QB-PEYTON MANNING (on how do you turn familiarity into an advantage this week) Wednesday, December 15, 2010
"It works both ways. Certainly, Jacksonville is very familiar with our offense. Our offense has been the same. Their defensive scheme has changed through the years with different defensive coordinators. It has been the same the past couple of years. They are playing really well right now. They are playing together, very opportunistic and coming off a good win. It was a must win situation for them, playing Oakland at home, against a good offense, made some big plays late in the fourth quarter. Like we say week-in and week-out, it probably comes down to execution. You're not going to trick them. It's not going to be a lot of fooling the team out there as much as it's going to be who can execute their offense or defense better."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on what his thoughts were Monday evening when QB-Brett Favre's consecutive starts streak was over) Wednesday, December 15, 2010
"I've always just had a tremendous appreciation for that streak, but I do think that everybody took time to realize just how amazing and impressive that it was. You see the other sports streaks or what all has happened in the time since 1992, it's one of those things, I think, when you say it or write it, 297 consecutive games, it doesn't really do it justice. When you really think about him just being there for his teammates every single Sunday, that's what it really has been about. And it's what he's done with those games. He's been there for his teammates, and he's helped his team win a bunch of those games. It truly is amazing. I don't use that word a whole lot, but it is an amazing feat and streak. It's awfully impressive."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if he's done the math yet as far as when he would be able to break the record) Wednesday, December 15, 2010
"One thing I think everybody needs to realize is if they go to 18 games, no record that is around right now is going to stand for long. Anybody that has a good healthy career in (an) 18-game (schedule) is going to break any record that is alive. All records are on standby with this potential game number change. I have not done the numbers. I have not thought about that. I'm on a one year at a time basis. We've got three games left this season and that's all I'm really thinking about."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on when he thinks about his streak at 205 and QB-Brett Favre's at 297 does it make him appreciate his streak more or Favre's more) Wednesday, December 15, 2010
"I just took the time to appreciate just what he's done and what he has accomplished in his career. I know of all the records he holds, listening to him talk it seems that one has kind of meant the most to him and that makes sense. He's a guy that is always there for his teammates every single game and has battled through a ton of injuries. That just makes it even more impressive."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if his starting streak means the most to him) Wednesday, December 15, 2010
"All I will say is that is it important to me to be there for my teammates every single Sunday. It's not about a number or a streak. I want my guys to be there for me, so therefore I want to be there for them every single week. I know that's kind of how I've treated any sports team you're playing on, little league baseball, whatever. You want to be out there for your teammates and coaches. When you get into pro ball there is more people. There is your owner, your management, your fans certainly you want to be out there for them because you feel like you all are in it together."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on the Colts being in a much different position this December opposed to most Decembers) Wednesday, December 15, 2010
"I think people think we haven't played any meaningful games in December and that is just not true. Through the years, we've had a lot of important games throughout the month of December that have either been for the division or to stay alive or home field, whatever it may be. We've always had important games. This one, you can put it anyway you want it, is a playoff game. This is probably a lose and be eliminated. Last week was as well. We feel like this is our second playoff game. That's the approach. That's how we have to prepare with that kind of sense of urgency. We're playing a Jacksonville team that's really hot, playing with a lot of momentum and beat us the first time down there. We've always had close games with these guys both home and away. That's what we expect this week."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on what's it like to be chasing a team in the division as opposed to them chasing you) Wednesday, December 15, 2010
"You still prepare with that same sense of urgency. I think we've always prepared and played each opponent with the utmost respect and sense of urgency. That's what we've done in the past, and that's what we have to do this week. We have no choice. We have to have a good week of practice and hopefully that can transfer onto the playing field Sunday."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if he's thought about the fact that Jacksonville can clinch the division title on the Colts' home field) Wednesday, December 15, 2010
"I have not thought about that. That's something we'd certainly like to avoid. They have a ton to play for, as do we. That's why I think it will be such a good ballgame. I think you'll see both teams really laying it on the line. It's two teams that are very familiar with each other. That's why I think it will be a good game."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on how much do the extra few days of rest the team got this weekend help get some injured players back) Wednesday, December 15, 2010
"I can't speak to any of those situations, but I do think even the guys that have been playing probably could use a couple days. It helps their bodies feel a little better, and (we could) use a couple days to get extra preparation on a team. I think that can always play to your advantage."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on what is the closest he has ever come to not being able to start a game since the start of his NFL career) Wednesday, December 15, 2010
"I don't know. I just don't like talking about stuff like that. It seems like a lot of guys they play and they talk about after the fact, 'Well, I shouldn't have played.' I don't like talking about injuries. I'm not comfortable with that. I don't really have a good answer for you. I've wanted to be out there on Sundays. I've been fortunate. I've had great protection. That's all I really know to say. I wish I had a good answer for you, I just don't."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on what is the importance of sticking with the running game even if you're not gaining a lot of yards) Wednesday, December 15, 2010
"There is some give and take there. I did think we stuck with it, and we had some runs for minus yards, but we had some that were effective and some in some critical times, a couple in the red zone, RB-Javarris (James) touchdown in the red zone, we had that fourth-and-four. Sure, you want to be patient and stay with it, but I think the score has a lot to do with it. If you're behind and you're running the ball and you're getting zero- and one-yard, that is a little harder to stay with it. That game (last week at Tennessee), we did have the lead, so it was a little easier to stay with it just to have a little balance. I do think it gave us a little balance and gave us a couple of shots off of play-action. I think each game takes on its own identity. It's hard to speak to that philosophy for every single game. It depends on the flow of the game. Jacksonville, you're expecting very few possessions. They are running their offense extremely well. I think they lead the league in fewest three-and-outs. You're looking at a limited number of possessions, so when we get the ball it's important for us to be effective and to avoid those three-and-outs and get some points on the board."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on how did he feel coming off a positive performance against Tennessee) Wednesday, December 15, 2010
"I think any player feels a little better after a win. I do think after a loss it is a test to see if you're preparing the same and working as hard. I feel like our team has continued to do that. We've prepared hard. There is no question everybody has a little bit of a better taste in their mouths, but that one was over with on Thursday, whether we had won or lost. This is clearly the most important game of the season because it's the next one and what is at stake. We realize that. We know our crowd will be into it. It will be a great atmosphere, and that's why I think it will be such a good ballgame."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if he pays attention and gets a kick out of what Jacksonville or any opponent says through the media) Wednesday, December 15, 2010
"I don't pay attention to it, and I don't get a kick out of it."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on including WR-Pierre Garcon in his pregame passing routine that he has done with WR-Marvin Harrison and then WR-Reggie Wayne) Wednesday, December 15, 2010
"It was just because every opportunity to get some more throws with Pierre was worth it. He was missing some practice time throughout the course of the season. He was practicing on some days, but not doing one-on-one. I just said any chance we have to throw more to Pierre is worth it. That was kind of the reason for that."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on being able to see the results of those sessions with WR-Pierre Garcon) Wednesday, December 15, 2010
"I can't say that throwing session before (games) is the reason, but it sure doesn't hurt, I'll say that. He has been more consistent in his practice schedule. He's been healthier and has been on more of a consistent routine. I think that always helps any player. He's made some big plays recently and really played good on Thursday. He didn't play in the first game against Jacksonville, so it will be good to have him out there."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if a proposed 18-game schedule would make it easier or harder to reach 297 consecutive starts) Wednesday, December 15, 2010
"I figure you could catch it a little faster. I'm not looking at it for me. I'm looking at it for any player. QB-Eli (Manning) has the jump. He has 100. He's got a good jump. I do think 18 games will change some of those things for a lot of people, maybe not in the near future, but down the road, I would think."
