Peyton Manning News: Pro Sports Daily

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November 15

Boston Globe

"You are a Tom Brady Guy or you are a Peyton Manning Guy. There is nothing in between. The Patriots play the Colts tonight in the marquee matchup of the NFL season. It's the league's annual sweeps spectacular; 33.8 million watched the 2007 game, which happens to be the only one of the last five won by the Patriots. Billions of words have been spilled regarding the history and relative strengths and weaknesses of the Pats and Ponies. But any way you carve it, this game comes down to Brady and Manning. They are the top two players in America's most popular sport. They are at the peaks of their respective careers. And they fight for the same prize every year."

Peyton Manning places Indy in big leagues

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November 15

Boston Herald

"All eyes will be on Indianapolis tonight when the undefeated Colts square off against the Patriots in a nationally televised game and one of the most hyped pigskin pair-ups so far this season. But it's the camera shots of the Midwest city's skyline, vibrant riverfront downtown and first-class stadium that score points with tourism officials, who credit the team and its marquee quarterback with helping to reshape Indianapolis' image. "It's the rising tide that lifts all ships and in this case, Peyton Manning has been a tsunami," said Bill Benner of the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association. The Colts' transformation from struggling team to Super Bowl champion has mirrored that of ..."

To contain Peyton Manning, Bill Belichick must think outside the box

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November 15

Boston Herald

"We saw a great example of Bill Belichick's genius and outside-the-box thinking last Sunday when he moved Vince Wilfork over from his usual spot at nose tackle to defensive end in the Patriots 3-4 defense. With Richard Seymour long gone via trade and Jarvis Green hurt, the next choice for the five-technique end was Mike Wright, but that matchup wasn't favorable against Miami's 6-foot-7, 317-pound tackle Jake Long. So Belichick went with the man-mountain who usually impacts games over center. The switch had Miami flummoxed and confused. It stymied the Dolphins running game because running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams couldn't get to the outside with big Vince holding down the edge ..."

Indanapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots: Time for annual meeting of legends

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November 14

Indianapolis Star

"New England quarterback Tom Brady clearly recalls his first meeting on a football field with Indianapolis Colts counterpart Peyton Manning . It was Sept. 30, 2001, in Foxborough, Mass. Manning was in his fourth NFL season and already a celebrated two-time Pro Bowl player. Brady had completed six NFL passes for a total of 52 yards. He was a sixth-round draft pick in his second season. He was making his first start.

"Peyton came over on our field and said, 'Hey, I'm Peyton Manning,' " Brady remembered. "I said, 'No (kidding).' " Brady and Manning will renew their acquaintance Sunday evening, when the Colts meet the Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium. It's ..."

Jed Hoyer in Peyton's place

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November 14

Boston Herald

"If the Patriots defense is prepared for Colts quarterback Peyton Manning tomorrow, the unit may want to thank Brian Hoyer. The Pats backup QB has been playing the role of Manning for the scout team, a job Hoyer admitted was fairly fun. Along the way, he has impressed his teammates. "No one can really come in and mimic Peyton Manning, but he did do a good job of (trying) to do it," linebacker Adalius Thomas said yesterday. "(Manning) is so demonstrative, and you don't know what some of the things he's doing mean. But Hoyer did a good job." Coach Bill Belichick went out of his way to praise the undrafted free agent from Michigan State, saying he's done more than simply run the plays that ..."

Time for annual meeting of legends

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November 13

Indianapolis Star

"New England quarterback Tom Brady clearly recalls his first meeting on a football field with Indianapolis Colts counterpart Peyton Manning. It was Sept. 30, 2001, in Foxborough, Mass. Manning was in his fourth NFL season and already a celebrated two-time Pro Bowl player. Brady had completed six NFL passes for a total of 52 yards. He was a sixth-round draft pick in his second season. He was making his first start. "Peyton came over on our field and said, 'Hey, I'm Peyton Manning,' " Brady remembered. "I said, 'No (kidding).' " Brady and Manning will renew their acquaintance Sunday evening, when the Colts meet the Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium. It's another episode in the NFL's ..."

