18 Things to Watch for During Saturday Night's Colts/Ravens Game

It's playoff time

It's finally upon us.  All the talk, all the waiting, all the hopes and fears of an entire season will come to a head on Saturday night at the Luke.  We'll all be watching.  Here's what to keep your eye on:

1.  Watch the shift.  The Ravens have undergone a total makeover since last we saw them. Early in the season, they let fly with Flacco.  Check out his attempts and passing yards per game:
Through Week 13: 34 attempts, 240 yards
Week 14-Playoffs:21 attempts, 153 yards
40% fewer attempts and 34% fewer yards

They leaned far more heavily on their running game:

Combined Rice, McGahee rushing attempts and yards per game:
Through Week 13: 21 attempts, 96 yards
Week 14-Playoffs:30 attempts, 191 yards
43% more attempts and 100% more yards

This isn't the same Ravens offense we faced in November. It's a run first attack.  Tip to Rick for the stats.

2.  Watch the goat.  Last year, Gijon Robinson's inexcusable failure to lay even a mitt on Dobbins ruined the Colts season.  He was inactive for the first game with the Ravens, but his replacement, Tom Santi, had a huge day catching the ball as Dallas Clark was largely shut down.  Robinson could once again be a huge factor in a playoff game and has a chance to redeem himself.

For more, just click...

Crap like this has been going through my head all week:

Bad Demond: Baltimore!  I can't believe the Chargers get to play the Jets.

Good Demond: Chill out.  The Colts are healthy.  The Colts are fresh.  Joseph Addai, Donald Brown, Dwight Freeney, Pierre Garcon, Charlie Johnson, Robert Mathis, Jerraud Powers, and Clint Session are in much better shape today than they were four weeks ago.

Bad Demond: Healthy?  Fresh?  The Colts have lost each time they've had a bye in the Manning era.

Good Demond: Those were all close games.

Bad Demond: So?  They lost.  Manning is 7-8 in the playoffs.

Good Demond: Two of those losses came in overtime.  Dude, he won the Super Bowl.  What more do you want?

Bad Demond: I'd like to see him beat the Ravens this week.  Otherwise it is back to the same old talking points.

Good Demond: I can't remember the last time he lost to the Ravens.  I think he hates them.

Bad Demond: Well he's going to have to do it without the fans.  All signs point to a luke-warm Luke on Saturday.

Good Demond: I don't believe that.  It's a primetime game on a Saturday.  The fans will be loaded for beer, to coin a phrase.  The fans will be emotional... and that's not a bad thing.  They're angry.  They're bored of meaningless games.  They're out for blood.  I pity the team that walks into that stadium.

Bad Demond: Yeah, I'm thinking the Colts might get booed, too.

Good Demond: That's not what I'm saying.  I think the Indy players and fans will have an emotional edge that the Ravens won't be prepared for.

Bad Demond: If Peyton and the offense come out cold... look out.

Good Demond: There's a chance the Colts O will come out slow, but I think there's a greater chance the Colts D will come out like madmen.  Turnovers equal short fields equal easy points.

Bad Demond: Sounds like Ravens-Pats game to me.  Talk about an impressive win.

Good Demond: The Pats sucked.  We all knew that.  Even JC knew that.

Bad Demond: JC is awesome.  Surely, you heard about all the Ravens fans that are going to be there on Saturday?  Tickets are so cheap.

Good Demond: I don't see it, sorry.  I'm sure a few Ravens fans will show, but deep in their hearts they know it is a waste of time, effort and money.  Besides... the low ticket values mean most Colts fans will actually resist the urge to sell for big bucks and just go to the game instead.  That's exactly what dad is doing.... and he never goes to the games.

Bad Demond: Can you imagine the look on Polian's face when he is forced to relive the invasion of the Titans fans from the '99 season?  And... it... will... be... all... his... fault.

Good Demond: Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Bad Demond: I can see it now.  You're going to be sitting next to a Ravens fan.  They're going to celebrate in your face.

