Could the Colts Seize the South?

NBC 2 videographer A.J. Schub looks at the Colts chances of a division title.

Courtsey si.com

A three game lead with five games to play.  In the NFL that sort of a cushion is exactly what a division leading team should hope for with a little more than a month remaining in the regular season. That kind of a lead is as hard to give away as it would be to hand out a pair of tickets to see the Kansas City Chiefs play at the Cleveland Browns during Week 14.  That collapse would be of epic proportions, but not unheard of.

Let us take a trip in our DeLorean back to the year 1993, and to the city of Miami. The 'Phins were leading the AFC East by one game over the Buffalo Bills (not exactly the same scenario as the Texans/Colts in 2012, but hear me out).  Miami had just cruised through its ninth win of the season defeating the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving (the Texans just beat the Lions on Thanksgiving for their 10th win, the irony!) and the Bills were coming off of a loss to playoff bound Kansas City. Five games to play in the season, the Dolphins had a one game lead with their next three at home, including one contest against the Bills.  Then Miami collapsed.

The Dolphins would go 0-5 down the stretch and were outscored 165-115, including a 47-34 loss to the aforementioned Buffalo Bills.  That is just one case in the last 20 years where a stellar team has collapsed and found themselves out of the playoff race, but it is not the only one. 

The Houston Texans could be the next team to inexplicably falter and cave into the pressure. They may finish the year 5-0.  They also could easily drop three of their last five, lose the division and still make the playoffs.  If you're a Colts fan, that is what you hope for.  You hope for the Colts to beat the Texans both times they play in the next five weeks and for Houston to drop at least one of the games they play against the Titans, Vikings, and Patriots. That, however, wouldn't secure anything for the Colts.

hark.com

Indy would need to end their year rolling off five consecutive victories (six if you start by counting last week's win versus Buffalo, the same team to surpass Miami all those years ago....) against three teams that combine for a current record of 9-24, and then two games against Houston. If the blue and white tame the three bottom feeding teams and knock off Houston once, the Week 17 match-up between the top two teams in the South could very well have division championship implications.

The scenario involving the Colts and Texans is very similar to that of the Bills and Dolphins two decades ago. Miami, like Houston, controlled their own destiny but lost to the team behind them in the standings.  Indianapolis hopes to pull off a miracle of their own by beating the division leading Texans two times in the final three weeks of the season to get a chance at the division crown. I would tell Colts fans to believe in miracles, but the funny thing is that they already do. It's a miracle that the worst team from the 2011 season is in the hunt for a division title. It's a miracle the team has held it together for their coach as he battles cancer. It's a miracle that the loss of one of the greatest quarterbacks of this generation did not cause the franchise to wallow in the NFL's cellar for half a decade. This Colts team thrives on beating the odds. Yes, they need a bit of help, but it's not impossible.

Mayer: The President of Sports

In case you didn't notice we just had a presidential election come to a close yesterday. This got me thinking about a potential President of Sports. So, basically someone that is the head hancho of sports everywhere; from little league to Yankee Staduim, from high school soccer to the Premier League, the Olympics, cricket, skateboarding, football, and everything else you can think of. I haven't gone through the process of figuring out how this sports government would work because it's not really necessary for this exercise. However, we won't call this Sports President a dictator. Commissioners and players from every league would have some kind of say and ability to veto the president and vice versa in a similar fashion to the United Stated Government.

Moving on. I, Lucas Mayer, do hereby accept the position as the first ever Sports President and swear to honor the traditions of sports while helping to grow all sports to the best of my ability.

Usually it would be a good idea for the President of Sports to start slow and bring up bills and new laws that in time will help sports excel. However, as my first act as President I must take immediate action.

Courtesy theunticket.com

EXECUTIVE ORDER #DEATHTOTHEBCS
    My first act as President is to dismantle the BCS. Effective immediately plans for a four team playoff will take effect and discussion about a possible expansion of said playoff will take place after the season. This could not be more perfect with Alabama, Oregon, Kansas State, and Notre Dame still undefeated ( as well as Louisville) along with a slew of talented and deserving one loss teams.
   Additionally, the way in which bowl game revenues are distributed will be changed. Bowls will now take volunteers, that's right volunteers, to be in charge. The absurdity of men doing little work and receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars to "organize" bowl games is a thing of the past.
   There will be great outrage and backlash from certain people among this matter, but I should have the support of the fans, players, and coaches. In my sports government money doesn't buy votes, so deal with it fat cats.

