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04/23/2010 -
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -Jerry Hughes wouldn't dare start spinning on his first full day as a Colt.
By the season opener, he might not have a choice.
The Colts introduced their newest defensive end Friday, and Hughes wasted no time in comparing himself to Indianapolis' two Pro Bowl defensive ends, Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.
``My game is very fast, very tenacious,'' Hughes said. ``When I get on the field, I play one speed and that's fast.''
Hughes' philosophy is a perfect match with the Colts defense, which is precisely the reason Colts president Bill Polian took Hughes with the 31st overall pick Thursday.
Polian had long been after a third speed rusher to keep Freeney and Mathis fresh or to fill in when Freeney and Mathis aren't 100 percent. The lack of a pass rush when Freeney and Mathis aren't going full bore, or playing together, has become a glaring weakness for Indy.
It was the primary reason San Diego beat Indy in the 2007 playoffs with a backup quarterback and backup running back.
It was the primary reason they couldn't stop Drew Brees in the Super Bowl, too.
So as Hughes slid down to the Colts in the first round Thursday, Polian quickly took the player who looks like a carbon-copy of Mathis and Freeney - minus, of course, Freeney's trademark move.
``I like Dwight Freeney, I like the way he plays,'' Hughes said. ``But I've got to work on that spin. He has a pretty nasty spin. It might take me a while, but it's something I definitely want to add to my repertoire.''
Freeney will gladly serve as Hughes' mentor, just as he did with Mathis and Eric Foster and other Colts linemen who fit the smallish mold.
At 6-foot-1, 255 pounds, Hughes has prototypical size for a Colts' end.
He ran a 4.69-second 40 on campus, and like Freeney, thought his NFL future would come at running back - until the TCU coaches handed him No. 98 as a freshman. Now he'll be wearing No. 92.
Suddenly, Hughes changed his perspective.
``I was a little shocked at first,'' Hughes said, wearing a suit and his shiny new ring from TCU's Mountain West title. ``I thought they were going to redshirt me, and then I thought 'That's cool.' My next question was how do I get out there on the field?''
Hughes figured it out pretty quick.
He started adding weight and muscle to his 210-pound body, and when he returned home for the first time, well, Hughes' parents almost didn't recognize him.
``It was surprising to see your little boy as this big guy,'' Hughes' father, Jerry Sr., said Friday. ``We knew he was gaining weight, but we didn't know it was going to be that fast.''
The converted running back also learned to use his speed and leverage to get around the behemoth offensive linemen, and when he got into the backfield Hughes developed a penchant for pulling down quarterbacks.
How good was he in college?
After leading the Football Bowl Subdivision with 15 sacks in 2008, Hughes beat all those extra blockers in 2009 for 11 1/2 sacks. His two-year total, 26 1/2, was the most in the nation.
He won the 2009 Ted thought Award as the nation's top defensive end. He was a semifinalist in 2008 and 2009 for the Chuck Bednarik Award, as college football's top defender. He was the Mountain West defensive player of the year last season.
And NFL scouts were so impressed, Hughes considered leaving school after his junior season before eventually returning to fulfill the promise he made to his parents by earning a degree. Mission accomplished.
Now, after adding 45 pounds in college, giving up his dream of being a running back and turning down a chance to turn pro a year early, Hughes has landed in the perfect spot for an apprenticeship.
``I just like the way he (Freeney) uses his speed, his power-rushing moves and that deadly spin that he has,'' Hughes said. ``I think I play fast, just like him.''
So do the Colts.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
<< Clausen lands in Carolina
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jimmy Clausen waited longer than anticipated
to hear his name announced during the 2010 NFL Draft, as the Notre Dame
quarterback was taken with the 48th overall pick by the Carolina Panthers.
The Panthers, who
<< Vanek out for Game 5
Buffalo, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Buffalo Sabres forward Thomas Vanek will not
play in Game 5 of his club's playoff set against the Boston Bruins due to a
high ankle sprain.
Earlier Friday in his post-practice press conference, Sabres he
<< Storms end play in New Orleans
Avondale, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Heavy storms forced the suspension of Friday's
second round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
Two-time U.S. Open champion Lee Janzen (66), last week's Heritage playoff
loser Brian Davis (66) and Ale
<< Tebow eager to work with, repay McDaniels
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) -Tim Tebow looked out the foggy window as his weather-delayed flight dropped through the dark clouds and descended into Centennial Airport on Friday afternoon.He saw the snow-covered city, the wind-whipped pines and the snarled
Mets' Maine leaves game >>
Flushing, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New York Mets pitcher John Maine departed
Friday's game against Atlanta with muscle spasms and pain in his left elbow.
He is listed as day-to-day.
Maine got through 3 2/3 innings, allowing just a ru
Temple F Allen declares for NBA Draft >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Temple Owls forward Lavoy Allen announced
Friday his intentions to skip his senior season of college basketball and
enter the 2010 NBA Draft.
Allen will not hire an agent, giving him the opportunity
Marlins/Rockies washed out in first MLB postponement of 2010 >>
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Friday's game between the Florida Marlins and
Colorado Rockies was postponed, resulting in the first rainout in the majors
this season.
The contest will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Saturday, sta
Clausen lands in Carolina; McCoy falls to Browns in third round >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jimmy Clausen waited longer than anticipated
to hear his name announced during the 2010 NFL Draft, as the Notre Dame
quarterback was taken with the 48th overall pick by the Carolina Panthers.
The Pan
American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout
An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.
Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off. Randy was not impressed though. Paula thought he started off fantastic. "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either.
Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed. Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact. He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition.
Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula. Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.
Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next. Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential. Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell. He sang "Careless Whisper".
22 year old Chris Richardson was up next. He was listed with +1100 odds coming in. He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great.
Nick was boring and pitchy. Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week. Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition.
Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds . These of course were the early odds. He was considered original for picking an "odd song". He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night.
Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good.
Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds. Great voice and a great sense of humor. He's a real standout. Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit. Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig".
Jared Cotter followed. He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition. The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good.
22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next. "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon. Though the judges felt he performed okay. Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.
Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition. He was the last to perform. He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start.
Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys. Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
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