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As I embarked on the journey of studying the top draft prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft, I felt 99% convinced that TE/HB Brock Bowers was the perfect fit for the Cardinals, especially with regard to their 12 and 13 personnel and in terms of providing the team with an alpha dog style of leadership.

A week before the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, I devoted my efforts to watching film and interviews of Brock Bowers, Marvin Harrison jr., Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze. I was hoping to see all four of them show up and compete at the Combine the way 2023 NFL Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year, C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. did.

Having studied a number of interviews prior to the Combine I already had a strong belief that Rome Odunze was going to crush this part of the process. The dude is a masterful communicator who speaks with tremendous articulation, football knowledge and passion.

I was very disappointed to learn that Bowers, Harrison and Nabers would not be running or participating in the drills.

Bowers’ and Nabers’ interviews with the media at Indy were solid, but not nearly as compelling or charismatic as Odunze’s. And then we learned that MHJ elected to leave Indy without speaking to the media.

As I said on yesterday’s Red Rain Podcast, the Combine interviews are as much for the fans as they are for the GMs and coaches.

For example, I loved watching Paris Johnson Jr.’s Combine interview last year, which made it all the more exciting to see the Cardinals pick him and then to see him talk so passionately about being a Cardinal, as his dad once was.

Being able to see the prospects live and in action during the testing, drills and media interviews at the Combine is a treat.

Therefore, to watch Rome Odunze put every ounce of effort he had into all of the testing and drills —- and then to see him stay on the field when all other participants had left in order to try to top his 3-cone score —- which was a good score (6.77) especially for a player 6-3, 206 —- spoke volumes about this young man’s tenacious character as a player, leader and goal setter.

Rome Odunze not only stood out among the WRs who were participating, he stood out among all of the players. He was a commanding and charismatic presence.

The more I watched the film of the top 3 WRs, it became more and more clear how Rome Odunze stands out as a wide receiver. Have a look at these “success by route” charts that “Reception Perception” tediously calculated on all of the top receivers in the draft.

Rome Odunze had the only fully green “Success By Route” chart in the 2024 WR draft pool. This proves what Rome says about his ability “to win at every level and starting point on the football field.”

Most receiving yards in the FBS over the last 2 seasons:1. WASH Rome Odunze (2,785)2. LSU Malik Nabers (2,586)3. OSU Marvin Harrison Jr. (2,474)Same names in everyone’s top 3 WR in this draft…makes sense. #NFLDraft

— Tony Holzman-Escareno (@FrontOfficeNFL) March 7, 2024

Rome Odunze’s “A” Traits:

How UW’s Rome Odunze endured a broken rib, a punctured lung and a 23-hour drive to overcome Oregon | The Seattle Times

Here are the guys from Reception Perception and this is their outstanding film analysis (with a pro comp of Rome Odunze to Davante Adams):

Look at how engaging, articulate and at ease Rome Odunze is in this interview at the Combine with Mike Flori and Chris Simms. Check out the reasons he gives for wanting to compete at the Combine:

The is no doubt in my mind that if Dan Campbell had to make the choice of what WR in this draft he would implore the Lions to acquire, he would jump on Rome Odunze.

I hope like crazy that Monti Ossenfort and Dave Sears are of the same mindset, because Rome Odunze is the epitome of the kind of player they want to bring to this football team. In essence, Rome Odunze checks every single box, big-time.

Which WR in this draft class is the most like Larry Fitgerald?

Hear what Daniel Jeremiah has to say about his “favorite player” in the 2024 NFL Draft:

Why @RomeOdunze is @MoveTheSticks’ favorite player in the #NFLDraft (by @surface) pic.twitter.com/XQpPwvIoKG

— NFL (@NFL) April 16, 2024

Like Larry Fitzgerald, Rome Odunze is “punctual as a Star.”

Something also “special” about Rome (when needed):

Rome Odunze’s 83-Yard Punt Return TD pic.twitter.com/N51YUzTgUn

— ImBearingDown (@ImBearingDown) April 18, 2024

Rome is #1

I came into the process feeling convinced that Brock Bowers would be the best playmaker for the Cardinals —- but on the road to Indy and Detroit, I fell in love with Rome.

North America will see an incredible spectacle in the sky this year that you won't want to miss.

A total solar eclipse will move across the country in early April, and both Indiana and Kentucky will be great locations to see it.

Here's what you need to know before the big show.

(Note: All times in this article are in Eastern Daylight Time)

What is an eclipse?

When the moon is between the sun and the earth, it creates a very localized shadow that people will be able to see. Where that localized shadow takes place is called the path of totality.

That path of totality will move from Mexico to the northeastern parts of the country. Parts of Indiana and Kentucky are in the path of the totality.

What day, time is the eclipse?

The eclipse will move across the country on Monday, April 8.

The first location in continental North America that will experience totality is Mexico’s Pacific coast at around 2:07 p.m.

In the WLKY viewing area, the eclipse will generally begin around 1:49 p.m., peak around 3:07 p.m., and end around 4:22 p.m.

NASA said in Evansville, Indiana, the partial eclipse begins around 1:45 p.m. and ends around 4:20 p.m. And the total eclipse will last just a few minutes, starting at 3:02 p.m.

In Paducah, Kentucky, the partial starts at 1:42 p.m. and ends at 4:18 p.m., with the total eclipse between 3 p.m. and 3:02 p.m.

If you need a general range, in both states, the earliest for totality is 2:59 p.m. and the latest is 3:10 p.m.

The longest totality in Indiana is in Vincennes and Beal with a duration of 4 minutes and 5 seconds.

In Kentucky, the longest is a place called Monkeys Eyebrow, with 3 minutes, 18.6 seconds.

To find specific times for your city: Kentucky | Indiana

Path of totality

Indiana will be a prime location overall for good views. The path goes directly through a big portion of the state, and more than 3 million Hoosiers live in the path of totality.

A much smaller portion of Kentucky is in the path, but the state will still get a great show overall.

Best place to see in Indiana, Kentucky

In Indiana, there are several great places for viewing, including Evansville, Indianapolis, Terre Haute, Muncie, Anderson, Bloomington, Vincennes, New Castle, Richmond and Columbus.

In Kentucky, Paducah, Henderson, Morganfield and Bardwell are some good options.

What if you're not in the path of totality?

Again, you'll still be able to see some of the eclipses even if you're not in the path of totality, it just won't be total!

The Louisville Metro will see it at 98% or higher magnitude.

To see what it will look like, look here:

To find the magnitude for your city: Kentucky | Indiana

Is it safe to view?

The partial eclipse is not safe to view without special eyewear. Only the few minutes of totality, when no sun is visible, are safe to the naked eye.

No eclipse glasses? No problem. NASA explains how to make a safe viewing device at home.

Will weather play a factor?

Yes! A cloudy day could ruin the show, but it looks like we'll have mostly clear skies.

>> Keep up with local weather here.

Traffic

What would you need to know about traffic? Historically, eclipses cause major traffic jams and crashes. People tend to crowd the areas of totality and then all hit the road at the same time. That leaves some people stuck in their cars for hours.

So have a traffic plan in mind! Bring water and snacks.

Road conditions: Kentucky & Indiana

No problem! We have coverage all day long and will livestream totality.

How rare is a total solar eclipse?

The last time a total solar eclipse was visible in the U.S. was on Aug. 21, 2017, but this eclipse is a once-in-a-generation event. If you miss this one, NASA says the next total solar eclipse that will be visible from the contiguous U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044.

Brown County covers 316 square miles just 60 miles south of Indianapolis and 18 miles east of the university town of Bloomington. But it feels separate from the rest of the state. Nestled here are Brown County State Park, Yellowwood State Forest and parts of the Hoosier National Forest. The topography prevents looking too far ahead on roads or trails, making the payoff all the sweeter when you round a corner to spot one of the famed covered bridges or top out at a mountain vista.

Things to Do

Just a mile from Brown County State Park, the 2,000-seat center offers a lineup of local, regional and national performers.

See plays, musicals, concerts and movies in this 426-seat theater founded in 1949.

Climb a lookout tower for a bird's-eye view of the 16,000 acres of forests, lakes and wooded campgrounds at Brown County State Park, Indiana's largest state park. More than 50 miles of marked trails beckon hikers; 27 miles of mountain biking trails rank among the state's best. Popular hikes include Strahl Lake and the longer HHC Trail.

A winding road leads to one of two covered Brown County bridges. The 1880 bridge across Bean Blossom Creek once served as a major passage into Nashville. It's closed to vehicles but a popular spot for photographers.

Fifteen ziplines among the treetops include the state's fastest, longest and tallest twin-racing zips. Also available at Explore Brown County: paintball, arrow tag, ATV tours and camping.

At The Goat Conspiracy, a sustainable farm in Brown County, you can do tree pose with the four-legged residents. The owners of the creamery-turned-goat-sanctuary also operate an on-site vacation rental.

These Goats Are Living Their Best Retired Life in Brown County, Indiana

While Brown County may be best known for its state park, there's another huge draw in town now—a distillery making sweet mash whiskey on a 325-acre wooded campus. Take a distillery tour, mixology class, moonshiner's experience or ATV adventure on a 325-acre Nashville property that is also home to a restaurant and a cabin.

The Hard Truth: Why You Should Visit This Incredible Distillery in Brown County, Indiana

Picnic at one of the tables overlooking the 203,000 acres and explore some of the 266 miles of trails.

Book a paddling tour with David Rupp, founder of IndiGo Birding Nature Tours, to peep migrating and resident birds in southern Indiana. On a float along an arm of Lake Monroe, Indiana’s largest lake, you might see prothonotary warblers, green herons and bald eagles.

PHOTO:

Kevin J. Miyazaki

Rivers and Roads in Nashville sells handmade beeswax candles as well as pottery. PHOTO:

Kevin J. Miyazaki

You'll find antiques stores and crafts studios throughout Brown County, but if you'd rather walk, spend an afternoon in Nashville. Shops both quaint and quirky pack downtown. At Naughty Dog Books, you can purchase a “blind date with a book” and receive a surprise read to unwrap at home. Next door, the husband-wife team behind Rivers and Roads, sells handmade beeswax candles (his) and pottery (hers). Or pop into Moonshine Leather Company, where you can watch a leatherworker craft your custom belt.

Turn-of-the-century painter T.C. Steele and his wife, Selma, lived in Brown County, and helped turn the area into a thriving artists' colony. You can visit his studio and house on a guided tour or wander the grounds on your own. Selma’s gardens are especially abundant in spring, when lavender irises and magenta peonies bloom under snowy crab apples.

You'll have to hunt for the specimen yellowwoods, but plenty of pines, walnuts, locusts and oaks shade horseback and hiking trails at Yellowwood.

Where to Eat and Drink

Indiana-grown grains distill into whiskey, moonshine and other craft liquors in at Bear Wallow in Gnaw Bone. Taste the fifths in a room meant to look like a backwoods shack. Farm-to-Fifth tours offered on Saturdays.

Owned by the same family who runs Robinwood Inn, Bird's Nest is a sweet little spot nestled among vining flowers. Try brunch specials like The Bird's Nest Benedict or a Strawberry Basil Waffle Stack, made with locally sourced eggs and meats.

Artisan pizzas, such as The Smokehouse (pulled pork, smoked chicken, mozzarella, barbecue sauce), pair with beers like Busted Knuckle from the local microbrewery, Quaff ON! Big Woods has multiple locations including one in Nashville. (Both Quaff ON! and Big Woods are part of the Hard Truth Distilling family.)

Fuel up with a blackberry cardamom latte and a seasonal pastry—like the Golden Scone with cinnamon, turmeric and white chocolate chips— and sit near the stone fireplace. The Daily Grind also bakes fresh muffins on weekends.

Fresh herbs and produce star in salads, sandwiches and dinner fare in an 1800s brick farmhouse at The Flower and Herb barn nursery near Bean Blossom.

Original oak fixtures from 1873 set a casual tone at Hobnob, but the menu reflects foods both homey (liver and onions) and upscale (duck breast with red wine reduction on a butternut squash fritter).

Yes, you can order sandwiches, but the real draw at Our Sandwich Place is the cream-and-crimson interior crammed with memorabilia honoring Indiana University basketball and legendary coach Bob Knight.

Where to Stay

Cabins and cottages scatter throughout Brown County; a quick search on Airbnb will land you gems like Nashville Treasure. Here are a few more of our favorite woodsy lodgings.

In the heart of Brown County State Park, rooms in the stone-and-timber 1932 main lodge have patchwork quilts and furniture trim resembling branches. Families might want to opt for a two-story cabin.

Shaker-style furnishings, plank floors and four-posters decorate rooms at Nashville's downtown inn. Munch on sweet potato Sun Fries with brown sugar sauce in the Colonial-style restaurant.

Robinwood Inn, a few minutes outside Nashville, has a fascinating architectural history, energetic owners and unique perks like a hot tub inside a greenhouse. Choose from among four cozy and colorful accommodations, with charming names like Folktale Cabin. Breakfast is at the owners' downtown Bird's Nest Cafe.

Escape to a Cabin Haven at this Lovingly Restored Inn in Brown County, Indiana

Itâs a schlep to get to Story Innâthe website makes a joke of the innâs inconvenienceâbut well worth the drive. PHOTO:

Kevin J. Miyazaki

A elegant prix fixe chef's dinner rewards those who make the drive to the Story Inn and restaurant. PHOTO:

Kevin J. Miyazaki

This inn and restaurant boasts that it’s been in “one inconvenient location since 1851.” They’re not wrong—but the detour is worth it. For starters, the drive there along country roads lined with farms is stunning, especially at sunset. And upon arrival, a prix fixe chef’s dinner awaits; look for foraged produce, like ramps and fiddlehead ferns, in imaginative plates. Stay in one of 18 rooms in the renovated buildings—mill, general store, cottages—that made up the village of Story in the 1800s.

18 Best Romantic Getaways in Indiana

The countdown to the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse has begun.

Indianapolis and other areas of the Midwest will be bathed in darkness for a few moments as the moon eclipses the sun in a rare astrological event on April 8.

“The chance of seeing a total eclipse is probably once every 300-400 years so that’s at any one location on Earth,” said Aarran Shaw, assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Butler University. “The rarity of total solar eclipses, that’s making this kind of such a special event and why we’re really putting all our efforts into organizing events and getting the message out there. It’s a really big deal.”

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves directly between the sun and the Earth, casting a shadow on the Earth, Shaw said. The path of totality, or the 115-mile band where the full eclipse can be seen, will cross through Texas, the Midwest — including Bloomington, Terre Haute, Indianapolis and Muncie — New York, Maine and parts of Canada.

First contact, or when the moon first starts to cover the sun, happens approximately one hour and 15 minutes before totality, Shaw said. This will happen around 1:50 p.m. in Indianapolis, with totality occurring just after 3 p.m. Right before totality, there will be a big flash of light in the top “corner” of the sun, called the diamond ring, Shaw said. After this moment, it is safe to take off eclipse glasses and hopefully see what is called the sun’s corona.

Those who plan to watch the solar eclipse should wear eclipse glasses, which have a filter that blocks 99.999% of the sun, before and after totality, Shaw said. Looking at the sun directly without eclipse glasses can cause permanent eyesight damage and even blindness.Butler University’s Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium has glasses available for guests and experts on hand to answer questions and conduct demonstrations leading up to and the day of the eclipse. Solar scientists from the National Center for Atmospheric Research will be onsite April 8 to collect data during the eclipse, Shaw said.

READ MORE: The solar eclipse is days away, here’s where to watch

Totality will last three to four minutes, depending on location in the path of totality, and will cause a few noticeable changes in temperature and animal and insect behavior, said Ginger Murphy, deputy director of stewardship for Indiana State Parks.

“We’re focusing on what happens naturally when we experience an eclipse,” Murphy said. “There are some things to look at in relation to the moon in the sun. One of the coolest things that I’ve learned about is something called Baily’s beads.”