Courtesy intothefuture.onmason.com

THE GREAT AMERICAN PASTIME BILL
   I will propose that instant replay will start effective 2013 for Major League Baseball and all other baseball outlets from college up. Strikes and balls will stay in the umpires hands, other then that anything can be replayed. The call for replay will come from an extra umpire who sits above the field. He will page the head umpire if a call is questionable and the chief umpire will take a look. In addition, if a manager feels a call was wrong and the replay umpire does not initiate replay, said manager will have one "challenge" each game. The manager simply has to inform the umpire he's using a challenge.
  This might take some time to be passed as many have not accepted replay as a necessary part of baseball, but give me some time and I'll convince them.

Courtesy ncaa.org

THE NCAA IS A JOKE BILL
  If there was ever an entity that defined the wrong way to deal with discipline it's the NCAA. Everything is backwards, idiotic, absurd, or unfair. Reggie Bush accepted impermissible benefits at USC so Trojans playing at the school half a decade later are punished. Sexual assault allegations against Jerry Sandusky result in 14 years of vacated Penn State football victories. As of yesterday, Hanner Perea and Peter Jurkin must sit out because a legal guardian bought some IU stickers before either player was born.
  We'll need to create a special committee to fix everything that's wrong but to start.... the notion of vacating wins is over. NCAA athletes will be given a monthly stipend equivalent to the hours they would be able to work if time was not consumed by athletics. Therefore, future teams will no longer be penalized if players accept illegal benefits that go beyond their stipend. Instead the NCAA will make deals with all professional sports that will punish the player at whatever time the evidence comes forward. Better reason for teams to do thorough background checks. Coaches who commit recruiting violations will suffer the same fate wherever they are currently coaching, the future team will not be penalized. I'm going to stop here, but we could go at this one for days.

Courtesy blakestreetbulletin.com

THE PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUG ACT OF 2013
  This is pretty simple. The loopholes are being closed effective immediately. All athletes from high school up will be tested by urine, blood, hair, or any other form at anytime without warning. This may be a little too "Big Brother" for you, but it's time to eradicate the virus that is cheating through drugs in sports. All athletic and personal trainers for any team or athlete are subject to investigation if there is suspicion and must go through a rigorous performance review each year and in order to be certified. If found positive for any performance enhancing drug, the player will be suspended from the sport for a year for first offense, two years for second offense, and banned for life after the third offense. There will be an extensive appeals process put in place in case the result is faulty.

Courtesy the-cool-table.com

THE SPORTS NETWORK BILL
  The process of creating a channel for almost every sport in the mold of the MLB and NFL networks will begin. Some of these channels already exist, but for the major sports that are still waiting, their time is now. Smaller sports that can not carry an audience by themselves will be grouped together. Possibly Olympic Sports and Extreme Sports type channels. In addition, a general sports network will be created to rival ESPN. Since the "mother ship" has become so transfixed on entertainment, leaving us with Tim Tebow and Skip Bayless 24/7, a network that refocuses on the actual sports will be made. Some of what ESPN does is incredible, some of it is a whole lot of fluff. Each of these networks will be highly involved, online and with social media.

This is only the beginning! During my four years as the first Sports President I hope to create a Sports World that gives us the best out of all sports and provides for fans as much as possible. Thank you America!

Mayer: Rivalry Games in the Playoffs Are Special

 Rivalry games are consistently some of the most epic and memorable contests in any sport. The passion from fans and players are raised to another level, often with more then a victory on the line. There's always bragging rights, but the pride factor is consistently elevated in match ups against a chief rival.

The list of best rivalries will change depending on who you talk to. I always start with Dodgers vs. Giants and Packers vs. Bears because of my favorite team biases. If I jog my memory, The Yankees and Red Sox have had a few memorable games over the years. Flyers vs. Penguins, Michigan vs. Ohio State, Nadal vs. Federer, Ali vs. Frazier, Lakers vs. Celtics, Duke vs. North Carolina,  you get the point.

