Pollak pick lacks thrills, will lead to wins

By Anthony Bialy  |   Wednesday, April 30, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

Indianapolis Colts
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The Indianapolis Colts used their second-round pick in last weekend's NFL draft to select an offensive lineman who owns a chance to immediately step into the lineup and replace a departed starter. This could have been the first sentence of last year’s draft column, too, but it’s not a lazy recycling job: Mike Pollak, Indy's first 2008 draftee, could be on the field for the first offensive play of the team’s Sept. 7 opener. As with the choice of Tony Ugoh last April, Pollak is a prudent addition that gives the team an opportunity to fortify the core of its continually efficient offense.

The Arizona State product is not overwhelmingly big at a listed 299 pounds, particularly not for his 6-foot-4 height. But more relevant than his mass is his play, and his First-Team Pac-10 honor as a senior as well as his 31 straight starts are evidence that he’s a durable player who was trusted by his coaches.

He’s been presented as a player who’s willing to work hard and take direction, which makes him a good fit for a team that relies less on brute force and more on technique and quick decisions to control the line of scrimmage. If Pollak can employ his solid physical gifts proficiently this training camp, he could climb the depth chart and make it so his first start corresponds with his first NFL game.

As for the line’s single job opening, Jake Scott is this year’s Tarik Glenn, serving as the one departed lineman. The guard, who started every game for Indianapolis over the past three seasons and 57 total during his four years with the team, crossed to a divisional rival when he signed a free-agent contract with Tennessee in March.

Being forced to make the replacement could actually allow Indianapolis to improve. The team only surrendered 23 sacks in 2007, seventh best in the NFL. While that stands as a fine overall protection track record, Scott was credited with allowing 4.5 of those sacks last season as the team’s right guard; that’s not a spectacularly horrible performance, but the team could manage to shore up the line with an interior upgrade, one which could be provided by its newest blocker.

Or things could stay the same, at least from the player’s perspective: Pollak could also possibly retain his college position of center. Current starter Jeff Saturday is entering his 10th NFL season, and the rookie could be considered a candidate to serve as a backup for now and eventually take on the primary role; that said, with an immediate vacancy, the former Sun Devil might get on the field as a rookie in a new place.

Regardless of when or where he gets to play, Pollak reflects the team’s sensible nature, as Colts guru Bill Polian and his underlings make sure they consistently address the most unspectacular positional category in football. It’s remarkable that only a small percentage of franchises seem to realize the fact, but a dominating offensive line is the most crucial module toward ensuring not only a proficient offense but a generally thriving team; the Colts put that knowledge to work again this offseason by adding an inside man with their first shot.

The combination of spending early picks on blockers along with the fact that this franchise somehow staggers its losses so it’s not replacing multiple linemen every season is a model others should copy. Avoiding the temptation to constantly nab skill players so they can instead reinforce the foundation is totally devoid of glamour, yet the exercise in restraint is undeniably clearly effective. Adding a promising guard or center might make for a boring first pick, but it’s the sort of move that leads to excitement, and success, during the fall.
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