Good Demond: This is getting kind of morbid.  Did I mention Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are 100% healthy?

Bad Demond: Yeah, but what about Joe Flacco?

Good Demond: What about him?

Bad Demond: Yeah, you're right.  He sucks.

Today we welcome in Matt Sadler of the Baltimore Sports Report.com to talk about the matchup with the Ravens.  We previously chatted with him back in November.  Over on his site, I've responded to some of his questions as well.

1-How do Ravens fans feel about Flacco.  On one hand he's 3-1 in playoff games, but on the other, he's been pretty horrible in all four games.  Is there any confidence in him at all at this point?

Wins speak louder than stats. Aaron Rodgers played a hell of a game last week, but he is home and the Ravens are still alive. I am not saying Flacco is better than Rodgers. I am saying that Ravens are functioning at a level where the QB doesn't have to win the game for them. They need him to not lose the game for them. That being said, 4-10 for 34 yards can't be ignored.  I want to believe that as soon as they jumped out to the lead, the game plan changed. As a result, Cam Cameron saw no reason to put Flacco at risk. Truthfully, his stats should have been slightly better. His receiver, Demetrius Williams, dropped a nice 50 yd pass.

How well Flacco plays next week has everything to do with how well the guys on the corner are going to protect him. He played extremely well a few weeks ago versus the Bears. He wasn't bad against the Steelers. He didn't have to anything versus the Raiders and Pats. I think if the Colts open up the defense, I think he will play respectably.

2- What's the injury situation with Flacco and Heap? Heap looked pretty banged up on that play in New England?
Flacco's injury is  being downplayed. He will play. It will be a matter of comfort. The injury didn't seem to hurt his mobility. Heap was diagnosed to have suffered a back stinger. He practiced on Monday. It was said that he "looked good."

3-Ray Rice just had one of the best "under the radar" seasons in NFL history. 2000 yards from scrimmage is impressive. Who does he most remind you of, and is he unquestionably the best Raven right now?
I would say he reminds me of two players. His ability to catch balls and bail out the QB reminds me of Thurman Thomas. But when he bursts through the line and scampers up-field, he reminds me of Joe Morris circa 1987. Rice seems to do a better job of keeping his shoes on his feet.

Rice is quickly becoming the heart and soul of this team. The Ravens have made a point this season to make him more of a face for the organization. Is he the best player? It's hard to say. 2 weeks ago, McGahee rattled off a huge run off against the Raiders. When the Ravens are no longer stacked at the running back position, we will be able to see the true value that Rice brings.

4- What's the feeling about the match up from Ravens fans?  You beat the Chargers on the road, but narrowly lost to Indy for the 7th straight time at home.  Would the Ravens rather be playing the Chargers right now?
No way. The Chargers are a match up nightmare for the Ravens, but more importantly they were playing the best football going into the playoffs. They, like the Pats, seemed to be able to put up those big numbers that would knockout a team quickly. I don't see Indy putting up more than 24 points on the Ravens. The Ravens are capable of scoring that on offense. They are not at a point where they can get into a shootout with the Chargers again.

5- The Ravens have been inconsistent for the past 11 weeks or so, never winning more than two games in a row since the start of the season.  They've lost a lot of close games down the stretch (including to the Colts).  What is the source of that inconsistency.  What does this team need to do to make the leap this week and post a three game win streak at just the right time?
The Ravens let little things beat them. Missed plays in the clutch, dumb penalties, missed kicks, overall mental lapses. For the most part, it is very binary. They either have it together or they are a train wreck. I know it is a lame answer, but really it is that simple. A focused , disciplined team will usually win. The Colts have to do everything possible to get them rattled early and the game is theirs fo the taking.

6- What if anything is different about the Ravens now from when the Colts last played them?
There is a new confidence in the secondary. They are less talented than when you last saw them but they understand their roles better.

7- Prediction for the game?
Colts 20- Ravens 17. Matt Stover breaks Ravens hearts with the game winning kick at the end of regulation.

