Author Archives: Kent Sterling

Indiana Pacers – Bulls and Derrick Rose Stand in Pacers Way on Back Half of Back-to-Back

by Kent Sterling

Paul George is making baskets like flinging grapes into a bucket.

Paul George is making baskets like flinging grapes into a bucket.

The Indiana Pacers played at home on the back end of games on consecutive night seven times last season, and they won all seven.  That bodes well for the Blue and Gold tonight as they host the Chicago Bulls after dispatching the Detroit Pistons last night.

This is the first time since 2004-2005 that the Indiana Pacers have started a season with four straight wins.  That season was the beginning of the end of an era, as the Pacers brawled in Auburn Hills after going 7-2.  The suspensions ruined the season, and soured the fans who had a tough time forgiving Thug Life – Indy Style.

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This 4-0 run might be the start of something that heads decidedly in a different direction.  The Pacers aren’t just playing exceptionally well, but act like adults who enjoy being a part of the community for whom they perform.

The Pacers will try to take their season opening winning streak to five tonight at Bankers Life Fieldhouse against a team that is projected by some to be a rival for the NBA Central Division title.  Bulls point guard Derrick Rose didn’t want to elevate the Pacers to the level of rival before the season started.  He’ll need to back up his words with some improved shooting tonight if the Bulls are going to compete tonight.

The Bulls are 1-2, with their only win coming on a buzzer beating floater against the New York Knicks.  Rose is averaging 14.3 points on 17.3 shots through only three games.  His field goal percentage of 28.8% is likely more a result of the limited sample size of three games rather than a complete abandonment of his ability to score.

Regardless, these teams don’t much care for one another, and the Bulls will present a tough test as the Pacers try to bounce back after a hard fought win last night in Detroit.  The Bulls have enjoyed three days off to prepare for the Pacers.

Paul George played 41 minutes last night, and Lance Stephenson logged 39.  That makes tonight a little tougher for the Pacers, and that’s why teams have a very tough time winning 60 games – the vagaries of the schedule sometimes determine who wins and loses.

Before the epitaph of the Pacers winning streak is written, this type of game is why Pacers President Larry Bird wheeled and dealer during the offseason to bulk up the bench.  Luis Scola and C.J. Watson will log heavy minutes even if George Hill returns for tonight’s game after sitting the last two.

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The NBA season is the longest among the three major sports leagues (I’m finally dropping the NHL as a major sports league as they are especially irrelevant in Indiana where they have been relegated to the scrap heap of fringe sports), and it’s best negotiated one event at a time.  The travel is exhausting, and there are some nights that a team just will not have its legs or be its best.

The Pacers have a nice balance of youth and experience that should serve them well during the tougher nights, and tonight may be one of them.

Paul George might be the MVP of the NBA this season, and Lance Stephenson could be the Most Improved Player.  Tonight and the game Saturday, November 16 at Brooklyn after a Friday against Toronto will be the nights when they can earn those honors.

ESPN’s Tim Legler mentioned that the Pacers are a team that can win more than 60 games, and he’s right.  Their defense is that good.  But the schedule is not going to help.  The Pacers play back-to-back games 20 times this season, and 15 of the seconds are on the road.  By comparison, the Miami Heat have 17 back-to-backs with 14 back halves on the road.  The Bulls have 15 back-to-backs with eight back halves at home.

Last season, the Pacers were 5-7 on the back end of a back-to-back pairing of games, while going 7-0 on home back ends (they lost the last game of the season, which was the night after a game that was cancelled in Boston following the bombing at the Boston Marathon).

What’s all this mean?  Who the hell knows.  It could be that the Pacers are a little bit smarter on the road than other teams, and that provides a solid pragmatism to Bird’s approach to bringing in good character guys.  The road offers temptations that these Pacers appear to be able to refuse.  It could be that the teams they were playing had bad nights sometimes, and rotten nights otherwise.

Jeopardy Answer From Tonight’s Show Removes Hope for Intelligent Life on Earth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srDOw66KIss

Serendipity sent me to Jeopardy tonight on WTHR.  I’ve watched the show since I was tiny, and tonight a contestant named Carole gave the worst response I have ever heard.

The answer is so bad that it’s even money Carole doesn’t understand the concept of the show.  She may think Jeopardy is a game a lot like Mad-Libs where random words cause hilarious results.