Great debate: Manning's 2004 season, or Brady's '07

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November 13

Indianapolis Star

"Forget who's the better quarterback, Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. In all likelihood, each will go down as one of the top three or four in NFL history. Instead, let's talk about who had the better single season. Let's nitpick as the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots barrel toward Sunday night's clash in Lucas Oil Stadium. In 2004, the Colts' Manning eclipsed by one Dan Marino's record for touchdown passes that had stood for two decades, delivering 49. He also shattered Steve Young's record for passer rating (112.8), finishing with an unconscionable 121.1. In 2007, Brady one-upped Manning, passing for 50 touchdowns, but fell short in the ratings department (a humdrum 117.2). So, ..."

The real showdown? It's Manning vs. Belichick

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November 13

Indianapolis Star

"They sat there for hours, two football savants, sitting at a table near the pool at the Ihilani Hotel outside Honolulu before the 2007 Pro Bowl. Peyton Manning, just coming off his first Super Bowl, would move salt and pepper shakers to make a point. Bill Belichick, who was coaching the AFC team, would move ketchup and steak sauce bottles like chess pieces to counter. Around them, napkins were scribbled with X's and O's and the secret language the two men understand. It was like chess masters Boris Spassky and Bobby Fischer getting together for a beer summit. "I'll bet you both of them had little tape recorders in their pockets," Colts linebacker Gary Brackett said. Jim Sorgi, the Colts' ..."

Brady, Manning two of a rare breed in annals of NFL

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November 13

Houston Chronicle

"Tom Brady or Peyton Manning? They are two of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. They are guaranteed of being unanimous first-ballot inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame five years after they retire. Who would you take for one big game? Who would you take for one season? The debate will rage until one retires. It's a privilege getting to watch Brady and Manning. We've watched them since Manning entered the NFL in 1998 and Brady became a starter in 2001. If you're a fan of the NFL, you want players like Brady, Manning and Brett Favre to go on forever because they've meant so much to the game. They've provided so many indelible moments that are etched in our memories. On Sunday ..."

Dungy praises successor

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November 13

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"The latest skirmish in what has been called the rivalry of the decade featuring the two best quarterbacks of the decade in the National Football League, New England and Tom Brady vs. Indianapolis and Peyton Manning, is to unfold Sunday night on NBC-TV. Former Colts coach Tony Dungy, who has been a spectacular addition this season to NBC's "Football Night in America" studio show, talked earlier this week about his successor in Indianapolis, Beloit native Jim Caldwell. Despite a new defensive coordinator, a new special teams coach and a first-year NFL coach in Caldwell, one thing has not changed at Lucas Oil Stadium. Winning. Caldwell, 54, who spent seven years on Dungy's Colts staff, is the ..."

Brady, Manning are best of their era

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November 12

Boston Globe

"On Sept. 30, 2001, Peyton Manning took the Foxboro Stadium field hours before the Colts played the Patriots. He wanted to get a feel for his throws and for the turf, as he does before every game. He glanced across the field and noticed a callow quarterback whom he had never met. Manning ambled across the 50-yard line and approached Tom Brady. Manning was in his fourth season, Brady his second. Manning was already a star. Brady was about to make his first NFL start. Manning extended his palm and said, "Hey. Peyton Manning.''"

Making it look simple

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November 6

Houston Chronicle

"When Peyton Manning is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he'll surely at least consider inviting the Texans' defense — circa 2002-08 — to the ceremony en masse. No one group has contributed more to Manning's mythic standing in the game's hierarchy. The Texans had the misfortune of joining the NFL just as Manning, entering his fourth season, was in full flower, having become a quarterback determined to finish his journey in Canton, Ohio. Worse, they got stuck in the same division with him, and it has been one bumpy ride, particularly when their (not-yet) rivalry makes its annual pit stop in Indianapolis. The numbers are even worse than you think. Manning, 33, has thrown 239 ..."

