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April 26, 2008 - 11:22PM
ASU's Pollak elated to be selected by Colts
Comments | RecommendDan Zeiger, Tribune
The sports-apparel stores at Chandler Fashion Center were a lot lighter on Indianapolis Colts gear after the Pollak family came through on Saturday night.
The brood had good reason to be in the mood for celebratory commerce, with Mike Pollak bound for Indianapolis after the Colts selected him with their first pick in the NFL draft, the 28th selection of the second round (59th overall).
"I have a bunch of family in town, and we're buying up a bunch of apparel," said Pollak, who started two-plus seasons at center for Arizona State but will get a chance to compete for a starting guard spot with the Colts.
Indianapolis' starting center is 10-year veteran Jeff Saturday, who has made three straight AFC Pro Bowl teams.
Pollak was the only Sun Devil drafted during Saturday's first two rounds. Arizona cornerback Antoine Cason was selected in the first round (27th overall) by the San Diego Chargers.
The 6-foot-4, 299-pound Pollak, a graduate of Tempe Corona del Sol High School, built his draft stock in the last year, aided by the exposure he received during ASU's 10-win 2007 season and an impressive week at the Senior Bowl in January.
Now, he is going into a near-perfect situation for a young lineman.
Indianapolis is a veteran team and regular playoff participant, including a Super Bowl victory two years ago. The Colts have a dynamic offense led by one of the best quarterbacks of all time, Peyton Manning.
"I couldn't have asked for a better way for it to work out," said Pollak, who has a chance at the first string because Indianapolis lost Jake Scott in free agency. "I'll get to learn from all of the older guys. When I spoke with coach (Tony) Dungy and (general manager Bill Polian), they told me they felt that my game was perfect for what they have there."
Among the potential Sun Devil selections in Rounds 3-7 today are running back Ryan Torain, tight end Brent Miller, defensive lineman Michael Marquardt, linebacker Robert James, cornerback Justin Tryon and safety Josh Barrett.
Gilbert Highland High graduate Spencer Larsen, a linebacker from Arizona, could also could be picked.
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