As the NFL football season gets going we all rejoice. Like all of you I love Football and all that goes into this great event. The pre-game tailgating with all its food, and fun, and pregame hype. The anticipation of the kickoff with player introductions, and the crowd cheering.  Every week its new drama. Every week we see great things and move ever closer to the ultimate prize. But before we as fans can get started we have to endure THE PRESEASON!!

               Now do not get me wrong 30 years ago the idea of a four game preseason was a necessity. It was what was needed, along with training camp, to get everybody into shape. It was needed to take a good look at all the new players and veterans alike to be assured you had all the right pieces. But that was 30 years ago. Today with full time strength and conditioning and the money that the players receive to PLAY many of the fans think its time we got what we PAYED FOR !!  Now if you do not have season tickets you may not know that we pay FULL PRICE for both preseason games even though we get nothing close to a full season game. To add insult to injury, if we are lucky enough to have the FOURTH preseason game at home, which we do this year, you will not see most of the starters at all.

               This issue is of course much larger than you or I. As a matter of fact it is one of the TOP 5 points of contention between the NFL players union and the owners. Of course an 18 game season will bring in more revenue to the owners. Of course the players should be compensated for the extra wear and tear on their bodies. But excuse me if I sound a little less than interested in THEM, this is about US, the fans!

               All this talk of what IF the owners lock out the players and there is no 2011 season is clouding a lot of the excitement of the 2010 season. Gee whiz guys can’t we just look at this from a FANS perspective. We all WISH we could make as much money playing a GAME we loved. That includes MEANIE with his cup and a ball on a string. We, as fans get a LITTLE upset when millionaires and BILLONARES start playing cock of the walk. And with Peyton due a new contract soon, it is going to be very interesting.

               But my friends, they need to know NOW that the FANS will not tolerate a lock out. I have reviewed some of their concerns. The players want to make sure they are not living in a BOX in years to come because they got so banged up. The owners are tired of paying MILLIONS to unproven rookies. The list is not that long and I think, as a fan, they can get it done.

               As for the PRESASON, I hate watching folks leave at halftime because there is nothing to watch. I hate knowing that the fourth game is nothing more than a glorified scrimmage between soon to be cut players. I HATE paying full price for the joy of watching these games. But we are just the FANS, last time I checked nobody was asking for our opinion. Well expect for the local press who had nothing else to talk about during an interview at my tailgate before the game. That my friends is how things get started, some guy in a bad hat asked me a question and now I ask you…Do you want a say in the talks that are going on?? Do you feel like they should be more concerned with what the FANS think?? Do you think it’s kind of funny that the local new channels always send their NEWEST female reporters to our lot before a game?? Don’t get me wrong I like a cute, petite female just like the next guy but you have to wonder if the GM thinks “if she can survive the BLUE CREW LOT she should be OK.”  Well she was better looking than Russ without his hat, FRIGHTNING!! 

               So, as I started this rant I was expressing my dislike for the preseason and based on the volume of new faces I watched walk by my seat at the stadium I would venture that 50% of the seats were filled with first time folks with free tickets or family friends of the ticket holder. If the NFL could see its way clear to giving us a full season product there would be enough money for everyone. I for one would gladly give up an extra Sunday for the joy of football, how about you?

  WRITTEN BY: G.A.WOODS AKA PT COLTS GUY

We are all looking forward to another exciting season of Colts football and Blue Crew style tailgating.    That being said we all need to remember and help enforce the rules so we all can continue to have a great time.  Please remember:

• The Lot opens 5 hours prior to kickoff, do not abuse this.
• Your parking pass MUST be displayed in the window of your vehicle
• RV PASSES are to be used for the vehicle it was issued to.
• Lock up your vehicles and valuables.
• Spaces cannot be reserved for someone arriving later.
• Only occupy the space or spaces you purchased.  If you purchased a car pass you may set up either directly in front of or behind your vehicle.
• Please keep all lanes clear for emergency vehicles and emergency personnel
• Please pick up after yourself and your vehicle.
• No wood burning or open flames of any kind will be allowed on the lot. THIS NOW INCLUDES CHARCOAL GRILLS !!
• Absolutely no one under the age of 21 is allowed to consume, or be in possession of any alcoholic beverages at any time!
• Be courteous and respectful to others.  We’re all here to have a good time.
• If you do have an issue, please report it to the lot staff, Blue Crew Management or the police officers working security in the lot.
• Violation of any of these rules may result in the lose of your parking privilege’s for the remainder of the season and refusal of a future parking pass.