In case you missed it on the video, the answer was “This activity that omits a key piece of equipment has been called the most physically demanding event in rodeo”

Carole’s response was “What is mime?”

Indianapolis Colts – 6-2 in the First Half; Second Half Should Bring AFC South Crown – and More

by Kent Sterling

UnknownLet me preface everything in this post by saying that if Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck gets hurt, all bets are off.  I retract every word written here.  Matt Hasselbeck is a legit backup in a way that no one could have known was true about Jim Sorgi, Paul Justin, Curtis Painter, Kelly Holcomb, or Brock Huard have been  for the Colts, but he is not Luck.

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The Indianapolis Colts beat three of the top teams (Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, and San Francisco 49ers) in the NFL to reach 6-2, and if anything the second half schedule should allow them to ascend to even greater heights.  Let’s take a look at the schedule to see what to expect as the weeks click forward toward a return to the playoffs:

November 10 vs. St. Louis Rams

This appears to be an easy, almost automatic win.  The talent and ability gap between Rams quarterback Kellen Clemens and Luck needs to be measured in parsecs (3.26 light years for those of you who like specificity) and that will be the difference.  Clemens will throw it to the defense or fumble when hit, and that makes him a quarry that likely will pose little resistance.  The Rams running game has found itself since the injury of disappointing franchise quarterback Sam Bradford.  Rookie Zac Stacy has been very productive the last two games as he has carried the ball more often for 134 and 127 yards.  The receivers for the Rams have solid measurables, but are wildly inconsistent.

The defense is a different issue entirely.  The front four are stout, and the ends get get after the quarterback with enthusiasm.  Robert Quinn has blinding speed, and has notched 10 sacks.  According to profootballfocus.com, Quinn grades out as the best 4-3 end in the NFL, and it isn’t close.  In fact, Quinn is graded has the second most impactful defensive player in the league behind J.J. Watt.  Sadly, the secondary and linebackers don’t measure up to the front.

The Rams are going nowhere this season, and they know it.  Sometimes teams just are who they are.  With only sporadic deviations, the Patriots and Colts have won for a generation while the Rams and the Bills have lost.

Anthony Castonzo needs to do everything he can to keep Quinn off of Luck.  If there is a game that makes me quiver and shake in worry over the health of Luck, this is it.

The Rams have some talent, but even at their best on the road, the good players can’t be great enough to overcome Clemens’ mediocrity.

November 14 @ Tennessee Titans

At 4-4, the Titans are the only legitimate speed bump the Colts need to negotiate on their drive to the division crown.  A win in Nashville would cripple the Titans chances, so just as was the case last Sunday night in Houston, the Colts should expect a best effort on national TV.

Jake Locker is a pretty good quarterback for someone almost completely below the radar.  Through week four, Locker was rolling having completed 69-111 for 721 yards, six TDs, and no picks.  After recovering sufficiently from a hip injury to play the last two weeks, Locker has thrown for two TDs and three picks.  He isn’t good enough to beat anyone by himself, but if he stays clean and throws only to his guys, the Titans won’t lose because of him either.  Fans hoping to see the Chris Johnson who ran for 2,006 yards in 2009 will be disappointed.  After that magical season where Johnson finished with 11 straight 100 yard games, Johnson gained 100 yards in eight games in 2010, four games in 2011, five in 2012, and enjoyed his first of 2013 last weekend against the Rams.

The defense has generated 15 turnovers, which nets the Titans a +6 turnover margins, and yet they are 4-4.  Their pass defense is legit, although they have faced some of the worst passing offenses in the NFL.  Their rushing defense is not stout, but the Colts have had some trouble running the ball, so that’s not a net advantage for the Colts.

This game is a pick ’em.  It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Titans take a first half lead and then have Luck lead a fourth quarter comeback for the Colts.  That has little to do with the Titans; I’m just never surprised by those two things – not anymore – from Luck.  The Colts have won 17 of Luck’s total of 24 starts and 10 of those have been the result of fourth quarter comebacks.

Since the opening week of the 2011 season, Luck and Tony Romo are tied for the NFL lead with 10 fourth comebacks, and Luck spent the entire 2011 season as a student athlete at Stanford.

