Indianapolis Colts News: Pro Sports Daily

February 4

New York Post

"Are you ready for a lot more prime-time football? NFL commissioner Roger Goodell used his annual Super Bowl news conference yesterday to reveal the league is dramatically expanding the Thursday night package on its own network starting this fall. In what appeared to be a way to up the pressure in its long-running dispute with Time Warner Cable and Cablevision over New York-area carriage of the NFL Network, the league said that channel will now show Thursday games from Week 2 through Week 15. The NFL Network previously broadcast Thursday games the final eight weeks of the season, but Goodell said the expansion resulted from a desire to guarantee every team in the league at least one"

Peyton hogging spotlight during Eli's big moment

February 4

New York Post

columnist George Willis

"Peyton Manning made national headlines again yesterday and likely will do so again today, making him the focus of about as many stories in the buildup to Super Bowl XLVI as his brother Eli. I understand it's Peyton's city and Peyton's stadium, and I understand his uncertain future with the Colts is a story of high interest. But it seems like Peyton can't help but upstage his little brother, who deserves to be the star of the biggest game of the year. It's easy to blame the media for the constant string of Peyton Manning stories this week that have made the Giants quarterback an afterthought. The thirst for updates on Peyton's surgically repaired neck and the Colts' impending decision"

Peyton Manning's agent says his client is 'not done'

February 4

Indianapolis Star

"Peyton Manning's desire to return to the NFL in 2012 is strong, his agent said this morning. "He's enthusiastic," said Tom Condon, agent for the Indianapolis Colts quarterback. "He loves to compete. He loves the game. He wants to play. Peyton wants to play and he's safe to play. "Now it's a matter of him getting all of his strength back and he'll be back to being Peyton.'' Manning's future with the Colts has been a prime storyline in the days leading up to Super Bowl XLVI. Dr. Robert Watkins, who performed a spinal fusion Sept. 8 on Manning, gave Manning medical clearance Wednesday to return and play next season. Colts owner Jim Irsay responded to that news on his Twitter account by"

Source: Dolphins chances with Manning would be good

February 3

Miami Herald

"So far the story of Peyton Manning has been one of whether he'll be healthy, whether he'll be cut by the Indianapolis Colts, and when all this will happen. But amid the saga of stories and statements and interviews with counter-interviews, I must tell you this: The Dolphins surely do have a confidence about their ability to land Manning if and when he's available. Why? Well, here at the Super Site, I' got the chance to talk to several NFL and Dolphins sources Thursday evening and everyone tells me the Dolphins definitely will be making the play for Manning. Secondly, I come to find out Manning is something of a South Florida fan. A club source told me Thursday evening that Manning has"

Agent: "Peyton's not done"

February 3

Pro Football Talk

"Peyton Manning's agent, Tom Condon, said in an appearance on NFL Network Friday morning that he believes Manning will be healthy and ready to go for the 2012 season. "Peyton's not done," Condon said. Following up on Thursday's reports that Manning had been medically cleared to return to the field — reports that Colts owner Jim Irsay denied — Condon said that Manning's medical clearance means it would be safe for him to play, and that he wouldn't be risking greater injury to his neck. Condon added, however, that Manning's nerve regeneration hasn't reached the point where he would be able to step on the field and play in an NFL game today. But Condon was adamant that anyone who thinks"

Rumors surface about Peyton Manning, Larry Fitzgerald dinner date

February 3

Arizona Republic

"The rumors of Peyton Manning perhaps playing for the Cardinals picked up speed here on Thursday with a report that Manning and receiver Larry Fitzgerald have a dinner date planned in the next few days. The Terre Haute Tribune Star reported the planned meeting. Fitzgerald later denied it but not until after he played coy during an appearance on KGME-AM (910). "I don't even have Peyton's phone number," Fitzgerald said. Pressed for a definitive answer later in the interview, Fitzgerald denied a meeting was scheduled. He repeated that denial to The Republic in a text message. In related news, ESPN reported that Manning had been medically cleared to play football after missing the entire 2011"

Filling the void: Colts' coaching staff filling out; Manusky to run defense

February 3

Indianapolis Star

"Greg Manusky is the latest piece in place in the Indianapolis Colts' coaching staff puzzle. The longtime NFL assistant is the team's new defensive coordinator and inherits a team that ranked No. 25 in total yards and No. 28 in points allowed this season. "Greg is a guy I've known for a long time, played and coached in this league for a long time," coach Chuck Pagano said Thursday during an interview at the JW Marriott. "Very passionate, energetic, player's type coach, brilliant football mind. "We share a ton of philosophical beliefs defensively.""

