*IndianapolisColts Head Coach Jim Caldwell, 12.23 *
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On if Curtis Painter will play this weekend…
What we try and do is take a real narrow lane and focus on the game at hand. We try to make certain that our number one goal is to win the game and get prepared for a very difficult and tough team. That's what we're doing this week in regards to Curtis. There may be some times where it just depends on how the game goes whether or not he plays, but that's pretty much like every week.
On how long Peyton Manning will play on Sunday…
The plan is to attack it just like we do every week. We're going to prepare to go in and play hard and we haven't made any declaration on who's playing how long or anything of that nature, much like we did last week. We did the same thing last week and focused in on the ball game and adjusted as the flow of the game went on.
On how important it is to go undefeated…
I've said it quite a few times, but it certainly hasn't been a priority of ours. It's a great by-product of a great season, but certainly not one we are overly concerned with. There is only one happy team at the end of the year and that's team that wins it all. We want to make certain we're playing our best football in time for us to kick it up in the playoffs after the regular season. Right now, our playing focus is on the New York Jets. They're a tough team and we need to get ready.
On if Anthony Gonzalez will be in the lineup this week…
It will just depend on how he does. We're waiting to see how he handles things and we just go a day at a time. It's not one of those things that there's an easy route for. It's been a tough battle getting back, so we'll see how it goes.
On if this is one of Manning's better seasons considering all of the offensive changes…
I think in light of the adjustments and changes that we've gone through, will Marvin (Harrison) no longer here and that was certainly a great combination and young guys stepping in and playing major roles. All of those things, when you consider them, and the fact that we haven't been running the ball as well as we'd like in certain situations, he's certainly been able to carry a pretty heavy load and performed as well as he's ever performed. I think if you look at his numbers, his numbers indicate that. He finds a way. As outstanding as he's been over the years, he's even better this year.
On the Jets…
First of all, they are talented team. When you look at them from a defensive standpoint, I just think they are outstanding. They rush the passer extremely well. They create problems for you with (Shaun) Ellis and (Calvin) Pace. Those guys are leading the way in terms of the sacks. They give you so many different looks. They make it rather difficult for you to handle everything they do, but they play a very, very sound scheme. (It's) tough to handle. Their corners are playing great. (Darrelle) Revis is playing outstanding and (Lito) Sheppard is doing a great job. All around, they have an outstanding defense and their numbers indicate that they're one of the best defenses in the league. Also, when you look at them from an offensive standpoint, they do the thing most teams put number one on their list in terms of making certain that they're going to control the line of scrimmage. They want to be able to run the ball and they can run the ball and run it extremely well. They have an outstanding offensive line and one of the best fullbacks around. (Tony) Richardson has been a solid player. Thomas Jones is running the ball extremely well. They create some problems for you. Then, when you decide to gang up and put some extra guys up front to slow down the run, they can burn you deep as well. (Braylon) Edwards has been outstanding and also, Jerricho (Cotchery) has been outstanding as well. They have a number of different weapons and they can mix it up on you. We're going to have a tough battle.
On if it helps their offense that they've played the Baltimore Ravens a lot over the past few years…
I think it's all different in terms of personnel. There are different problems that they give you that you might not get with Baltimore and vice versa. We played against Baltimore when Rex (Ryan) was there and they always gave us a tough time. We don't anticipate this game is going to be any different. We are familiar with some of the things, but they do so much. It's a difficult task to keep up.
On the Colts defense and what he's seen from Mark Sanchez…
Our defense, overall, has been able to play good, solid football. They've been able to keep teams out of the end zone. It's been a bend-but-don't-break in some situations. They've measured up to a number of big challenges that we've set and been able to keep teams from scoring touchdowns and making them kick field goals. That's been real key for us. We've done without a lot of guys we were able to depend upon and I'd like to attribute that to our coaching staff. Larry Coyer, John Teerlink, Mike Murphy, Alan Williams and Rod Perry do a tremendous job getting those guys ready week after week. Bill Teerlink and John, they do a great job of making certain that the guys that do have to step in know what they're doing and they execute it extremely well. In some cases, we haven't missed a beat, so they've done well.
Sanchez gives us some real problems because he's a very talented guy. He has (the ability) to make all the throws. He can make all the throws, deep, short. Not only that, but he's a guy that can also run. He adds another dimension to it. He creates a lot of problems for us.
On if it's fair to say that the Colts blitz more than they have in the past…
I think that would be a fair assessment. Although some of the things that we're doing in terms of blitz, we've had in the package before. There are some other things that have been a little bit of a wrinkle here or there. We do come after you a little bit more than we have previously, but a lot of that depends upon the game and depends on the scheme that we're facing and depends on what kind of approach that we use.
On what challenges Darrelle Revis presents…
You look at Revis and how he's been playing some of the top receivers in our League, he's been having a great year, not a good year, a great year. He's an outstanding player because he has all the tools. He's got quickness and balance. He's tough, aggressive. (He has) great ball skills and he can break and close on the ball with the best of them. Revis is going to have his hands full. It's going to be a real good battle and we're looking forward to it.
On the Jets No. 1 defense going against the Colts offense…
I think it's going to be one of those games where you have an opportunity to see two really fine units go after each other. It's going to be fun.
On the difficulties of being a first-year head coach…
It's a different voice that they're hearing, that they haven't heard before, although our culture didn't change much. The battles are still there. You have to make certain they understand you. The ability to communicate so they get a good feel for you and vice versa is extremely important. I'm just speaking for myself. Rex can give you what his difficulties are. I can't put myself in his shoes. The other thing is, the NFL, and easy, those terms are not synonymous (laughter). Everything is difficult. Managing your personnel, managing your roster, particularly due to injuries that happen, and hoping you can come up with constructive solutions to handle very difficult problems from week to week. That's been a real challenge, but it's been a lot of fun.