November 24 @ Arizona Cardinals

Carson Palmer hasn’t changed much over the years.  After a very nice week one performance against the Rams, he has reverted to form.  He’s thrown at least one interception in every game, and has struggled through four of eight games with an adjusted yards per attempt of under five yards.  The rushing offense was brutal until the Cardinals last game against the Falcons on October 27, when they got untracked with a total of 201 yards.  Prior to that, they had not reached the 110 yard mark.  Against the Falcons, coach Bruce Arians finally shelved the thoroughly mediocre Rashard Mendenhall and rolled with rookie sixth round pick Andre Ellington, who responded with 154 yards on 15 carries.

Larry Fitzgerald is still productive with 36 catches and 470 yards, but at 30 he is no longer the dominant receiver he once was.

The offense giveth the ball and the defense taketh away.  The Cards ranked 31st in the NFL with 18 giveaway, and second in takeaways with 19.  The secondary is filled with ball hawks like Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, and Rashad Johnson.  High risk, high reward is the way the Cardinals play, and that seems about right for a team coached by Arians.

I’m not a big believer in trap games, and don’t believe that the Colts will head to Glendale with their sails filled by self-loving wind.  This is a game the Colts should win, and they usually win games they should.

December 1 vs. Tennessee Titans

This game is likely to be the last hurdle between the Colts and an AFC South title.  That makes it a worthwhile endeavor for the Colts, and I believe they win at home.  For details, see the November 14th matchup.

December 8 @ Cincinnati Bengals

No point in getting detailed about a game over a month away.

The Bengals are 6-3 right now, and that makes the Bengals a tough road beat the week after the de facto division wrapper.  I’ll take Andy Dalton and the Bengals.

December 15 vs. Houston Texans

No way the Colts lose this game, regardless of the quarterback or coach for the Texans.

December 22 @ Kansas City Chiefs

This game could very easily be for home field advantage throughout the playoffs.  Does anyone think the Chiefs have a chance of going 16-0?  No.  How about 15-1?  No.  14-2?  Getting closer.  Maybe 13-3?  Sounds right.  That means the Chiefs will finish their last seven games 4-3.  With two each left against Denver and San Diego, and one against Oakland, Washington, and Indy, I’m picking the Colts as one of the losers.  I hate to do it, but the Colts game is their last home tilt of the regular season, coming after consecutive roadies against Washington and Oakland before finishing at San Diego.

December 29 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

I don’t care if this game is for nothing, the Colts should be able to turn their depth chart upside down and beat a team that will have long since clinched the first overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Overall

That gives the Colts a 12-4 regular season record, and likely the #3 seed in the AFC.  That is a hell of an accomplishment given their very difficult schedule (minus the gimmees against the Jags)  Then it’s time for the real fun, and will give us a chance to see if the comparisons between statue #1 and potential statue #2 extend to the postseason.

Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin – Bullying Is Easy to Stop Most of the Time

by Kent Sterling

If Marc Heller had been built like Richie Incognito, I probably would have opted for Plan B, but seventh graders don't look like this guy.

If Marc Heller had been built like Richie Incognito, I probably would have opted for Plan B, but seventh graders don’t look like this guy.

The mess between Miami Dolphins guard Richie Incognito and teammate Jonathan Martin has brought the discussion of bullying to the fore, so talking about an option my Dad shared with me about dealing with bullies seems relevant.

This is not meant to be a how-to, just an anecdote about a seventh grade kid who hated going to study hall for a few weeks because of the way he was treated in that classroom.

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When I was in the seventh grade, my family had just moved back to Lake Bluff, Illinois, and I was the new kid.  In study hall, I took the occasional thwack in the ear, and whack of a pencil to the head.

Not being a big guy, my chosen battleground was in verbally assaulting those who threatened me physically.  That worked for the kids who were smart enough to know they were being insulted.  For the dopey bastards in this study hall, that only resulted in confusion.  It did not get the job done.

The torment escalated in that study hall until one day in the halls as we moved mid-period from one classroom to another, six or seven of these dolts started hitting me on the head with pencils and knocked my books from my hands.  I snapped, throwing the book I was able to hold onto at the lockers, and left school.

It never occurred to me that a kid could just walk out of school in the middle of the day without penalty, so when I was outside I faced a decision of where to head.  I could go home, where Dad had a home office, or to my grandmother’s.  Easy call.  My grandmother would have a shrimp cocktail for me, and my Dad would probably yell at me for bolting.

