ANDERSON, Ind. — There was no bonfire. Nobody told “scary” stories by flashlight. And no one’s underwear was flown up the flag pole.

But that doesn’t mean Colts camp was devoid of interesting moments.

Herewith, the top 10 stories from the past two-and-a-half weeks of training camp at Anderson University:

1. The defense dominates

The Colts’ defenders entered training camp with a year playing for aggressive defensive coordinator Larry Coyer under their belts. They promised to build on the promise of last season, and they delivered almost immediately.

After a week of outstanding performances in scrimmages and mock games, the defense forced a turnover on its first play from scrimmage Sunday against San Francisco. The first team left the game late in the first quarter with a 10-0 lead, and cornerback Jerraud Powers might have made the margin larger before stepping out of bounds on a long interception return.

The defense feels it should be a team strength in 2010. Nothing so far has dispelled that notion.



2. The saga of

Jeff Saturday

On Aug. 7, the veteran center spoke to the media about the union’s response to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s visit. Two days later, he was missing from both practices. A day later, after Saturday again was not on the field in the morning, head coach Jim Caldwell said some missing players would return in the afternoon.

Asked if that included Saturday, Caldwell simply raised an eyebrow and told reporters the answer would come later. That evening it did, in the form of a press release announcing Saturday’s knee surgery. He’s expected to miss 2-6 weeks.



3. The ballad of Curtis Painter

The maligned backup quarterback got off to a bad start with three interceptions during a mock game against the defense at Macholtz Stadium on Aug. 7. When he repeated the performance Sunday against the 49ers, the Lucas Oil Stadium fans let their displeasure be known.

The ensuing days have been filled with calls for Painter to be replaced at No. 2 on the depth chart. But he’s earned Caldwell’s trust, and the Colts don’t feel they currently have a better option on the roster.



4. The greatness of Peyton Manning

The four-time NFL MVP made his first appearance at AU since his rookie season of 1998. Manning spent plenty of time praising the fans’ enthusiasm, and then he went about earning more.

The quarterback signed autographs at least once each day of camp on which he practiced. His play on the field was typically outstanding, but one pass stands out from the rest. On Aug. 10, Manning called 10-year-old Mason Miller of Fairmount out onto the field and lobbed the ball to him in the end zone.

It made for a lasting image of camp highlighted by the love affair between pro football’s brightest star and his biggest fans.



5. The health of Bob Sanders

An NFL.com report the week before training camp began hinted that Sanders’ shoulder injury was worse than previous thought and that the two-time Pro Bowl safety’s career might be over. Upon his return, Sanders laughed off the report and likened it to tabloid journalism.

He then vowed not only to return to his previous level of play but to get better. Early returns were good when Sanders lit up teammates Donald Brown and Reggie Wayne with incidental contact during the first evening practice.

“That’s Bob’s M.O.,” linebacker Gary Brackett said, starting one of the best quotes from camp. “We know to watch out when he’s out there. He might hit anything moving. So make sure you get there first.”



6. The arrival of Robert Mathis and Reggie Wayne

Speaking of much ado about nothing, Mathis and Wayne both held out of minicamp seeking contact extensions. Rumor and innuendo persisted that the pair might do the same at training camp. But they both reported with the rest of the team on Aug. 1 and told the media a day later the business disputes were behind them.

Mathis spent the next two-and-a-half weeks as a jovial barbarian firing up the defense. Wayne showed his old form with a trademark touchdown reception in the corner of the end zone during the first evening practice.



7. The size of the crowds

A Colts training camp record 85,300 fans were estimated to have come out to AU for at least one practice. Even some of the most optimistic observers were hoping for 40,000 before camp began. A total of 22,500 fans watched last year’s practices at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute.

The largest crowd came Tuesday night when an estimated 9,500 people packed into Macholtz Stadium. There were an estimated 8,500 fans at the mock game on Aug. 7.



8. The emergence of new pass rushers

First-round draft pick Jerry Hughes signed his contract between the morning and afternoon practices on Aug. 2, and former Canadian Football League star John Chick was one of the most pleasant early surprises of camp. Both are expected to aid the pass rush this season at defensive end.

But Indianapolis also hopes to get increased pressure from the interior of the defensive line, where Eric Foster and Fili Moala have shown early promise as reserves.



9. The preponderance of injuries

In addition to Saturday, starting left tackle Charlie Johnson and special teams ace Jamie Silva suffered significant injuries. There is no timetable for Johnson’s return, but Sports Illustrated’s Peter King wrote his absence could last into the regular season. Silva is out for the season after tearing the ACL in his right knee.

Plenty of other stars — including tight end Dallas Clark and wide receiver Pierre Garcon — received minor bumps and bruises. But Caldwell said the injuries all were par for the course, no more and no less than usual.



10. The visiting dignitaries

ESPN’s John Clayton, NFL Network’s Solomon Wilcots and SI’s King were among the national media personalities who made in-person visits to training camp. But the biggest guest, by far, was Goodell.

He became the first sitting NFL commissioner ever to visit Indianapolis Colts training camp, and it’s believed he’s the first boss from any major sport ever to visit Anderson. He met with players privately in the locker room for nearly two hours, and then told the media he believes Super Bowl XLVI will be played as scheduled in Indianapolis in February 2012.

Goodell’s ability to quickly broker a new collective bargaining agreement between the players’ union and the team owners will go a long way toward determining whether training camp returns to Anderson next year.