Matured Eli no longer in Peyton's shadow

February 3

CSN Philly

columnist Ray Didinger

"The 2004 Maxwell Club dinner was a Manning family affair. Peyton Manning was in Atlantic City to receive the Bert Bell Award as NFL Player of the Year. Brother Eli was there, too, to accept the Maxwell Award as college player of the year. Typically, Eli was walking in Peyton's shadow. Peyton had won the Maxwell Award in 1997 following his senior season at Tennessee. Seven years later, he was back to collect the Bert Bell Award. He was the headliner, the star of the show. Eli was little brother."

NFL's tales of the unexpected

February 3

Washington Times

columnist Dan Daly

"Every NFL season has its share of the unexpected. For instance, who would have guessed when the league resumed business in July that Albert Haynesworth, the disinterested defensive tackle, would con not one but two teams — New England and Tampa Bay — into paying him a salary? On a somewhat smaller scale, who had any inkling that Brandon Banks, the Washington Redskins' flyweight kick returner, was capable of hurling a 49-yard touchdown pass? Wonders never cease."

Goodell: If NFL expands, it'll add two more teams

February 3

CBSSports.com

"It's no secret the NFL wants to expand to Los Angeles. And while so much of the attention has been focused on which franchise would relocate to L.A. -- whether it's the Chargers, Vikings, Jaguars or Rams -- we haven't discussed much the possibility of the NFL expanding. Apparently, that's an option. Commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday on Costas Live on the NBC Sports Network that if the league places a team in L.A., the NFL probably would add two more franchises to make it an even 34. Goodell said the league "doesn't want to move any of our teams" and "we probably don't want to go to 33" if the NFL decides expansion is a good choice."

Doctor, not team, clears Manning

February 3

Indianapolis Star

"Peyton Manning received medical clearance to return to the NFL in 2012 during a postoperative visit Wednesday with the surgeon who performed the Sept. 8 spinal fusion procedure on the Indianapolis Colts quarterback. It remains to be seen if that will influence the Colts as they weigh whether to retain the league's only four-time MVP. Manning missed the 2011 season."

Report: Peyton Manning cleared to resume career

February 2

Pro Football Talk

"We have some Peyton Manning news that is actually news. Big news. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that Peyton Manning has been cleared to resume his NFL career. Colts owner Jim Irsay said in December that he expected Manning would be a Colt if healthy. The presumption of late is that Manning would not be healthy by March."

Colts G.M. Grigson had "man-to-man" conversation with Peyton Manning

February 2

Pro Football Talk

"Colts G.M. Ryan Grigson made some news during his first press conference with the team when he said he hadn't sat down and spoken with Peyton Manning during his first hours officially on the job. Speaking at the Super Bowl Thursday to a group of reporters, Grigson revealed he has sat down with Manning in the weeks since. "I met with Peyton," Grigson said. "He came by my office. . . . We had a nice discussion. We spoke for 20 minutes or so. It's been amicable. It's been a normal thing. We talked like regular guys, I felt."

Andrew Luck says NFL ready, but Peyton irreplaceable

February 2

Indianapolis Star

"Andrew Luck is viewed as the man who, sooner or later, will replace Peyton Manning as the quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts. The Stanford quarterback and presumptive first overall pick in the April draft -- an influential selection held by the Colts -- begs to differ. "You don't ever replace someone like Peyton Manning,'' Luck said today in a one-on-one interview during an endorsement session set up by Gatorade at the JW Marriott. "He is the best. "From what I understand, he means so much to this city. Not just for the football stuff, but what he's done off the field. Obviously he's a great guy from a great family. You don't ever replace guys like that.''"