After I polished off the little glass container of Sau-See Shrimp, my grandmother told me that I should call Dad to tell him what happened.  She was always right about that stuff, so I called and he said he would be right there.

I got in the car and explained in greater detail what happened.  He wasn’t disappointed or angry, but said, “Look, if you want that to stop, it’s an easy fix.  The next time a kid picks on you, hit him in the mouth with your fist as hard as you can.”

When I told him that I would get in trouble for hitting a kid, he said he could take care of that.

Instead of dropping me off at school, he walked me into school and made a bee line for the office.  The principal and teacher of the study hall I abandoned were already there talking about me.  Dad introduced himself, and said, “Kent told me what happened, and what I told him to do is hit the next kid who touches him as hard as he can in the face.  He’s worried that he might get in trouble for that.  If he doesn’t hit the next kid who bullies him, Kent is going to face a much tougher punishment at home than you could ever give him.  Thanks for your time.”

Dad patted me on the back and told me to go to Mr. Johnson’s math class.  Mr. Itzov and Mr. Thompson looked at him like every authority figure looked at Dad, like they had never heard anything like what he said, and better to not engage him further as long as he is leaving on his own.

Two weeks later, I’m in the same study hall finishing up some math, and a kid named Marc Heller ran up from behind and grabbed my pen.  I thought, “Well, here we go.”

I walked up to the front of the classroom where Heller was holding the pen like bait, as though I was supposed to try to grab it.  I threw my fist with all the fury a 78-pound seventh grader could muster, and connected with Heller’s cheek.  His eyes teared, and he looked shocked for about five seconds.  Then, he face contorted in rage, and he tried to charge.  I hit him a second time, and Mr. Thompson jumped in to split us up.

Heller was bigger and stronger than I was, and truth be told had the fight been allowed to continue, it might not have ended well for me.

From that point forward, I had nothing to worry about.  Heller and the other goons never bothered me again.  Whether it was because I sacked up and fought, they thought maybe I was crazy, or a combination of the two, Dad was right on the money with his advice.

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Mr. Thompson didn’t send me to the office, likely because of Dad’s blunt speech mandating that I act, and I felt in control in that study hall for the first time.

There are obvious exceptions, like in the case of special needs kids who are picked on or bullied, but in my experience, when a bully no longer feels confident that he or she has control of the environment or your response to them, behavior changes.

It might cost an ass-kicking, but the best way to end bullying is to come at the cause head-on.  Throwing hands at a guy who appears to be a borderline psychotic like Incognito is a different deal.  Abandoning ship might have been the prudent course for Martin.

Gary Kubiak and John Fox in the Hospital Brings Talk of Health Front and Center

by Kent Sterling

Gary Kubiak received the message that there must be more to life than coaching 20 hours a day.

Gary Kubiak received the message that there must be more to life than coaching 20 hours a day.

Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak is in the hospital after suffering what is being described as a mini-stroke at halftime of the Sunday night game against the Indianapolis Colts, and Denver Broncos coach John Fox underwent heart surgery yesterday to replace a valve.  As a result, people are asking whether coaches are working themselves into poor health.

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Of course they are, but it doesn’t stop at coaches.  People who manage employees and possess a functional conscience work way too hard and don’t take good care of themselves because the consequence for living a balanced life is not only professional failure they will own, but could cause the failure of the enterprise they manage.  That costs everyone their jobs.

When jobs are at risk, so are the college educations for the children of those who are displaced.  In some cases, the fallout is worse.  Divorce, hunger, foreclosure, and worse might ensue if the business fails.

You want to lose sleep, manage a business on the ropes.

The careers of players and coaches are so tenuous in the National Football League that every week is a report card and could result in a decision on leadership or roster construct.  There are 17 weeks in a season, and each can result in an adjustment that changes the lives for better or worse of everyone involved.

In business, usually we deal in quarters.  That means four games per year that bring grades, change, and either rewards or penalties.  In business, it can be a little different because if you work for a place with several satellite offices, the poor results at one can cause consequences at others despite their operating with efficiency and excellence.

At least in professional sports, each team is an island.  If the Bears lose, the Colts don’t need to cut someone.  In media, if a cluster, station, or newspaper in San Francisco goes through a tough time, Phoenix might have to cut $380,000, and that means people.

