HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on not having the whole team here)
"I can tell you what we are doing, we are trying to figure out a way to get better everyday. That is our goal and our focus. We are going to continue to do that. There are times that happen during the course of the season where certain guys may not be able to go, so what we do is adjust and keep moving."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on how disappointed he is not to have everybody here)
"We find a way to get better. That is what our goal is. We certainly aren't concerned with anything else other than that. My job is to get our team in the best position to win. I have an old motto that I used to live by when I was a young coach and that is, 'Coach who shows up.' That is exactly what we'll do."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on if he has ever met coach John Wooden)
"I certainly have taken a real good look and some of his information, particularly his seven-point creed, which I think is something a lot of coaches probably have used. A couple of them, Be Yourself, which I've always been one that thinks that is an important factor. Drink Deeply from Good Books; one of his favorites was the Bible, and it is mine as well. But, also, I read a lot of other books. He had a number of different things in there that were great. It was great advice. What a great coach, what a great mind, what a great example he set for all of us in the profession."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on players not being here)
"I probably will reiterate a little bit what I said previously. First of all, we think guys get better here, so we try to encourage (their attendance at mini-camp). We think this is the best place to be, number one. Secondly, you have to be able to adjust on the run, regardless of what the circumstances present. That's what we've always been accustomed to doing, year-in and year-out. That's why we've been a competitive team, that we may suffer a number of injuries at different positions, but we always seem to be fairly stable, in terms of how we're able to function. Part of that is the way we handle these situations during this time of the year. We get down to business. We focus in on what we control, and we don't worry about anything else. We leave things that are out of our control and in someone else's hands to them. (Colts President) Bill (Polian) and (General Manager) Chris (Polian) will handle those things and we carry on the business of coaching."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on ways QB-Peyton Manning can still get better)
"He's a very unusual guy. Every year, he kind of goes through this process where he and (Quarterbacks Coach) Frank (Reich) will sit down and take a look at what he was able to accomplish last year. They'll look at all his strengths and weaknesses. He'll review every single snap of every game that he played, and they will look at it, not just glancing over it, but I'm talking about in detail. They will take notes on every single throw, every single play call, every single check. From that, he will go through it and make a determination on where he thought he could improve in that setting. He will dissect his entire season that way, and then he'll set new goals for himself, just in terms of what he thinks he can accomplish. He seems to keep moving forward. I mean each and every year he gets better and better, in terms of his accuracy and on and on and on. I don't think there is any limitation on him, in terms of what he can improve upon. He has such great presence of mind, such great will and determination that I think you will see him improve in almost every area."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on an example of what he is trying to work on this year)
"I can only give you examples of what has happened previously. An example would be, I think the year before last, one of the things he said he wanted to do was improve his accuracy. He works each and every drill, just in terms of placing the ball where he wants to place it, and if he doesn't hit it right on the spot, he'll say, 'Hey, let's do that one again.' He'll repeat it. For most people, the initial pass would have been one that was highly acceptable, but for him it maybe wasn't right on the pinpoint of the left shoulder or maybe not right at the right ear. He is very, very precise in that regard, and I think that is what makes him unusual."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on how long the process takes with QB-Peyton Manning breaking down film from the last season)
"Let me it put this way, months, plural. It's a long process. He has great recall, just in terms of remembering everything that happened on that particular play, all the peripheral things. It's a great exercise. It really is. It's interesting.
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on how many athletes he has been around that push themselves as hard as QB-Peyton Manning does)
"He's a rare breed, and I'm not certain, when you look at everything he does – I haven't been around anyone other than him that does it the way that he does."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on how much of Manning's personal life he has to sacrifice)
"I'm not certain. You'd have to ask him that question. All I know is he is certainly diligent about what he does from a football standpoint. I mean in all aspects, taking care of his body, eating the right foods, his preparation, in terms of game preparation and practice preparation, all of those things. He covers those bases. But I would tend to think that oftentimes when you look at people that are as organized as he is, that are determined as he is, that it usually carries over the rest of their lives, as well. I would not anticipate he leaves any stone unturned."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on QB-Peyton Manning's neck pain and how he is doing with that and how much it took away from his ability to prepare and play football)
"I know that he is feeling better, and he's feeling good about that fact. Even when he was sometimes maybe getting treated, oftentimes he was still working on some phase of his craft. So, I don't think he limits himself too much, in terms of his workload. He finds a way to get it done."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on if there will be a difference in the offense with Clyde Christensen taking over as Offensive Coordinator)
"Overall because Clyde has been in the system, he understands it extremely well, but also I think he has a great understanding, just in terms of knowing what needs to be changed, also. He will probably also adjust a few things according to his personality. But he and Peyton have worked together for quite some time, although most folks on the outside don't realize that, but they've developed a real strong relationship over the years. From that standpoint, I think you're going to see a very, very smooth transition. But I would anticipate that you may see some little wrinkles here and there that may be different from what we've done previously."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on if DB-Bob Sanders looks as good as he ever has)