Thank you and here’s to another Super Bowl run!  Yell, scream GO HORSE!!!

        -Your Blue Crew Management

During my self-imposed exile, several things have happened that made me want to look at people in that tilted dog head stare. You know the one where your dog looks you dead in the face and then slowly rotates his head to one side while seeming to say, “WTF dude?” I mean the Super Bowl for one. Come on people, you actually believe that on any given day the Taints would beat the Colts? I didn’t. Caldwell pulled out the old Dungy everybody deserves a hug for trying so hard playbook and laid a giant-sized turd in Miami for all to see. Peyton chokes in another big one, Peyton can’t win the big games, and my favorite; Peyton threw the game for his old hometown (insert dog head turn here). I haven’t talked much football with anyone since that game, A) because there isn’t any football and B) because I still have that throw-up taste in my mouth from February 7th that I can’t seem to get rid of no matter how many Altoids I eat. I really need to move on don’t I?

At least the draft showed up in time to shine a little light into the collective black hole that is my life. We needed to draft an offensive line since our running game of late has been about as strong as Ellen DeGeneres in a strong man competition. So what does Bill do? He drafted defense in the first three rounds and grabbed only one offensive line man out of the seven rounds. Normally I’d be getting upset about now, but Bill has proven me wrong more times than not. Anybody remember the 2001 draft when we so needed defensive help and Uncle Bill drafted a wide receiver? Who knew that little boy from south Florida that everyone called “Johnny Floorchicken” due to his love of playing video games on the floor while eating buckets of domesticated fried fowl would grow up to be Reggie Wayne? And now you know the rest of the story.

While I’m on the subject of random things that rub me the wrong way, I believe they should impose the death penalty or at least a severe caning for any douchenozzle already at or BELOW the speed limit that slams on his brakes while on the highway just because he sees a police car. If you are not speeding why the #%&* do you need to slow down? If the %&*@ING cop is on the other side of the concrete wall, the barrier will not magically open up to allow him to traverse 6 lanes of traffic just to write you a ticket for going 49 in a 55. You would be better off riding a bus or just sitting your ass at home and keeping the roads safe for the rest of us.

I could write an entire book on the interesting people and things you can see at your local Walmart, but I’ll try and keep it brief. Just because you are too lazy to walk while you shop, that doesn’t give your fat ass in the motorized wheelchair the right of way all over the store. There are other people in the store besides you that have a little self respect and discipline enough left to actually walk through the store to get their super sized box of lard filled, frosting-buried Hostess snack cakes. Don’t give me that line of crap that you need the scooter to get around because I saw you leap out of that seat and run over to the refrigerator case once you realized there was only one package of chocolate covered bacon left. The only person you are fooling is yourself. Give the rest of us and that poor overworked scooter a much needed break.

Something else that is really bothering me is the media. I’m not trying to get political here, but if the BP oil spill would have happened on GW’s watch the media would have crucified him on the hour. “It is now hour 504 of George Bush’s epic failure to help save the planet. Why does he hate the American people, clean water, clean air and fuzzy puppies & kittens? Details on this in the next hour as well as an exclusive interview with a woman who claims President Bush once wouldn’t let her cut in front of him in line at the slide at recess.” Now it’s even hard just to hear the news over the loud sucking sound heard when they talk about the current president. The harshest criticism I’ve heard was “he’s trying”. GMAFB! Bush hates black people because he mobilized the National Guard and declared a national emergency two days BEFORE hurricane Katrina even touched land, but Obama waits eight days before he even publicly commented on the oil spill and then he only said he was going to send advisors to the site, EIGHT DAYS LATER! Oh yeah, that’s fair and unbiased coverage.

Alright I said I wasn’t going to get political, tough $#!+. I changed my mind. If you don’t like it, go write your own blog that I’ll incessantly ignore or only read to make fun of and point out the grammatical errors. Since when did it become wrong to defend our borders? It is in the freaking Constitution of the United States (that is the document that our current president and his friends choose to ignore when it suits their purpose) that the government is responsible for the defense and protection of our borders. The governor of Arizona is merely trying to enforce federal law. It is not racial discrimination it is a cold hard fact. Who is coming over the border illegally; the Russians, Chinese, Africans, Canadians, the French? No, it is the Mexicans. The Mexican president is appalled that we are upset over people entering the United States illegally. He can’t understand why. I’ll tell you why, the people that are leaving Mexico and entering Arizona aren’t the hard working, please let me pick your fruit and cut your grass type of Mexicans. No these are the move into your house while you are out and the slash your throat while you are sleeping kind of Mexicans.  Of course the Mexican president is upset that we won’t take his drug dealing, murdering citizens into our huddled masses and love them like our own. Did you know that the minimum sentence in Mexico for illegally entering their country is 2 years in a Mexican prison? But President Felipe expects us to welcome Mexicans illegally into our country with open arms. Practice what you preach amigo.