Colts rest their golden arm

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November 3

Indianapolis Star

"Eyebrows were raised all over Central Indiana on Friday when the Indianapolis Colts practice report listed quarterback Peyton Manning as a "limited participant" with the qualifier: "not injury related -- rested." Get used to it. "It's something we talked about before the season, in November, kind of easing back on Fridays a little bit from a rep standpoint; just try to be rested from an arm standpoint," Manning said after the Colts beat San Francisco 18-14 on Sunday. "I participated in the part of practice that I needed to, but I did take some rest, which is what we talked about starting in November." On the subject of injuries, Colts coach Jim Caldwell said Monday that he could provide no ..."

Smith gives 49ers hope

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November 2

San Jose Mercury News

columnist Mark Purdy

"The product rollout of Alex Smith 2.0 hit some early glitches here in Sunday afternoon's 18-14 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Smith, the 49ers quarterback, found himself surrounded by madness and adversity. And it was only the first quarter. The undefeated Colts were across the line of scrimmage. The 49ers' best offensive lineman, Joe Staley, already was out of the game with a knee sprain. The noise of 66,229 hearty Hoosier throats, rested from an extra hour's sleep due to the time change, filled the air. Just then, Smith's helmet radio went out. Four years ago, he might have melted down under the circumstances. But this is not four years ago. Smith signaled to the bench that the radio ..."

49ers can't finish vs. the best teams

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November 2

Sacramento Bee

columnist Matthew Barrows

"Flawless. That was the word the 49ers preached all week as they prepared for the undefeated Colts. They would have to play mistake-free football to hand Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne and Dwight Freeney their first loss of the season. They didn't. As was the case earlier this season in Minneapolis, the 49ers were tougher and hungrier and leading late in the second half. But in falling 18-14 Sunday, they continue to be the gutsy young track runner who comes close to winning the race but can't quite make it over that final hurdle. That kid gets a nice, warm ovation at the end of the race. But he walks away with a skinned knee instead of a shiny trophy. The 49ers are definitely bleeding. In ..."

Manning pressured by 49ers

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November 2

Indianapolis Star

"The numbers were out of whack and certainly not up to the normal lofty standards set by Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts offense. Yes, the bottom line numbers -- 18-14, Colts -- were all that really mattered Sunday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium. It's how the Colts got there, at least offensively, that left many in a sellout crowd a bit befuddled. Ranked No. 3 in the league in red-zone efficiency coming in, the Colts offense managed just three field goals in four trips inside the San Francisco 49ers' 20-yard line. Normally proficient, it was limited to one touchdown, and that required a bit of trickery. While Manning was enduring his first game without a touchdown pass since Game ..."

49ers have their hands full against the Colts' Manning

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October 30

Oakland Tribune

"These are the quarterbacks who have started for the 49ers since Sept. 6, 1998, in alphabetical order: Ty Detmer, Trent Dilfer, Ken Dorsey, Jeff Garcia, Shaun Hill, J.T. O'Sullivan, Cody Pickett, Tim Rattay, Alex Smith, Steve Stenstrom, Chris Weinke and Steve Young. And these are the quarterbacks to have started for the Colts during that same span, in alphabetical order: Peyton Manning. For an idea of how much that quarterback continuity means to the Indianapolis offense, just watch Manning at the line of scrimmage Sunday when the 49ers visit Lucas Oil Stadium. Manning waves his arms manically as he roams from player to player. He looks like the mad maestro of an 11-piece orchestra. And at ..."

Is Manning best ever?

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October 23

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Arriving on the University of Tennessee campus in 1995 after a year of junior college, defensive end Leonard Little was dazzled by the lanky, drawling quarterback that the Vols' defenders simply couldn't contain in practice. During their sophomore season, Peyton Manning "kept putting up big numbers," recalled Little, in his 12th year with the Rams. "I knew he was going to be a really great quarterback." Some 15 years later, Manning is steadily closing in on some of the NFL's most revered records. At his current pace, Manning, 33, would own virtually all the major passing marks if he plays just five more years - assuming that at some point Brett Favre retires and means it. But is Manning, ..."

