Making the Grade: Colts Draft Recap

Rd 1: No Pick
Rd 2: Mike Pollak (59th Overall)
Center, Arizona State

Pollak gives the Colts depth and a much needed backup behind Jeff Saturday. Pollak will be ready to contribute in 1 or 2 years.
Grade: B-

Rd 3: Phillip Wheeler (93rd Overall)
ILB, Georgia Tech

Wheeler's a decent athlete, but I don't see him being an NFL LB. He can help the Colts on special teams immediately.
Grade: C+

Rd 4: Jacob Tamme (127th Overall)
TE, Kentucky

I love this pickup! Scouts say he's not a great run blocker, but Tamme's an immediate threat in the passing game. I can envision Indy using him in goal line/short yardage passing situations.
Grade: B+

Rd 5: Marcus Howard (161st Overall)
OLB, Georgia

Marcus Howard is small for the position, but has great speed (sounds like the entire Colts D). On a unit built around quickness, Howard will be a great fit.
Grade: B

Rd 6: Tom Santi (196th Overall)
TE, Virginia
Santi will be a special teams player, perhaps being utilized in short yardage situations (to take advantage of his above average blocking). I don't see him making headlines, but he could be a solid role player for the Colts
Grade: C

Rd 6: Mike Hart (202nd Overall)
RB, Michigan

Another great pickup by Polian and the Colts. Hart will be a great compliment back to Addai. He's smart, which will help him learn the Colts complex offensive scheme.
Grade: A

Rd 6: Pierre Garcon (205th Overall)
WR, Mount Union

He dominated Division III, but will it translate to NFL success? Only time will tell, but he could see the field as a kick/punt returner this season.
Grade: C

Rd 7: Jamey Richard (236th Overall)
Center, Buffalo
I'm not entirely sold on the idea of picking up 3 centers in the draft. I don't see Richard making the team. This pick could've been better utilized on another position, specifically D-Line depth.
Grade: D-

2008 NFL Schedule

Break out a calendar and a Sharpie, and circle these dates . . . the NFL 2008 schedule was released on Tuesday.

The Cowboys play the Packers at Lambeau in an NBC Sunday night game (Sept. 21). Unless Favre has second thoughts about his retirement, this will be the night John Madden has an emotional breakdown on air. Expect plenty of Frank Caliendo skits leading up to this one.

Another chapter will be written in this growing rivalry, when San Diego hosts the Pats on Sunday, Oct. 12. What are the odds that a key Charger is out due to injury and SD makes more excuses for another loss to NE?

The Saints and Chargers will play on Oct. 26 in London. I'm sure the Brits are thanking their lucky stars that they don't have to watch the Dolphins again.

The defending Super Bowl champs meet the Cowboys on Sunday, Nov. 2. The intensity will be at an all time high for this division rivalry (assuming the Giants don't have one of those Carolina-like post Super Bowl hangovers).

And now on to the key matchups on the Colts' schedule. Indy gets five prime time nationally televised games.

Bears at Colts (Sunday, Sept. 7) (NBC)
In a rematch of Super Bowl XLI, Indy will christen their new Lucas Oil Stadium. The crowd will be raucous and I'm expecting a huge offensive performance and a big blowout.

Patriots at Colts (Sunday, Nov. 2) (NBC)
Need I say more?

Colts at San Diego (Sunday, Nov. 23) (NBC)
Playoff rematch will be big for both teams. While I suspect the Chargers win was a fluke, the Colts will have to prove they are truly the better team. If San Diego can pull off another win, it will be huge for their confidence.

Colts at Jags (Thursday, Dec. 18) (NFL Network)
It's always physical and intense when these two teams meet. The Colts have proven their superiority in this rivalry, but each year the Jags get more dangerous. This game could be key in deciding the AFC South.