Body heat

The CFL Colts tested their first rallying cry yesterday, with coach Don Matthews repeatedly shouting to his troops, "The weather is our ally!"

It was Matthews' way of telling them that the outset of Baltimore's real summer, with temperatures reaching a muggy 97 degrees at Towson State, would prove beneficial when the regular season opens July 7.

"If you're not used to the hot weather, it can become a negative," he said. "But this hot, humid weather is getting my guys in condition and acclimated to the heat. You can't control the weather, but you can make something positive of it."

Matthews made no concessions to the weather in the two-hour afternoon practice, ending the workout with sprints, with the offensive linemen running backward up a steep incline.

"I just make sure that the guys drink a lot of water," he said.

The only noticeable casualty was in the crowd count. Only a handful of fans could be spotted under a shade tree.

Up in arms

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Pawlawski, who missed almost two weeks of practice with a pulled oblique muscle, threw impressively in the afternoon workout, both long and short.

"That's the first time I've ever pulled a muscle, and I'm still guarding it a bit," said Pawlawski, a Cal graduate. "I'm not there yet, but I'm getting close."

Pawlawski played in several preseason games for the Bucs but was used primarily on the scout teams.

"The CFL is more of a quarterback's league with the wider field," he said. "But you've got to have a real strong arm."

Circus catch

Rookie receiver Shannon Culver continues to catch everything thrown his way, but narrowly avoided a serious injury when he tumbled over one of the water machines after making an acrobatic sideline reception.

Injury update

Slot back B. K. Williams and defensive end Ivan Caesar missed both of yesterday's practices. Williams underwent a magnetic resonance imaging test after bruising his knee, and Caesar was suffering from back spasms.

MEET THE COLTS

David Keaton

Pos: WR

Ht: 5-11

Wt: 181

School:

Glenville

State

Year: First in CFL

Outlook: All-W.Va. Intercollegiate Athletic Conference kick returner in 1992, averaging 22 yards. Runs 4.27 in the 40-yard --. Is a licensed Baptist minister.