INDIANAPOLIS — It didn’t take Matt Stover very long to realize that his current team, the Indianapolis Colts, would be playing his old team, the Baltimore Ravens, in an AFC divisional playoff game this week.
“I didn’t know who we were going to get. Watching the game on Sunday and I saw the way they started out [in a 33-14 AFC wildcard round win over the New England Patriots] and I went ‘Wow, it looks like it’s going to be the Ravens,’” Stover said Wednesday as the Colts prepared for Saturday’s matchup.
Indianapolis will bring a 14-2 record and are the AFC’s top seeded team heading into Saturday night’s (8:15 p.m.) game at Lucas Oil Stadium with the 10-7 Ravens.
With Baltimore knocking off the Patriots, and the way they did it, brings back a lot of memories for Stover, who spent the last 13 seasons with the Ravens. Prior to that, he spent five years with the old Cleveland Browns, who eventually became the foundation of the current Ravens franchise.
“I was indifferent [to which ever team wound up playing the Colts] because this is the playoffs. Whoever you get is who you get. One of the things you try not to do is control things you can’t control. It happens to be the Baltimore Ravens at this point. Very good team, very capable of winning,” he said.
“So what we have to do is play Colts football, which I really believe we will. We’re hungry. We’re ready to go out there and really show this country what we’re about because we’ve got a great team here.”
The soon-to-be 42-year old kicker was not re-signed by Baltimore at the conclusion of the 2008 season. The Ravens’ loss has been Indianapolis’ gain. He has made all 33 of his extra point attempts and is nine-of-11 in field goal attempts since he joined the Colts on Oct. 14.
Stover was signed when starting placekicker Adam Vinatieri was sidelined after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.
Ironically, it was his 25-yard field goal with 7:02 remaining in the game provided Indianapolis with the winning margin in a 17-15 road win over Baltimore on Nov. 22 at M&T; Bank Stadium. Stover would love a chance to match that performance, or even better it, this week.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to be on this team and being able to go play those guys again. Lots of friends [on the Ravens roster]. But for those three hours [that] we’re playing, it’s about business and about the Colts winning that game,” he said.
But as much as Saturday night’s game is all about business, it will no doubt be tough for Stover to keep thoughts about his long career with Baltimore out of his mind.
He remains a beloved personality among Ravens fans, many of whom wanted the team to bring him back before the start of the current season and were calling for team officials to re-sign the Texas native in the weeks before he came to Indianapolis.
As for his ex-teammates in Baltimore, the bond remains strong.
“Oh sure. The [long] snapper, Matt Katula and I, of course, are great friends. [Holder] Sam Koch. And believe it or not, some defensive players and I get along real well. Especially No. 52 [middle linebacker Ray Lewis]. We get along real well with some of those guys. But you know that it all comes down to business for those three hours on Saturday,” Stover said.
“When I had signed [with Indianapolis] back in October, one of things I had prided myself to do is to kick this team all the way into the Super Bowl. And Coach [Jim] Caldwell has had enough faith in me to be able to do that. I’m very happy about it. Adam [Vinatieri] and I are still very close about it. We understand the situation and we want to win ballgames. That’s what it’s about between the two of us. To be in this situation, to be in a divisional playoff game, it’s exciting. I want nothing more to win it.”
• Repeat performance? — He had a game-winning field goal in his first appearance against the Ravens in his first appearance against his former team this year. Does he want to try for two in a row?
“There was seven minutes left. I didn’t know [that the kick would provide the eventual margin of victory]. But, yeah. I was figuring that they would kick a field goal and then we would have to come back and kick another one,” Stover said.
“You have to understand that it could come down to that. My pregame thought process is to be prepared to kick that game winner. So if it does come, you’re ready to do it. You never go into a game thinking that you’re not going to get it. I always go into every game thinking you’re going to have that opportunity to kick that game winner. And if it’s against the Ravens, so be it because it is business on Saturday.”
• Family ties — Stover’s wife, Debbie, and their three children — Jenna Lee, Jacob Matthew and Joe Mark — still reside in Baltimore. Despite the family’s long relationship with the Ravens franchise, everybody’s a Colts fan now.
“They [his kids] wore their Blue and White [jerseys] on Purple Day [in Baltimore] last Friday. So my family are Colts fans and rightfully so. This team has faith in me, committed to me and, God willing, I’m continuing to give a good product out there,” he said.
“During the course of the season, I believe we performed pretty well. Now it’s the postseason, a brand new season, and we’ll continue to kick this team into the Super Bowl.”