"He's healthy. He moves well. He's excited. I think he feels really good, and he looks good."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on if he has studied why some teams have had bad seasons following a loss in the Super Bowl)
"I have examined it. I've taken a look at it. We've taken a few precautions that we think may help us. One being that we moved our entire offseason program back a bit to give us enough rest, ample time so our bodies can heal and recover, give them an opportunity to still have enough time to strengthen, as well. So, we condensed things a little bit toward the back end, took a little bit of the load off them. One thing, I did ask a coach who had been in the Super Bowl and had lost the Super Bowl, and I asked him, 'What is one thing you can remember about the following season?' By the way, they did not have a disastrous season. They had a solid season. One of the things he said to me was, 'It felt like we played two seasons back-to-back, right on top of one another and never had a break in between.' That is one of the things that stuck with me, that resonated with me, to make certain that doesn't happen to our team. So that's why we made the adjustments, in terms of our offseason program. All I can go by is history of this particular group and how they handle particular situations. They have always found a way to bounce back from tough losses, and I would not anticipate this year would be any different."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on what he moved back this offseason)
"The big thing is when we started our offseason conditioning program. You're allowed to start (around) March 16, I think, don't quote me on that, but the middle of March. We bumped it back. I think we started on April 16. We always start late. For years, we've always been the last team to come in (to training camp). Last year, we weren't. We were second to last. The Giants came in on Monday, we came in on Sunday last year. We typically do come in late for the most part. It's always by design."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on reasons why 13 players are not practicing today)
"If I go into that I'll start sounding like a medical report, which I'm not going to do. They just can't practice today. Some of them will be back maybe tomorrow, some will be back maybe on Sunday, some will be back maybe on Tuesday. It just depends."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on if DB-Kevin Thomas has had surgery yet)
"He has and it went well."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on how RB-Devin Moore has looked)
"Good. He looks like he has some ability. He's quick. He's got a little burst. But it's a process, and we'll see how he progresses."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on where RB-Devin Moore will play)
"We can't tell yet. We're just getting a feel for what he can do and where he is going to be able to help us. I think he is capable of both areas (punt return and kick return).
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on how RB-Donald Brown is looking as he enters his second year)
"Last year, he was a pretty quick study, so you can imagine that he's taken another step forward, just in terms of understanding what is required of him, and he is much more comfortable."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on training camp moving to Anderson)
"I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be great. We had a great run down in Terre Haute, so we have a new venture, a new location to practice. I'm excited about it. I know they are excited about having us there. It gives us a great opportunity to go in a little different part of the state and find a way to get better."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on his neck) Friday, June 04, 2010
"I feel good. All my symptoms and issues I've been dealing with for the past four years have since subsided. I feel good out there throwing and lifting and feel like everything went according to plan. So, I'm very relieved for that and I'm no longer having to get the treatment I was having to get for the past four years so that's a great relief."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on what the symptoms and treatments were) Friday, June 04, 2010
"The treatment just took as much time as anything, mainly with traction trying to relieve some things; three times a day, about 25 minutes a piece, just got to be very time consuming, taking away from meeting time or lifting tim,e so it felt good to get that all taken care of."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on how concerned he is about the situation with Reggie Wayne) Friday, June 04, 2010
"Those are probably more questions for Coach Caldwell and Bill (Polian.) One thing I've never discussed is my contract situation, and I don't discuss other players' contract situations, either, so I'm sure Bill and Jim will have more to expound on that. "
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if he sees a difference around the league of guys over 30 having financial concerns than they would have had five years ago) Friday, June 04, 2010
"I'm probably the wrong guy to ask. Jeff (Saturday) keeps all the players up to speed on the labor issues and I don't have anymore insight than all of you do. I hope it all gets worked out and hope there's no stoppage in play. Like most negotiations, I'm sure it will go down to the wire, but I can't speak for the summary of the league from a player's standpoint and obviously we hope once the season gets here all our players are here and ready to go."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if he is concerned with any coaching changes/moves at all) Friday, June 04, 2010
"Well certainly anytime there's change, like last year when we got a new head coach, that was change and I think we've dealt with change and transition before. Certainly Bill (Polian) has always tried to maintain continuity. Clyde (Christensen) for the past number of years has been an intrical part of our offense. Basically, he's been in charge of our third down and red zone packages, and we're tops in the league in those packages, and Tom (Moore) has allowed Clyde to have a lot of input and Clyde had a lot of responsibility when it came to the passing game. I certainly feel confident in him and what he'll bring to the table. Tom is still going to play an intrical role and be involved in meetings and practices and still doing a lot of the same things he's done for us as far as maintaining the discipline of our offense. I think it will take some getting used to for a lot of the players, but I've worked closely with Clyde the past few years so I'm looking forward to the relationship growing."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if he has ever met Coach John Wooden) Friday, June 04, 2010
"I have met Coach Wooden, about four years ago at the Final Four when it was here and it was a tremendous honor. He gave me one of his pyramid of success cards that I still have today and got a picture with him, and it was a tremendous honor."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on being excited about getting back to Anderson for camp) Friday, June 04, 2010
