Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon runs during practice at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center on June 5 in Indianapolis. 

WESTFIELD – Some habits are hard to break.

As a former quarterback at UNLV, Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen often runs through progressions himself as he watches a play from his spot well behind the line of scrimmage.

Those impressions are passed along in briefings with the current passers later as Steichen gauges his players’ vision and decision making.

As Anthony Richardson threw a laser deep down the middle of the Indianapolis defense Sunday at Grand Park Sports Campus, Steichen was bursting with anticipation.

It was the right decision, and a big play surely was coming.

Instead, strong safety Julian Blackmon seemed to appear out of nowhere and made a leaping one-handed grab for the first interception by the first-team defense during 11-on-11 drills this summer.

It was a beautiful play, and all Steichen could do was tip his cap to the veteran defender.

“I think he’s going to have a huge year for us,” Steichen said. “Just the way his mindset – the way he sees the game. When you talk football to him, it’s like talking to another coach, and he made a ton of plays today. He made some big-time plays.

“The one interception he had – I threw it right there, too, and when he made the play – I mean, I ran over to him and dapped him up because it was an incredible play.”

Blackmon was more understated in his own description of the moment.

There wasn’t any action in his assigned area of the field, so he read the landscape and put himself into position to get a takeaway.

It was a standout defensive moment during a practice with a very healthy share of offensive highlights.

It was also an example of how comfortably the defensive back has grown into this scheme.

“I feel like I just understand my role,” Blackmon said. “Going into Year 3 with the same coaches, I feel like I’m getting a lot more comfortable and (knowing) when I can and when I cannot take risks. And so it allows me to make plays.”

FIGHT CLUB

The first scuffle of training camp broke out during one-on-one drills between the wide receivers and defensive backs.

Veteran wideout Michael Pittman Jr. believed he was held by cornerback Jaylon Jones on a route, and the two exchanged words. The situation quickly escalated with punches being thrown.

At one point, Jones tackled Pittman to the ground while the wide receiver ripped the cornerback’s helmet off. The two were separated by teammates shortly thereafter, but Pittman had to be restrained by fellow wide receiver Alec Pierce while trying to go after Jones a second time.

Steichen doesn’t believe the emotionally charged moment will have a long-term effect.

“Yeah, Pitt – I mean, that’s training camp, right?” he said. “They have scuffles out there, and they’ll put it to bed, though.”

RICHARDSON WATCH

After a solid 10-for-15 showing on Sunday, second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson is 18-for-24 with three touchdowns and one interception through the first three practices of training camp.

He was 4-for-5 in Thursday’s first practice with all three touchdowns coming while the team was working in the red zone.

On Saturday, Richardson went 4-for-4 working on first- and second-down packages.

He started 7-for-7 Sunday, giving him 11 straight completions over the two weekend practices before Blackmon broke it up with his pick.

ROSTER NOTES

Right tackle Braden Smith (knee) practiced for the first time this offseason. As he eases back into the flow, Smith only participated in individual drills.

Defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo (calf) did not participate after leaving Saturday’s practice early, and defensive end Samson Ebukam (calf) was sidelined after the first 11-on-11 period Sunday.

NEXT PRACTICE

The pads come on Tuesday.

Practice is scheduled from 10 to 11:15 a.m., and Colts City will be open from 9 a.m. to noon.

Admission is free, but tickets must be downloaded from Colts.com/camp.

“It’s the first time we’ve put the pads on since the end of the year,” Steichen said. “So just guys – here comes toughness, really. You know what I mean? Pads are going to come on. It’s going to be more physical, obviously, out there and looking forward to that.”