Greg Manusky hired as Colts defensive coordinator

February 2

Indianapolis Star

"Greg Manusky is the latest piece in place in the Indianapolis Colts' coaching staff puzzle. The long-time NFL assistant is the team's new defensive coordinator. "The ink's dry on that,'' general manager Ryan Grigson said today during an interview at the JW Marriott. Manusky, he added, has the flexibility of overseeing a 3-4 or a 4-3 defense. "It's all part of the philosophy of not trying to fit a square peg into a round hole,'' Grigson said. "He lines right up with that. He's a football guy, passionate, fire in his eyes. If you sit with him for two seconds, you see he's an intense football guy."

Kurt Warner defends Peyton Manning scrutiny

February 2

Arizona Republic

"As an analyst for the NFL Network, former Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner refers to the media as "we." And he defended all of the attention being paid this week in Super Bowl XVLI to Peyton Manning. Manning's continuing neck problem might lead the Colts to release him, and there is considerable speculation about where, or if, Manning will play again. "I'm telling people, as the media, we're trying to spend 12 hours a day talking about the Super Bowl," Warner said. "We can't come up with enough things to talk about, so definitely Peyton, being in his town, with all the questions, is going to be a huge part of it." If Manning is healthy enough to play and signs with another team, Warner"

No easy way for Colts, Irsay to say goodbye to Peyton Manning

February 2

Indianapolis Star

columnist Bob Kravitz

"After Peter Pocklington traded hockey icon Wayne Gretzky in 1988, the one-time Edmonton Oilers owner was overwhelmed with death threats, "hundreds of them," he said from his home in Palm Desert, Calif. After Carmen Policy dealt quarterback great Joe Montana in 1993, the former San Francisco 49ers executive said the public view of him changed -- forever. "I had a pretty good reputation and persona in the Bay Area," he said recently from his home in the Napa Valley. "But when I'd go out, I could see it and feel it. People wouldn't be rude, but they were looking at me like, 'How could you do it? How could you do it?' ""

Irsay requests patience on Peyton Manning decision

February 2

Indianapolis Star

"The clock is ticking on the Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning, and likely will continue to do so as a March 8 deadline nears. Owner Jim Irsay plans to meet with his rehabilitating quarterback next week but made clear a quick resolution shouldn't be anticipated. "I think it probably will go into early March," Irsay said Wednesday in an interview at the JW Marriott. "As the Super Bowl ends and we go into February and get into early March, (Manning) and I will continue to talk about it and see where we're at. "The way I'm looking at this is, we just have to have some long conversations and probably even have some time in between the conversations and the month to try to determine what the"

If chips fall just right, Peyton Manning's place could be D.C.

February 2

Washington Times

columnist Dan Daly

"Picture Peyton Manning in a Washington Redskins uniform. Just entertain the possibility, even though there's no telling if it'll ever happen. Would he have to slip Terrence Austin a few bucks to gain proprietary rights to the number 18? So many thoughts rush through your head. Something is going to happen soon with Manning. It might happen as soon as next week, when the Super Bowl leaves town. The Indianapolis Colts have a decision to make regarding their franchise quarterback, and their franchise quarterback — and his doctors — have a decision to make about his surgically repaired neck and career prospects."

Colts owner Jim Irsay won't make decision on QB Peyton Manning until early March

February 2

Indianapolis Star

"Colts owner Jim Irsay plans to meet with Peyton Manning next week, but the decision of whether the Indianapolis Colts retain their franchise quarterback likely won't be made until early March. The team owes Manning a $28 million option bonus by March 8. If it's not paid, the NFL's only four-time MVP becomes a free agent. Irsay said it's possible the date could be pushed back if both sides agreed."

Colts' Vinatieri says teammate Manning was throwing well

February 1

NFL.com

"A day after Peyton Manning proclaimed that his recovery from neck surgery is indeed on schedule, more positive news has surfaced that the Indianapolis Colts quarterback will eventually return to the field. Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri was among the teammates who got a first-hand look at Manning when he returned to throwing a football following his third neck procedure in the last two years. As optimistic as Manning was Tuesday about his own recovery, Vinatieri offered nothing to suggest anything different. Vinatieri told WAXY 790-AM it looked like Manning was on track."

Colts' Manning still in spotlight

February 1

Indianapolis Star

"He was the very large elephant in the very large room. As Media Day for Super Bowl XLVI ran its unique course Tuesday at Lucas Oil Stadium, the aura of Peyton Manning seemed omnipresent. Several fans watching from the stands wore No. 18 jerseys. Younger brother Eli, who will lead the New York Giants against the New England Patriots in four days, fielded one, two, a zillion questions regarding the Manning not playing in the NFL's grandest game."

