Towns grabbed 11 rebounds for Minneso
INDIANAPOLIS -- Adam Vinatieris reunions usually consist of a personal trip down memory lane.At least there he can take a few moments to reflect on the six AFC championship teams he played on, the four Super Bowl rings he won and all those famous kicks he made along the way.One day, the Indianapolis Colts seemingly ageless kicker figures hell finally be able to participate in some of those memorable halftime celebrations, such as the one taking place Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.Until then, the leagues oldest player at age 43 will focus on what he does best -- making kicks -- and those former teammates enjoy the showThere have been a few (missed reunions), the Colts kicker said Wednesday. Some in New England, too. Yeah, they gave me the token invitation, knowing that I couldnt go because I was still playing.Forty players, nine coaches and Hall of Fame executive Bill Polian are all expected to attend the 10th anniversary of Indianapolis Super Bowl title.Some of the household names -- Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne and Jeff Saturday -- are expected to attend.Some of the postseason stars -- Joseph Addai, Marlin Jackson, Dan Klecko and Dominic Rhodes -- also are coming back. Even a handful of forgotten players, such as Rocky Boiman and Bo Schobel, have made plans to attend.There will be several noticeable absences, too.Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy will miss the reunion because of his Sunday Night Football duties. Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison, 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the year Bob Sanders and record-setting defensive end Dwight Freeney, now with the Atlanta Falcons, are not on the current list of confirmed guests.Then there are Vinatieri and Robert Mathis, the only remaining players from the title team still on the Colts roster.While they may try to sneak out for a team dinner Saturday night or find a few spare moments to meet with some old pals, they know this is a working weekend that may force them out of most of the festivities around town.Its a good problem to have, Vinatieri said.While Vinatieri and Mathis are still focused on collecting another ring, their paths have taken divergent paths this season.The 35-year-old Mathis was slowed early by a bad knee and he has struggled to round into form in the final year of his current contract. Through nine games, the Colts career sacks leader has 19 tackles, only two sacks and four tackles for loss.Vinatieri, meanwhile, has thrived . Hes made an NFL record 44 consecutive field goals, including his past nine from 50 yards or longer.Regardless of where their careers stand now, neither has forgotten the lessons from their postseason success.Just four weeks after allowing 375 yards rushing to Jacksonville in mid-December, the defense completely shut down Kansas Citys Larry Johnson, the leagues No. 2 rusher. In the divisional round, Vinatieri made five field goals at Baltimore -- in a 15-6 win that featured no touchdowns.In the conference championship game, the Colts used two touchdowns from linemen to rally from an 18-point deficit to defeat their biggest nemesis, New England.And they capped off their title run by pulling away from Chicago in rainy Miami.Basically it was our time and we just followed our leader, Tony Dungy, Mathis said. He drove the point home that it was our time and stayed the course. Faith is a powerful thing when you believe you can get things accomplished.Now, like then, the Colts (4-5) are trying to defy those who have been counting them out. The quest continues Sunday against surging Tennessee (5-5) .But while other guys spend the weekend retelling stories, rekindling friendships and relaxing, Vinatieri and Mathis will happily spend this weekend working.Its for them and we were part of that, Vinatieri said. But for me its about trying to win a game.Game notes Three players missed Wednesdays practice with injuries -- right guard Denzelle Good (illness), defensive end Kendall Langford (knee) and cornerback Patrick Robinson (groin). ... Defensive tackle Henry Anderson (knee), left guard Jack Mewhort (triceps) and right tackle Joe Reitz (concussion) all were full participants at practice. ... Andrew Luck was selected as the Colts Ed Block Courage Award winner after returning from a lacerated kidney that forced him to miss the final seven games in 2015.