The NFL Draft took place in Cleveland last Thursday through Saturday. Things went pretty much as predicted. Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence was the first pick going to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Bears traded up for a pick and took Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields. With the #21 pick in the first round the Colts took Kwity Paye, a 6’3”, 261 lb. defensive end from the University of Michigan. Paye has some fundamentals to work on but his upside is huge. Most of the media gave the Colts an “A” for this pick. In the second round the Colts selected Vanderbilt defensive end Dayo Odeyingbbo who goes 6’5” and 285 pounds. He had first round grades as a pass rusher until he severely injured his Achilles tendon. He will most likely not play in the 2021 season. The Colts third round pick went to the Eagles in the Carson Wentz deal.
In the fourth round, the Horseshoe picked Kylen Granson, a 6’2”, 241 lb. tight end who played his first two years at Rice and his last two years at SMU. He is regarded as a good receiver and will probably play the H Back role for the Colts.
The Colts fifth round pick was Florida safety Shawn Davis, the University of Texas quarterback who put up some impressive numbers passing and rushing during his career with the Longhorns. The Colts had two picks in the seventh round. The first pick they took was Charleston wide receiver Mike Strachan. With their Final pick they selected Penn State offensive lineman Will Fries who played all over the Nittany Lions offensive line in three years.
Everyone, media and fans alike, are asking why Chris Ballard didn’t make some kind of deal to acquire a left tackle. It was considered their biggest need. He is going to look at some free agents. Former Kansas City tackle Eric Fisher has been to the Colts complex, but because of the severity of his ankle injury he won’t be able to play in 2021. Charles Leno Jr. was just released by the Bears. He is considered an NFL-level starter as a left tackle. He was named a Pro Bowl alternate in 2018. Leno could fill the hole until the Horseshoe can draft a franchise left tackle. We will have to see how Chris Ballard handles the situation.
Bobby Unser RIP
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Bobby Unser.
Bobby Unser was one of America’s greatest race drivers and certainly one of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s immortals. His passing over this last weekend marks the end of an era. The Unser family became synonymous with the Indy 500 and with American Open Wheeled Racing. Bobby was a three time winner of the Indy 500 and in three different decades. For a while Bobby was the oldest man to win the Indy 500 until brother Al took that title away from him. Bobby always spoke his mind and his insights into the world of automobile racing were accurate and truthful. So thanks for all the great moments and as long as there is racing at IMS you will be remembered.
Texas IndyCar
Last weekend, the IndyCar crowd met at the Texas Motor Speedway in Ft Worth. On Saturday the Genesys 300 was run. Alex Palou took the pole but the story was New Zealander and defending series champ Scott Dixon. Representing the old guard, Dixon led the most laps and won for Ganassi Racing. Rookie Scott McLaughlin took home a second place finish, driving for Penske Racing. Patricio O’Ward was third driving for Arrow McLaren. Alex Palou also driving for Ganassi was fourth, Graham Rahal was fifth, driving for Rahal Letterman.
On Sunday the XPEL 375 was run. Scott Dixon started from the pole. As the pack came down on the first lap there was a horrific crash midfield. Connor Daley flipped and landed upside down. This eliminated about a fourth of the field. Once again Dixon led the most laps of the race. Patricio O’Ward, however, was able to come up with his first Indy Car win for Arrow McLaren. The ultra-talented Latino driver has become a winning threat in every race. Josef Newgarden was second for Team Penske. Graham Rahal was third for Rahal Letterman. Dixon finished fourth for Ganassi and Colton Herta tok fifth for Andretti Motorsports
The next race is at the IMS road course for GMR Grand Prix on May 15. Then is THE 2021 INDY 500!
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