If you noticed a slight slow down at 18to88 in recent days, you aren't imagining things.  I'm on vacation with the family and am limiting my 18to88 time.  On top of that, I'm working feverishly on the book about the Colts, so what spare time I do get goes into that.  I hope to have the book largely completed by March 1st.  Honestly, the project is exciting, and I think every die hard and casual Colts fan will love it. If you've been a fan for 25 years, you'll love that someone remembers the same details you do.  If you are a new comer or a young fan, it will fill in the gaps in your Colts knowledge and give you a sense of the heritage of the team and how it has transformed Indiana.  I appriciate your patience with me as it will temporarily divert my attention to the site.  I'm still reading every comment and email, but if I'm slow to respond, please understand why.

So, in consideration of that, I'm printing the work of a reader today.  TJ Thompson picks every game in the NFL before the season, and has had very strong results.  During the season, he ran at about a 70% clip.  This year he had 7 8 of the playoff teams right before the season   Today, he's contributing a breakdown of every game this weekend.

Dallas Cowboys Vs. Minnesota Vikings -- May The Best Defense Win

The Dallas D has been absolutely dominating the past month, and the Vikings will expect Power D.  I think that Cowboys coach Wade Phillips will change schemes to contain both Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson.  Expect to see Dallas run a lot of 3-3-5 Nickel packages.  Dallas will use the 5th DB (expect it to be Orlando Scandrick) to 'Spy' Peterson - but also run an occasional Blitz: on 2nd & Long plays, mostly.
The top priority of Minnesota's Defense will be to try and create one-on-one matchups with Jared Allen Vs. Flozell Adams to create pressure on Tony Romo.  Jason Garrett - Dallas Offensive Coordinator - will plan for this so expect a lot of Run Game and Play-Action passes from the Cowboys.  This is bad news for Minnesota for two reasons: #1 - Dallas has 3 dynamite running backs who are dangerous.   #2 - Romo performs extremely well when scrambling/bootlegging.

Keys To Victory:
Vikings
- Make Dallas one-dimensional.  Pick the lesser of two evils - Shut down Jason Witten & Miles Austin and force them to run the ball.  Hit Romo often & keep him rattled.  Keep the crowd involved and making noise.

Cowboys
- Establish run-game early, and use play action.  Contain Adrian Peterson & pressure Favre.  The speed of the Secondary can maintain a solid coverage in any scheme.  Put the weight on Favre's shoulders; not the deadly legs of A.P.

Result:  Like MVP voting: Favre Falls Short.    *Dallas 31 - Vikings 24*

---

Arizona Cardinals @ New Orleans Saints -- "The Greatest Show On Turf" Revisited?

To Retire, or Not To Retire?  That is the question for Kurt Warner.  And last week against the Packers, Warner looked like a College QB slinging 5 TD's and  completing 29 of 33 passes for 379 yds.  Warner and the Cards could almost taste the champagne in last season's Super Bowl, and I think Warner is looking to "Pull an Elway" and retire on top.
Look for another shootout this week in The Big Easy.  The Saints and QB Drew Brees are a reflection of Warner's Super Bowl Champion Rams a decade ago.  Warner, once again, has a stable of young, quick, enthusiastic talent around him - and the same Sniper Arm.

Keys To Victory:
Cardinals
- The Arizona D needs to create turnovers exactly like they did against Green Bay.  Forcing a few punts are also imperative in this mayhem-filled matchup.   Warner and the offense are perfectly in sync, and I see no reason for that to slow down.

Saints
- Pressure Warner.  Pressure Warner.  And then Pressure him some more.  Kurt Warner has never been the most mobile QB, especially now.  Force Arizona into 3rd & long situations.  Get Drew Brees comfortable in the pocket and utilize Reggie Bush in the passing game.

Result:  Warner Too Tough On Turf.     *Cardinals 35  -  Saints 31*

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Baltimore Ravens Vs. Indianapolis Colts -- Indy Rusty after month in the shed?