Boller has Manning down cold in practice

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October 23

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Every day at Rams practice, the job of the scout team quarterback is to run the plays of the opposing team's offense. Obviously, the idea is to help the Rams' first-team defense prepare for that week's game. Well, Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts are coming to town this week. And Kyle Boller is giving the Rams' defense more than its money's worth as scout team QB. He's got the pointing, the gestures, the foot stomp - all trademarks of Manning at the line of scrimmage. And you wouldn't believe some of the things Boller is barking out before the ball is snapped. "Other than some of the names he's yelling out - 'Ice cream! Boller! Boller!' - and all those type of things, he's ..."

Fisher's jersey joke not an issue

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October 22

Indianapolis Star

"Peyton Manning knew the story. He had seen the report on Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher introducing former Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy at a Tuesday charity function in Nashville while wearing Manning's No. 18 Colts jersey. "If he's catching any heat, it's pretty ridiculous," the veteran quarterback said. "That's the problem with giving speeches now or introducing anybody. If you try to be the least bit humorous, it always comes back and they make a story out of it. I guess they want you to be a boring speaker or introducer. "I guarantee the crowd probably got a big laugh out of it. I'm sure coach Dungy did, too." The crowd laughed and applauded after Fisher pulled off his shirt to reveal ..."

Fisher apologizes for Colts jersey

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October 21

Tennessean

"A few hours after Jeff Fisher donned an Indianapolis Colts jersey at a fundraiser for Nashville's Rocketown, the Titans coach apologized for it during his weekly radio show on Tuesday night. Fisher appeared during the event at Lipscomb University along with former Colts coach Tony Dungy and country music star Martina McBride, among others. As Fisher introduced Dungy, he removed his jacket and dress shirt to reveal a blue Peyton Manning jersey underneath. Fisher stepped back up to the microphone and said, "I just wanted to feel like a winner," drawing laughter and applause from the crowd of about 2,500. The Titans are 0–6, including a loss to the Colts (31–9) and last week's debacle against ..."

Manning targets completions record

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October 21

Indianapolis Star

"Peyton Manning's completion percentage is at a record-breaking level but still doesn't measure up to Reggie Wayne's standards. "We're looking to be perfect," the Indianapolis Colts' three-time Pro Bowl receiver said, "and we're not there, yet. We can do better." Better than the league-leading 73.5 clip Manning takes into Sunday's game against the winless St. Louis Rams? That's three notches clear of Ken Anderson's single-season record, set during the strike-shortened 1982 season. And it's nearly six points higher than Manning's club record. "There's more," said Wayne, ever the critic. "We've had a few drops. Shoot, I've had three.'' One came during mop-up time against the Tennessee Titans ..."

Manning on target to break completions record

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October 20

Indianapolis Star

"Peyton Manning's completion percentage is at a record-breaking level but still doesn't measure up to Reggie Wayne's standards. "We're looking to be perfect," the Indianapolis Colts' three-time Pro Bowl receiver said, "and we're not there, yet. We can do better." Better than the league-leading 73.5 clip Manning takes into Sunday's game against the winless St. Louis Rams? That's three notches clear of Ken Anderson's single-season record, set during the strike-shortened 1982 season. And it's nearly six points higher than Manning's club record. "There's more," said Wayne, ever the critic. "We've had a few drops. Shoot, I've had three.'' One came during mop-up time against the Tennessee Titans ..."

Manning's torrid start great even by his standards

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October 13

Indianapolis Star

"Peyton Manning has attempted an average of 36.2 passes in the Indianapolis Colts' first five games. He has wasted precious few. Manning has completed a career-high 73.5 percent for a league-best 1,645 yards, a league-best 12 touchdowns, a league-best 9.1 yards an attempt and a league-best passer rating of 114.1. This is a quarterback at the top of the NFL and at the top of his considerable powers. "He's hot right now, man," Colts left guard Ryan Lilja said Monday, the day after Manning riddled Tennessee with 36 completions in 44 attempts for 309 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-9 victory. "He never fails to amaze us. He plays good. He plays hard. He does it consistently, and he does it ..."