I really need football to center my focus and to keep me from climbing up in a bell tower with an automatic weapon to cleanse the soil of the unworthy ones. Do we even have any bell towers in Indianapolis? Is it me, or does Indy sports talk radio really suck now. WNDE is a mere shadow of its former self. The only thing I want to rack on the Jim Rome Show is Jim Rome. And can any of you honestly tell me you think Mark Patrick is funny?  The only person that thinks Mark Patrick is funny is the guy that stares back at him in the mirror and at times I have my doubts about that.  JMV, where are you? You brought an intelligent humor, smut and charm to sports radio. Now we are stuck with Mr. Pompusassington and his never ending love of himself. If JMV’s departure from the Indy airwaves wasn’t hard enough on me, the management at Emmis Communications saw it in their infinite wisdom to split up the comedy team of Kravitz and Eddie. These guys were comedy gold! How will I ever survive without hearing Kravitz’s insightful ramblings in the afternoons? (insert dog head turn here) Rumor has it our friend JMV will be returning to the airwaves of Indianapolis. When, I do not know. I was told to be patient. I can only hope it is before I Google “Bell Towers Indianapolis”.

So sayeth the Meanie

EDITOR’S NOTE:  Since the writing of this piece JMV has returned to the airwaves of Indianapolis replacing Kravitz and Eddie’s time slot on 1070 The Fan, yay.

The team plans a full-squad mini-camp practice and fan open house on June 5. The free event will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The fan open house will be from 10 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., after which field will be cleared for the full-squad practice. Practice is scheduled to start at 2:15 p.m. and finish at 4 p.m.

Before the practice, the team will offer a brief autograph session around the perimeter of the football field.

Highlights of the fan open house:

Blue Crew: The INDY BLUE CREW will be on hand to accept new memberships and answer questions at the H.H Gregg gate.

Colts cheerleaders: A runway show will be at 11:30 a.m. near the Lucas Oil Plaza. Cheerleader autographs also will be available.

Music: Live performances are planned on the Lucas Oil Plaza stage

Sale: a Colts garage sale will be in the Northeast corner of the stadium

Photo opportunities: Fans can take photos of the Colts Vince Lombardi and Lamar Hunt trophies (bring their own camera)

Youth activities: Kids can participate in football combine drills, as well as play football in an open area of the field.

Mascot appearance: Blue, the official Colts mascot, will be on hand.

Player jerseys: Fans will have a chance to win one of twenty Colts authentic player jerseys.

Free posters: Fans exiting the stadium will get a free Colts poster, while supplies last.

The stadium’s concession stands and the Colts Pro Shop will be open throughout the event.

FREE PARKING will be available in the Tire Barn South Lot.

UNDRAFTED CLASS OF 2010

UPDATE !!   Here are the 16 players signed so far as free agents ..

The Indianapolis Colts signed 16 collegiate free agents to reinforce their roster.
Many of the rookies already had been reported, including Miami (Fla.) running back Javarris James, a cousin of Edgerrin James, Purdue cornerback Brandon King and Indiana State safety Donye’ McCleskey.

The remainder of the list: defensive end Trevor Anderson, Michigan State; safety David Caldwell, William and Mary; cornerback Jordan Hemby, North Carolina; quarterback Tim Hiller, Western Michigan; kick returner Brandon James, Florida; offensive tackle Jeff Linkenbach, Cincinnati; safety Mike Newton, Buffalo; guard Gregg Peat, Oregon State; placekicker Brett Swenson, Michigan State; linebacker Vuna Tuihalamaka, Arizona; cornerback Thad Turner, Ohio; offensive tackle Andrew Tyshovnytsky, Fordham; and wide receiver Blair White, Michigan State.

That group, along with the eight-player draft class, went through the first of three rookie minicamp sessions today at the team’s West 56th Street complex.

Now many will say we had OTHER needs but do not forget we still have SIX other picks and the always fun UNDRAFTED guys. So repeat after me IN BILL WE TRUST !!