Rivalry games often ignite that extra sense of urgency and passion that can only be brought out by higher stakes. Higher stakes...like the playoffs perhaps. The atmosphere is charged, the venue is packed, and everyone feels like the game is life or death. That description could be used for both a rivalry game and a playoff game. So, what happens when serious rivals get the rare opportunity to face off in the playoffs? Often, fireworks and moments we never forget.

This thought obviously stems from the sectionals match-up the Wabash Valley will be tuned into this upcoming Friday. Through a random draw, the Terre Haute North Patriots and Terre Haute South Braves were aligned and high school football fans across Terre Haute squealed like little girls receiving a pony as a birthday present. Really? We get the Victory Bell battle 2.0? YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!! Ok, I had to get that out of my system.

I've been working at NBC 2 for just over two months now. You would think that with my limited exposure to high school football in The Valley that a rematch wouldn't get me so excited. You would be wrong. The lead up to the first game was too much fun. The passion from both sides is contagious. This football season has been filled with all kinds of story lines, drama, and great games. In fact, one of the biggest plot lines going is the Terre Haute North Patriots. What a season North has put together compiling a winning record in the MIC alongside the monster schools of Indianapolis.

I'll never forget the build up in week two for the Victory Bell Battle won by the Patriots in front of a huge crowd at Memorial Stadium. So here we are, just a couple of days away from two fierce rivals facing off to extend their seasons. Winner goes on loser goes home. This is do or die. It's gut check time. *Other cliche sports saying to get my point across*. Throw the week two contest out the window now, whoever wins this game will not only have bragging rights, but a place on top of the rivalry record books as well. Any playoff game would be critical for both teams, but the emotions will be on another level before the first ball is kicked. The Braves and Patriots will have a moment to stare each other in the face and understand what they're playing for. #HEREWEGO

Mayer: Colts vs. Packers, A Game to Remember

I had the chance to cover the Colts vs Packers game on Sunday in Indianapolis. It was a truly special experience for me. As I've mentioned before, I'm a pretty die hard Packers fan. I've seen Green Bay play twice before: Once during the Favre era in San Diego (a blowout of the lowly Chargers) and a couple years back in Green Bay (a bad loss to the Texans on a last second field goal). So, this was only the third time seeing my favorite team and this time I was covering them professionally. Talk about a dream come true.

Indianapolis was playing for more then a win. Earlier in the week it was learned coach Chuck Pagano had been diagnosed with a treatable form of  leukemia. The first year head coach had already created a strong bond with the team. He sent players an e-mail urging them to play on and focus on the football field. That is always easier said then done. There were players on both teams wearing shirts supporting the coach as well as signs in each endzone.

 
 The Colts came into the game big underdogs. Although Indianapolis was by no means playing like a bad team, they were still playing with a rookie quarterback and facing the Packers who were needing a win and considered one of the better teams in the league. Andrew Luck has impressed everyone so far this season with his poise and decision making. He may still have a ways to go, but after leading a brilliant comeback, this was undoubtedly a monumental game in his career.

The Colts were excited to get one of the greatest defenders in their history back. Dwight Freeney had yet to take the field in the regular season due to a nagging ankle injury. Fans were excited to see a familiar number on defense and hoped he would wreak havoc for Aaron Rodgers.

I won't go into a long recap because I have to think everyone either watched this game, saw highlights, or heard about what happened. The Packers played with ease in the first half behind quarterback Aaron Rodgers on offense leading to 21 points and on defense the pressure was put on by Clay Matthews and company. Charles Woodson had the tough task of covering Reggie Wayne, who would put on an other worldly performance accumulating over 200 yards and wearing orange gloves in support of his coach. Despite their effort, Indianapolis found themselves with a 18 point deficit going into the third quarter.

Indianapolis absolutely dominated the second half. There are times in sports that emotion makes the difference. While Indianapolis made great adjustments and out played the Packers physically and mentally, the emotion was special to see. Call it cliche, but the Colts pushed it to the next level playing for their coach.

The Colts fought back, not allowing a point while continually putting drives together and converting key third downs. Reggie Wayne played like a man possessed, I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. The Packers doubled, bumped at the line, played man, played zone; it didn't matter. Andrew Luck showed incredible poise and some serious guts. Specifically, on one play when he was being tackled for a sack by Matthews, who grabbed his arm, and shook off the defender eventually completing a HUGE third down (to Wayne of course). The other play was his run near the goal line after the play broke down, diving forward to get the first. The Packers missed a 50 yard tying attempt to tie the game and Indianapolis stormed onto the field in one of the most inspirational and emotional victories you'll ever see.

