Colts post-Manning gain momentum with Coach Pagano

Lucas Oil Stadium is massive.  With seating for 63,000 fans, it sits on a total site of 39 acres.  Two giant HD screens highlight all the action below the retractable roof and wide-angle windows that open to a view of the downtown Indy skyline.

It's always a sea of blue jerseys, from the crowd walking in to the seats in the top rows.  The main walkways are marketing 'ops' and street parties with live bands, games for kids, and proudly displayed Lucas Oil sponsored racing machines.  Cars, motorcycles, four-wheelers, souped-up tractors - anything that can run on Lucas Oil products are mounted in the entryways.  Colts fans have really come together with their brand, and the Indy team spirit is electric.

New quarterback Andrew Luck has been living up to his name as he has turned the Colts around since the loss of famed Payton Manning.  Up to this last regular season game on Dec. 30, Luck had completed 325 passes this year for roughly 4200 yards. Star receiver Reggie Wayne had caught 102 passes for 1315 yards.  So the Colts had momentum coming into the last regular season game against the Texans.

Indy's own Sandie Patty sang the national anthem, as servicemen unfurled the enormous U. S. flag shown in the photo.  It was all NFL theatre, as good as it gets.  The halftime show was singularly unusual:  Tim Lepard, a rodeo performer, wrangled a trio of border collies herding sheep.  The dogs, on top of this, were ridden by capuchin monkeys.  I'm sure kids watching thought this was great; the monkeys sat their saddles perfectly as the dogs wove and dodged abruptly.  I guess we have to be shown something new, n'est pas? It was kind of odd, but we seem to be in an 'anything goes' culture.

Another thing notable about this game was that head coach Chuck Pagano was back for the first time after being treated for cancer.  To honor and support his struggles, two of the glamorous NFL cheerleaders had shaved their heads.  On the 'JumboTrons' they stood out, cute and sassy with butch haircuts next to all the long Barbie-esque locks on their squad mates.  Pagano's return had ignited the team and fans, and helped push them to overcome the Texans this day.

Maybe the day will come again the Colts are Superbowl champs.  Maybe one day people will stop stealing street signs that say "Manning."  Time marches on, and any given Sunday..

Superbowl Colts jersey shopping

If you do not get it from yourself, where will you go for it? -Alan Watts

With a quarterback like Peyton Manning, how could you be from Indiana and not be for the Colts in Superbowl 44 this Sunday? The New Orleans Saints are a very likable team and their quarterback, Drew Brees, played for Purdue. But this is Colts country and you'll see store clerks, waitresses, and average folk sporting their blue and white jerseys for Colts-inspired blue Fridays. What - the big game is a mere three days away, and you don't have a Superbowl shirt?

I stopped in at Komet Kuarters, 515 E. Coliseum, named for the local hockey franchise. It's an interesting store, with lots of toys, collectibles, and sports equipment such as pads and gear for hockey players, etc. They have official NFL jerseys in a variety of sizes, complete with player names and numbers. I also find commemorative Superbowl issue Colts jerseys emblazoned with the Saints Superbowl tag.

I then drive across Coliseum to see what's at Glenbrook Mall. Stores have planned ahead for number 18 - Peyton - and you can find these available. I also see some for the popular Reggie Wayne, and some Dallas Clark 44s, eye-catching also because this the number of Superbowls (I know it's Roman numerals, whatever).

Touring through Glenbrook, I was cheered by how pleasant shopping can be this time of year with the holiday crowds gone. Lids Locker Room by the fountain had a fun assortment of stuff, with plenty of hats, party-serving items, and do-dads for the Colts. I liked a blue long-sleeved thermal t-shirt for women with a singular horseshoe emblem on the front.

The big find this year would be to come up with a Colts jersey, number 85 for wide receiver Pierre Garcon. He's really big this year, especially after 11 catches and 151 yards in the AFC championship game. It's newsworthy also that his mother and sisters were born in Haiti. I didn't search forever but I didn't find a number 85 in the mall. Of course, you can order whatever you want over the Internet, if you want to go that way.

The mall's MC Sports had Reebok Colts and Saints stuff, and you can check Sears, which has conveniently placed its hoodies, t-shirts and jerseys by a northwest area entrance for a quick dash in-and-out. There are other stores with Colts stuff, of course, but my lunch time is up.

I have to mention what I saw to be the most fun for the money on this trip - the photo booths by the carousel. On the upper level, you can get 1 set (6 pics) for $3, or 2 sets (12) for $5. I see color sets or black and white. You just jump in the booth with your friend, adjust the stool, pull the curtain and voila! A fun memory - I have seen some of the most spontaneous, candidly fun shots people have made in these so quickly and easily. If you're over the blue jerseys, save your money and get some flattering, high-contrast black and white mug shots instead. May the best team win!