The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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SEPTEMBER 2021 THE WOLVERINE 63 BY CLAYTON SAYFIE F ormer Michigan defensive end Kwity Paye was the No. 21 overall pick by the Indianapo- lis Colts in the first round of this spring's NFL Draft. Just like he did so many times while wearing the maize and blue in Ann Arbor, Paye rose to the occasion in his first preseason start for the Indianapolis Colts. Paye, who sat out the team's first exhibition contest as a precau- tion due to a minor ankle injury, made his professional debut in the team's second preseason tilt at the Minnesota Vikings Aug. 21, and made an impact right away. With a few ticks under 12:30 to go in the second quarter, Paye lined up with his hand in the dirt on first-and-10. He fired off the ball, beat sixth-year veteran left tackle Rashod Hill off the edge and chased down Vikings sig- nal-caller Kirk Cousins, bring- ing him down for a loss of nine yards. "It felt great," Paye told report- ers following the game. "Just to go out there and play decently and get my first [sack], it was nice. Early on in the game, I was kind of nervous to do my move, and then as the game went on, I got more comfortable. I just hit the move and ended up with the sack. "I felt like I came off the ball pretty fast, and then from there, the tackle gave me one arm and I just stab- clubbed it and came around the cor- ner." Paye's sack stopped Minnesota's momentum in its tracks, with Vikings kicker Greg Joseph missing a 51-yard field goal attempt just three plays later. The Colts went on to win by a final score of 12-10 to improve to 2-0 in the preseason. HOW WOLVERINES ARE FARING IN THE NFL PRESEASON Through Aug. 23 • Ben Braden (2012-16), OL, Green Bay Packers: The backup right guard started the team's second game, a loss to the New York Jets, and appeared in the first, a loss to the Houston Texans. • Tom Brady (1995-99), QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Completed 1 of 2 passes for nine yards in a loss to the Cin- cinnati Bengals. • Ben Bredeson (2016-19), OL, Bal- timore Ravens: Made appearances in each of the first two games, and is listed as the backup right guard. • Devin Bush Jr. (2016-18), LB, Pitts- burgh Steelers: The team's starting left inside linebacker totaled four tackles through three games. • Taco Charlton (2013-16), DE, Kan- sas City Chiefs: Registered one tackle in two games, but was subsequently cut from the team Aug. 23 … "Taco is going to play in the league," head coach Andy Reid said afterward, via ESPN. "He's too good of a player not to. It just didn't work out in this case." • Camaron Cheeseman (2016-19), LS, Washington Football Team: While Washington's kicking game has struggled in the preseason, the snaps from the rookie and only player on the roster at his position have been described as "clean ex- changes." • Fra n k C l a r k ( 2 0 1 1 - 1 4 ) , DE, Kansas City Chiefs: Has a tweaked hamstring, forcing him to miss the first two contests. • Mason Cole (2014-17), OL, Minnesota Vikings: The backup center started in a loss to the Denver Broncos in week one and played in a setback to the India- napolis Colts in week two. • Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans: The second- stringer hauled in one reception for 24 yards in a win over the Green Bay Packers, before being held out of game two due to a minor muscle pull. • Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kan- sas City Chiefs: Listed as the backup right defensive end … Made one tackle in a week-two win over the Arizona Cardinals. • Nick Eubanks (2016-20), TE, Dallas Cowboys: The fourth- teamer caught three passes for 25 yards in three contests. • Chris Evans (2016-20), RB, Cincin- nati Bengals: Carried the ball 12 times for 25 yards and one touchdown in a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, before rushing it nine times for 35 yards in a loss to the Washington Football Team … One of four running backs listed at third string. • Devin Funchess (2012-14), WR, Green Bay Packers: The third-teamer had six receptions for 70 yards in a loss to the Houston Texans. • Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers: The right defensive end is listed at second string and did not play in either of the first two games. • Zach Gentry (2015-18), TE, Pitts- burgh Steelers: Had one reception for seven yards in two appearances. • Graham Glasgow (2011-15), OL, Denver Broncos: The team's starting right guard opened both games. • Jordan Glasgow (2015-19), LB, In- dianapolis Colts: A third-stringer at MICHIGAN IN THE PROS Kwity Paye Adjusting Well To The NFL, Colts' Defense Paye recorded a sack in his first preseason action for Indianapolis, helping the Colts knock off the Vikings 12-10. PHOTO COURTESY INDIANAPOLIS COLTS