Quenton Nelson made quite a first impression on the Indianapolis Colts.

He's hoping to have the same impact on Andrew Luck.

The Colts finally gave their franchise quarterback some extra protection by taking the Notre Dame guard [url=http://www.lionscheapstore.com/frank-ragnow-jersey-cheap]Cheap Frank Ragnow Jersey[/url] , the highest-rated offensive linemen in the NFL draft, with the sixth overall pick on Thursday night. He is the first guard selected in the first round by Indy since Ron Solt in 1984.

"I would say that I'm a very nasty offensive lineman who wants to finish every play whether it's in the run game or the pass game," Nelson said. "I want to work together to have the best offensive line in the league and protect one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL."

He's the first guard to be selected in the top six in more than two decades, and it didn't take the 6-foot-5, 330-pound Nelson long to convince the Colts he was worthy of it.

General manager Chris Ballard said he watched Nelson play once last season, against Miami. But because of an extended coaching search and the transition to a new staff, Ballard only made it to one pro day 鈥?in South Bend in March.

He spoke with Nelson after the workout, then headed home to explain to his staff why he thought Nelson was ahead of his college teammate, tackle Mike McGlinchey, who was taken by San Francisco at No. 9.

"You could just feel it," Ballard said as he struggled to explain the sensation. "I could feel it when I watched Adrian Peterson coming out. It was the same thing with Dez (Bryant). You can just feel it sometimes. With Quenton Nelson, it was the same way."

Back at team headquarters, others concurred.

Perhaps that explains why Ballard was willing to trade back three spots and then turned down another offer to move back. Ballard didn't say which team made the offer, but just minutes after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced Nelson's name Buffalo traded up from No. 12 to No. 7.

New coach Frank Reich jumped on board after watching Nelson's tape.

"My first impression is that this is the best offensive lineman I've seen coming out in a while," he said. "His ability to pull is so far greater than anything we've ever seen."

Nelson also fills a huge need for Indy as Luck attempts to come back from a shoulder surgery that kept him out for the entire 2017 season. In 70 career starts, Luck has been sacked 156 times and taken 691 hits 鈥?the highest total in the league over that span according to the NFL. Last year, Indy allowed 56 sacks.

Pass protection hasn't been the only problem.

As Indy played musical chairs with the interior line for most of the past six years [url=http://www.officialpenguinsproshop.com/authentic-adidas-derick-brassard-jersey]Derick Brassard Penguins Jersey[/url] , the Colts have produced just one 1,000-yard rusher in that time and last season the Colts averaged 3.7 yards per carry.

Indy also lost its top rusher from the past three seasons, Frank Gore, in free agency.

Nelson, who started 36 games at left guard for the Irish, will now play alongside center Ryan Kelly, Indy's first-round pick in 2016. The line also will be comprised of left tackle Anthony Castonzo, a first-round pick in 2011; veteran guard Matt Slauson, a free-agent signee; and possibly guard Jack Mewhort, a second-round pick in 2014 who is trying to come back from two injury-plagued seasons.

The bigger question continues to be Luck, who not thrown a regulation football since returning from rehab in Europe late last year.

But if Luck makes it back, Nelson's presence should certainly help him stay upright.

He was a second-team All-American last season and one of four finalists for the 2017 Outland Trophy, which is awarded to the nation's best interior lineman.

"I definitely feel like I can come up and start from Day 1," said Nelson, who watched the draft from his family's lake home less than a three-hour drive from Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Colts are banking on it.

"He has everything we want. He's tough, passionate, he loves the game [url=http://www.patriotsauthorizedshop.com/authentic-troy-niklas-jersey]Patriots Troy Niklas Jersey[/url] ," Ballard said. "He's nasty, he's tough and his football character is off the charts. He's got unique size and bend and straight power."

Indy had eight more picks over the final two days of the draft including four Friday 鈥?three in the second round and one in the third.

"Chucky" is back on the sideline at the Coliseum.

Jon Gruden makes his return for the Oakland Raiders when they host the Detroit Lions in their exhibition debut on Friday night.

Gruden last coached a home contest in Oakland on Jan. 12, 2001, when the Raiders beat the Jets 38-24 in a playoff game. Oakland lost the "Tuck Rule" game in New England the following week and Gruden was traded to Tampa Bay after the season, where he won the 2002 NFL title.

Now he's back for a second stint in Oakland after spending the past nine seasons as a TV analyst for ESPN.

"I'm looking forward to it bigtime," he said. "I've got some things obviously I've got to work out. So I've got to work myself through calling plays again and managing some tough situations. I'm anxious to see if I can do it."

