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"That's really the main thing. You kind of flip it on offense, and you got an offense that has a lot of yards and moves up and down the field, but if you're not scoring points, it's really ineffective. That's really the ultimate goal, I would think for most defenses, find a way to keep them out of the end zone. They have tightened up in the red zone. I really haven't seen as many big plays the last couple of weeks, I saw more early in the season, but the past two weeks they've had two good wins over Green Bay and (Philadelphia), two good offenses, really good offenses. It looks like they've kind of fixed a couple of those issues. You hold Green Bay and Philadelphia to points in the teens, I think you're playing good defense."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if he thinks he'll face nickel defenses every week)
"It's game-to-game. It really is. It's really nothing totally new to what we've been seeing for a number of years now. It's still game-to-game. Coaches form a game plan where we think we can make some yards and convert some third-downs and trying to get the ball into the guy's hands that has a chance to make a play. You probably are seeing a little more of the TE-Dallas (Clark) double-team, if you will. That seems to be sort of the 2010 trend, so far. But every week you have to be ready for something different."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on teams wanting the Colts to run the football)
"It would be hard to put a summary on all the different defenses that we've seen. There would be some truth to that probably."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on when the defense gives you a look that is conducive to running, you need to run the ball)
"The main thing, I think you have to keep the threat of it. You've watched games where you see a team has just given up running the ball. They are just throwing it every time. What does that do? That really helps the defensive linemen teeing off, (cornerbacks) and safeties really start guessing, trying to make plays, so I've always said every week, it's about whether the threat of the run is there. I still think our threat, I hope, is there. I hope they somewhat feel it. The biggest play of the game was Mike Hart's (11-yard touchdown) run. That was a huge play. We hope to always have it there. Our goals are the same. We still want to be balanced."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on the run game being a threat no matter who is in the game)
"I think you've seen that historically with us. It does not really matter who is in there, we are going to call that person's number. Sure, you want all your starters in there, and RB-Joe (Addai) has really been running it hard and we're trying to keep the hits off of him when we can. If you're on this team you're expected, whether it's Little Edgerrin (RB-Javarris James) over there or Mike Hart has just had a ton of big runs in the time that he's been here on the field. Everybody has to be available."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on another prime-time game)
"It is, but I think the main thing for us is it's a road game and we need to find a win on the road. We had a good win over Denver, but we've lost our other two; at Houston and at Jacksonville. We need to find a way to get a win on the road. That's what you have to do in this league if you want to truly be a good team. We're playing a team that's coming off two huge victories, and I've only played there once, but it's a ton of people, a loud place to play with just a great tradition. It's really going to be a tough challenge."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on the Colts having success when they play NFC teams, but if Washington Head Coach Mike Shanahan neutralizes that)
"We talk about unfamiliar opponents, certainly Mike Shanahan coming from the AFC has more familiarity with us. But I've always said it's an equal thing. We really don't know much about some of these players. We haven't played against a lot of these guys. They have a safety, (LaRon) Landry, who is just an outstanding player. We haven't played against him much at all. I think it works for both teams. There is always a little bit of an unknown. They have a new defense from the last time we played them, or even from last year in Jim Haslett, who has been around for a long time. They present a lot of problems."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if it is nice that it's not a division opponent where they aren't as familiar with the Colts)
"Yes, but like I said, one thing about Houston and Jacksonville is that we feel that we kind of know them as well. I really think it's being good at what you're doing. This team plays a lot of different things and has some things that are kind of hard to get ready for in just one week. I really think it evens out."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on QB-Donovan McNabb)
"Donovan and I are good friends. I'm just excited for him and this new opportunity. I know he'll do a great job."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on looking for consistency)
"That's what we'd like to find. That's what Coach Caldwell has stressed to us. He'd like to see us put two good wins in a row together and not having kind of the peaks and valleys that we're having. I think we're looking forward to all three phases playing at the same level. But if you don't do that it shows that you can still win. Defense kind of picks up the offense, offense kind of kept the defense in it against Jacksonville, not enough. So, we're looking for a little more playing together well at the same time."
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