INDIANAPOLIS – The Colts keep extolling the virtues of increased competition.

But it’s not just talk. They’re walking the walk, too — even on special teams.

That’s where the Colts have added rookie free agent Rigoberto Sanchez from the University of Hawaii, a player they strongly suggest will get a legitimate opportunity to compete for the punting and kickoff duties.

The Colts are paying more attention to the kicking game in part because of the retirement of punter Pat McAfee and in part because place kicker Adam Vinatieri is 44. The Colts went so far as to sign Sanchez to a contract rather than relying solely on tryout candidates at this weekend’s rookie minicamp. Sanchez received one of the biggest signing bonuses of all the team’s undrafted free agents, suggesting the Colts were willing to go higher to beat out other suitors.

“There definitely were” other teams interested, Sanchez said.

The Colts made it a point to sign free-agent punter Jeff Locke in March as a likely replacement for McAfee, but Sanchez — who handled punts, kickoffs and field goals in college — could have something to say about that before it’s over with.

“I see him more as a combo punt-kickoff specialist immediately,” said special teams coach Tom McMahon. “I think (in the long term) he’s going to develop into a very good field goal kicker. I see him on the same leg-talent par as Cody Parkey and Brandon McManus. Those are the only two (free agents) we’ve brought in here. We don’t bring guys in unless we feel like they’re ready to play.”

The Colts flipped Parkey to the Eagles in a trade after a strong preseason in 2014 while McManus went on to become the Broncos’ primary kicker after spending tim with the Colts in 2013.

Can Sanchez find a way to stick around? That’s up to him.

“You have to go and compete,” he said. “Even when I was in Hawaii, there was a guy who came in from a bigger school and I had to go in there and compete as well. Competition is good.”

>> Keep it in the family

The Colts have several dozen tryout candidates in this weekend’s camp, but only one of them is a close relative of one of the NFL’s all-time leading rushers.

Jakhari Gore, a running back from Marian University, is participating in the camp this weekend, running on the same field where his cousin, Frank Gore, does his work for the Colts.

The younger Gore is a long shot but has tried to maximize the opportunity.

“It was a great experience,” he said. “I caught a few passes, did a few running back drills. It was a blessed opportunity just to be here.”

It’s unsurprising that Jakhari grew up to be a running back having spent much of his childhood watching Frank shred defenses.

“I look up to him so much,” Jakhari said. “I remember when I was a little kid, I always watched him and always went to his football games. It was just a blessing to watch him grow up and become the man that he is. I love it.”

>> Man of few words

Third-round pick Tarell Basham was able to spend some time this weekend with the Colts’ recently-retired all-time sack leader Robert Mathis, who is working as a volunteer coach. And Basham has done his best to be a sponge.

“He’s a legend,” Basham said. “To be able to sit and learn from him every day, it’s really a blessing. Not every rookie gets that.”

Mathis, per usual, has been a man of few words. But, as always, he makes his words count.

“He’s not the most talkative guy,” Basham said. “When he does say something, it’s like silence. Everybody listens. He’s a legend. Nothing but respect for that man.”

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