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Colin Kaepernick Youth Jersey . Jay Feely kicked a 41-yard field goal in overtime, and the Cardinals edged the Tennessee Titans 37-34 in overtime after blowing a 17-point lead late in the fourth quarter. Solomon Thomas Youth Jersey . Kiriasis and brakeman Franziska Fritz finished two runs in one minute 55.41 seconds -- a mere 0.01 seconds ahead of Meyers and Lolo Jones, who likely bolstered her Olympic hopes by helping give USA-1 a huge push in the second heat. http://www.thesf49ersshoponline.com/Youth-Patrick-Willis-49ers-Jersey/ . Manuel was offered a position the day he was fired. He accepted earlier this week and the team made the announcement Friday. Jerry Rice Womens Jersey . Pert has formerly spent time as an assistant coach with Cardiff City, Coventry City, and Bahrain mens national team. "Martyn is a highly-respected coach with experience at the top levels in England," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. Patrick Willis Youth Jersey . "I was fortunate to play many years at this level with a great organization and unbelievable teammates," said Hejduk in a statement. NEW ORLEANS -- Anthony Davis exuded an unmistakable swagger as he strode slowly toward the charged-up crowd behind the basket where hed just rolled in an off-balance scoop while being fouled. Then, he exchanged a congratulatory five with Arcade Fire singer Win Butler, who was sitting along the baseline.The Pelicans star wasnt going to be denied -- and neither, for that matter, was the rest of his recently resurgent team.Davis finished with 45 points and 10 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans won their fourth straight game, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 117-96 on Wednesday night.Were just playing great and when our crowd is into it like they were in it tonight, it gives us juice, said Davis, who hit 17 of 27 shots that included thunderous dunks, 3-pointers and just about everything in between. My teammates are doing a great job of just finding me and vice versa. Were all just locked in, playing well together, clicking.Terrence Jones scored 17 points for New Orleans, which trailed early in the second half before Davis scored eight points during a 13-2 run that gave the Pelicans the lead for good.Im amazed every time at the shots he makes. You know, hes able to do it with double-teams and triple teams -- MVP performance, guard Tim Frazier said. He just came out there and he led us.New Orleans led by as many as 23 points in the fourth quarter and cruised to its sixth victory in eight games. ETwaun Moore added 12 points, and Tim Frazier had 11.Zach LaVine scored 26 for Minnesota, but the Timberwolves lost their third straight.We have to play tougher, Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau said. We are not playing any defense, and if you are not doing that, you cant win.Andrew Wiggins and Gorgui Dieng each had 13 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns grabbed 11 rebounds for Minnesota, which did not shoot well. Wiggins was 2 for 19 and the Wolves hit only 38 percent (33 of 86) of their shots. New Orleans shot 544 percent (45 of 83).dddddddddddde have to change something, said Minnesota guard Ricky Rubio, who did not score and had five assists. We have to change our mentality.TIP-INSTimberwolves: The Timberwolves opened a three-game road trip by dropping to 1-6 on the road this season. ... Minnesota shot 3 of 17 from 3-point range.Pelicans: The Pelicans are 4-0 since Jrue Holidays return. After scoring at least 15 in each of his first three games, he had seven points and eight assists against Minnesota. ... F Dante Cunningham left the game early in the second quarter. Team officials said he had a left knee bruise.STAR POWERThe game featured a pair of dominant former Kentucky big men in Davis and Towns, but it was the Pelicans who owned the paint, where New Orleans outscored Minnesota 66-44. The Pelicans also outrebounded the Wolves, 45-41.I just tried to get into him and be physical, Davis said of his approach against Towns. I know its tough for me when teams get physical with me. Its tough to get into a groove and get into what you like. So thats all I tried to do, knowing hes a big key to their offense, just try to take him out as much as possible and have other guys beat us.MOMENTUM SWINGSDavis had 12 points in the first seven minutes, including a 12-foot jumper that gave New Orleans a 21-9 lead.But the Timberwolves closed the gap late in the third quarter and surged in front in the second period with a 11-0 run capped by Diengs foul-line jumper as he was fouled by Omer Asik, putting Minnesota up 46-38.New Orleans, however, closed the half on a 10-0 run during which Jones hit two free throws and dunked twice -- once on a put-back of Davis miss -- to put the Pelicans back in front, 53-50.UP NEXTTimberwolves: Visit Phoenix on Friday night.Pelicans: Visit Portland on Friday night. ' ' '