Mike Hart gets it.

Everyone thinks he’s too slow. Oh and he’s too small. Basically, he’ll never make it.

Very familiar ramblings that Mike has heard his entire career. I’ve blogged about it here too many times to count, and this site has only been around since October!

“I see the situation as going into the same thing. It’s the thing of, ‘I can’t make it in the NFL. I’m too small. I’m too slow, this and that.’ It’s kind of like the same challenge to me. It’s like the story keeps repeating itself, going into high school, college, then going into the NFL.

“It’s just a story – Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3. I’m excited to get the chance. This is like that last barrier to say, ‘I can make it.’ We’ll see.

Colts.com is doing a series of features on their rookies, and I stumbled across Mike’s a day before I’m supposed to. What can I say? I’m resourceful. You can read it here.

“I’ll work hard. I’m a good person. The only thing that’s going to stop me from playing in the NFL is if I’m not talented enough. At the end of the day, if I don’t make it, it’s not going to be because I didn’t know the plays, or I had character issues, or because I wasn’t trying hard enough. It’s going to be if I wasn’t talented enough.

I love how Mike approaches his football career and how he handles what others say about his skillset as a player. But what I admire most about this young man, is his off the field committments and dedication to his family. For more evidence of this, his NY Times feature from November is a must-read.

Mike Hart really does “get it”.

On Monday, ESPN’s John Clayton blogged that Indy was only ‘thinking’ about signing former running back Dominic Rhodes, after he was cut from the Oakland Raiders.

Then yesterday, NFL Network’s Adam Schefter reported that Rhodes was close to reaching a deal to return to the Colts for the 2008 season.

Schefter’s news has since been confirmed by the Indianapolis Star. Rhodes has signed a one year deal with the team.

The Colts signing of Rhodes brings another option to the team for Joseph Addai’s backup. Many are wondering how this will affect Mike. And while I cannot speak for him, I’d like to think that this signing will have little impact on him, his goals, and his work ethic.

Mike is still going to give his all in practice and training sessions. He has the inner drive to want to be the best player he can be. So bringing in more competition at his position isn’t likely to affect his mindset. He’s an extremely hard worker who will push himself and his teammates. The best player will see the field regardless.

So if you’re worried about how Mike is going to handle this, don’t be. Mike Hart will be just fine.

Mandatory team minicamp for rookies and veterans

Mike’s next activity with the Colts is a mandatory 3-day minicamp beginning May 16. This session will be attended by the entire team, and not just the rookies.

After a rookie-only introductory weekend in which they started to get acclimated to the Colts system and playbook, the group will be tested when they practice with the veterans.

Coach Dungy came away impressed after the rookie minicamp, which bodes well for the new Colts.

Colts.com has posted a story about the 1st day of Rookie camp. Good read. Check it out!

Mike shared the story of meeting his new QB, Peyton Manning, for the first time. And like many of the other rookies, there was an overall sense of awe at the Colts practice facility. As their first practice as a Colts flew by, it started to sink in that they are finally in the NFL.

Here is a great quote from Mike that probably sums up the mindsets of the other rookies:

“Any time you get a chance to be on a team that can be in the Super Bowl every year, it’s a great opportunity. I’m just coming out here, trying to compete and make the team. It’s weird to put on different colors, a different helmet, but it’s great. It’s a new opportunity for me and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Check out the accompanying video from Colts.com below the cut…
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At Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, IN

WSYR, NewsChannel 9, in Syracuse, sat down with Mike after the draft to talk about his experience, his outlook, and goals for him time in Indy. Watch the video beneath the jump.
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Mandatory mini-camp for all 2008 rookies, held at the team’s practice facility