The Sports Xchange

INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano likes what he sees on the field during early OTA sessions.

After the way the Colts’ 2014 postseason run ended — a 45-7 AFC Championship Game loss to eventual Super Bowl champion New England — Pagano expected the veterans to be ready to hit the field again and get started.

But it has been Indianapolis rookies and offseason veteran acquisitions that caught Pagano’s eye.

“We’re further ahead at this point than we’ve been in any offseason since I’ve been here,” Pagano said after Wednesday’s OTA session.

Many NFL observers are picking the Colts to be among the AFC’s elite teams heading into the 2015 season. Pagano, though, isn’t listening.

“Really? I haven’t heard that,” he said. “Put no basis on strength of schedule. Every team is different from 2014 to 2015. And that includes us as well.”

Still, several first-year players — most notably wide receiver Phillip Dorsett, safety Clayton Geathers and running back Josh Robinson — grabbed the attention of Indianapolis coaches.

Dorsett might have been a surprise choice by the Colts in the first round, but his physical skills and approach to practice continue to impress.

“He’s got rare, rare speed,” Pagano said of Dorsett, whose 40-yard time of 4.33 seconds was third best this year at the Scouting Combine. “He doesn’t even look like he’s running until he’s five yards behind you (and he) can play multiple spots.”

Dorsett signed his first contract with the team after Wednesday’s practice. Cornerback D’Joun Smith (third round) and defensive end Henry Anderson (third round) are the only two unsigned Colts rookies.

Geathers, Indianapolis’ fourth-round selection, is vying for a spot in the team’s safety rotation.

“He’s exceeded expectations,” Pagano said, adding that the team has plans for Geathers to take part in several defensive sub-packages during the 2015 season. “We like his physicality and his FBI (football intelligence).”

Does that mean Geathers is in line for a heavy dose of playing time as a rookie?

“I don’t think there’s any doubt about it,” Pagano said, adding that the safety will get looks on defense and with the special teams unit.

One of last year’s undrafted players, second-year tight end Eric Swoope, has also gotten plenty of attention during OTAs.

Swoope is a former college basketball player at Miami, who had a very limited background in football when he was signed by Indianapolis. Swoope spent the 2014 season on the Colts’ practice squad.

“He’s becoming a football player right before our eyes,” Pagano said. “With his size — 6 foot 5, 246 — he has a wide catch radius. He needs to keep competing to make himself necessary.”