2 months ago
INDIANAPOLIS — Spencer Shrader put the final flourish on a remarkable comeback Saturday.
A reversal of fortune that was almost impossible to see coming before the start of the preseason.
But Shrader has looked a lot more like himself for three weeks now, and when the Colts' third-string offense faltered at midfield in the second half of Saturday's 25-16 preseason loss to the Lions, it almost felt inevitable when Shrader lined up for a 60-yard field goal in the third quarter.
He looked like he knew exactly what he needed to get ready. When an injury forced the on-field action to pause, Shrader trotted back over to the team's kicking net on the sideline and took one more practice swing with his right leg.
"I kind of read the situation, felt like I had enough time to go over and get a practice kick in, kind of reset mentally and then go out there and do my routine," Shrader said.
#looked #field
A reversal of fortune that was almost impossible to see coming before the start of the preseason.
But Shrader has looked a lot more like himself for three weeks now, and when the Colts' third-string offense faltered at midfield in the second half of Saturday's 25-16 preseason loss to the Lions, it almost felt inevitable when Shrader lined up for a 60-yard field goal in the third quarter.
He looked like he knew exactly what he needed to get ready. When an injury forced the on-field action to pause, Shrader trotted back over to the team's kicking net on the sideline and took one more practice swing with his right leg.
"I kind of read the situation, felt like I had enough time to go over and get a practice kick in, kind of reset mentally and then go out there and do my routine," Shrader said.
#looked #field
2 months ago
INDIANAPOLIS — Spencer Shrader put the final flourish on a remarkable comeback Saturday.
A reversal of fortune that was almost impossible to see coming before the start of the preseason.
But Shrader has looked a lot more like himself for three weeks now, and when the Colts' third-string offense faltered at midfield in the second half of Saturday's 25-16 preseason loss to the Lions, it almost felt inevitable when Shrader lined up for a 60-yard field goal in the third quarter.
He looked like he knew exactly what he needed to get ready. When an injury forced the on-field action to pause, Shrader trotted back over to the team's kicking net on the sideline and took one more practice swing with his right leg.
"I kind of read the situation, felt like I had enough time to go over and get a practice kick in, kind of reset mentally and then go out there and do my routine," Shrader said.
#like #preseason #Third #felt
A reversal of fortune that was almost impossible to see coming before the start of the preseason.
But Shrader has looked a lot more like himself for three weeks now, and when the Colts' third-string offense faltered at midfield in the second half of Saturday's 25-16 preseason loss to the Lions, it almost felt inevitable when Shrader lined up for a 60-yard field goal in the third quarter.
He looked like he knew exactly what he needed to get ready. When an injury forced the on-field action to pause, Shrader trotted back over to the team's kicking net on the sideline and took one more practice swing with his right leg.
"I kind of read the situation, felt like I had enough time to go over and get a practice kick in, kind of reset mentally and then go out there and do my routine," Shrader said.
#like #preseason #Third #felt
2 months ago
The Indianapolis Colts' kicking competition is coming down to the wire.
For much of training camp, it seemed like Blake Grupe had the advantage. In the practice setting, he was making kicks at a much higher rate than Spencer Shrader.
However, over the last two weeks, with the preseason games taking place, Shrader has "really closed the gap," special teams coordinator Brian Mason said on Monday, via The Athletic's James Boyd.
#colts STC Brian Mason says Blake Grupe is at 86% on FGs this offseason and Spencer Shrader is at 81%. No decision yet on who will be Indy's kicker this season.
"Shrader really closed the gap, I think, these last two weeks."
Adds that "in game kicks carry the most weight."
Shrader is currently 4-for-4 on field goal attempts entering the final preseason game, which includes hitting two kicks from over 50 yards.
#much
For much of training camp, it seemed like Blake Grupe had the advantage. In the practice setting, he was making kicks at a much higher rate than Spencer Shrader.
However, over the last two weeks, with the preseason games taking place, Shrader has "really closed the gap," special teams coordinator Brian Mason said on Monday, via The Athletic's James Boyd.
#colts STC Brian Mason says Blake Grupe is at 86% on FGs this offseason and Spencer Shrader is at 81%. No decision yet on who will be Indy's kicker this season.
"Shrader really closed the gap, I think, these last two weeks."
Adds that "in game kicks carry the most weight."
Shrader is currently 4-for-4 on field goal attempts entering the final preseason game, which includes hitting two kicks from over 50 yards.
#much
2 months ago
To end Thursday's joint practice, the Indianapolis Colts' first and second team offenses took part in a two-minute drill against the Atlanta Falcons' defenses.
Of course, Daniel Jones led the Colts starters, and taking the second-team snaps was Anthony Richardson, after Riley Leonard took the bulk of the snaps on Wednesday.
According to Jake Arthur of Roundtable Sports, there was 1:05 on the clock with the Colts starting at their own 25-yard line down by a point.
Richardson would complete 4-of-5 passes on that drive, per Arthur. Richardson also prevented a negative play by corraling a wild snap from Dalton Tucker and throwing the ball away.
With three seconds left after moving the ball down the field, Richardson spiked the ball to stop the clock, and Spencer Shrader knocked through a 52-yarder for the win.
#colts #team #clock
Of course, Daniel Jones led the Colts starters, and taking the second-team snaps was Anthony Richardson, after Riley Leonard took the bulk of the snaps on Wednesday.