I have included a link to the local paper as well as a link to some DETAILS about our newest COLT !! WELCOME MR. HUGHES

STAR REPORT ON HUGHES

TCU JERRY HUGHES HIGHLIGHTS

The 2010 Indianapolis Colts are gearing up for another great season and would like you to join them as they watch the NFL Draft and see where the best college players will end up.

The Colts will host a Draft Day Party at the Blue Crew Sports Grill on Thursday, April 22^nd, from 7:00-11:00pm*. Fans will be able to get autographs from current Colts players and cheerleaders, purchase merchandise from the Colts Pro Shop, and enter to win great prizes from the Colts. Fans will be able to view this year’s NFL Draft on many of the Blue Crew’s big screen TV’s.

Colts Draft Day Party Elements

Colts Draft Day Party
Thursday, April 22^nd 
7:00-11:00pm*
Blue Crew Sports Grill
7035 East 96^th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46250 

• Live radio broadcast by hosts Joe Staysniak, Tom Zupancic & Jeffrey Gorman (7:00-10:00pm)
• Free Colts Give-a-Ways
• Register to Win great prizes from the Indianapolis Colts (including game tickets)
• Colts Cheerleader Autographs (7:00–11:00pm)
• Colts Player Autographs (7:00–9:30pm ONLY)
  • 30 Minute autograph sessions with a 30 minute delay between each session
  • Total of 3 sessions
• Colts Pro Shop Merchandise Available
• BLUE CREW MEMBERSHIPS WILL BE AVAILABLE !!

 “Back To Football”

*The NFL draft will begin at 7:30pm.  The Indianapolis Colts are scheduled to the 31^st pick in the first round.

Blue Crew 2nd Annual Golf Outing
Saturday June 26th, 2009
1:00 PM Shotgun Start

Riverside Golf Course
3520 N. White River Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46222
www.riversidegolfindy.com

FOUR Player Best Ball Scramble

$ 50.00 per player entry fee includes 18 holes of golf, cart, 4 drinks tickets (beer, soda, water)
and meal after during awards banquet. Additonal drink tickets can be purchased or pay cash for
more drinks (just in case Meanie uses all of his tickets on water….)

Payment must be sent with registration, closes Friday June 18th. Turn in at Blue Crew Grill
or mail to me (address is on entry form).

Teams welcome or we will make teams out of single and double entries. Must have at least
ONE BC member per team.
 
Hole sponsorship to be paid by June 18th.

Profit from Outing donated to Peyton Manning’s Children’s Hospital.

Prizes:
1st Place Team
2nd Place Team
Last Place Team
Longest Drive
Closest to Pin on green
Closest to Rope in fairway
Other fun games

I will have the sign up sheets at the Blue Crew Grill by April 22 (Draft Day Party) or you can PM with an e-mail address and I will mail or e-mail to you.

This isn’t a fund raiser, but any profit will go to Peyton Manning’s Children’s Hospital.

We need hole sponsorships and donations for awards and door prizes.

And if you don’t play, you can still join in on the fun, we need volunteers the day of the outing for registration, selling raffle tickets, take team photos, etc. Coltsrule25 has agreed to be our drink cart driver again.

All level of golfers are welcome, (I play golf so I can drink beer and have a great tan…) so don’t think you aren’t good enough to play in an outing. Al k hall will be there and has a way of setting his own handicaps.

Come join us for a day of fun.

Sponsorship Info:
Hole Sponsorship: $ 100.00 per hole (your choice of hole and includes 18″x 24″ type sign)
Drink Cart: $ 250.00 (includes sign on cart and autographed picture of ……..yet to be determined)
Welcome Bag: $ 100.00 (this is the hand-out goodie bag with a sleeve of balls, tees and crackers, etc)
1st Place: $ 200.00 or equal of golf equipment, shirts, hats, gift cards, etc for 4 players
2nd Place: $ 100.00 or equal of golf equipment, shirts, hats, gift cards, etc for 4 players
Last Place Team: at last $ 50.00 or more or equal of golf equipment, shirts, hats, gift cards, etc for 4 players
Misc on course prizes: $ 25.00 or equal of golf equipment, shirts, hats, gift cards, etc for at least 4 individual players
Door prize donations: Any new golf equipment, shirts, hats, gift cards, etc or cash to buy gifts
Raffle prize: yet to be determined, but nice prize or golf equipment, depends on how much money we have

All sponsorships and donors will be listed on the program that will be inserted in the Welcome Bags