As a Packer fan I was disappointed for two reasons. First, this game put Green Bay under .500 and in official Worry-Mode for a season that had sky high expectations. Secondly, it's never fun to see your team lose in person. However, talking to the Colts in the locker room after the game, feeling the joy and sense of accomplishment was special. These men came together for their coach. They were not afraid to make it known how much he meant to them and how they were able to take those feelings and channel them into positive energy during the second half. I feel lucky to have been at a game that went way beyond a W. This is a victory that everyone who was there and watched will remember.
 

Mayer: Some High School Football Offenses Must Evolve

I often hear the term "it's a different game" when referring to a higher level being compared to a lower level within the same sport. For instance, when hitters advance to high school baseball they often see off-speed pitches on a consistent basis like never before. Basketball players have to deal with more advanced zone defenses and complex set plays in college. As tennis players move up they must incorporate different serves and deal with opponents who can cover more court and hit at much greater speeds.

It's not actually a different game, but simply the evolution of the sport as the players advance physically and mentally. The stakes are raised and the games advance in a myriad of ways.

Football is not an outlier. Schemes become increasingly complex as players progress and the speed of the game ramps up dramatically. What I have found most interesting about high school football is the extreme differences in evolution between classes (at least in Indiana).

While the 4A and 5A teams often exhibit complex offensive schemes and are not afraid to pass, the trend has not trickled down to many of the 1A and 2A teams. Obviously this is a serious generlization. In no way can you put all teams under an umbrella of progressive or "ancient" game planning. In fact, I started thinking about this subject after doing a segment on Goin2TheEndzone, breaking down the Sullivan offense. The Golden Arrows are a 2A school.

Sullivan has a fascinating offense. They are not afraid to spread the field with multiple receivers and throw it deep. They also have a solid running game and use many fakes at the line of scrimmage involving wide receivers. It's not surprising to see the Golden Arrows use multiple receiver end arounds and receiver double reverses in a game.

At the same time, I've covered games where a lower class team seems to be playing football out of the 1950's. The team lines up again and again in the I-formation or some kind of a jumbo set with multiple backs (whether they are running backs, full backs, or tight ends in the backfield) and run up the middle. Every so often you see them dare to call a stretch run.

I understand why these teams don't use extremely complicated offenses with constant moving parts and pass plays that go thirty plus yards. The same goes for zone defenses that require defenders to adjust at the last minute and cover offensive players that are often bigger or faster. The athletes at the lower levels are usually not as physically gifted, that's a simple fact of life.

Still, I feel that taking the risk of implementing some kind of complexities in the offense, whether it's more sweeps, reverses, or play action passes would be worth it. When a defense knows the play will be a run up the middle 75% of the time, it becomes a game of field position and which team doesn't turn the ball over. I say take some chances and trust your players. It may be a bit of an adjustment  for players who regularly use less then ten plays a game. However, players are smarter then ever being raised in an age where professional and collegiate football schemes are being broken down for everyone to study.

Mayer: All Hail the NFL

I've been thinking about the popularity of football and success of the NFL lately. At this point, it might be impossible to quantify how popular the sport has become. It is common place to read about NFL games owning the top ten most watched television programs each year and high schools spending 60 million bucks to build a state of the art field.

Courtesy sportsfans.org

What truly fascinates me is the growing love and popularity of the NFL despite an evolution that has produced a much different game. 

Football became popular for the same reason boxing became popular which is the same reason gladiator duels were one of the most sought after forms of entertainment in ancient Rome. A large portion of the population gets a thrill out of physical battles where serious injury and possible death are not out of the question. Call it barbaric or human nature, but it's true.

The NFL used to be about hard hits, picking up first downs through power running, and trying to out muscle and punish the opponent. Don't get me wrong, big hits and physicality are still a big reason football is popular and it is an important aspect in creating a successful team. Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher effect players psyches and coaches game plans because of the punishing hits they give out and total disregard for their own well being.

