INDIANAPOLIS // Peyton Manning's goals remain the same. It's the Colts' short-term focus that has changed.
Instead of using the pre-season to fine-tune their high-scoring offence, they are still waiting for Manning to get healthy enough to make a difference - and perhaps make Indianapolis' Super Bowl hopes come true.
"You understand why it's being hyped up, but it's so far away it doesn't even it feel like it's this year yet," said kicker Adam Vinatieri, who already owns four Super Bowl rings.
The muted reaction inside Indianapolis's locker room is understandable given the team's recent run of success. They has won seven of the last eight AFC South titles, tied the NFL record with nine straight play-off appearances, but uses Super Bowl victories as the measuring stick.
This year, with Indianapolis hosting its first Super Bowl, the city's expectations have changed. Fans are no longer discussing the four month lockout that put the big game in jeopardy and would rather debate whether the Colts can become the first team to play the Super Bowl in their home stadium.
"They would love it," the defensive captain Gary Brackett said.
Getting there was never going to be easy, and Manning's slow recovery from off-season neck surgery has been a bigger obstacle than anyone anticipated.
For only the second time in his 14-year career, Manning did not take a snap in training camp and he's expected to miss all four pre-season games. The last time that happened, Indy started 3-4 and had to win its last nine just to make the play-offs.
If the neck injury does end Manning's streak of 227 consecutive games, including play-offs, most figure the Colts have no chance at reaching the Super Bowl. But the Colts have a penchant for redefining conventional wisdom.
Indy finished last season with 18 players on injured reserve, including the star tight end Dallas Clark, and still won the AFC South. It won more regular-season games (115) between 2000 and 2009 than any team in any decade in league history. After reeling off 23 straight wins between 2008 and 2009, the Colts pulled their starters in the third quarter of Week 15, throwing away a shot at a perfect season.
Players think they can do it again.
"It's not like we're going to not play games and close up shop," Clark said. "Obviously, we had a lot of injuries last year, and, obviously, Peyton is a little bigger name. But whoever steps in has to do the job."
The questions are not just about Manning or his backup, as team owner Jim Irsay made clear on a recent Twitter post.
Receiver Austin Collie returned to practice on Monday after missing an entire week with a knee injury. He's coming back from two concussions. Receiver Anthony Gonzalez, who missed most of the past two seasons with knee injuries, has been bothered by a hamstring injury.
The Colts are hoping four former first-round draft picks - defensive linemen Jamaal Anderson, Tyler Brayton and Tommie Harris, and linebacker Ernie Sims - can help make the defence more stout against the run.
Indy are also reconstructing the offensive line that protects Manning. The Colts used their first two draft picks on offensive tackles Anthony Castonzo and Ben Ijalana in hopes of reviving a running game that has not topped four yards per carry since Indy's only Super Bowl-winning season of 2006.
"As tough as it is out here [at training camp], when the lights come that's really when you want to see guys step forward," the Pro Bowl centre Jeff Saturday said. "That's what we'll see over the next few weeks."
It's also when things will really get tough.
Houston believes they are ready to destroy the Colts' division dominance; Jacksonville nearly did last year; and Tennessee has signed Matt Hasselbeck to rejuvenate the only team other than Indy to win the South title. Outside the division, the Colts still have to contend with the two-time AFC runner-up Jets and perennial rivals Baltimore, New England, Pittsburgh and San Diego.
Of course, they've always had Manning to bail them out in the past. This year, who knows?
"He's working extremely hard to get back as quickly as he possibly can," coach Jim Caldwell said.
With or without the only four-time MVP in league history, Colts fans still have one wish: seeing their team playing at Lucas Oil Stadium in February.
"We've not talked about that at all," Vinatieri said. "You know there's going to be hype and how excited the city is about it. You see the mayor on TV every other day talking about it and you get that. But from the football side of it, we haven't even looked got past the pre-season yet. We can't allow yourself to think about that right now."
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
The Beach Bum
Director: Harmony Korine
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg
Two stars
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
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About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
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• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
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Expert advice
“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”
Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”
Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results
Male 51kg Round 1
Dias Karmanov (KAZ) beat Mabrook Rasea (YEM) by points 2-1.
Male 54kg Round 1
Yelaman Sayassatov (KAZ) beat Chen Huang (TPE) TKO Round 1; Huynh Hoang Phi (VIE) beat Fahad Anakkayi (IND) RSC Round 2; Qais Al Jamal (JOR) beat Man Long Ng (MAC) by points 3-0; Ayad Albadr (IRQ) beat Yashar Yazdani (IRI) by points 2-1.
Male 57kg Round 1
Natthawat Suzikong (THA) beat Abdallah Ondash (LBN) by points 3-0; Almaz Sarsembekov (KAZ) beat Ahmed Al Jubainawi (IRQ) by points 2-1; Hamed Almatari (YEM) beat Nasser Al Rugheeb (KUW) by points 3-0; Zakaria El Jamari (UAE) beat Yu Xi Chen (TPE) by points 3-0.
Men 86kg Round 1
Ahmad Bahman (UAE) beat Mohammad Al Khatib (PAL) by points 2-1
Men 63.5kg Round 1
Noureddin Samir (UAE) beat Polash Chakma (BAN) RSC Round 1.
Female 45kg quarter finals
Narges Mohammadpour (IRI) beat Yuen Wai Chan (HKG) by points.
Female 48kg quarter finals
Szi Ki Wong (HKG) beat Dimple Vaishnav (IND) RSC round 2; Thanawan Thongduang (THA) beat Nastaran Soori (IRI) by points; Shabnam Hussain Zada (AFG) beat Tzu Ching Lin (TPE) by points.
Female 57kg quarter finals
Nguyen Thi Nguyet (VIE) beat Anisha Shetty (IND) by points 2-1; Areeya Sahot (THA) beat Dana Al Mayyal (KUW) RSC Round 1; Sara Idriss (LBN) beat Ching Yee Tsang (HKG) by points 3-0.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
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BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
MATCH INFO
England 19 (Try: Tuilagi; Cons: Farrell; Pens: Ford (4)
New Zealand 7 (Try: Savea; Con: Mo'unga)
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Stormy seas
Weather warnings show that Storm Eunice is soon to make landfall. The videographer and I are scrambling to return to the other side of the Channel before it does. As we race to the port of Calais, I see miles of wire fencing topped with barbed wire all around it, a silent ‘Keep Out’ sign for those who, unlike us, aren’t lucky enough to have the right to move freely and safely across borders.
We set sail on a giant ferry whose length dwarfs the dinghies migrants use by nearly a 100 times. Despite the windy rain lashing at the portholes, we arrive safely in Dover; grateful but acutely aware of the miserable conditions the people we’ve left behind are in and of the privilege of choice.
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