Looking back at this offseason’s draft, the Indianapolis Colts made an interesting first-round selection of UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu at 15th overall, which effectively took the first defensive player in the class off the board for a heavily offensive-focused group of prospects.

So far, through 12 appearances, Latu has taken care of his business and has started to come onto the scene as the season has progressed– posting four sacks, 25 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles.

Latu has also begun to make a strong impression on his coaching staff in recent weeks, especially with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley.

Ahead of the Colts’ upcoming contest vs. the Denver Broncos, Bradley was asked during his media availability about the growth he’s seen from Latu across his rookie season, mentioning one big attribute that’s gotten notably better as the year’s gone on.

“I think he’s always had the pass rush skillset that we’re looking for,” Bradley said. “I think where he’s evolved is in the run game. He’s doing a much better job from where he was initially. It was never bad, but I just see him more stout at the point, getting off blocks, making plays in the run game. So, he’s becoming more established there.”

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Seeing an improvement in rushing defense is a quality the Colts could benefit immensely from down the final stretch of this season, especially if it’s stemming from a first-year player like Latu.

Currently, Indianapolis ranks 31st in the NFL for opposing rushing yards and attempts, and 21st in opposing rushing touchdowns and yards per attempt. They’ve allowed over 100 rushing yards in eight of their 13 contests, going 4-4 over those performances.

Thankfully, this unit will have it easier on that front for their final four showings of the year, as none of the Colts’ opponents rank very highly in their respective rushing efficiency. However, if Latu can be a catalyst for an Indianapolis resurgence in defending the run game, it can be a massive assist to their hopes of making a postseason push.

Latu’s next chance to make a stout impression will be at 1 PM ET on Sunday in the Mile High City, in what could be the most important game of the season for the 6-7 Colts.

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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — An Indianapolis woman is among the 39 pardons granted Thursday by President Joe Biden.

A list released by The White House named Emily Good Nelson as one of the pardon recipients.

The Biden Administration announcement listed Good Nelson as a 39-year-old woman convicted of non-violent drug offenses 20 years ago.

It also notes that since her release from prison, Good Nelson earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees and now works in the health care field in Indiana.

“She has spoken publicly about drug use and has volunteered as a counselor at an in-patient psychiatric facility,” Pres. Biden noted in the pardon. “She is described as kind, committed to recovery and helping others, and as someone with tremendous talent and ability.”

On Thursday, Biden also commuted the sentences of roughly 1,500 people who were released from prison and placed on home confinement during the coronavirus pandemic.

It’s the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history.

“America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances,” Biden said in a statement. “As president, I have the great privilege of extending mercy to people who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, restoring opportunity for Americans to participate in daily life and contribute to their communities, and taking steps to remove sentencing disparities for non-violent offenders, especially those convicted of drug offenses.”

A new sports entertainment concept is hoping to enhance Indianapolis’ growing sports scene by providing another place for fans to gather.

Tom’s Watch Bar opened Dec. 2 at 140 S. Illinois St., just north of Georgia Street and less than two blocks from the Indiana Convention Center. IBJ first reported on Tom’s plans to open an Indianapolis franchise in June.

The space in the base of a Circle Center Mall garage opened in 1997 as a Planet Hollywood location, followed in 2000 by Ram Restaurant & Brewery and in 2021 by Goodwood Brewing & Spirits.

The 10,000-square-foot space features 135 screens as well as a full food and drink menu. Tom’s Watch Bar’s menu includes a variety of options from nachos to an ahi tuna tower and lobster and shrimp mac and cheese.

“We realized that the status quo of most sports bars were really kind of old and dated,” Tom’s Watch Bar co-founder Tom Ryan said. “You know, lots of pennants, lots of sticky floors, lots of $3 beers … we decided to kind of recreate sports bars for the next generation of sports enthusiasts. We view ourselves as a viewing-based sports entertainment concept that does elevated food and drink but really caters to very social occasions for people.”

Indianapolis is the 13th Tom’s Watch Bar location. Visitors can tune in to a variety of games or attend a “screen takeover” event in which each screen will show a major sporting event. Ryan told Inside INdiana Business his team took note of Indianapolis’ strong sports enthusiasm and fan base.

“We think Indianapolis is going to be a great spot for us given the Fever and given the Pacers and given the Colts…[and] the affinity for key colleges in and around the Indianapolis area, whether they’re Big Ten or not. All of that richness is there, and we’re aware of it,” Ryan said.

The Indiana Sports Corp unveiled its 2050 Vision earlier this year, and one of its goals is to be among the top three sports event host cities in the U.S.

Ryan says he hopes Tom’s Watch Bar will be a space for fans to gather when they don’t get a ticket for an event but still want a gameday experience. The restaurant hopes to partner with universities, teams and alumni associations who can use the private event space.

In 2025, Indiana will welcome WWE’s Royal Rumble, the men’s and women’s Big Ten Conference basketball tournaments and more.