The return of Mr. Reliable
In all the years that the game of football has been played, has there ever been more hype surrounding a kicker in the days leading up to a game?
Seriously, most Sundays, fans almost couldn't care less if their team's kicker even gets to the stadium. Especially if it's Steve Hauschka.
Too soon? Sorry, that was a low blow.
Anyway, this weekend it's a much different story.
In a match-up that has significant playoff implications and features an undefeated team and a future Hall of Fame quarterback squaring off against a future Hall of Fame linebacker and safety, the main storyline on Sunday will revolve around the return of Matt Stover.
Fans have been talking about it all week. Talk radio hosts have been discussing details about the longtime Ravens kicker morning, afternoon and night. Even Ravens head coach John Harbaugh seems excited to see Stover return to M&T Bank Stadium to face his former team.
"It's pretty juicy," Harbaugh said this week, "and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens, as we all are."
Stover was obviously beloved in his time in Baltimore because of his consistency on the field, his attitude off of it, and his work in the community.
The Ravens had a chance to re-sign the 41-year-old kicker this offseason, but opted to go another route, leaving Stover free to sign with the Colts prior to Indianapolis' Week 7 game against the Rams.
It's a decision that has clearly backfired for Baltimore, and in a rare moment of brutal honesty, Harbaugh even admitted as much this week.
"I guarantee you one thing: It would be nice to have Matt Stover kicking for us right now," Harbaugh said. "We're not afraid of that. Things just didn't work out throughout the offseason."
Stover will return to Charm City on Sunday, but he'll be wearing Blue and White rather than the Purple and Black we've grown so accustomed to over the years.
It's Friday, which means it's prediction time.
Anyone feeling like forecasting a Stover field goal being the game-winner for Indy? Or even juicier (to use Harbaugh's term), anyone think Mr. Reliable will miss a kick, giving the Ravens the win?
Myself, I don't see it being quite that close. I don't think Baltimore will get run off the field like some people do, but I'm going to predict a 31-17 Colts win, which will drop the Ravens back down to .500.
How do you see things playing out?
And here's a bonus question: If you're going to the game, how will you react when Stover steps foot on the field? Will you be one of the fans standing and applauding, or will you shower the new Colt with boos?
Those of you who won't be making the trek to M&T on Sunday, how would you greet Stover if you were in attendance?
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Categories (click for archive)Dan Kolko | Ravens News |
Dan,
Always love reading your blogs on the Ravens. For my prediction I'm thinking 31-10 Colts. If the Ravens were to win this game though I think you would look at the stat sheet and see both Rice and McGahee w/ 20+ carries. Literally ball control is the only way to stop Manning it seems.
On a side note, I will be at the game and I (and hope the rest of the crowd does) give Stover a standing ovation when he takes the field. Along with that 2000-01 defense; he is one of the main reasons we won the SB and was always consistent on this team. I actually got to meet Matt once when he came to speak at my parents church. Just a super classy guy and really funny. I wish him all the best and hey who knows, maybe when Vinatieri comes back for the Colts we'll look at bringing him back for another tour of duty.
If I went to the game I would Cheer him. He did not leave us for another team. That may be differerent. He wanted to be here and the Ravens cut him. If it was in his best interest he would miss the 4 extra points and 2 field goals that he will be making on Sunday. He is be getting cut by the Colts in a few weeks and may end up back in Baltimore. It would benefit him in a few weeks if the Ravens win this.
I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A FAN OF STOVER'S....I WILL CHEER FOR HIM WHEN HE COMES OUT...HE DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE...HE IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE I HAVE MET...SO SHOW SOME RESPECT FOR ALL THE GAMES HE HAS WON FOR US.THANK YOU MATT STOVER!!!
P.S. REMEMBER OUR SUPER BOWL YEAR...HE IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS THAT WE EVEN GOT TO THE SUPERBOWL..THANKS AGAIN!
I'll be at the game and will give Stover the same treatment as I would any other kicker on the opposing team...none.
The Colts have shown that they won't let Stover kick anything over 40 yards, but in this game he'll only need to kick extra points.
for everything he did and what he meant to the ravens organization (and remember it was not his idea not to be on the team anymore), i will applaude for matt stover. let's just hope that we can keep it close and he misses a big fg for us. he's 6-6 this year but 6-7 would be right above his career average of 83.9% i'd take it
Colts 31-17
I would applaud for Stover if I was going. He wanted to be a Raven, enough said.
I will be there on Sunday and I will stand and applaud the hell out of Matt Stover. qhe wanted to come back, and the Ravens didn't want him. I hold no grudge towards Matt.
My prediciton:
Colts- 34
Ravens- 17
We just can not afford to only score points in the second half of the game like we have done for most of the year. To have a chance we need to put up 35 points. iF not we will end up on the short end like the Patriots.
If we end up on our own 28 yard line with a 6 point lead and only 2 minutes left then punt the freakin ball! DO NOT GO FOR IT like the Pats.
It will be interesting to see what kind of field position we get in this game. The big reason Stover is not here is due to his kick off distance. I can't wait to see how short those kicks are. We will see.
Ravens 24-21,
I'm going to the game and will given stover a standing ovation because he is a great kicker and classy guy. most guys would have thrown the Ravens under the bus for letting him walk but Stover just kept it classy.
Brad - Stover doesn't kickoff for the Colts, or kick field goals over 40 yards. Their punter kicks off and if the Colts have a field goal over 40 yards they either go on 4th down or take a 5 yard penalty and punt.
Score: Colts 35 Ravens 17
I'll be at the game, and you better believe I'll be cheering for him when he comes onto the field.
Didn't Cundiff beat out Stover for the kicking position in Cleveland?
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FPC,
Stover apparently never tried out for the Browns; he talked with then-GM George Kokinis but didn't want to be a stop-gap solution until Phil Dawson returned. The Browns turned to Cundiff after Stover indicated he wasn't interested.
-Dan
Dan,
I would certainly cheer Stover if I were there, and I think the fans will too. No reason not to. Class all the way for the entire time he's been with us.
As for my pick, hmm...I would say we have a good game and win 28-24. They have rookie corners starting, so along with a good running game, if we go after those guys, I think that should help us quite a bit. But we certainly can't have games like the ones we've lost. Certainly no slow starts and then try to come back. That won't work against these guys. I think this is a very winnable game. But Foxworth...oh boy, he really needs to have a good game this week. And Ed Reed needs to be the Ed Reed we've gotten used to, not the one that has been missing these tackles.
I know everyone is picking us to lose, but I think if we have a good game, one like we had in the beginning of the season, we should be able to win. I know that's the unpopular opinion. I'm not sure if we've ever beat them, but one thing I do know is that we have to have an almost flawless game, or at least they have to have a bad one. Manning doesn't have those very often.