Colts Coach Jim Caldwell have been blasted, beaten, & battered in the media for choosing to rest the starters for basically a month leading up to this week's match-up.   I believe this is the smartest move Caldwell made all season long.  The 2nd String players get the much needed experience to carry with them into the playoffs.  This gives the Colts the confidence to make more frequent substitutions to keep both Offense & Defense relatively fresh through 4 quarters of play.  Only 2 words need to be said about Indy's team -- Peyton & Freeney.  'Nuff said.
Baltimore is fresh off of a woodshed whipping of the New England Patriots.  The Ravens defense is still what we've known for a decade - physical & dangerous.  Baltimore's most powerful weapon is a running game that is twice as scary as the Super Bowl XXXV winning combo of Jamal Lewis & Priest Holmes.  Tailbacks Ray Rice & Willis McGahee spearhead a backfield that also includes Fullback Le'Ron McClain. 

Keys To Victory:
Ravens
- Do not give Peyton Manning a chance to read your Defense.  Keep the D-Line in a 2-point stance and draw linebackers close to line of scrimmage.  Offensive Line MUST contain Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis and allow RB's to get to the second level.  QB Joe Flacco needs to take his time, keep offense on the field as long as possible, to keep Peyton on the bench as long as possible.

Colts
- Avoid Ed Reed.  Keep passing plays to the 5-10 yard distance and let Wayne, Clark, & Garcon create yardage with their feet.  The Linebackers & Secondary are speedy enough to keep deep plays in check, yet still contain the run - maintain Cover 2 Defense.  The key is tackling.  The Colts have shown poor tackling all year.  They MUST wrap up the ball carrier.

Result:  MVP Reigns Over Ravens.     *Ravens 13  -  Colts 24*

---

New York Jets @ San Diego Chargers -- QB Battle: Green Rookie Vs. Sparked Veteran

Philip Rivers is a man on a mission.  He wants not only a Super Bowl appearance, but he wants to Win it.  In 2007, the Chargers were one step away, but lost in the AFC Championship game.  Last season, they lost to the eventual Champion Steelers in the Divisional Round. 
San Diego is streaking White-Hot coming into the playoffs, and have no intentions of cooling off.  However, the Jets "Gang Green" defense infects opposing offenses and cuts off the lifeblood of success - the Run Game.  New York will suffocate LaDanian Tomlinson and put the game in the hands of Rivers.  To make things tougher for Rivers; Darrelle Revis is one of the best Cover Corners in the NFL.
The Chargers are no slouch on Defense, either.  Shawne Merriman will pressure the Jets Rookie QB Mark Sanchez - and as we all have seen, Sanchez is less than stellar under pressure - forcing the Jets fierce run game to take center stage.  This game will be 100% SmashMouth Football.

Keys To Victory:
Jets
- Give Sanchez time to let play develop and make accurate passes.  Establish run game to keep San Diego Defense honest.  Stop LT & Darren Sproles, let Revis become a factor.

Chargers
- Again, establish run game: especially against NFL's Top Defense.  Special Teams play might be the game-changer. 

Result:  Rivers looks to make it 3 for 3 against Peyton in Playoffs.    *Jets 17  -  Chargers 21*

 

(Note:  Sorry for the posting problems earlier)

Yesterday, a reader felt my comparison between the 2005 Steelers and 2009 Ravens was incomplete because I didn't balance it with a comparison between the 2005 and 2009 Colts.

Before we look at the statistics, there are a couple of caveats:

1.  The 2005 Colts entered the postseason reeling emotionally. The 2009 Colts don't.

2.  The 2005 Colts rested far more than the 2009 Colts, but the 2009 Colts played far worse when they did rest.  That means the 2005 team was deeper, but also that the stats from 2009 are more skewed than the 2005 team's numbers.

