It was a big week for sons beginning to take over the family business. Florio Jr. ran the PFT Twitter account on Saturday for a while, and Chris Polian had the slightly more challenging task of running the Indianapolis Colts draft.
For the first time since 1998, Bill Polian was not in charge of the Colts’ draft process. Bill Polian said Sunday it “wouldn’t be wrong” to call 2011 Chris Polian’s first draft at the helm.
While Chris insisted it’s “collaborative process” between the two Polians, player personnel director Tom Telesco, and coach Jim Caldwell, the younger Polian sets the team’s draft rankings.
“It’s fair to say that the dynamic has changed pretty dramatically because Chris sets the parameters by which you set the board up, and that’s the big thing,” Bill Polian said via the Indianapolis Star.
Chris Polian’s “first draft” was defined by getting help for Peyton Manning. They took perhaps the most pro-ready left tackle in the draft in Anthony Castonzo and a promising guard in the second round with Ben Ijalana. Fourth-round pick Delone Carter adds needed bulk to the running back group.
Both Polians are currently signed through “2012 and beyond” according to owner Jim Irsay. It’s uncertain how long Bill will continue in his current role, but he’s made sure that his son gets a fair shot at running the team at the end of the Peyton Manning era and possibly after.