Manning's health pushing Dolphins to Plan B

February 1

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

columnist Dave Hyde

"It sounds like the first hope for the Dolphins this off-season won't make it past the first hurdle. I was trying to hang onto this idea, but reports from respected writers like Sports Illustrated's Peter King and Yahoo!'s Jason Cole underline how Manning's recovery from neck surgery isn't progressing as hoped. Cole quotes two sources supporting Rob Lowe's idea that Manning will retire. Manning continues to rehab and work hard so there must be some thought of his returning. He also said Tuesday afternoon on ESPN that, "Everything looks good...that I'll be cleared and ready to go.""

No way Cowboys pursue Peyton; 'Romo's not the problem'

February 1

Dallas Morning News

columnist Kevin Sherrington

"On if the Cowboys could consider pursuing Peyton Manning if he's cut by the Colts: Sherrington : No, he's not going to do that, especially because Jerry doesn't want to pay anybody anyway and Peyton's going to cost a lot of money. Even on a one-year deal, he'll cost a lot. There's no way the Colts will bring him back — I wouldn't bring him back either for a $28 million bonus on top of everything for a guy that's clearly at the end of his career. He had an injury that was career threatening and may still be. You've got a chance to draft Andrew Luck, just hand that job to him. So do the Cowboys [go after Manning]? No. Tony Romo's not the problem here. The problem is the talent around Tony,"

Colts QB Peyton Manning expects decision on his future 'will happen soon'

February 1

Indianapolis Star

"In his first interview of Super Bowl week, Peyton Manning said he expects a decision on his future will "happen soon" and "the sooner the better." Speaking to ESPN, Manning made it clear no decision will come this week, and that he won't discuss his future during Super Bowl week. He's having dinner with Colts owner Jim Irsay at a social event Thursday but doesn't expect to discuss his contract status. "I think Jim's on 16-hour days," Manning said. "As the host owner, there are certain obligations, but it'll happen soon and I'm sure y'all will know when it does. "Jim and I talk constantly. We really do. After this week's over, we'll do it and we'll make a plan from there.""

Dallas an unlikely landing spot for Manning

January 31

Foxsports.com

"Peyton Manning in a Cowboys uniform? At first thought, that sounds like a pretty good idea. Who wouldn't want a future Hall of Famer quarterbacking their team? Then reality creeps in. First and foremost, it will never happen because of the salary cap. While trading Tony Romo to make room for Manning would be the optimal move, either trading or outright cutting Romo carries salary-cap implications and the hit would likely handcuff the Cowboys from making any other moves. And if you have Peyton Manning quarterbacking your team, you might want to upgrade that offensive line which got Romo sacked 36 times last season."

Peyton Manning: 'I really feel good'

January 31

ESPN.com

"Peyton Manning plans to return to football, but he and Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay have not discussed his future, he said in an interview with ESPN on Tuesday. Manning, in an interview with ESPN's Trey Wingo, said that he and Irsay will discuss whether the Super Bowl-winning quarterback will remain with the Colts "at the appropriate time, and when we do, I think some decisions will be made after that. But until then I'm just continuing to rehab, work hard, and to enjoy this week because it really is a special week for the city and certainly for my family." Manning said that his recovery from spinal fusion surgery in September -- his third surgery in 19 months -- is going well"

Report: Colts' Peyton Manning unlikely to resume QB career

January 31

Indianapolis Star

"People close to Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning don't believe he'll resume his career, according to Yahoo Sports reporter Jason Cole in a post late Monday. "The nerves in Manning's arm are not healing as quickly as hoped and, worse, don't appear to be progressing at enough of a rate to indicate that he will play again, according to two sources with knowledge of Manning's rehabilitation from neck surgery," the Yahoo report said. "The vertebrae in his neck that were fused have healed as expected and Manning began throwing in December. But he hasn't shown improvement in velocity on his passes, and the two sources fear he likely never will again.""