3. The 2009 Colts were much worse at #2 quarterback than the 2005 Colts.  That will skew the numbers a lot.  Sorgi played very well as the backup, completing 68.9% of his passes, leading 3 TD drives and posting a rating of 99.4.  Painter...um...wore a helmet.  For that reason, I'll only use Manning's stats for the passing totals, not the overall team stats. Still, it does suppress the yards per game and over all DVOA numbers.

OFFENSE:

	Points	Rush YPG	YPC	Rush DVOA	Pass YPG	YPA	Manning DVOA	Total YPG	Turnovers	ODVOA
2005	439	106.4	3.7	8.7%	234.4	8.3	40.5%	364.4	19	24.9%
2009	416	80.9	3.5	-3.0%	281.2	7.9	38.1%	363.1	24	19.6%

The 2005 Colts were superior in every respect.  There is no way in which the 2009 Colts are a better offense than the 2005 Colts.  Perhaps the one thing that is different is an intangible.  I believe Manning escapes pressure and throws on the move better now than in 2005.  The results of the Steelers game moved Manning to improve that part of his game, and the Colts no longer depend on a clean pocket like they did then.  In all other respects, 2005 was the superior club on offense.

DEFENSE:

	PPG	Rush YPG	YPC	Rush DVOA	Pass YPG	Net YPA	Pass DVOA	Total D YPG	Turnovers	DDVOA
2005	15.4	110.1	4.4	-6.85%	196.9	5.7	-16.7%	307.1	31	-12.2%
2009	19.2	126.5	4.3	0.00%	212.7	5.5	3.4%	339.2	26	1.8%

Again, it's hard to argue the 2009 is much superior to the 2005 squad. They do allow fewer yards per pass and rush by a hair.  Most of the per game difference is because the 2009 offense isn't nearly as good, and the D is on the field for more plays than in 2005.

So, if we are making comparisons back to 2005, take no comfort in thinking that 'we're better' than we were then.  They aren't.

They are worse...in virtually every way.

Now the good news:  That means nothing about this weekend's game other than we can't get over confident.  Numbers don't do a great job capturing the 2009 Colts.  They've been banged up and strategically rested all year.  I think the real team is crazy good and is about to debut on Saturday night.

They say that he who hesitates is lost, and now I know why.  I almost wrote an article last week comparing the Ravens to the 2005 Steelers, but because I was hoping they would lose, I figured I'd save myself the trouble.  Now that they've upset the Patriots, I spent last night assembling arguments, only to wake up to find that John Oehser has already beaten me to the analogy.  I'll try to add something to the point he already made.

The obvious comparisons jump out at everyone, but when you look at the numbers, they are down right creepy:

2005 Steelers:  Points For: 389,  Points Against:  258, Expected wins: 11.6, DVOA: 27.9% (4th overall, 8th O, 3rd D)

2009 Ravens:  Points For: 391, Points Against: 261, Expected wins:  11.6, DVOA 32.5% (1st overall, 8th O, 3rd D)

You have to admit...that's weird.

There are some important differences:

1.  While the 2005 Steelers and 2009 Ravens have nearly identical pass defenses, the Steelers were a better run stopping team

2.  The Steelers had Roethlisberger at QB, the Ravens have Flacco, and I've already pointed out that Flacco has been horrid in the playoffs (despite three wins).  Big Ben was coming off a great 3 TD, 148 rating game against the Bengals the week before.  On top of everything, Flacco is hurt.

3.  The 2009 Colts starting offense played extensively in each of the last two weeks and moved the ball effectively.  This did not happen in 2005 as the Colts had just 4 drives in the final two games, putting up just one field goal.

4.  The Steelers had no player as dangerous as Ray Rice and his 2000 yards from scrimmage. 1300 yards rushing, 5 ypc, and 72 catches are a lot to handle.  The Steelers beat the Colts by coming out and throwing the ball early, and running it late.  They had that luxury.  The Ravens' best player is clearly Rice, so they'll have to run the ball early and often if they hope to win.