Deciding how to get to that total can brutally difficult, especially if Dallas has a tough road last year that already caused Phoenix cuts of $470,000.  So managers prepare for their battle – the meeting with corporate where you fight for the jobs of your people who might be sent packing through no fault of their own.

It’s easy to say that living a balanced life is the key to a healthy life, but when the decision is whether to workout and play catch with your son, or prep for a meeting where a poor performance is going to cost six people their livelihood, you sack up and work late.

Multiply that by decisions made at the end of the workday 260 times a year, and you begin to understand why people in all businesses have heart attacks, strokes, ulcers, and mental breakdowns.

Coaches can either prepare for the following Sunday, evaluate potential draftees and free agents, game plan ahead for the following season, build individual workout plans for players, or spend time with family and eat right.  In college, recruiting is never done, and a little extra work might make the difference in the commitment of a kid who puts your program over the top.  Does a coach watch his daughter sing in the school choir, make a few extra calls, or go on one more visit to get that potentially special player?

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How much tape is too much tape to watch?  How many hours is too many in prepping for a meeting?  When the consequence is a life changing event for all who trust that you are leading them effectively and passionately, there is no such thing as too much.  The consequence for that can be a fractured family, a kid being unsure who you are, and the occasional attention getter from your body.

And until there is a point of differentiation that is more meaningful than working your ass off, guys like Kubiak, Fox, and thousands of other managers will be harshly reminded that there is a brick wall out there for each of us that we cannot run through.

Richie Incognito’s Voicemail to Jonathan Martin Shows Loose Cannon with No Place in NFL

by Kent Sterling

Jonathan Martin may need additional security moving forward as Richie Incognito processes the likely end of his NFL career.

Jonathan Martin may need additional security moving forward as Richie Incognito processes the likely end of his NFL career.

The voicemail from Miami Dolphins offensive guard Richie Incognito to second year offensive tackle Jonathan Martin puts on full display the guy who is the punchline to a lot of jokes in St. Louis.  During his time with the Rams, Incognito was known for irrational behavior, and the media happily shares stories about his time in St. Louis.

A month after moving to St. Louis in 2011, I attended several workouts at Rams Camp where media folks would say, “Richie” in response to a story about crazy behavior by former Rams, and laughter followed.  I looked at the roster and staff directory, and couldn’t find any Richie.  It was a challenge to try to figure out who this guy was.

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The crazy behavior attributed to “Richie” didn’t represent the antics of a crazy and fun guy, but of a person with issues – as in the kind of crazy to be avoided.  I finally asked who Richie was, and was told, “Incognito.”  I recalled some odd stories about a guy by that name who played at Nebraska.

The voicemail transcribed by ESPN obviously goes far beyond a prank and into the soul of someone who is both troubled and trouble, “Hey, wassup, you half n—– piece of s—. I saw you on Twitter, you been training 10 weeks. [I want to] s— in your f—ing mouth. [I’m going to] slap your f—ing mouth. [I’m going to] slap your real mother across the face [laughter]. F— you, you’re still a rookie. I’ll kill you.”

Jonathan Martin, a well-educated second year player from Stanford decided that this level of idiocy threatened his safety, and put him in a position to either fight or be psychologically dominated by a lunatic.  As a result, he decided to leave the team.  That’s a logical choice, and it’s ridiculous to argue with.

On his radio show today, 1070 the Fan’s Dan Dakich said that dealing with crazy on crazy’s terms is stupid.  Of course, he’s right.  And assuming that Martin is out from under Incognito’s reach because the Dolphins and NFL have stepped in is naive.  Whether or not Incognito has been suspended, Martin is still potentially in danger because crazy is crazy, and according to anecdotes in St. Louis and elsewhere, Incognito is crazy.

And now his livelihood has been threatened.  Crazy plus threatened is not a great combination for an enemy to be.

Some boobs are criticizing Martin for not smacking Incognito in the mouth to end this madness, but they are assuming a level of frivolity in this bullying that doesn’t exist.

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Incognito has a history of bad conduct stretching all the way back to his time at Nebraska.  He was suspended by two separate Cornhuskers coaches, the second time indefinitely by Bill Callahan.  One month after his final suspension at Nebraska, he was dismissed from Oregon one week after transferring for violating team rules.  During his time in the NFL, he has been voted the league’s dirtiest player, and released by the Rams for an incident with Steve Spagnuolo.  Rams coaches were afraid to single Incognito out in meetings for fear he would respond physically.  He has also baited opposing players into fights with his on field tactics.