The game also marks the debut for new Lions coach Matt Patricia, hired this offseason after a highly successful stint as defensive coordinator for New England.

The Lions will leave starters in just long enough to break a sweat before backups compete for spots on the roster. The Lions' third-string quarterback, Jake Rudock, will have a lot to play for. Rudock made the team as a rookie last year, but veteran Matt Cassel was signed to be Matthew Stafford's backup. Patricia may choose to keep two quarterbacks. Rookie running back Kerryon Johnson will have a chance to make an impression and perhaps push veteran LeGarrette Blount for a starting spot.

Elsewhere on Friday night: the Atlanta Falcons travel to face the New York Jets.

And Saturday, the Minnesota Vikings meet the Denver Broncos, while the Chargers head to the desert to meet the Arizona Cardinals to finish off the first full weekend of preseason games.

LEARNING TO FLY

Falcons coach Dan Quinn will make sure rookies get their chance at playing time right off the bat Friday.

With that in mind, Quinn said he hopes to play all four quarterbacks, with starter Matt Ryan and backup Matt Schaub playing early. Rookie Kurt Benkert and Garrett Grayson, who played on the practice squad in 2017, will follow the veterans.

"You want to make sure that a guy doesn't run out of time, where he didn't get enough turns or looks [url=http://www.steelerscheapshops.com/cheap-authentic-mason-rudolph-jersey]Authentic Mason Rudolph Jersey[/url] ," Quinn said. "So one of the things that we're really committed to is playing the rookies and the first-year guys. If you look back in our history, our play time for the preseason would show that."

An Atlanta rookie to watch is running back Ito Smith, competing for the No. 3 job behind Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman.

Sam Darnold will make his NFL debut for the Jets and the rookie could make a strong case for winning the job with a solid performance. The No. 3 overall pick out of USC is competing with Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater to be the starter, but Darnold will be given every opportunity this preseason to come out on top.

"First NFL game, going out there and being really emotional is something I'm looking forward to," Darnold said. "At the same time, I realize I have to be smart in all my decisions and sound with everything.

"Yeah, I'm probably going to be a little emotional 鈥?not emotional as in like crying or anything like that 鈥?but it's definitely going to be awesome to be out there first NFL game. I'm also going to be aware of every situation and everything that is going on."

Darnold has impressed his coaches and teammates with how quickly he has been able to process the offense. While he has been up and down at practice since ending a three-day camp holdout last week, the former USC star has certainly flashed the skills that made him so coveted.

HELLO THERE

The Vikings-Broncos matchup Saturday night features more intrigue than the typical preseason opener.

Denver QB Case Keenum gets to face his former teammates whom he helped reach the NFC championship game before management dumped him in favor of Kirk Cousins, the jewel of this winter's free agent class.

Keenum said this week he's eager to face the Vikings.

"Definitely. I mean, I got a firsthand view of how good a defense it is, so I know we've got our work cut out for us. It's going to be a great test. I'm excited to go compete against a really, really talented defense," Keenum said.

Keenum went 12-4 for the Vikings last season after injuries to Sam Bradford and Teddy Bridgewater, but Minnesota moved on in the offseason, winning the Cousins sweepstakes with, among other things [url=http://www.losangelesdodgersteamshop.com/authentic-joc-pederson-jersey]Joc Pederson Jersey[/url] , a strong roster, a sparkling new stadium and a fully guaranteed contract for $84 million over three years.

Keenum signed a two-year, $36 million deal in Denver.

OLD FRIENDS

Many stars won't play when the Chargers visit the Cardinals, but the youngsters getting plenty of playing time are likely to include Arizona quarterback Josh Rosen and Los Angeles linebacker Uchenna Nwosu.

The LA-area natives know plenty about each other after spending the past three years in crosstown competition, with Rosen at UCLA and Nwosu at USC.

"I'm looking forward to seeing him again," Nwosu said with a grin. "I'll give him a nice hug, like I did in college."

Coach Steve Wilks, offensive coordinator Mike McCoy and quarterback Sam Bradford will make their Cardinals debuts.

Do not expect Bradford or running back David Johnson, back from a season-ending wrist injury suffered in Game 1 of the 2017 season, to make much more than token appearances.

The Cardinals' preseason focus will be on identifying a wide receiver group behind Larry Fitzgerald, sorting out the running backs behind Johnson, and securing the cornerback spot opposite Patrick Peterson.

"It's been great," Johnson said of the new offensive scheme. "Mike McCoy really knows how to bring out everyone's strengths."

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