Mannings always answer the bell

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October 12

New York Post

columnist Steve Serby

"Sometimes we forget, or fail to appreciate, the mettle of this man, this quarterback, this Giant. He delivered a Super Bowl, against all odds, and still there were cries of anguish when the Giants made him their $100 Million Man. Eli Manning, playing less than one half on one good foot, threw those naysayers under the bus yesterday, the way the Giants threw the Masqueraiders and their beer-league quarterback JaMarcus Russell under the bus, 44-7. The Giants are lucky to have him. "He looked comfortable," Archie Manning said. Archie had been leaning against a wall in the tunnel waiting for his youngest boy to exit the field, and the two of them walked and smiled together on Eli's way to the ..."

Big distance between Colts, Titans

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October 12

Indianapolis Star

"Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher gave the AFC South a stern look during the off- season and came to a quick conclusion. The division, traditionally one of the league's toughest, would remain difficult to navigate. "I thought before the season started we'd see improvement from all the teams,'' Fisher said. "Obviously, I was 75 percent right.'' The Indianapolis Colts are one of the NFL's five unbeatens. At 4-0, they're two games clear of Jacksonville and Houston in the AFC South. Only Fisher's Titans, 0-4 for just the fifth time in franchise history, have truly faltered. "We've got a lot of improvement to do ourselves,'' he said. That must begin tonight, when the Titans and Colts renew their ..."

Best ever? Colts are playing great on both sides of the ball

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October 12

Indianapolis Star

columnist Bob Kravitz

"Is it too early to start the annual debate over whether to play the starters down the stretch or rest them? Maybe that's presumptuous. Maybe we wait until mid-November to start asking and answering those questions. In the meantime, the issue after the Indianapolis Colts' 31-9 victory over the now-defunct Tennessee Titans is: What's the Colts' magic number to clinch the AFC South? Yeah, I know, it's still early, and lots of weird things can happen, and after watching Tennessee's Kyle Vanden Bosch dangerously launch himself at Peyton Manning's knees, you're reminded that one false move can take down The Franchise and ruin a season. "That's why I wear a brace,'' Manning said after a 309-yard ..."

Breaking the huddle: Tip of the cap from Tarkenton is humbling even for Manning

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October 9

Minneapolis Star Tribune

columnist Mark Craig

"Colts quarterback Peyton Manning received a FedEx package on Tuesday, two days after he threw his 342nd career touchdown pass to tie Fran Tarkenton for third place in NFL history. It was from Tarkenton, the former Vikings quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Famer. "Boy, that meant as much to me as anything, the fact that he would take time to share a few thoughts with me," Manning told Nashville reporters during a conference call this week. "He was just congratulating me on tying his touchdowns, he took a lot of pride in throwing that many touchdowns. And that was very generous and thoughtful of him to do that." Manning said his dad, Archie, a former NFL quarterback who played during ..."

Giants QB Manning injures foot

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October 5

Kansas City Star

"When Giants quarterback Eli Manning dropped back to throw to Steve Smith early in the fourth quarter Sunday and injured his right foot, all he could think about was the worst-case scenario. "Anytime you feel a little pull or strain, especially down there, you get nervous," Manning said after the Giants' 27-16 win over the Chiefs. "You don't know what it is. You kind of feel like it's an Achilles' or something. "But," Manning added, "it wasn't that." The Giants are calling the injury a bruised heel. Manning said he isn't sure what it is and he'll probably know more today after tests to determine the nature and extent of the injury. Though Manning was able to limp off the field under his ..."

Seattle's goal: Adjust to tempo

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October 4

Indianapolis Star

"Introductions won't be necessary when Jim Mora bumps into Peyton Manning today at Lucas Oil Stadium. It remains to be seen if the familiarity between the coach of the Seattle Seahawks and the veteran quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts can help offset the unfamiliarity that exists between teams from different conferences. They have met just three times during the regular season since Manning became the face of the franchise in 1998. In one game, a Week 16 matchup in 2005 when the Colts already had locked up their playoff seeding, Manning and most of the regulars barely played. There's knowing what you're facing, and knowing what you're facing. "The more you're on the field against ..."