The only surprise among St. Louis media is that it took this long for Incognito’s irrationality to corrupt his ability to continue to earn a living in the NFL.

Incognito is a menace, and should be treated as one.  That’s what Martin did, and it took bigger stones than trying to smack Incognito in the mouth.

Indianapolis Colts – Win Against Texans Impossible to Fathom; Unless You Believe in Luck

by Kent Sterling

Never clean shaven for more than five minutes, Colts quarterback Andrew Luck is 13-2 in games decided by seven or less points.

Never clean shaven for more than five minutes, Colts quarterback Andrew Luck is 13-2 in games decided by seven or less points.

This game was over with a minute left in the third quarter with the Houston Texans leading the Indianapolis Colts 24-6.  Looking at the box score, the game is still over with the Texans winning to stay alive in the AFC South.

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Fortunately for the Colts, statistics aren’t always relevant.  The score at the end of the game was 27-24 in favor of the Colts, and that’s what counts.  The Colts are 6-2, and the Texans are 2-6.  The Colts are in the driver’s seat leading the AFC South, and the Texans are looking toward an improbably high draft pick and a better 2014.

Gary Kubiak is looking toward recovering from whatever caused him to collapse on the field at halftime.  All the Texans have said is that it wasn’t a heart attack.  Wade Phillips took over as head coach, and not to be insensitive, but knowing that Phillips was calling the shots motivated increased hope.  Honestly, is there a coach in the NFL you would rather see on the opposing sidelines with the game on the line in the fourth quarter?

Cries from homes in Indianapolis throughout the first two-and-a-half quarters were, “What the hell is wrong with Andrew Luck?!”  During the fourth quarter, the cries turned to cheers, and an almost certain loss became yet another comeback win for the second-year genius.

Take a look at the statistics – other than points scored:

  • Total Yards – Texans 483, Colts 314
  • Rushing yards – Texans 143, Colts 69
  • Passing Yards – Texans 340, Colts 245
  • First Downs – Texans 22, Colts 17
  • Sacks – Texans 4, Colts 1
  • Yards per play – Texans 7.1, Colts 5.4
  • Third Down Conversions – 6-14, Colts 4-13
  • Possession – Texans 36:12, Colts 23:48
  • Case Keenum – 20-34, 350 yards, three TDs, no picks; Andrew Luck 18-40 271, three TDs, no picks
  • Turnovers – Texas 0, Colts 0

Two statistics had significant meaning in determining the score – Adam Vinatieri made 2-3 field goal attempts for the Colts, and Randy Bullock made only one of his four attempts.  The Texans were penalized five times for 86 yards, and the Colts only three times for 15 yards.

But even with the missed kicks and excessive penalties, the Colts won the game because Luck is a marvel.  Only 1 1/2 seasons into his pro career, he is already evoking comparisons to Steve Young, Brett Favre, and (gasp) Peyton Manning.  The Colts are a team with a lot of parts that bring success but no position on the field is as important as quarterback, and Luck has both the measurables and intangibles needed to achieve greatness.

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Gone are the Colts best two best running backs, their hall of fame wide receiver, and top tight end, but they keep right on rolling because of the aggression of general manager Ryan Grigson in building a roster, and the superb leadership and skill of Luck.

Next up will be the embattled St. Louis Rams, who are 3-6 and without the quarterback they were hoping would blossom as Luck has – Sam Bradford.  Instead, the Colts will try to defend Kellen Clemons and an extremely young set of offensive weapons.

The brutal first half schedule softens in the second half of the season.  With wins against the 49ers, Seahawks, and Broncos, the Colts appear to be good enough to compete for a championship.

The Colts aren’t a great team.  Nowhere are they dominant, but everywhere they are competent.  With Luck under center, that has been enough six-of-eight times.  With the Rams at home, Titans (home and away), Texans at home, Jags at home, and the Cardinals, Bengals, and Chiefs on the road, 11 wins looks like a lock.

But as anyone who has watched the NFL for more than 15 minutes knows, there are no locks.  Anything can happen, but there is undoubtedly a trend emerging that the Colts and Andrew Luck are much more likely to win close games than lose them, and every team’s schedule is filled with games that come down to a single possession.