With a Super Bowl victory, Eli Manning would pass Peyton Manning's one ring

January 31

New York Daily News

columnist Gary Myers

"Eli Manning has a chance to take a 2-1 lead in Super Bowl titles on big brother Peyton if the Giants beat the Patriots and prevent Tom Brady's party plans. And with Peyton's NFL future uncertain as he waits for the nerves in his neck to regenerate, a 2-1 lead could be insurmountable. But it's when Peyton led Eli 1-0 following the Colts' victory over the Bears in the Super Bowl five years ago that little brother became obsessed with winning his own ring. "Just seeing Peyton after that game, seeing him down in the locker room, seeing that smile on his face, being with him for those next couple of months after he won a Super Bowl, it definitely made you jealous," Manning said Monday shortly"

Sources fearful over Manning's ability to return

January 31

Yahoo! Sports

columnist Jason Cole

"For all the discussion over Peyton Manning's future with the Indianapolis Colts, the underlying issue is that people close to him don't believe he'll resume his career. The nerves in Manning's arm are not healing as quickly as hoped and, worse, don't appear to be progressing at enough of a rate to indicate that he will play again, according to two sources with knowledge of Manning's rehabilitation from neck surgery. The vertebrae in his neck that were fused have healed as expected and Manning began throwing in December. But he hasn't shown improvement in velocity on his passes, and the two sources fear he likely never will again."

Colts finalize deal with new offensive coordinator, Arians

January 31

Indianapolis Star

"Bruce Arians returned to Indianapolis on Monday and finalized a contract to return to the Colts as their offensive coordinator. Kelly Holcomb didn't wait for resolution. "I've already texted him with congratulations," the former NFL quarterback said Monday afternoon from his home in Murfreesboro, Tenn. "Bruce certainly helped my career, man, and I think it's great for him. "Good move for the Colts, too." No sooner had Arians' eight-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers ended -- they declined to offer him a new contract -- than new Colts coach Chuck Pagano approached him to serve as his offensive coordinator. Arians was the Steelers receivers coach from 2004-06 before taking over as"

Older brother says predicting future for Colts' Manning is futile

January 30

NFL.com

"Actor Rob Lowe caused a stir two weeks ago when, via Twitter, he passed along a rumor he heard that Colts quarterback Peyton Manning was retiring. Those in the Manning family have responded with questions over how Lowe would even know that information. And, on Monday, the oldest Manning brother expressed his belief that the opposite is true, that his younger brother is indeed set on adding to an already illustrious career. When I asked Cooper Manning if Peyton is "determined," he responded quickly, saying, "I think that's a great word for it." "What I do know is Peyton is going to do every single thing a human being can possibly do to get ready to play again," Cooper Manning said from his"

Colts have a Favre-like quarterback controversy

January 30

Minneapolis Star Tribune

columnist Michael Rand

"An ironman quarterback -- a Super Bowl winner, an icon in a city, one of the greatest of his generation, a surefire Hall of Famer -- gets caught in a no-win situation with the organization he has come to define, and the only solution appears to be quitting or moving on. Haven't we heard this story before? Yes. It was 2008, and the quarterback was Brett Favre. Now it's 2012, and the quarterback is Peyton Manning. They, of course, arrived at their positions by much different means. Favre threatened to retire so many times that eventually the Packers -- with Aaron Rodgers waiting in the wings having been drafted in 2005 -- had to take him seriously. When Favre tried for another hero's return,"

Colts' dirty laundry overshadowing big game

January 30

Buffalo News

columnist Jerry Sullivan

"Indianapolis opens its doors to the world this week. The Super Bowl is in town. Make yourself at home. But be careful when you step inside. The living room furniture might be flipped over, and pieces of the good china might go smashing off the walls. There's trouble in the Colts family, as you're probably aware, and just in time to host American's biggest sports event. It's like having all the relatives for Christmas two days after deciding a divorce is long overdue. Work on that smile, Indy. It looks a little forced. And put down the meat cleaver while you're at it. Colts owner Jim Irsay and his superstar quarterback, Peyton Manning, have been spatting for the last week or so. Irsay has"