All in all, this is the worst of the three possible matchups the Colts could have landed.  The Ravens are a capable team, and I think they are markedly better than the Jets, who I've considered the worst team in wildcard contention for weeks.  The Ravens just went in to New England and bombed the Pats, the Jets beat Curtis Painter and the dead in the water Bengals twice.  I'm not buying them for a minute.

By the way, don't listen to people who say, "If Flacco hadn't thrown a 4th quarter pick, the Ravens would have beaten the Colts".

1.  If Tom Santi doesn't fumble at the 3, the Ravens would have been down more than two points.

2.  Flacco threw a pick in the red zone because he's not very good.  That wasn't a fluke.  That's who he is.  That doesn't get discounted.

3.  There was plenty of time left in that game for the Colts to march down and get a field goal.  A field goal would not have decided the game.

The Colts are going to have to come out and play a good, mistake free game on Saturday night.  If they don't turn the ball over, I can't see the Ravens generating enough offense to win.  If the Colts can get out to any kind of an early lead, the game will be over.

For almost three years now, we've been beating the drum that quarterbacks get way too much credit for wins and losses, especially come playoff time.

Joe Flacco turned in the greatest case study in history today.

The sophomore QB lead his Ravens into Foxboro and scored a stunning upset over the Tom Brady led Pats.  Young Flacco raised his playoff record to 3-1 with the win, showing that he's clearly ready to make the leap to the next level of elite QBs in the NFL.

If you believe that QBs are responsible for wins and that playoff wins are an especially good way to judge quarterbacks, then you can take that last paragraph, toss in Flacco's 4/10 for 34 yards a pick and Painteresque rating of 10.0, and smoke it.

Flacco now has posted three postseason wins in the last two years.  Here are his numbers just for the games he won:

24/65 (36.9%), for 330 yards (5.1 YPA), 1 TD, 1 pick , rating of 52.7

Seriously.  Three wins.  Those numbers.

There's no need to throw in his loss numbers (13/30, 141, 3 INT, 18.2 rating), he looks bad enough in games his team prevails in.

This week you may see or read stories about Flacco.  Ignore them.  He has been an abject disaster in the playoffs.  There is nothing redeeming about his play.

The next time someone starts quoting so and so's playoff record...tell them to Flacco off.

****

It's not innate of anything, but Tom Brady's career playoff passer rating now stands at 85.5.  Peyton Manning's is now 85.0. Interesting.

(Note:  I wrote this yesterday, but forgot to post it to the main page)

The fun part of Wildcard weekend is that you don't have to decide on both games up front.  What happens today at 4:30 could alter what we want to have happen tomorrow.

Jets at Bengals

I've been saying for weeks that the Jets were the worst team in the playoff hunt.  Rex Ryan can shove his "Defense and Run game" crap.  Passing wins in the NFL now, and the Jets have the worst QB in the playoffs.  I absolutely desperately want the Colts to play them in round one because I'm convinced Indy will stomp them. Remember that the only reason the game two weeks ago was close was because of a long kickoff return (something the Colts haven't given up many of this year).

The Bengals wouldn't be a bad opponent for Indy either, but I trust Carson Palmer ever so slightly more than Mark Sanchez.  The interesting thing about the Bengals is that they gave the Chargers fits a few weeks ago, and if not for a bizarre 20 yard bounce on a fumble, might have beaten San Diego.  So if the Bengals beat the Jets, and I expect them to, it could affect how I see the second game. If the Jets win, I'll be pulling all the harder for the Pats.  If the Bengals win, it becomes a lot easier to talk myself into the Ravens.

Ravens at Patriots

I want the Chargers to be tested.  I think the best test for them is the Patriots. Until the Welker injury, I was convinced the Pats were still the #2 team in conference.  There's not much point on breaking down the relative merits of the Pats verses Chargers until next week.  I expect the Pats to win comfortably, though I obviously won't shed any tears if they don't.

