Mike Pollak

by BigBlueShoe on Aug 5, 2008 3:15 PM MST Comment 3 comments

Hiya! I'm BigBlueShoe, the head writer over at SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts site: Stampede Blue. Indy's first pick in the draft this year was Arizona State's Mike Pollak. Just wanted to know what Sun Devils fans thought of Mike.

So far, in camp, Mike has been competing with Charlie Johnson for the starting OG spot (Indy moved Mike to guard). He looked damned impressive in the HoF game recently, but I wanted to know what you guys thought of him when he anchored your offensive line.

Thanks, and welcome to SB Nation.

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Hey, thanks for stopping by

Pollak was definitely the lone bright spot on a historically bad 2007 ASU offensive line. We gave up 55 sacks, and the only player who remained static along the line was Pollak.
It is interesting he has been moved to guard, because at 6’4, ~300 he seems like he would be a tad undersized against some of the AFC’s DTs (Jacksonville comes to mind…) You guys seem to run a zone blocking scheme if I remember though, and that would be something he could excel in.

He is a very smart player and even graduated early. He also has impressive strength and a great first pop, and was always sound with his technique. He never gives up on blocks, but has difficulty sustaining them against quicker players. He played Center here, obviously, so he was never very adept at pulling or roaming to pick up a linebacker.

Overall, he is a very solid player and will definitely be missed on an extremely young ASU line this fall. Good pickup for the Colts!

House of Sparky - www.houseofsparky.com - Go Sun Devils

by ASUBoyd on Aug 5, 2008 3:31 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

Thanks for the write-up. I’m posting it over at Stampede Blue as well.

Interesting that you say he’s not very adept at pulling, because that is exactly what he will do in a Colts uniform. Indy does not run a run blocking scheme, but does put a premium on speed and technique over size and FAT. Pollak is still learning the OG spot, and it might take some time. but he sure looked damn good in the HoF game.

Welcome to SB Nation, and here’s to your Sun Devils having a good year in 2008.

SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue. Please make an account and post a diary, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.

by BigBlueShoe on Aug 6, 2008 6:24 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome, thank you.

And you’re welcome.

It could have been a number of things that made him look weak at pulling during his time at ASU. We had a horrible line, so it must have been difficult to pull with a bunch of scrubs. Also, he was playing Center, and perhaps he was slower off the snap than he would be at the Guard position. Or maybe he simply had not done it that much.

He is a quick study and an athlete, I am sure he will adapt.

Thanks again.

House of Sparky - www.houseofsparky.com - Go Sun Devils

by ASUBoyd on Aug 6, 2008 1:38 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs