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Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning: "We're focused on this game, this season and these players."
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Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning
Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning said Wednesday afternoon that if some things have changed around the Colts, a lot has stayed the same. A lot of important things, anyway.
One those things?
The approach the Colts take to the regular-season, and although team has had plenty of success in the last decade, what they also have had is the ability to stay consistent.
That ability has to do with an ability to focus on the present.
And Manning said that's the approach this season, too -- even in the wake of some major offseason changes.
“It's really more, 'Look to the now – focus on the now,''' Manning said Wednesday as the Colts (12-4 last season, 2nd in AFC South) prepared to play host to the Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11, fourth in AFC South) in the 2009 regular-season opener at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Colts won 12 or more games the last six seasons, an NFL record for consecutive 12-or-more-victory seasons, and they have made the postseason an NFL-high seven consecutive seasons.
“We have not dwelt on anything in the past, either positive or negative," Manning said. "We're focused on this game, this season, and these players. I think that's the right attitude, the right approach. I think all of our players realize we need to play this year with a sense of urgency.
"We want to try to make this a special season, and the only way to that is get started on the right foot."
But the offseason was one of change, with Head Coach Tony Dungy retiring in January after seven seasons. Jim Caldwell enters his first season as head coach after seven seasons as an assistant, and he's far from the Colts' only major offseason change. Defensive coordinator Larry Coyer and special teams coordinator Ray Rychleski are in their first Colts seasons, and on offense, the Colts enter the season without eight-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Marvin Harrison.
“There are some changes we've gone through," Manning said. "I think it will be a process. Hopefully, we can learn throughout the season and win at the same time.”
Rookie running back Donald Brown, rookie wide receiver Austin Collie, second-year wide receiver Pierre Garcon are expected to play extensive roles. Guard Ryan Lilja has returned to the starting lineup after missing last season with a knee injury, and Charlie Johnson – a 12-game starter at guard last season – is starting at left tackle.
“Even though you have some different guys, you do have veteran guys in there," Manning said. "Lilja didn't play last year, but he has played in enough games that I know what we'll get from him, then Charlie has played in a lot of big games. The fact that (11-year veteran center) Jeff (Saturday) and (nine-year veteran) Ryan Diem are in there is obviously very comforting. (Guard Mike) Pollak is still a young player and he'll continue to grow, so certainly we feel good about that situation. . . .
“The time for talking about it is over. Now, we have to go out and do it and see what happens.”
*** WHAT DO THE COLTS HAVE TO DO TO WIN THE AFC SOUTH? READ IFR EDITOR JOHN OEHSER'S FIVE KEYS HERE . . .
*** BREAKING DOWN THE ROSTER: IFR Editor John Oehser looks at the 2009 depth chart HERE.
*** THE CUTS: A list of the roster moves to get down to the 53-man limit HERE.
READ "COFFEE WITH THE COLTS: A NEXT-DAY GLANCE AT THE COLTS-BENGALS GAME WITH PRE-CUT DAY COMMENTS FROM INDIANAPOLIS COLTS PRESIDENT BILL POLIAN . . .
RECENT COLTS NEWS
* QB Jim Sorgi to remain backup behind QB Peyton Manning
* Colts place CB Michael Coe, two others, on waived-injured
* CB Kelvin Hayden says he'll return for regular-season opener
* K Adam Vinatieri taken off PUP list
* Colts move S Bob Sanders off the PUP list
* Colts S Bob Sanders will play sooner rather than later
* WR Austin Collie to enter season opener as third wide receiver
MAGNIFICENT SEVENS, 2009 PRESEASON COLTS THOUGHTS
Magnificent Seven I: Seven training camp thoughts and observations
Magnificent Seven II: On the Colts' defensive tackle position and WR Reggie Wayne
Magnificent Seven III: On the Colts' running backs and offensive line
Magnificent Seven IV: On the Colts' offense, OG Ryan Lilja and WR Anthony Gonzalez
Magnificent Seven V: On S Melvin Bullitt and QB Peyton Manning
EXAMINER SERIES: TWENTY PRE-TRAINING CAMP QUESTIONS WITH THE COLTS . . .
1) Will Jim Sorgi be the backup quarterback?
2) Will Special Teams be Special?
3) Who will be the Colts' breakout player in 2009?
4) Will loss of former Head Coach Tony Dungy hurt in 2009?
5) What will defense look like in 2009?
6) Will DT Ed Johnson impact the defense in 2009?
7) How important is the return of OG Ryan Lilja in 2009?
8) Will K Adam Vinatieri be ready in 2009?
9) Will WRs be improved in 2009?
11) Will S Bob Sanders be healthy in 2009?
12) Will secondary be one of NFL's best in 2009?
13) Who will start at RB in 2009?
14) What roles will Tom Moore and Howard Mudd play in 2009?
15) Can QB Peyton Manning improve again in 2009?
16) Will the Colts be OK at LB in 2009?
17) Will CB Kelvin Hayden make the Pro Bowl in 2009?
18) Can TE Dallas Clark make the Pro Bowl in 2009?
19) Can OT Tony Ugoh develop into franchise-level LT?
20) Can the Colts win the Super Bowl in 2009?
THE POSITION-BY-POSITION PRE-TRAINING CAMP SERIES:
- The QUARTERBACKS
- The RUNNING BACKS
- The TIGHT ENDS
- The WIDE RECEIVERS
- The OFFENSIVE TACKLES
- The OFFENSIVE GUARDS
- The CENTERS
- The DEFENSIVE ENDS
- The DEFENSIVE TACKLES
- The LINEBACKERS
- The CORNERBACKS
- The SAFETIES
OTHER EXAMINER COLTS TOPICS . . .
- Colts QB Peyton Manning on Steve McNair
- Steve McNair's career often intertwined with the Colts
- QB Peyton Manning omitted from ESPN.com's All-Decade team
- The best of the Indianapolis Colts blogosphere . . .
- Manning: Influence of Tony Dungy still felt around Colts
- Mudd, Moore return inevitable, happy end to long story
- Colts to allow sponsors on practice uniforms
- Why Colts QB Peyton Manning is primed for another big season
- Re-signing DT Ed Johnson makes DT situation even better
- SERIES: Peyton Manning Top 10 underrated moments.
- Breaking Down the 2009 Colts Schedule
- A recap of the Colts' 2009 NFL Draft
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