
Westfield has hosted the Colts’ training camp since 2018, and General Manager Chris Ballard says the setup creates benefits both for the city and the team.
“It’d be hard to believe that there’s one better than Grand Park from a facility standpoint, from a field standpoint, from a location standpoint, especially being so close to Indianapolis,” he said.
Ballard talked about this year’s training camp and looked ahead to the upcoming season in an interview on Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick, conducted prior to Saturday’s game.
“We think it’s important that our fans get a close up look; not all the fans that come out here can afford to actually go to a game on Sunday,” said Ballard. “So I think it’s a great opportunity for our fans to connect with our players, see them up close and live, make a connection that’s going to last a lifetime.”
Ballard said it’s been exciting preparing for the new season with a new head coach, Shane Steichen, who was hired in February after serving as offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles.
A major focus of this year’s training camp has been quarterback Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s draft, who started Saturday’s game against the Bills, who defeated the Colts 23-19 in Buffalo.
Richardson completed seven of 12 passes for 67 yards and one interception. Ballard said ahead of the game that Richardson’s development has been fund to watch.
“We got to play who gives us the best chance to win,” he said. “We’ll figure that as we go along here through camp, but so far, so good on his development. Until you really see the live bullets flying into preseason, that’s when you get a better feel. And then, [it] even ramps up even higher when you get in the regular season.”
When asked what the most challenging thing is about being the general manager of an NFL team, Ballard said there is a new problem every day.
“I enjoy solving problems, and I will tell you that’s the most difficult part of it is the daily problems that pop up,” he said. “But it’s also I would tell you that one of the parts that I really love about the job is that it’s never stale. There’s always something new, and each day’s set of problems is an opportunity to really grow and, you know, work through them.”
The Colts continue training camp on Tuesday, followed by a pair of joint practices with the Chicago Bears on Wednesday and Thursday ahead of their preseason game on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
You can learn more about Colts Camp by clicking here.