aid. "We had a miserable season but weve now turned it around." Hoffenheim finished 16th in the Bundesliga, while Kaiserslaut

INDIANAPOLIS -- Andrew Luck cherishes his European roots.As a child, he learned to appreciate the history, the cultures and the sights of a whole different part of the world.As an adult, he uses the bustling cosmopolitan cities as his personal refuge, a place where he can spend part of the summer relaxing and enjoying life like just another face in the crowd.All of which makes this weekends business trip to London, one of his childhood hometowns, a little different. This time, there will be nowhere for one of the NFLs higher-profile quarterbacks to hide.I am looking forward to it -- as just another game, Luck said Wednesday. It doesnt really matter where we play. Its not like were going to Big Ben or Buckingham Palace, youre going there to play the game.Any other week, the Indianapolis Colts franchise quarterback would be peppered with questions about dissecting Jacksonvilles defense.And while that assignment certainly takes precedence for Luck, this week also has been about finding the proper balance playing the roles of team leader, teacher and tour guide for a city he knows well.Oliver Luck moved his family to Frankfurt, Germany, when Andrew was a toddler then relocated the family to London a few years later.There, the eventual No. 1 overall draft pick spent his formative school years and developed an affinity for many things European -- a trait that has made Luck one of the most unique American sports celebrities.Despite signing a six-year, $140 million contract in June, Luck still clings to his old-fashioned flip phone and still remains passionate about soccer.Last spring, he started his own online book club, and, yes, occasionally he can be spotted riding a bike around town to pick up food.What really makes him different, though, is his unquenchable thirst for detailed knowledge and his ability to pass it on.The first time I really saw it was when we landed in Denver, rookie center Ryan Kelly said. Theres this huge horse right near the airport, and he knows the whole thing about it so he started telling us the story.Im sure as soon as we land in London, hes going to be telling us some story, not about Big Ben or something like that, but about something nobody knows about. Its pretty fascinating, really.Luck has plenty of stories to share from both sides of the pond.Some of his teammates, such as Pro Bowl receiver T.Y. Hilton could benefit from Lucks advice about where to go, what to do and how to get around. Hilton has never traveled or lived outside the U.S.Others have their own experiences to rely upon.Assistant head coach Joe Philbin made the midseason European jaunt twice when he was head coach of the Miami Dolphins, going 1-1.Head coach Chuck Pagano has acknowledged that he consulted with Philbin, Indys offensive line coach, before mapping out a schedule.Running back Jordan Todman lost both games he played at Wembley Stadium as part of the Jaguars (0-3), but found a couple of hangout spots.I have a thing for Harrods Mall and I like Piccadilly Square as well. Its a cool place, Todman said. Everything about it is cool. Check it out, different accents, its fun.Running back Frank Gores two trips proved more successful. He ran for a combined 189 yards, scored three touchdowns and came home with two wins.But its not easy living up to Lucks standard.He was pretty business-like because we had a camp there when we went, Dwayne Allen said, recalling the time he spent with Luck in London this summer.But I was able to see some sights, and I dont know a lot about British history, but he taught me a lot.So what does Luck want his teammates to know about London?Its a fabulous place to visit during the offseason when theres time to take it all in.But this week only one thing matters: The Colts (1-2) trying to come home with a .500 record.I try to go to London every year because its sort of easy to get to, and I really enjoy going to a soccer game or whatever and I get to be sort of anonymous and just a normal bloke, Luck said. This week, were going there to play a game and thats our focus.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFLJulian Love Youth Jersey .S District Court against Major League Baseball, the Office of the Commissioner and his own union, the MLBPA. Carl Banks Giants Jersey . Spiller left Week 3s 27-20 loss to the New York Jets with a thigh injury, but fully practiced with the team all week and expects to be ready to go on Sunday. http://www.nygiantsfanaticshop.com/Black-Dexter-Lawrence-Giants-Jersey.html?cat=966 . Thousands of Southern California fans enveloped the Trojans to celebrate an improbable win secured by an interim coach, an inconsistent kicker and a thin defence that wouldnt break. Deandre Baker Womens Jersey . -- Nate Robinson has played for seven teams, so beating one of them is no longer a rare occurrence. Eli Manning Jersey .com) - The Pittsburgh Penguins placed forward James Neal on injured reserve Tuesday.KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany -- Hoffenheim retained its place in the Bundesliga by winning 2-1 in Kaiserslautern in the second leg of their playoff Monday for a 5-2 victory on aggregate. Big defender Jannik Vestergaard rose above Kaiserslauterns defence to head a home a corner from Sejad Salihovic in the 74th minute and seal Hoffenheims victory. Defender David Abraham put Hoffenheim ahead in the 44th, but Alexander Baumjohann equalized in the 65th. "It was a very tough game but the mood in the team is very good and we knew we could win here," Vestergaard said. "We had a miserable season but weve now turned it around." Hoffenheim finished 16th in the Bundesliga, while Kaiserslautern was third in the second division. Salihoovic, who converted two penalties against Borussia Dortmund to get his team into the playoff, had a spot kick saved in the first half when goalkeeper Tobias Sippel dived to his right and tipped the ball onto the crossbar.dddddddddddd. Sippel produced a superb reflex save to turn away a header by Salihovic, but the same player assisted on the first goal. He connected with a free kick, and the keeper couldnt keep the ball under control. Abraham pounced to head the ball into the net. Sippel kept Kaiserslautern in the match when he stopped a point-blank shot by Kevin Volland in the 57th. Alexander Baumjohann drilled home a free kick in the 65th to level, but Vestergaard ended Kaiserslauterns hopes less than 10 minutes later. ' ' '