The Ravens are a weird team.  Their point differential is almost identical to the Chargers.  It's also way better than Indy's, but those last two games threw all Colts stats for the season totally out of whack.  The Ravens, not unlike the Colts, have massive problems at kicker, as Billy Cundiff hasn't been any better than Hauschka who he replaced.  The Ravens were outscored by winning teams 204-173 on the year (2-7), but CRUSHED losing teams (and 8-8 Denver) finishing 7-0 and out scoring them 218-57.  Beating up on bad teams is actually a good indicator of team strength, so it may very well be that the Ravens are good.  Still, they have a weak secondary, and good teams had little trouble scoring on them, averaging nearly 23 points a game.  Indy only put up 17, but remember that Santi fumbled at the goal line.  A touch down there would have changed the complextion of that game dramatically.  I won't be worried if they come to Indy, but I'd just as soon avoid them.  If they do win, I'll take comfort only if the Bengals beat the Jets and play San Diego.

It's official:

Peyton Manning is the MVP of the National Football League for a record fourth time.

I can't say that any of us are surprised by the results.  I'm not as excited as I was last year for reasons I've already gotten into.  Drew Brees finished second, Rivers a distant third and Favre got one vote.  It wouldn't have mattered at all in this particular contest, but I would still like to see the AP go to a weighted vote system where writers get to vote for their top five players.

Still this year was all about Manning.  Week 14 was pivotal for a lot of people as Manning hit Wayne on a bomb to beat Jacksonville and Brees failed to rally the Saints past Dallas just two nights later.

So without further ado, I bring you

18 Things that are Better in Fours...

1. Tops

2. Gospels

3. Seasons

4. Baggers

5. Fantastics

6. Leaves on a clover

7. Connections

8. More years

9. Finals

10. Frozens

11. Aces

12. Horsemen of the Apocalypse

13. Eyes

14. Cardinal directions

15. Squares

16. H's

17. Episodes

18. MVP Awards

Manning's Four MVP Seasons:

	Record	Att	Comp	%	Yards	YPA	TD	INT	Rating
2003	12-4	566	379	67	4267	7.5	29	10	99.0
2004	12-4	497	336	67.6	4557	9.2	49	10	121.1
2008	12-4	555	371	66.8	4002	7.2	27	12	95.0
2009	14-2	571	393	68.8	4500	7.9	33	16	99.9

While we all eagerly await the MVP announcement that should come today (CORRECTION: Apparently it will be announced Sunday, though I can't find that verified anywhere), I thought I would post a plea for a "Research Intern".

I'm currently working on a book about the history of the Indianapolis Colts.  As many of you know, I live in Argentina, and that makes certain research I need for the book hard to come by.  There are certain game details and box scores and attendance figures that aren't readily available on line (especially for games that took place 20 years ago).

What I need is a volunteer willing to give up one or two afternoons over the next few months to go to the library for me and look up old box scores and newspaper articles.  There are lots of old games that I remember, but have grown hazy as to specific details.  To be honest, it's been so long since I've been to a public library in Indy, that I don't know where and how they keep old archives of the Indy Star or News (yes, children.  There used to be a paper called the Indianapolis News.  I delivered it in elementary school.  Yes, there used to be a thing called a "paper boy", too.  Also, there used to be "newspapers", but that's another topic).  I assume they still have them on microfiche.  The Star online only dates back to 1991, but I need some game info from years 1984-1990 too.

Anyway, if you are interested in helping with the book, email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  I'm not paying anything other than a thank you in print, a copy of the book (signed no less!  I'll even put on lipstick and kiss it if that's any incentive.  Then again, if that's an incentive for you, I don't know that I'm all that jazzed about working together!), and a letter of recommendation that you were an awesome intern for a "journalistic type project".  On the other hand, I'm not guessing it would take a lot of time either.

Anyway, if you are a high school or college student (or adult with too much time on his or her hands) and want to contribute to what I jokingly refer to as "18to88: the book", drop me a line, and I'll give you more specifics for what I need.