WESTFIELD — Ben Banogu badly needed an impressive training camp.
The third-year defensive end has struggled in his two seasons in Indianapolis, recording 2.5 sacks as a rookie and then falling out of favor in the rotation in 2020. At one point, he was a healthy scratch for six consecutive games.
Pass rushers often take a couple of seasons to develop, and the Colts have been patient with Banogu, but it was clear the former second-round pick needed to take a big leap forward this season.
Banogu has responded.
Far more confident and free-flowing than he’s been in past years, Banogu has been a consistent presence on the practice field, making a handful of plays in just about every practice.