While there are many other "warriors" similar to Lewis and Urlacher, they are no longer the driving force of the most popular sport in the United States. The game no longer revolves around a ground and pound mentality. The objective is no longer to wear out the opposition into submission. The NFL is a passing league, based on complicated blocking assignments, routes, changes at the line of scrimmage, and precise timing. In my eyes, the NFL in 2012 is closer to a ballet then a gladiator duel.

Courtesy broncosreport.com

There are numerous factors that have led to the evolution of football. Coaches have been able to expand play calling and be more aggressive using players that are smarter and more well trained in the art of the passing game. The famous seven on seven high school passing leagues are a perfect example of players learning and practicing a variety of routes, formations, and schemes that are being employed by professional and college teams. Even more to the point, many high school football teams are using complex spread offenses where the quarterback must be able to call audibles and change routes as if he was Peyton Manning.

With safety being a primary concern, the rules have taken away a great deal of the intimidation factor the defense once had. The quarterback is protected like never before and defensive stars may be called for unsportsmanlike conduct even when attempting to hit a receiver fairly. Personally, I am all for the changes that Roger Goodell has implemented. It is not acceptable to acknowledge the serious physical and mental anguish players go through after retirement without attempting to prevent it.

These rules have drastically changed the game. Coaches do not have to worry about sending recievers over the middle anymore, making four and five reciever sets more dangerous then ever. How is a lineback suppose to cover Wes Welker slanting across the middle when the speedy reciever has no fear of getting bowled over? Aaron Rodgers has become an artist at the backshoulder throw which has become easier to complete now that cornerbacks can't be as phsycial at the line.

Courtesy Sports Illustrated

There is something I can't figure out though. Are more people embracing this style of football or has the growing popularity of the NFL over the years created a snowball effect that can't be stopped? If everything was going in reverse, with the running game being more important and physicality on the field reaching an all time high, would the NFL still rule? I think it's probable, but who knows. The evolution will continue. Expect to see more teams using a no huddle more often in order to stop defenses from subbing in players (see more on this from Peter King's article in the NFL preview issue of Sports Illustrated).

It may be a different game. Ray Nitschke, Dick Butcus, and company might not recognize it, but this change is for the better. Players are more safe. The sport tests the athletes and coaches mental aptitude like never before. Running straight past someone may be easy for a man like Torrey Smith, who has incredible natural speed, but the elite playmakers do everything precisely; ask Greg Jennings. We don't know what is ahead and what football will look like in five years, but I bet you will be watching. I know I will.   

Mayer: Why We Love High School Sports

   High school football season returned last week under the bright lights of Friday night. It's a bit of a cliché, but the symbolism reads true. The amount of personal investment by members of the community and alumni of the school is extreme. The teenagers on the field are playing for more than themselves or the team, which leads to a lot of pressure.

   What better place to try and get back to the true essence of sport than high school? The format provides a high level of competition with impressive athletes, but everything is less commercial. Players don't need to worry about their image, contract, or tabloid profiles.

  

    It should be said that in the age we live in, nothing is totally pure anymore. High schools in Texas build fifty million dollar football facilities, Lebron James and Bryce Harper find themselves on the cover of Sports Illustrated before they can go to a bar, and the AAU has become tainted with college basketball coaches circling like vultures. Social media has allowed for easy access to high school players, who often have to deal with ludicrous fans.

   Despite all the change that has led to a "professionalization" of high school athletics, it still remains a basic form of community togetherness. Many people in the stands are friends and relatives of the players. Others have been rooting on the school's team for decades. There are many towns across the nation and in Indiana that shut down to attend the game.

   In the Hoosier State amateur sport starts with basketball, but in recent years (spurned by the success of Peyton Manning and the Colts) football has slid up the pantheon. That may bring more media attention each Friday night, but it's not what matters most.

   High school athletes play for love of the game. They are invested in their teammates and want to have success because of the hard work put in and the pure joy elicited from giving their all and coming out victorious. Motives are not dictated by upcoming free agency, the desire to be the star of a team in a big city, or parlaying athletic ability into endorsement deals.

   We love high school football because it allows us to step back and see the sport for what it truly is: Young men competing in a brutal physical contest, relying on each other, and pushing their limitations to extraordinary places in order to accomplish a singular goal.

- Lucas Mayer