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Anthony Castonzo Confirms Contract Talks Ongoing With Colts

Intro: The Colts wrapped up their second walk-through of the 2015 training camp on Monday morning and next up was media availability. What did Anthony Castonzo and Chuck Pagano have to say to the media on Monday?

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ANDERSON – As with most mornings at Training Camp, the highlights come from the media sessions with Colts coaches and selected players.

The on-the-field work will come this afternoon but around lunchtime each day, Colts.com will take a look at three interesting quotes from that morning's media sessions.

In today's media scrums, the "bigs" met with the media. Anthony Castonzo touched on his future contract, Josh Chapman talked about his importance in 2015 and Chuck Pagano broke down the battle at left guard.

Anthony Castonzo on a new contract getting done before the start of 2015:

"That would be fantastic."

Bowen's Analysis:* *As Jim Irsay said last week, the Colts and Castonzo are in talks for a new contract for the team's 2011 first-round pick. Castonzo has been the one constant up front for the last four seasons, missing less than a handful of snaps since 2012.

Castonzo talked on Monday about how this Colts offense is clearly an ideal fit for a future left tackle. The respect from the NFL might not be flowing to Castonzo just yet, but the Colts realize his value. Castonzo is just one of three Colts players that was drafted by the previous regime (Robert Mathis-2003, Pat McAfee-2009).

Josh Chapman on his job occupying the nose tackle position:

"It always starts right up there in the middle, so I take it upon myself to go out there and dominate the game, be a wrecking ball in the middle, be hell in the middle."

Bowen's Analysis: The southern drawl of Chapman was in full swing on Monday morning. Chapman was a fifth-round pick of the Colts back in 2012, with the thought that once he recovered from post college ACL surgery, his "335"-pound frame would occupy the middle of the new 3-4 scheme.

Chapman was the Colts starter last year, but admits his play must be more consistent (something Chuck Pagano said on Monday, too) for this unit as a whole to find such consistency in stopping the run. On Monday, Chapman made it clear that his presence needs to help the Colts front establish a new line of scrimmage, forcing teams to block the nose tackle with more than one lineman. Chapman said his glory comes from being on the bottom of the pile, hearing the crowd go wild, following a stop in the backfield, thanks to his body freeing up the linebackers behind him.

Chuck Pagano on what he wants to see out of Hugh Thornton at left guard:

"If you are going to draw up an offensive guard in the National Football League, Hugh is how they are going to look.

"He has all the tools we are looking for to be successful at that position. Now it's just about applying everything and be consistent."

Bowen's Analysis: On Sunday, Lance Louis received the first-team reps at left guard, while Thornton worked with the second unit. Thornton, the Colts third-round pick in 2013, has battled injuries early in his NFL career. The Colts clearly see potential in Thornton, but this is an important camp for him, in probably the most competitive individual position battle in Anderson.

Pagano also mentioned that Jonotthan Harrison will receive some first-team reps at center going forward. Khaled Holmes was the team's starting center throughout Sunday's opening practice, continuing where the team left their offensive line during mini-camp.

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