The surface of the moon is not flat, it has mountains and hills, Murphy said. Because of this, when it moves in front of the sun, right before totality, the relief may be visible along the edge of the moon, appearing like little beads on the sun and moon. The Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium and Indy Parks will have telescopes with sun filters to help guests in hopes of catching this phenomenon and the solar corona get a better look at the moon and sun during the eclipse.

The Department of Natural Resources has 54 properties within the path of totality, including state parks, lakes, and fish and wildlife areas, Murphy said. Each of these locations will open its gates at 7 a.m. on April 8, and Fort Harrison, the state park in Indianapolis, will have a few food trucks onsite.

Overall, Murphy said the Department of Natural Resources is expecting huge crowds for the eclipse at each of its properties, with visitors coming from 44 states and three Canadian provinces. The Department’s four inns and most of the campsites are already fully booked, but there are some openings left at on.IN.gov/recguide.

The last solar eclipse in the U.S. was in 2017, when the path of totality passed through parts of South Carolina, Kentucky, Washington and Oregon, Murphy said. However, the last solar eclipse in Indiana was in 1869, and the last eclipse in Indianapolis was around 800 years ago, Shaw said.

The rarity of this astrological event makes it so special and why public schools and universities like Butler are closing and canceling classes on April 8. It is a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for Hoosiers and has the potential to inspire the next generation of astrophysicists and scientists, Shaw said.

“Kids who are off school on April 8 will see this eclipse and they will remember,” Shaw said. “They will see the sun disappear for almost four minutes and be replaced by this kind of glowing corona, and they will have that image burned into their brains forever, and that could be the next generation of people who want to be astrophysicists or study astronomy at school.”

The next solar eclipse in the continental United States is not until 2045, and the next one in Indiana is not until 2153. Those who see the 2024 eclipse will not have the opportunity to see one again — unless they travel to other parts of the world, Murphy said.

“A lot of people have the impression that Indiana is one giant cornfield, and in fact, it is not,” Murphy said. “I think this is an opportunity for us to introduce Indiana’s parks to people who might not think that’s a place they want to come and hopefully they’ll come back. We’ll provide great hospitality, and they’ll come back and see us again.”

For more information about the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse and where to view it within Indy Parks, visit on.IN.gov/eclipse and on.IN.gov/recguide. For more information about Butler University’s Eclipse Viewing Experience, visit butler.edu.

Contact staff writer Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on Twitter @chloe_mcgowanxx.

Photo by James Brosher, Indiana University

Indiana — land of farms, fields and forests — is also home to factories, fertilizer plants and other industries that emit carbon dioxide. The Hoosier state ranks third in the nation in carbon dioxide emissions and 11th in the number of carbon-dioxide-emitting sources.

Indiana, however, could also become a leader in decarbonizing the atmosphere through carbon capture and storage — the capture of carbon dioxide from industry emissions and the storage, or sequestration, of carbon dioxide in deep underground geologic formations. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, researchers at the Indiana Geological and Water Survey at Indiana University are working with colleagues from other states to evaluate locations in Indiana and the Midwest where carbon storage in geologic formations could be successful.

Over the past 187 years, researchers at the Indiana Geological and Water Survey have laid the groundwork for carbon capture and storage by mapping in increasing detail the types, thicknesses, depths and properties of rock formations under Indiana. The Indiana Geological and Water Survey maintains a library of hundreds of thousands of feet of rock cores at a facility in Bloomington so researchers from inside and outside the organization can study them as windows into the deep subsurface. Samples collected decades ago are still yielding new information.

“Carbon capture and storage is worth studying because so much of everyday life is still dependent on fossil fuels,” said Ashley Douds, co-lead researcher at the Indiana Geological and Water Survey’s Center for Energy.

The Indiana Geological and Water Survey is the principal source of geological information about and for Indiana. Researchers collect and use geologic specimens and geological data to address local, regional and global challenges. Photo by James Brosher, Indiana University

Across the United States, nearly half of all greenhouse gas emissions come from electricity generation or industry. Indiana is home to 220 power plants, nearly half of which run on hydrocarbons. Other significant sources of carbon dioxide emissions in Indiana are landfills, ethanol plants, refineries and facilities that produce industrial materials such as cement or aluminum.