NFL names Manning AFC player of month

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October 1

Indianapolis Star

"Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has been named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for September, the NFL announced on today. Manning led the Colts to a 3-0 start by completing 66-of-96 passes (68.8 percent) for 983 yards and 7 TDs with two interceptions for a 117.7 passer rating."

Manning continues to build legacy

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September 28

Arizona Republic

"Last Monday night, the Miami Dolphins played keep-away from Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. Manning's offense was on the field for fewer than 15 minutes - not even a full quarter - but he managed to throw two touchdown passes and rally the Colts to victory. Given twice as much time with the football Sunday night, Manning was twice as dangerous. He threw four touchdown passes - the 18th time in his career he has had at least that many in a game - as the Colts shredded the Cardinals defense in a 31-10 victory. Manning continues to separate himself from the legacy of another Colts great. Last week he passed Johnny Unitas as the winningest quarterback in franchise history - Sunday ..."

Manning, Warner matchup fizzles

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September 28

Arizona Republic

"The Sunday Night Shootout that so many expected from the Cardinals and the Colts did not materialize. The marquee matchup between the two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks fizzled, too. The Colts and Peyton Manning did their part and more in a 31-10 victory at University of Phoenix Stadium, but the Cardinals and Kurt Warner fell far short of the billing. Both quarterbacks talked about what it would be like to counter a high-octane offense run by the other, and each braced for it. After all, it was the first time in NFL history that multiple regular-season MVPs and Super Bowl MVPs faced each other in the same game. "It certainly puts a lot of pressure on yourself and your offense to score ..."

Cardinals defense set for Manning

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September 24

Arizona Republic

"The Cardinals defense has one advantage in preparing to play the Colts, led by quarterback Peyton Manning. They see a similar offensive scheme led by a similar quarterback in practice every day. No quarterback in the NFL does more at the line of scrimmage than Manning, but Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner is close when the Cardinals go to their no-huddle, or "Texas" package. "The one thing that we feel good about is that we had a lot of work in training camp against our offense, against Kurt Warner, our receivers, their no huddle, Kurt changing plays at the line," defensive coordinator Bill Davis said. "If there was a camp to be in this year to prepare for Peyton it would have been ours.""

quarterback's dream'

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September 24

Indianapolis Star

"Peyton Manning's 80-yard touchdown pass to Dallas Clark on the first play of Monday night's game caught the attention of a couple of college quarterbacks. "That was cool," Indiana's Ben Chappell said. "Every quarterback's dream." Neither Chappell nor Purdue's Joey Elliott could top it, but both have experienced something similar. Elliott's came on his first play in high school. He was a freshman at Evansville Harrison, facing rival Jasper in the season opener. Just before he ran onto the field, his coach pulled him aside. "My head coach was like, 'What is the first play you'd always wanted to run if you could?' " Elliott recalled. "I said, 'Hail Mary.' ""

Tiger Woods gets close look at Colts

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September 24

Indianapolis Star

"Quarterback Peyton Manning called a pregame audible Monday that surprised even his coach. "I did a pretty good job of keeping it quiet. I didn't tell anybody that he was coming," Manning said of his guest, Tiger Woods, who wore a blue shirt and watched the 27-23 victory at Miami from the Indianapolis Colts sideline. "I had to tell the boss man he was coming to get him a sideline pass." The "boss man" was owner Jim Irsay, not coach Jim Caldwell. Manning is the face of the Colts, even the NFL. Woods is the most recognizable face in sports. Word of his presence gradually spread on the sideline. "I didn't get to see him at all during the game, but people I talked to said he was into the game," ..."

Manning brothers post compelling comebacks

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September 23

Jacksonville Times-Union

"The Manning brothers don't seem to have much in common. Looking at them, you wonder if they're really brothers. Eli Manning is so laid back and unemotional, even in pressure situations, that you think somebody should take his pulse. Peyton Manning plays as if he drinks too much caffeine, constantly gesturing and pointing at the opposing defense. But they had one thing in common this weekend. They were ready for prime time. In the two night games of the weekend, both came up with fourth-quarter comeback victories on the road to boost their teams' records to 2-0. After Peyton watched younger brother Eli lead the New York Giants to a 33-31 comeback victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday ..."