When the Colts and Ravens played in Baltimore earlier this season, many of the home team’s fans came to the game wearing Stover’s Ravens jersey. He’s not quite sure what to expect this weekend.
“I don’t know if they are going to have Stover jerseys on, but there’s going to be some Stover fans. I’ve still got quite a few guys. In fact, some people have called me and told me they’re going to be there. They’ll cheer for me but they’ll boo the rest of the team,” he joked.
“But that’s okay. I’m looking forward to seeing the Indianapolis Colts fans being who they are. We really need a 12th man this week. I’m expecting some great things out of our fans.”
• Busy cell phone — Stover said that his cell phone kept ringing throughout Sunday’s Ravens-Patriots game. He was receiving calls and texts from friends and family, many still in Baltimore, with talk about this week’s matchup with the Colts.
“It was going on during the game. I’ve got a lot of good friends who are Ravens fans and they hit me with texts, ‘Looks like you guys are going to be playing the Ravens.’ And I hit them back, ‘Sure does and I’m excited about it,’” he said.
• Injury list — Everything looks good for the Colts, injury-wise, heading into this week’s game with Baltimore.
Offensive tackles Ryan Diem (elbow) and Charlie Johnson (foot) both practiced on Tuesday and figure to start against Baltimore. Also, defensive ends Dwight Freeney (abdomen), Robert Mathis (quad) and Keyunta Dawson (knee), along with wide receiver Pierre Garcon (hand/knee), appear to be ready for Saturday night’s game.
Neither team was required by the NFL to file an official injury report on Tuesday.
Broncos change mind, Turner to talk to Redskins — In an interesting turn of events, former Indiana State player and assistant football coach Bobby Turner has now been granted permission to talk with the Washington Redskins about a possible position on Mike Shanahan’s coaching staff.
Turner has been Denver’s running backs coach since 1995. According to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter and ProFootballTalk.com, the Broncos have reportedly changed their minds on the matter.
The former Sycamores running back and defensive back has now been granted permission to interview with Washington sometime this week.
Should he accept the job, Turner would be the Redskins’ associate head coach and work with the team’s running backs.
Colts
Colts’ Stover faces former teammates
- Colts
-
-
Colts' coordinators enjoying getting rookies acclimated
While the Indianapolis Colts put their rookies and a handful of second-year players through workouts this weekend at the team’s Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, a pair of first-year coordinators are getting a chance to do some valuable on-field work as well.
-
Werner, 36 others open Colts’ mini camp
The Indianapolis Colts welcomed 37 players to the start of the team’s rookie mini camp Friday at the West 56th Street headquarters.
-
Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
A year ago, the Indianapolis Colts received high marks for the impact players the team added through the NFL draft.
Of the 10 players selected, five ended up either starting or seeing extensive playing time (quarterback Andrew Luck, tight ends Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen, wide receiver T.Y. Hilton and running back Vick Ballard) during the Colts’ 11-5 season.
While this year’s class may not rival that group in terms of name recognition and flash, it may produce just as many major contributors once the 2013 season gets underway. -
Werner at top of game
Bjoern Werner was a late comer to football. But after being selected in the first round of the 2013 National Football League draft by the Indianapolis Colts, Werner realizes that he has reached the pinnacle of the sport in a relatively short amount of time.
-
Colts select pass rusher Werner in first round
The Indianapolis Colts selected Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner. The 6-foot-3, 266-pound defensive lineman can also play left outside linebacker.
-
Colts in wait-and-see mode for tonight’s NFL draft
As the 2013 NFL draft gets underway tonight at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, the Indianapolis Colts are continuing their wait-and-see stance in regard to the first-round pick.
The draft begins at 8 p.m. — televised by the NFL Network and ESPN — with the Kansas City Chiefs making the night’s first selection. Teams will have 10 minutes to make their decisions during the first round. Indianapolis will have the 24th overall pick in the first round.
There will be only one round tonight. The second and third rounds are scheduled for Friday, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with seven minutes allotted per pick in the second round and five minutes allowed in the third. The final four rounds are slated to begin at noon Saturday with four minutes between selections.
As it stands now, Indianapolis does not have a second-round pick. It was traded to Miami last fall in exchange for veteran cornerback Vontae Davis. But second-year general manager Ryan Grigson has nut ruled out the possibility of trading down from the first round if the Colts aren’t satisfied with the players available. -
Direction clear for Colts in 2013 draft
The Indianapolis Colts head into the 2013 NFL Draft with some definite plans.
-
Colts veteran among those excited to see Luck's growth in 2013-14
Veteran defensive end Cory Redding is a big fan — literally and figuratively — of Indianapolis Colts second-year quarterback Andrew Luck.