“The ability to store carbon in this state is impactful because we have so many industries that generate CO2, and it’s our way of cleaning up the air,” Douds said. “The growth in clean energy, such as wind and solar, have been good additions to the energy mix. But hydrocarbons are also a necessary piece of the energy mix, and this is a good way to decarbonize the sector.”

In carbon capture and storage, carbon dioxide is made into a supercritical fluid — held at a particular temperature and pressure — and is injected thousands of feet underground into specific types of rock formations. It can be stored in unmineable coal, in natural gas or oil reservoirs, and in other porous sedimentary rocks capped by impermeable rocks. A majority of Indiana is underlain by saline formations consisting of layers of rocks saturated with salty brine water. According to the Department of Energy, these formations have “an enormous potential for CO2 storage.”

“In the Indiana-Illinois region, the porosity and permeability of some of the deep reservoirs are ideal for injecting CO2,” Douds said. “They are below the 2,600-foot depth threshold so that the CO2 remains in a supercritical state as it is injected, which allows for more CO2 to be stored in a given volume of rock compared to gaseous CO2. They are widespread throughout a big region, and they haven’t produced oil and gas, so they’re not heavily drilled in that manner.”

Douds said people might be surprised to find that deep reservoirs have been used before as injection reservoirs for wastewater, particularly from factories.

“What we’re looking for is using the Earth’s ability to store these fluids for long periods of time,” Douds said. “Natural gas, oil, water, they’re all fluids, and CO2 is a fluid in a supercritical state. So the Earth has been storing these fluids for many millions of years. We’re looking to take advantage of that natural ability.”

The Mount Simon Sandstone, a saline reservoir that underlies Indiana and several adjacent states, was tapped for carbon capture and storage decades ago. In fact, Indiana Geological and Water Survey researchers contributed to that process during the Illinois Basin-Decatur Project at the Archer Daniels Midland ethanol plant in Illinois.

Beginning in 2011, 1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide were injected into the 1,500-foot-thick Mount Simon Sandstone and trapped more than 5,000 feet underground by the caprock. The plant received a second carbon dioxide injection well permit in 2021.

So far, the Illinois Basin-Decatur Project is the only EPA-permitted carbon capture and storage facility in the United States. But 42 projects in 11 states were in the federal permitting process as of mid-February of this year, and three states have been granted the ability to issue permits on their own. In January, the Environmental Protection Agency approved the first two permits for carbon capture and storage wells in Indiana, in Vermillion and Vigo counties.

Photo by James Brosher, Indiana University

The Indiana Geological and Water Survey will lead statewide studies to identify areas favorable for carbon dioxide storage, their capacity and any complexities present in the subsurface. The IU Center for Rural Engagement and the Polis Center at IU Indianapolis will provide community engagement and spatial analysis, respectively.

In Lawrence County, researchers are working with the Heidelberg Materials cement plant, which is participating in carbon capture at plants around the world. Working with partners at the Illinois State Geological Survey, Indiana Geological and Water Survey geoscientists assisted with collecting seismic data to characterize the subsurface and select the drilling location.

Once a permit is issued, a stratigraphic test well will be drilled, and core, geophysical logging and other tests will be run to learn more about the possible reservoir and caprock. Broad-scale geologic maps suggest the presence of an unusual type of sand in the Knox Dolomite in that part of Indiana that could serve as a reservoir.

“It has the potential to be a great reservoir target if confirmed by more detailed analysis,” Douds said.

While focused on Indiana and the Midwest, the work of Indiana Geological and Water Survey researchers can have an impact across the nation. Whereas some industries in the United States are undertaking their own carbon capture and storage studies, the work of IU researchers is not subject to the same level of proprietary concerns. The study results will be freely available through the Department of Energy.

“Just researching and sharing what we’ve learned about our subsurface, and what are positive things to look for and things to stay away from, it all adds to the collective knowledge,” Douds said.

Author

Indiana Geological and Water Survey

P: 812-855-1941

E: scliffo@iu.edu

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