Just another case of Manning magic

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September 23

Indianapolis Star

"No one on the Miami side of the ball was breathing easy when the Dolphins took a three-point lead with 3:50 to play Monday night at Land Shark Stadium. They knew. "When you've got a guy like No. 18 on the other side of the field . . . " Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown began. "No matter how much time is on the clock, he's going to use it and make things work, and work it to perfection," Miami wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. continued. Sure enough, quarterback Peyton Manning threw four passes and completed three to take the Indianapolis Colts 80 yards to a 27-23 victory. It was the second time Manning and the Colts had demonstrated their two-minute mastery. They rattled off a five-play 44-yard ..."

The one constant in Indy is Peyton

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September 18

CBSSports.com

"The last time Peyton Manning walked out of what is now Land Shark Stadium in Miami was as the Super Bowl MVP after beating the Bears on Feb. 4, 2007. A lot has changed since then. As Manning returns to the site of the biggest victory of his life in Week 2 against the Dolphins, he does so with a new head coach and a revamped receiving corps. But even with all that, there remains one constant. Manning is still one of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL. And Fantasy owners know they can always count on him. New coach Jim Caldwell, who replaced Tony Dungy this year, feels confident each week with Manning on his side. "Well, obviously, with his great thirst and love for the game, and the ..."

Irsay: Don't worry about Manning's contract extension

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September 18

Indianapolis Star

"Peyton Manning's seven-year contract runs through next year, but Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said this week he expects to have a new contract in place for his franchise quarterback before the 2010 season begins. "With Peyton, it's about the last thing you worry about," Irsay said. "You know that he's going to be with the top guys at the position. It comes down to just getting things worked out and moving things forward. I expect it to quietly get done, but there are no conversations going on with the season going on." Irsay knows that as long as Manning plays at or near the level of his first 11 years, the Colts will be a winner. But the owner has ulterior motives for keeping ..."

Opening-drive interception a bad trend for Manning

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September 14

Indianapolis Star

"For Peyton Manning, Sunday's opener at Lucas Oil Stadium was a case of been there, done that. The Colts quarterback saw his first drive of the game end with his pass being intercepted in the end zone by Jacksonville rookie cornerback Derek Cox. It was the third time in Manning's career his first drive of the season ended with someone other than his intended receiver making the grab in the end zone. It also happened in 2003 at Cleveland and '04 at New England. "That's something I'd like to stop doing," Manning said after recovering from his early interception to pass for 301 yards and a touchdown to Reggie Wayne in a 14-12 win. "But I've done it before." It was a matter of Manning being in ..."

More highlights in twilight for Manning?

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September 13

Indianapolis Star

columnist Bob Kravitz

"Sometimes it seems like Peyton Manning has been here forever. By extension, it also seems like Manning will be here forever, still taking snaps from a creaky, wrinkled Jeff Saturday when the two men are in their early 40s. And yet, as the Indianapolis Colts quarterback begins his 12th season today against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium, this sobering thought should be shared, if only in the interest of reminding this team that there is an urgency to their desire to etch a special place in history: Manning is nearing the final quarter of his remarkable career. He is starting his 12th season, and while it's likely (hopeful) he will play beyond 16 years and the age of 37, the ..."

Manning expected to miss last tuneup but sees work to do

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September 2

Indianapolis Star

"Peyton Manning and the majority of the Indianapolis Colts' starting offense probably won't play in Thursday night's preseason finale at Cincinnati. Yet there's work to be done in preparation for the Sept. 13 regular-season opener against Jacksonville in Lucas Oil Stadium. The offensive line still is transitioning from Tony Ugoh to Charlie Johnson at left tackle, and Manning still is working on his timing -- and confidence -- with young receivers Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon and rookie backup running back Donald Brown. "I think we need to use these last two weeks of practice right up until the Jacksonville game to improve, to figure out what personnel is going to be in there on certain ..."