Redding, who has become one of the Colts’ lockerroom leaders after just one season with the team, thinks he has some reasonable expectations of Indianapolis’ former No. 1 draft pick. -
Heyward-Bey feeling fortunate to hook up with Luck
Add one more player to the list of veteran free agents signed by the Indianapolis Colts this offseason.
Former Oakland Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey agreed to a a deal with the Colts late Monday evening. Bey, who played collegiately at Maryland, was the seventh player selected in the first round of the 2009 National Football League draft. -
Colts sign nose tackle
Another day, more player signings for the Indianapolis Colts.
Nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin agreed to terms with the Colts on Tuesday evening and officially signed with the team Wednesday. Franklin (6-1, 315) is a 10-year NFL veteran with stops in Baltimore (2003-06), San Francisco (2007-10), New Orleans (2011) and San Diego (2012). -
Colts sign Matt Hasselbeck to back up Luck
The Indianapolis Colts’ roster moves just keep coming.
While the Colts haven’t yet added that big-name wide receiver that team owner Jim Irsay hinted at in tweets over the weekend, Indianapolis has addressed one area on offense.
Former Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck had agreed Monday night to be the Colts’ primary back-up to second-year starter Andrew Luck. He officially signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the team Tuesday morning.
“We are very pleased to announce the signing of Matt Hasselbeck,” general manager Ryan Grigson said in a prepared statement. “His body of work, intangibles, and extensive league experience speak for themselves. Those factors, plus his familiarity with our offensive scheme, will make him a great asset to our team and its vision as we move forward.” -
Colts likely done signing free agents, for now
With the possible exception of adding a few lesser-priced players, the Indianapolis Colts’ big-time foray into the veteran free-agent marketplace is pretty much done.
-
Landry, Jean Francois join Colts defensive unit
After adding five veteran free agent players to the Indianapolis Colts roster on Tuesday, general manager Ryan Grigson plucked two more plums late Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon.
New York Jets safety LaRon Landry and San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois both signed contracts with the Colts. Landry, a strong safety who appears to be a bigger version of former Indianapolis Pro Bowler Bob Sanders, and the versatile Jean-Francois are expected to make immediate impacts on the Colts’ defensive unit. -
Colts introduce free-agent signees
What the Indianapolis Colts accomplished last season — posting an 11-5 record and earning an AFC wild-card berth with a young team plus having that kind of success without its head coach on the sidelines for 12 games — didn’t go unnoticed by players around the NFL.
That was especially true for the five veteran free agents who were added to the Colts’ roster Tuesday. Offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus (Detroit), cornerback Greg Toler (Arizona), outside linebacker Erik Walden (Green Bay), offensive guard Donald Thomas (New England) and linebacker Lawrence Sidbury (Atlanta) admitted as much Wednesday.
“I felt like this would be the best fit for me at this point in my career. I really liked what I saw was happening with the program here and the way things have taken shape. I feel like we have a really great team here and it’s on the rise. I really wanted to be a part of that,” Thomas said during a teleconference interview with the Colts’ media. -
Colts sign five free agents, filling needs at offensive line, cornerback
The Indianapolis Colts were a busy team on the opening day of the National Football League’s veteran free agent market, which got underway at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
-
Jeff Saturday retires as a Colt
An Indianapolis Colt for life. Pencil in Jeff Saturday for that honor.
The 14-year veteran center in the NFL put an official stamp on a career Thursday that began in Baltimore in 1998 and ended in Green Bay in 2012. But it was those 13 seasons in between — from 1999 to 2011 in which he played for Indianapolis — when Saturday earned his greatest rewards. -
Saturday thrilled to retire as a Colt
The 14-year veteran center in the National Football League put an official stamp on a career Thursday that began in Baltimore in 1998 and ended in Green Bay in 2012. But it was those 13 seasons in-between — from 1999 to 2011 in which he played for Indianapolis — that Saturday earned his greatest rewards.
-
Saturday to retire as Colt on Thursday
Former Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday will make his retirement from the National Football League official on Thursday.
-
Indianapolis franchises punter McAfee
A week ago, Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano said it was a priority that the team retain the services of punter Pat McAfee.
McAfee, an unrestricted free agent who’s contract is due to expire March 12, was designated as the Colts’ franchise player Friday. The move allows Indianapolis extra time to work out a long-term deal for the team’s special-teams ace.