Sign Peyton Manning? Heck no

January 30

San Francisco Chronicle

columnist Kevin Lynch

"Sports editor Al Saracevic did a fine job outlining the potential pratfalls and positives of the 49ers signing Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. After perusing the pro and con and adding a few more cons, it's clear that signing a 36-year-old with a severe neck injury to a team that doesn't pass protect well is a bad idea and here are the reasons why. 1. BAD ASSUMPTION: In assessing Manning-as-Niner perspectives, the assumption is Manning will pick up right where he left off in 2010 as an intelligent sharp shooter capable of throwing 30 touchdown passes a year. But can we automatically assume Manning will have the same strength as before, and at 36, he will likely be more immobile than"

Report: Caldwell to join Ravens as quarterbacks coach

January 30

Baltimore Sun

"The Ravens, who last week retained offensive coordinator Cam Cameron but said they would be looking to hire a quarterbacks coach, apparently have found their man, according to an espn.com report. Former Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Caldwell will be joining the Ravens' coaching staff, a league source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Caldwell was fired after a 2-14 season in which Colts owner Jim Irsay made sweeping front-office and coaching staff changes. The Pittsburgh Steelers, looking for an offensive coordinator, interviewed Caldwell over the weekend, according to multiple reports."

Hold your horses: Peyton Manning won't be playing for the Broncos

January 30

Denver Post

columnist Jeff Legwold

"Q: It'd be great if the Broncos could acquire Peyton Manning and pair him with Tim Tebow. Is that possible? A: There is significant interest across the NFL in Manning's availability for the 2012 season. Seeing him play for a team other than the Colts wouldn't be any more strange than it was seeing Franco Harris play for the Seahawks, John Unitas for the Chargers, Joe Namath for the Rams, Joe Montana for the Chiefs, Tony Dorsett for the Broncos and Emmitt Smith for the Cardinals. Harris, Unitas, Namath, Montana, Dorsett and Smith are Pro Football Hall of Famers who didn't play their entire career with one team. Manning might be joining them."

Peyton is struggling to get healthy

January 30

Pro Football Talk

"During our NBC Pro Bowl pregame news pop from the floor of Lucas Oil Stadium, Peter King provided an update regarding the story that will dominate the discussion all week in Indianapolis. Peter said that Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is struggling to get healthy. With barely more than a month to go before the March 8 trigger for payment of $28 million, that makes it even less likely that the Colts will pony up the cash."

Steelers' Butler says he'll interview for Colts defensive coordinator

January 30

Indianapolis Star

"The Indianapolis Colts are reshaping themselves and taking a very AFC North-like appearance in the process. That's just fine with Robert Mathis. "The new DC from Pitt and HC from BAL huh.I WANT IN!!!'' the veteran defensive end wrote on his Twitter account. The latest potential addition to the franchise's reconstruction is Keith Butler. The Steelers linebackers coach told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette he will be in Indianapolis on Tuesday to discuss the vacant defensive coordinator's position on coach Chuck Pagano's staff."

Sources: Keith Butler to join Colts' staff

January 29

ESPN.com

"Not only do the Indianapolis Colts plan to add former Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians to their staff, but Indianapolis also plans to hire Keith Butler, Pittsburgh's linebackers coach, as its defensive coordinator, according to league sources. Butler is planning to fly to Indianapolis on Tuesday to review and sign the contract that will make him a part of former Ravens defensive coordinator and current Colts head coach Chuck Pagano's staff. Arians is scheduled to fly to Indianapolis on Monday to review and sign the contract. The Steelers had said he "retired" from his post but he confirmed last week that the team actually let his contract expire and he was still listening to"

Irsay refutes report claiming decision to cut Manning was made weeks ago

January 29

Indianapolis Star

"Jim Irsay has refuted a report that the Indianapolis Colts decided weeks ago that they will release quarterback Peyton Manning and move on without the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player. "No he hasn't been released nor was a decision reached weeks ago," the Colts owner announced via his Twitter account early Sunday morning. Irsay's tweet was a reaction to NFL Network insider Jason La Confora's report. "According to sources who were involved in the Colts' GM search, the organization was planning to move on from Manning weeks ago, well before this public squabble between the quarterback and his owner," La Canfora said Friday on "NFL Total Access.""