Eli Manning offers advice to Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez

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August 27

New York Daily News

"Eli Manning doesn't know what it's like to start the season opener as a rookie quarterback. But he does know what Mark Sanchez will go through. And Wednesday he had some advice for the Jets' newly minted starter. "The hardest thing about it is learning the game," Manning said. "It takes time. The media is going to play a role because if you play well, they will promote you and say you are the greatest. If you don't play real well, then you will be the worst. It is about believing in yourself and listening to your coaches and earning the confidence and respect of your teammates. That is what you kind of have to learn." Manning watched a few moments of Sanchez's first start in a preseason ..."

Favre's return to NFL no surprise to Manning

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August 26

Indianapolis Star

"Brett Favre's return to the NFL has caused a stir in Minnesota, where he's now the starting quarterback, and with several other teams. One of his peers, though, wasn't the least surprised when Favre ended his latest retirement earlier this month and signed with the Vikings. "Was anybody?" Colts quarterback Peyton Manning asked Tuesday afternoon. Manning, who like Favre has been league MVP three times, has a routine of writing a letter to selected players when they retire. That includes Favre, who first retired after the 2007 season when the Green Bay Packers make it clear he didn't figure into their '08 plans. "I've written it. I just haven't mailed it," Manning said with a smile. "I had ..."

Manning already shows MVP form

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August 21

Indianapolis Star

"It was an eventful and effective Thursday evening for Peyton Manning in Lucas Oil Stadium. At halftime of the preseason game with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Indianapolis Colts quarterback was presented with his record-tying third NFL Most Valuable Player trophy from the 2008 season. Prior to that, he showed why he should at least be included in the discussion for No. 4. After lobbying the coaching staff for a heavy workload against the Eagles, Manning got it and responded in MVP fashion. He directed three series, punctuated two with touchdown passes to Anthony Gonzalez and Reggie Wayne and erased the memory of the starting unit's brief and ineffective performance six days earlier. "The ..."

Manning lobbies for playing time

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August 20

Indianapolis Star

"A team that's under construction -- remember Reggie Wayne's thematic arrival to training camp? -- is the reason quarterback Peyton Manning believes he and the offense require a heavy dose of playing time tonight against the Philadelphia Eagles. Six plays in the Indianapolis Colts' preseason-opening 13-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings last Friday not only were too few, they accomplished little. "We kind of played a lot less than what we thought we were going to play," Manning said. "They told us 12 plays and we got six." Coach Jim Caldwell said the workload for many of the team's front-line players would increase tonight to approximately 20 plays, or at least one quarter. That's fine with ..."

Manning, Wayne pay back Jennings

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August 7

Indianapolis Star

"For Tim Jennings, it was the best of times and the worst of times. It was life as an NFL cornerback. Paired against wide receiver Reggie Wayne in a passing drill Wednesday night, Jennings drew cheers from a Cook Stadium crowd of 3,310 by cutting in front of Wayne near the goal line, leaving his feet and intercepting a Peyton Manning pass. "I kind of knew where (Manning) wanted to go with the ball," Jennings said. Payback came a few minutes later. Again shadowing Wayne, Jennings offered tight coverage. It didn't matter. Wayne ran a double move and Manning's pass hit him in stride. Touchdown. Jennings smiled, and shrugged. "That's life in the NFL with Reggie and Peyton," he said. "It was a ..."

Colts plan on keeping their Manning

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August 6

Indianapolis Star

"The price tag figures to be staggering when the time comes for the Indianapolis Colts to lock up their Manning in the same manner the New York Giants locked up theirs. Yet the Colts intend to keep Peyton Manning. "Our clear intention is to have Peyton finish his career here,'' Colts president Bill Polian said as the team prepared for a Wednesday night practice at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. "There is no other thought. At the appropriate time, we'll sit down and talk about it.'' At the latest, that would be shortly after the end of the 2010 season, when Manning's contract expires. It's conceivable Polian and Tom Condon, Manning's agent, will iron out something prior to that. "I ..."