“He’s huge. He’s a major priority in free agency. Obviously, we’ve reached out and are working to get Pat re-signed,” Pagano said during the National Football Scouting Combine. “We saw what he did for us last year. He’s a great weapon, not only kickoffs and touchbacks. -
Colts GM enjoying time at combine
Indianapolis Colts second-year general manager Ryan Grigson makes no bones about it. He enjoys watching prospective football players strut their stuff.
-
Colts keeping eye on large crop of talented linemen in NFL Draft
According to most National Football League draft observers, this year’s crop of prospects is deep with quality offensive and defensive linemen.
Among the offensive line candidates who have been showcasing their talents at the National Football Scouting Combine, which began in earnest Thursday and wraps up on Tuesday, the spotlight has been on the offensive tackles. Offensive left tackles in particular. -
Colts' Pagano back to full work schedule at combine
Back and ready to go.
That’s the attitude Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano is taking during the National Football Scouting Combine, which completed its second day of operations Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium. During a wide-ranging press conference at the combine, Pagano confirmed that he is back to a full work regimen after missing 12 games last fall as he battled a rare form of leukemia.
After undergoing cancer treatments that featured heavy doses of chemotherapy, the second-year head coach was able to return to the sidelines for Indianapolis’ final regular-season home game against Houston and for the team’s AFC wild-card matchup with eventual Super Bowl champion Baltimore. -
Colts looking forward to different approach to draft in 2013
A year ago, the Indianapolis Colts had the first overall pick in the 2012 National Football League draft.
It was a foregone conclusion that the Colts would select former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the selection. While Indianapolis front office and player personnel officials certainly had to do their due diligence in preparing for the draft, the Colts find themselves this year in a bit different situation.
The team will have the 24th overall pick in the first round, which is a double-edged sword. Indianapolis picks lower in the round due to a successful season. But the pool of available can’t-miss talent isn’t quite as plentiful as drafting earlier in the round. -
Former Pro Bowl selection Freeney won't return to Colts
The news coming out of the Indianapolis Colts headquarters Friday afternoon was not totally unexpected. Team officials have confirmed that two veteran players – former Pro Bowl defensive end/outside linebacker Dwight Freeney and wide receiver Austin Collie — will not be returning for the 2013 season.
-
Colts’ new offensive coordinator will offer variety
Quarterback Andrew Luck running the Pistol offense? Wide receiver T.Y. Hilton lining up in the Wildcat?
-
Colts moving on to the off season
Moving on. That’s the immediate plans for the Indianapolis Colts as they head into the off season.
-
Baltimore ends Indy’s playoff run early
The Baltimore Ravens want one long final ride for Ray Lewis. Having disposed of Andrew Luck and the Colts, they now face a more imposing challenge.
Next up, Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. -
Switching sides: Colts-Ravens matchup includes old friends on new teams
Just as Baltimore Ravens players and coaches will be seeing some old friends returning to M&T Bank Stadium today, several Indianapolis Colts veterans will also have an opportunity to renew acquaintances with a familiar face.
-
Pagano prepares Colts for tough crowd in Baltimore
As a former resident of Baltimore, Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano knows all about the hard feelings that still run strong about the move of the Colts franchise to Indianapolis in 1984.
-
Pagano marvels at Colt’s progress
In the minutes after last Sunday’s win over AFC South champion Houston, Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano marveled at how the 2012 season has progressed for his team.
- More Colts Headlines
-
Colts' coordinators enjoying getting rookies acclimated
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Raw: Suspects Butt Dial 911, Lead to Arrest
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Okla. Tornado Aftermath 'Like War Zone'
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
'Babyland': Camp Lejeune's Toxic Legacy?
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
RAW: Moore, OK tornado touches down near school
Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble
Robert Pattinson Moves Out
RAW: Russian dash cam catches car 20 feet in the air
Oklahoma tornado survivor: "Everything is gone"
Khloe Lashes Out at Kim Kardashian's Critics
Couple Argues As Woman's Lover Crawls Out Window
RAW: Brad Paisley Forgets Lyrics To His Own Song
Justin Bieber Gets Booed
New 'Anchorman 2' Trailer, Drake Joins List of Rumored Cameos
Eva Longoria's Wardrobe Malfunction
Heat Star Dwyane Wade Surprises Coral Gables Teen At Prom
Steak n' Shake waitress scores huge tip
Singer Miguel Accidentally Lands on Fan At Billboard Music Awards
Celebs Celebrate the Rise of the Side Butt
Grizzly bear gets up close and personal with camera
Justin Bieber Gets Booed After Winning at the Billboard Awards
Singer forgets lyrics, makes up words to National Anthem
