"lose" No. 1 status from the pre-season as much as Ekblad

INDIANAPOLIS - Josh Cribbs enjoys sharing NFL stories with his younger Colts teammates.This week, the 31-year-old return specialist almost feels like one of them.For the first time in his 10-year career, Cribbs has spent Week 18 attending meetings, watching film and preparing for the playoffs rather than cleaning out a locker and heading home for the off-season. Its an experience that has rendered the usually vivacious veteran virtually speechless.When we get in there, I have to hold back my excitement because Im supposed to have been there and done that, Cribbs said. But Ive not done that. So inside, Im kind of like a kid on Christmas morning, Im so excited.Of the 53 players on Indys roster, 17 are expected to make their playoff debuts in Sundays wild-card game against Cincinnati.Sure, 13 players have only been in the league since 2013 and a couple of others, such as backup offensive lineman Joe Reitz, have missed out on the post-season fun because of injuries, but Cribbs and starting linebacker DQwell Jackson provide prime examples of why this years pursuit of a Super Bowl cannot be taken for granted.After eight seasons as teammates in Cleveland, Cribbs and Jackson couldnt believe their luck when they got a chance to play for a contender just a short drive away from the city theyd called home.The first thing I said when I came here was that this team smelled like the playoffs, Cribbs said with a smile and tone thats as infectious now as it was when he entered the league in 2005. Its a treat.For those with post-season experience, its also puts a new twist on Indys annual post-season trip. The Colts (11-5) have won two straight AFC South titles, been to the playoffs each of the past three seasons and have only missed the playoffs twice since 1999, which is why players such as tight end Dwayne Allen cant even imagine how agonizing the wait must have been for Cribbs and Jackson.The reaction of Jackson and Cribbs after Indy clinched a playoff spot with a win over Houston three weeks ago — Jackson nearly wore his division champions hat into the shower — and their continued excitement this week has even given some of the playoff regulars a jolt of energy.Ive been on teams where you look around and all you care about is getting a first-round bye, backup quarterback and former Super Bowl starter Matt Hasselbeck said. But when you have guys who have never been to the playoffs and you see the joy and the child-like feeling they have for making it, its so refreshing. Its awesome, you just love it.Cribbs acknowledges he doesnt want to ask questions about what to expect, choosing instead to soak it all in.But his real challenge Sunday might be keeping those emotions in check. When Cribbs made his first trip back to Cleveland in early December, he was critiqued for trying to do too much on his returns.Former Indy coach Tony Dungy, who won his only Super Bowl title after the 2006 season, often explained to players they didnt need to do anything special in the playoffs where he believed more games were lost than won. Rather, Dungy asked his players to simply sharpen the things they did best so they could execute consistently when the stakes increased.Those who have experienced success understand Dungys message, though it doesnt make it any easier to put in place.Im still a newbie at it, said safety Mike Adams, who has made the playoffs in three straight years after missing them for eight consecutive seasons in San Francisco and Cleveland. Every play is important.And in the case of Cribbs and Jackson, every moment will be one worth savoring for a lifetime.Theyre just hoping it doesnt take nearly as long to appear in a second playoff game as it did their first. A win over the Bengals (10-5-1) would send the Colts into a divisional-round matchup at either top-seeded New England (12-4) or second-seeded Denver (10-4).Cribbs cant wait.Weve already achieved success, Cribbs said, noting that the goal is making a Super Bowl run. Now, its about making this next level and reaching for greatness.Notes: Colts chief operating officer Pete Ward said about 1,000 tickets were still unsold at midafternoon Wednesday. ... Offensive linemen Hugh Thornton (right shoulder) and AQ Shipley (let ankle) did not practice Wednesday. Right tackle Gosder Cherilus (groin), receiver Reggie Wayne (triceps, groin) and outside linebackers Erik Walden (knee) and Bjoern Werner (shoulder) were limited at practice. Cribbs sat out to get extra rest, coach Chuck Pagano said.___Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Morris Claiborne Jersey . And follow TSN.ca right through Wednesdays 3pm et trade deadline for all the updates. Blue line help for Red Wings? In addition to what he reported in Insider Trading, TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun wrote on ESPN. Terrence Brooks Jersey . Edmonton opened the season with 14 straight victories before falling Friday night 10-8 to the host Colorado Mammoth in National Lacrosse League action. http://www.officialnewyorkjetsfootball.com/authentic-ladainian-tomlinson-jersey-womens . He was 40. Firefighters were called about 11 a.m. Friday because Brown was unresponsive at his home near the Inner Harbor, fire spokesman Battalion Chief Kevin Cartwright said. He said Brown was dead when firefighters arrived. Jamal Adams Jersey .m. on Friday. Granger was acquired from the Indiana Pacers last Thursday for Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen, but never played a minute for Philadelphia. The 76ers also received a 2015 second-round draft pick in the deal. Doug Middleton Jersey . According to the Red Wings Twitter feed, Zetterberg plans to practice with the team on Thursday and is aiming for a second round comeback.CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Manu Ginobili said he needed a game like this.Maybe its the game the San Antonio Spurs needed to get things turned around, too.Ginobili was the focal point of the Spurs offence Wednesday night, scoring 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting in San Antonios 98-93 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.When the Spurs needed a big play, they didnt hesitate to turn to the 13-year NBA veteran.In the past few games Ive had the opportunity to have the ball in my hands a lot of times, Ginobili said. Sometimes it is not that easy against very athletic teams. Today I made a couple of shots and made better decisions, so I am happy about it.The Spurs, seventh in the Western Conference standings, played for the second straight night on the road. The defending NBA champions will look to make a push when the play eight of their next 10 games at home.We had an opportunity to win some other games and weve blown them, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. Tonight we came through so it feels pretty good.Danny Green scored 18 points and Tim Duncan added 14 points and 10 rebounds to help the Spurs snap the Hornets five-game win streak. The Spurs have won eight straight against the Hornets.Nothing seems to be easy for us this year, Ginobili said. We are playing a lot of close games. But we are learning from it.Ginobili was the key to this win.After the Hornets drew to 86-85 with 4 minutes, the left-hander drove the right side of the lane and made a high-banking shot off the glass over two leaping Hornets. Then he hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key on the next possession to make it a six-point game. He followed that with a feed to a cutting Tiago Splitter for a layup to push the lead to 93-85.Kemba Walker had 28 points on 9-of-24 shooting after averaging 30.2 points during the Hornets winning streak.Lance Stephenson returned from a 14-game absence due to a pelvic sprain and had eight points in 19 minutes. Stephenson said he didnt feel winded, and said the time off helped give him a new perspective.When I was out, I watched people share the ball and play without negative energy, Stephenson said. So I dont want to play with any negative energy and bring everybody down.ddddddddddddhe Spurs appeared on the verge of running away from the Hornets late in the first half when Green hit back-to-back 3-pointers to push the lead to 16.But the Hornets climbed within 10 after getting some production from an unlikely source — centre Bismack Biyombo. In a span of 10 seconds, Biyombo slid underneath Matt Bonner and tipped in a missed free throw, blocked a shot on defence and then grabbed an offensive rebound and scored while drawing a foul for a 3-point play.But Ginobili halted any momentum the Hornets had by draining a 26-footer from the top of the key at the buzzer to give the Spurs a 57-45 lead at the break.The Hornets has several defensive lapses in the second quarter and were outscored 35-27, which Charlotte coach Steve Clifford called the key to the game.Every team has a different level of room for error, Clifford said. We dont have room for error. We cant have that.___TIP-INSSpurs: Boris Diaw, who previously played in Charlotte, was booed almost every time he touched the ball.Hornets: The Hornets were 23 of 35 from the free throw line. ... Gerald Henderson had a technical foul for arguing calls.BIZ MODE: Biyombo continues to improve, finishing with 12 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks while filling in for Al Jefferson. He played with a ton of energy, though he was a little embarrassed when he air-balled a free throw.LEONARD NEEDED: Popovich said after the game the Spurs stink on defence without Kawhi Leonard. Thats the bottom line, Popovich said. He does all kinds of stuff for us. He guards the best player. He guards a couple of different guys. He rebounds the position. He makes steals. He covers for his teammates. He is huge on D.SMOOCHING RIVERA: Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera, sitting courtside, was shown on the Kiss Cam and he drew a big roar from the crowd when he leaned over and gave wife Stephanie a smooch. The Panthers lost Saturday night to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC divisional playoffs.UP NEXTSpurs: Host Portland on Friday night.Hornets: Host Indiana on Saturday night. Authentic Bills Jerseys Dolphins Stitched Jerseys Cheap Patriots Jerseys Wholesale Jets Jerseys Wholesale Texans Jerseys Cheap Colts Jerseys Jaguars Jerseys Store Authentic Titans Jerseys Authentic Broncos Jerseys Authentic Chiefs Jerseys Cheap Raiders Jerseys Chargers Jerseys Store Cheap Ravens Jerseys Wholesale Bengals Jerseys Cheap Browns Jerseys Steelers Jerseys Store Wholesale Cowboys Jerseys Wholesale Giants Jerseys Authentic Eagles Jerseys Cheap Redskins Jerseys Authentic Falcons Jerseys Panthers Jerseys Store Wholesale Saints Jerseys Authentic Buccaneers Jerseys Wholesale Cardinals Jerseys Cheap 49ers Jerseys Seahawks Jerseys Store Wholesale Rams Jerseys Wholesale Bears Jerseys Authentic Lions Jerseys Cheap Packers Jerseys Vikings Jerseys Store ' ' '