They are 4-1 in 2013 in games decided by seven or less points, and over Luck’s 24-game career, the Colts are 13-2 in those games.  That’s not a hot streak; it’s a habit.

Tony Romo and Andrew Luck are tied for the NFL lead in comeback wins since the beginning of the 2011 season, when Luck was still a year away from playing as a professional.

Luck’s run of great comeback wins is growing almost as quickly as his beard.

Indiana Football – Kevin Wilson’s Admission of Errors in Strategy Doesn’t Soften Homecoming Loss

by Kent Sterling

UnknownIt was homecoming at Indiana yesterday, meaning I “enjoyed” the game as a fan and didn’t cover it, so my anger over the bizarre decision to go for two twice rather than take extra points and then throw a backwards pass at the end of regulation simmered overnight.

This morning, my anger abated a bit as I read the game recap of the 42-39 loss to Minnesota that contained coach Kevin Wilson’s assessment that the calls were mistakes.

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I like a guy who admits an error.  After Wilson admits that the sidelines brain trust screwed up, what else is there for Hoosiers fans to wonder?  The admission diffuses my frustration.  It doesn’t change the fact that going for two down by two with 8:45 left in the game, going for two again with 5:33 left left. or throwing a backward pass with 25-seconds left in a three-point game from the Minnesota nine yard line represented three critical strategic errors.

Just for clarification, I was upset before the results.  I hate people who criticize after the fact based solely upon the results, rather than the logic of the play.  That goes back to listening to Billy Packer call college basketball games on NBC and CBS for over 30 years.  Every shot that was made was a smart shot, and every shot that missed was a bad shot.  Drove me nuts.

Wilson made the same ill-conceived two-point conversion decision at Michigan with 2:56 left in the third quarter down 42-40.  Way too early to put at risk a single point to roll the dice on getting two.  Hindsight is 20/20, but if Indiana had continued to kick extra points in the fourth quarter yesterday, they would have been down one-point during their last drive, meaning that a field goal wins the game rather than ties, and the temptation to aggressively pursue a touchdown would have been unnecessary.

There are plenty of ways that play that resulted in a fumble that sealed the win for Minnesota could have resulted in head scratching confusion rather than head banging fury – like if Tevin Coleman had fallen on the poorly thrown ball, or if quarterback Nate Sudfeld had waited for the play to develop to the point where Coleman was in front of him, or if Coleman had run the route in a way that he was in front of Sudfeld earlier.

There were plenty of events that conspired to screw that play up, and cause the worst possible result.  Hoosier Football turned into a confederacy of dunces during that play after mounting a solid comeback effort against a team that was coming off wins against Northwestern and Nebraska.

So Indiana will have to win on the road at either Wisconsin or Ohio State to be in the hunt for a trip to a bowl, and that’s a shame because it was right there for them.

Wilson manned up and accepted the blame for the loss, and that’s entirely appropriate.  He’s a educator, and teaching kids not to deflect blame when you are in charge is a valuable lesson – not as valuable as teaching them how to win a game, but valuable.  Fans don’t pay to watch Wilson teach leadership.  They want wins, and if school officials don’t want fans to bolt at the half, they are going to have to reward that faith.

Half of the portion of Hoosier Nation (it’s the Liechtenstein of college football fan base nations) who bolted for Nick’s and Kilroy’s before the late game fireworks sees what happened yesterday as “Indiana being Indiana,” and the other half see the Hoosiers playing competitive football in the Big Ten as a sign of progress.  Some enlightened souls might be able to simultaneously see both.

Indiana is improving, and with the young core of the team developing on the job, they should be in a position to avoid the late game shenanigans that led to yet another defeat.  Wilson needs to continue to learn as a head coach that his first responsibility is to out coach the fans, and whether or not he feels he regularly does that, the faction of fans who find it easy to ask, “What the hell is Wilson doing?” is growing.

Rick Venturi Talks About the Colts – Bye Week, Big Win, Reggie Lost; What’s It All Mean

by Kent Sterling

When you want to know something about the National Football League and the Indianapolis Colts, the best source is former head coach and one of the best defensive minds in the history of the game – Coach Rick Venturi.

In the extensive interview below, Coach Venturi talks about the Colts and where they are.  He also has some very enlightening thoughts on the progression of quarterback Andrew Luck.