FRANKLIN, Ind. — Indianapolis changed gears today.

After weeks of offseason workouts and a day of full-fledged mandatory practice at the team's complex, the Colts boarded busses, drove 38 miles south and unveiled their new look to the public for the first time — at Franklin College.

It was a welcome respite from monotonous practice regimens and an opportunity for players to perform in front of fans.

"It'll be interesting," three-time Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday said before departing. "They're talking about 5,000 people, so hopefully they (the fans) will enjoy practice, and we'll enjoy doing it."

Players and coaches were not available for interviews after practice.

Clearly, though, fans enjoyed spending a warm, sunny afternoon watching football.

The Division III school added extra bleachers in the end zones and on the visiting sideline, and school officials said all 5,000 tickets were sold. When Colts players jumped off the buses, shortly after 2 p.m., hundreds of fans cheered, and players spent about 20 minutes before practice signing autographs in the north end zone.

Many who watched were decked out in Colts jerseys, T-shirts or hats. They snapped pictures and roared when team drills began — a day many fans will not soon forget.

"It's cool, I've never been this close to football players," said 20-year-old Jennifer Duncan, an Indy resident. "I've been to a game before but never like this."

The Colts viewed Saturday's workout a little differently. To them, it was an opportunity to reach out to local fans in tough economic times.

During the Bill Polian-Peyton Manning era, which began in 1998, Indy had taken only one other offseason workout on the road. That was April 2004 when they traveled to Ball State in Muncie, Ind., and drew an even larger crowd.

"One of the things that Jim Irsay said to us back in February was that he wanted to do more outreach and more interaction with our fans," team president Bill Polian told the crowd as players began stretching. "We certainly appreciate being here, and most of all we appreciate the support you all have shown us."

But this was not just some showcase event.

The Colts treated this like most other workouts. Polian spoke with Manning, the three-time league MVP, during stretching. They started with special teams work, went to individual position groups and then broke up the offense and defense during passing drills.

With each impressive play — Pierre Garcon's one-handed catch, Austin Collie's long touchdown grab, Anthony Gonzalez's catch over the middle — the crowed roared.

"It's just good they're coming to a little town," 12-year-old Franklin resident Jessi Admire said. "It's really inspiring."

It also gave new coach Jim Caldwell a glimpse into some facets that normal practices cannot simulate. He had an opportunity to see how rookies would perform in front of fans and adapt to a slightly different schedule.

"It kind of gives us a chance to see how they'll react to a road trip," Caldwell said.

Fans didn't get to see all their favorite players. Four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney sat this one out. Starting cornerback Marlin Jackson, backup running back Mike Hart, and starting offensive linemen Mike Pollak and Charlie Johnson also skipped the workout.

But Manning participated with three-time Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne, tight end Dallas Clark and receiver Anthony Gonzalez, who is expected to replace Marvin Harrison in the starting lineup. That was enough to keep the fans interested.

For the Colts, it was good enough to get exactly what they wanted out of it.

"We've not really adjusted anything except for the stretching," Caldwell said. "But it's a great opportunity for community relations, for people to see us perform up close that may not get to see us during the course of the season — particularly with the way things are going (economically)."