Manning decision made weeks ago

January 29

NFL.com

"The he said-he said between Colts owner Jim Irsay and QB Peyton Manning this week ended awkwardly with a joint statement from the duo, an effort to "dispel any misperceptions." Apparently, they hugged... talked it out. OK, so we'll buy that Irsay and Manning are all good. But what the statement didn't say was that Manning will remain with the Colts. While it remains to be seen if he ever will play again, any misperceptions that the four-time NFL MVP will do so with the Colts appear to be long gone. Just how far? "According to sources who were involved in the Colts' GM search, the organization was planning to move on from Manning weeks ago, well before this public squabble between the"

Arians will be hired as offensive coordinator

January 29

Indianapolis Star

"A familiar face is expected to be part of Chuck Pagano's first coaching staff with the Indianapolis Colts. Former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians has agreed to assume the same position on Pagano's forming staff, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Arians declined comment when reached Saturday. He was the Colts' quarterbacks coach for the first three years of Peyton Manning's career (1998-2000). Also, Clyde Christensen, the Colts' offensive coordinator the past two seasons, might remain on Pagano's staff and handle wide receivers. That's a position Christensen held from 2002-09."

Source: Bruce Arians, Colts agree

January 28

ESPN.com

"Former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians has agreed to become the Indianapolis Colts' new offensive coordinator, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Arians is scheduled to fly to Indianapolis on Monday to review and sign the contract. Team sources had told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen Jan. 22 that the Steelers let Arians' contract expire against the wishes of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The sources said Steelers president Art Rooney II wants the team to regain its blue-collar identity on offense."

Uncertainty not over yet

January 28

Indianapolis Star

"There's a new general manager and coach, and the iconic quarterback and idiosyncratic owner are patching up a snit that went public. Strange times indeed for the Indianapolis Colts, a franchise that long has been about continuity and oneness. So, what's next? "I have no clue, man," veteran receiver Reggie Wayne said. "I'm leaning on you guys (the media). You're all saying it's a new regime and that's what it is. "This is one time all of the players are outside of the loop, even 18 (quarterback Peyton Manning). Nobody has a clue." Wayne has spent much of his time in Miami after the curtain fell on the Colts' 2-14 season. He was away from the immediate reconstruction that first brought in"

Irsay, Manning done with spat?

January 28

Indianapolis Star

"Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay and quarterback Peyton Manning have talked and made up, at least publicly. After four days of exchanging comments through the media that made the Colts sound like a house of dysfunction, the team released a statement Friday to "dispel any misperception that there might be any hard feelings between us." The joint statement from Manning and Irsay continued, "Since 1998, we have enjoyed a great relationship, based upon mutual respect and trust. We have always been able to talk and address matters we've faced over the years, not just as owner and player, but as friends. "We had a long talk and we want to assure Colts fans everywhere that we are both committed"

New Colts coach Chuck Pagano seemed destined for the job, his family says

January 27

Indianapolis Star

"In one of the proudest moments of his life, Sam Pagano had a flashback from four decades ago, when his 9-year-old son, Chuck, scurried around a football sideline and squirted water in the faces of the Fairview High School Knights. The father, who coached teams in Boulder, Colo., to three state titles, knew then his son's destiny. "He is football. He loves it," Pagano said via phone about Chuck, now 51 and introduced Thursday as the new Indianapolis Colts head coach in a news conference at the team's Northwestside complex."

Colts owner Jim Irsay, Peyton Manning should make peace

January 27

Indianapolis Star

coumnist Bob Kravitz

"It is so sad and so hard to write it again, but it's true: Quarterback Peyton Manning is done in Indianapolis. After listening to Manning on Monday night, after listening to Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay characterize Manning on Thursday as "a politician" who should keep his concerns "in house," there's no other conclusion to be reached by a sane, sober human being: Manning's days in Indianapolis are over, and they have been over for quite some time. On a day when the introduction of Chuck Pagano as the Colts coach should have been the story, Irsay stole the headlines."

Colts introduce Pagano as head coach

January 27

Baltimore Sun

""Wow. It has been a whirlwind. Words can't describe the emotions that I'm going through right now and the feelings. Coming off probably the most devastating loss that I've ever been a part of in the AFC championship game and to go in that locker room and see those faces and we all know how hard it is to get to that stage and to see the tears. It's an all-time low, and the last thing I ever expected came across my table and now I sit here at an all-time high." Those were Chuck Pagano's first words after he was introduced as the next coach of the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday, four days after the Ravens' season ended with a crushing loss to the New England Patriots. The Ravens' former"