Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 December 2005 — Page 29

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2005

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE D7

Why 16-0 is very possible

By ERICKA P. THOMPSON Staff Writer

Taking it one game at a time is easier for the Indianapolis Colts to do than fans. The team’s success has been a long time coming and bragging about the possibilities of the Colts going undefeated is difficult not to do. One of the few teams to begin a season 11-0, Indianapolis has to find different ways to win each week while staying consistent in limiting mistakes, keeping the opponents offense off the field and of course winning. Below are a few reasons why 16-0 is very possible. Offense Quarterback Peyton Manning has so many targets opposing defenses don’t know who to defend. Manning is also one of the best at changing plays at the line of scrimmage after seeing something in the defense he can expose. If Marvin Harrison isn’t open on the right, Reggie Wayne may be running free on the left. If Dallas Clark or Brandon Stokley are being tightly covered in the middle, Manning always has the option of handing off to Edgerrin James. Defense Dwight Freeney isn’t the only player to

look out for. The list this season is pretty lengthy: Cato June, Bob Sanders, Robert Mathis, Nick Harper, Marlin Jackson, Montae Reagor, Corey Simon...it’s quite ridiculous. They rank fourth in the NFL allowing 14.5 point a game and 284 yards. Energy You’ll often hear coach Tony Dungy being quoted saying the defense needs to settle down a bit. It’s usually because they have so much energy. The Colts seem to thrive off of one another. If June gets an interception the entire team does a celebration dance, if Sanders tackles a receiver so hard that they do a back flip everyone feels as though they had a part in the hit and Manning finds Harrison jogging down the sideline and hits him with 80-yard touchdown reception everybody is running to end zone to celebrate. It’s contagious. Coaching The Colts have gone to the playoffs all four years Dungy has been at the helm. Dungy has brought in the right specialist to make Indianapolis a winning franchise. If you ask me Dungy, offensive coordinator Tom Moore and defensive coordinator Ron Meeks have a football IQ just as high as Bill Belichick, Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel.

Colts defensive end Raheem Brock contains a Pittsburgh Steeler offensive lineman. Brock had three tackles against the Steelers. (Photo/W. Thomas)

NFL teams with 11-0 starts 2005 - Colts 1998 - Denver Broncos 1991 - Washington Redskins 1985 - Chicago Bears 1984 - Miami Dolphins 1972 - Miami Dolphins 1969 - Los Angeles Rams 1961 - San Diego Chargers

COLTS Continued from D6 that combines intensity with execution. The team still has yet to indulge the undefeated hype, and is looking ahead only to this weekend’s match up against the division rival Tennessee Titans. The 3-8 Titans have little left to play for this season, making a defeat over the Colts as sweet for them as it would be disappointing for Indianapolis. Another home victory will keep the Colts firmly in the driver’s seat to reclaim their title atop the AFC South, which Dungy concludes, is first and foremost at this point of the season. As he has indicated since the undefeated talk began, speculation of a 16-0 season from the Colts will have to wait at least one more week. “There’s a proverb in the Bible that says you shouldn’t look ahead and make plans and hypotheticals and all that,” Dungy said. “We’ll play the way we’ve always played, but everybody’s way out ahead on this, we don’t have our division even won yet. That’s what we’re focused on right now.”

Warren Warriors capture third straight 5 A title Right: Hamilton Southeastern quarterback Taylor Hoffman (No. 14) was forced out of the pocket several times as they were beaten by Warren Central 55-20. The Warriors celebrate their third straight Class 5A football title. Coach Kevin Wright also celebrated his championship with his father Bud who also won a state title coaching Sheridan high school. (Photos/J. Hurst)

PACERS CONTINUE WEST COAST SWING

Consistency and defensive key to victories

By ERICKA P. THOMPSON Staff Writer

As the Indiana Pacers get comfortable on their fivegame West Coast road trip, the memories of defensive and offensive letdowns isn’t far from their memories. Especially since the letdowns happened against losing teams. At Recorder press time Indiana was 6-1 against winning teams but 2-3 when playingteams under .500. “This team has so much ability, but we always haven’t brought it to the table this season,” said Pacer forward Jermaine O’Neal after the Pacers 97-92 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. “Sometimes we don’t have the answer other than just going hard and playing that way every night.” Being one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference and better teams in the NBA, Pacer coach Rick Carlisle knew heading into the season the team was going to be challenged. Not just by the Miami Heat - who Indiana has already beaten twice - but the Charlotte Bobcats and the Atlanta Hawks as well who both helped the Pacers add losses to their record. After such losses, Carlisle hopes the win against the Clippers will set the tone for the road trip, which still includes the Portland Trailblazers and the Seattle SuperSonics. “We feel like we may have gotten one back today,” he said after the victory. “This is a long, tough trip but we showed some signs of real character and that was big for us.” Character and remembering what it feels like to win games is going to have to carry the Pacers through the road trip and the rest of the season. The team’s talent is obvious says O’Neal and it’s up to them to be more consistent in the win column. “The players win and lose games every night,” he said. “The coaches give us the X’s and O’s, but it’s the players that have to go out there and win every night.” “It’s still early and a lot of people are panicking,” added Pacer guard Stephen Jackson. “But we know we have a great team.”

Jermaine O'Neal shoots over former Pacer Al Harrington. O'Neal scored 30 points in the 87-85 loss against the Hawks. (Photo/W. Thomas)

UP NEXT Portland Trailblazers Led by Marion High School's Zach Randolph and Darius Miles the Trailblazers have a 5-7 record. Randolph is their go-to player and is averaging 18.4 points and 9.9 rebounds with Miles right behind him averaging 19.1 points. The key to winning this game is rebounding and limiting Randolph and Miles' touches around the basket. Seattle SuperSonics The SuperSonics is not reminiscent of the team that went 52-30 last year and made it to the second round of the playoffs. Currently 5-8 and the last team in the Northwest Division, Seattle is led by Ray Allen (23.5 points) and Rashard Lewis (21.5). The key to beating the SuperSonics is good defense. Seattle is averaging 98 points a game and the Pacers is averaging 95 points.

PACERS 2005-06 LEADERS Points: Jermaine O'Neal, 21.3 Ron Artest, 21.2 Rebounds: Jermaine O'Neal, 10.4 Austin Croshere, 7.3 Assists: Jamaal Tinsley, 6.2 Ron Artest, 2.5 Steals: Ron Artest, 2.55 (2nd in NBA) Jamaal Tinsley, 1.36

oar.F a nv

rvaM Mar.FMTa

Rl ATK