According to Jake Arthur of Roundtable Sports, there was 1:05 on the clock with the Colts starting at their own 25-yard line down by a point.
Richardson would complete 4-of-5 passes on that drive, per Arthur. Richardson also prevented a negative play by corraling a wild snap from Dalton Tucker and throwing the ball away.
With three seconds left after moving the ball down the field, Richardson spiked the ball to stop the clock, and Spencer Shrader knocked through a 52-yarder for the win.
#colts #team #clock
2 months ago
One of the Indianapolis Colts' most important positional battles has taken a major turn over the last two practices.
Blake Grupe and Spencer Shrader are competing for the kicking job, and Grupe not only has the early advantage, but the gap has widened.
During Tuesday's practice, Shrader made just four of his six field goal attempts, with his misses coming from 45 and 57 yards, according to Jake Arthur of Roundtable Sports.
This performance comes on the heels of Grupe going 6-for-6 on his attempts in Monday's practice.
Grupe is now 12-for-12 on attempts in training camp, while Shrader is 9-for-12. Even going back to the spring, Grupe had the better outing during offseason programs.
#shrader #practice #indianapolis #blake
Blake Grupe and Spencer Shrader are competing for the kicking job, and Grupe not only has the early advantage, but the gap has widened.
During Tuesday's practice, Shrader made just four of his six field goal attempts, with his misses coming from 45 and 57 yards, according to Jake Arthur of Roundtable Sports.
This performance comes on the heels of Grupe going 6-for-6 on his attempts in Monday's practice.
Grupe is now 12-for-12 on attempts in training camp, while Shrader is 9-for-12. Even going back to the spring, Grupe had the better outing during offseason programs.
#shrader #practice #indianapolis #blake
3 months ago
Training camp for the Indianapolis Colts kicks off in about a month, so as part of our preview of what's to come, we will be evaluating each positional battle that is expected to unfold.
What took place during offseason programs laid the foundation for each of these competitions and provided us with some insights into where things may stand. That said, how training camp and the preseason unfold will ultimately determine who wins these roles.
Rounding out our camp competition preview is the kicker position.
Competing for the Colts' kicking job are Blake Grupe and Spencer Shrader.
Shrader missed most of last season after sustaining an ACL injury. Before that point, he was 14-for-14 on extra points and 13-of-14 on field goals, which includes hitting a game-winner against Denver.
What took place during offseason programs laid the foundation for each of these competitions and provided us with some insights into where things may stand. That said, how training camp and the preseason unfold will ultimately determine who wins these roles.
Rounding out our camp competition preview is the kicker position.
Competing for the Colts' kicking job are Blake Grupe and Spencer Shrader.
Shrader missed most of last season after sustaining an ACL injury. Before that point, he was 14-for-14 on extra points and 13-of-14 on field goals, which includes hitting a game-winner against Denver.
4 months ago
Fox Sports has **** embled a motley crew for its coverage of the North American-hosted 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup this summer, with a top panel consisting of Alexi Lalas, Thierry Henry, and Zlatan Ibrahimović, and anchored by Rebecca Lowe.
Despite what has appeared to be clear disdain from Henry and Ibrahimović toward Lalas, Lowe has insisted that there is "a lot of respect" between the panelists. However, those insistences have done little to curb others from declaring open season on Lalas and his hot takes and half-baked **** ysis; from The Athletic's Andrew Marchand penning a column wishing Lalas hadnever learned English to The Guardian's Aaron Timms claiming that Lalas specialized in "trollish, hyperventilating garbage."
Now, one of Lalas's most heralded teammates on the USMNT, Eric Wynalda, has thrown his hat in the ring.
"I think it's been unwatchable at times," Wynalda told John Shrader during an appearance on The Soccer Media Podcast. "Yeah, I think, I mean, I think a lot of people feel that way. I mean, Alexi is, kind of true to the Fox brand, has been told: this is what we need you to do, start a fight, say some things, insult some people, say something outlandish that no one will believe, and we'll see how many people will click into that. I think the American public has grown up now. I think our community, our soccer community is way too knowledgeable to fall for that anymore."
Eric Wynalda has covered the Bundesliga, the UEFA Champions League, and the FA Cup for Fox, so if anyone has an inside track on what the network wants from its soccer **** ysts, it'd be him.
Despite what has appeared to be clear disdain from Henry and Ibrahimović toward Lalas, Lowe has insisted that there is "a lot of respect" between the panelists. However, those insistences have done little to curb others from declaring open season on Lalas and his hot takes and half-baked **** ysis; from The Athletic's Andrew Marchand penning a column wishing Lalas hadnever learned English to The Guardian's Aaron Timms claiming that Lalas specialized in "trollish, hyperventilating garbage."
Now, one of Lalas's most heralded teammates on the USMNT, Eric Wynalda, has thrown his hat in the ring.
"I think it's been unwatchable at times," Wynalda told John Shrader during an appearance on The Soccer Media Podcast. "Yeah, I think, I mean, I think a lot of people feel that way. I mean, Alexi is, kind of true to the Fox brand, has been told: this is what we need you to do, start a fight, say some things, insult some people, say something outlandish that no one will believe, and we'll see how many people will click into that. I think the American public has grown up now. I think our community, our soccer community is way too knowledgeable to fall for that anymore."
Eric Wynalda has covered the Bundesliga, the UEFA Champions League, and the FA Cup for Fox, so if anyone has an inside track on what the network wants from its soccer **** ysts, it'd be him.