"I guess I was the only player that was there 13 years ago. Once again a change, a transition, but let me say this first and foremost, Terre Haute was nothing but great to us as players. Everything from the support they gave us was outstanding and we won a lot of games there in Terre Haute from a training camp standpoint. Transition and change are part of it and our team has handled those type of things in the past and we're looking forward to going to Anderson. I know the fans there will be excited, and I personally want to thank Terre Haute for everything they've done for us the past 11 seasons. It has been a great run there."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on what he remembers about Anderson) Friday, June 04, 2010
"Everything was happening pretty fast. Bill (Polian) and I did drive up there together, but I don't remember a lot to tell you the truth because it has been a long time, but we are looking forward to going there and I think hopefully we can have another great camp."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on how he can improve this time of year) Friday, June 04, 2010
"I think the main thing would be to try and work on the timing with the new receivers, guys like Brody (Eldridge) whose a new tight end here, and Sam Giguerre who is healthy, trying to get even more sound with Pierre (Garcon) and (Austin) Collie. Everybody is acting like this is just the start, but we've spent a lot of time since April throwing. This is just the first time the media is allowed to practices, but we've been working a lot on the field. I've had another good offseason with (Anthony) Gonzalez, now that he's back, and I want to build on what we started last offseason and hopefully we'll keep him healthy. I think he can have a good year for us. Getting the timing down with all these new receivers, guys who were here last year and guys who this is their first year. The more I can get on the same page with them the better chance we have at success."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on the short yardage game last season) Friday, June 04, 2010
"I don't know. I guess it rates wherever it rates. Statistically in the league I think we're looking to improve in all areas of our offense, whether it's red zone, third down, short yardage, goal line. Every off season we sit in meetings, we meet at seven every morning, and study the entire offense, the things we were successful at, the things we struggled at and build on both and get better on both."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on relying on those critical third-down moments) Friday, June 04, 2010
"I think that any game you lose, and you can always look at a situation, a play here a play there, and you can categorize it. So I think certainly there are a lot of areas we can improve in on offense and there's no question short yardage is one of them."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on what can you do (after losing a Superbowl) to avoid missing the playoffs like so many teams do, and how important is it to have so many core guys back) Friday, June 04, 2010
"I can't really speak for other teams and the struggles they went with, I don't really get into the tendency. I remember a couple years ago we had to go to Tokyo and no team had made the playoffs after going to Tokyo. Tampa had gone 5-11 the next year, the Jets had gone 6-10 and we went 13-3 or 14-2, so I think it's all about how you handle it as a team. I think our team has worked hard this offseason. I can't say we've worked any harder than the season before because that would indicate we haven't been working hard, but I think we've had another good offseason with good attendance and I think come training camp time we expect everyone to be there and the veterans that were a part of these past years will be important. Also every year we've added new players, mostly via the draft with young guys. We're still one of the youngest teams in the league. We try to draft guys that can play like veterans right away. Look at (Austin) Collie last year and Donald Brown, we're not treating those guys like rookies. We're counting on them to produce right away, and that will be the same for a number of our young players this year."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on how much Brody Eldridge can help on short-yardage situations and how he is as a route runner) Friday, June 04, 2010
"It's still very early. People ask how'd you do in the draft, tell me about this kid, but why don't you ask me again in a year or two years when these players have had a chance to develop. I think what I've seen so far, this is a hard working group, some have come from winning programs and we're looking forward to see who can help us. It may be some of the top draft choices, it may be, as in years past, a free agent. You never know. Every kid has a chance to make the team, and whoever can help us will be on the team."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if it holds the team back not having everyone here) Friday, June 04, 2010
"I don't think it will hold anything back. It's a great opportunity for me to work on some individual timing with some young guys. Certainly you're going to have some injuries, some guys that aren't able to participate, but I think we'll do some really productive work this weekend and next week, and we had good work this past week. I think it's just a good opportunity to get better. That's what we talk about, just getting better, and I think we'll do that. So therefore we're looking forward to it."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on his contract status) Friday, June 04, 2010
"No update there, so that's the status."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if there are some things that need to fall in place before some of these other things get sorted out) Friday, June 04, 2010
"I've never commented on the past on contracts so I'm not going to start now 13 years into it."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if having a lot of young receivers is a nice problem to have) Friday, June 04, 2010
"I wouldn't tag it as a problem. I think we have a chance to be as deep as we ever have been with receivers. I'd say close to Marvin (Harrison,) (Brandon) Stokely, Reggie (Wayne), Troy Walters, (that) was a very deep group and I think even Aaron Moorehead was number five that year and made some deep plays for us. Certainly it's got a chance to be a deep group, all guys that bring something a little different to the table. I think there will be some good, healthy competition and we will find ways to get all those guys on the field and working and keeping pressure on the defense. You look at other teams in the league adding corners trying to stop passing attacks, and at wide receiver you want to be more efficient, more accurate in the passing game to try and counter that. That will be our goal this year. "
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on what it is like preparing with young guys, and if they keep him young) Friday, June 04, 2010
"I think they do. I certainly enjoy after the draft when the young guys get here. It gets you excited about football and reminds you why you love it, and you like helping young guys kind of coaching them somewhat, if you will. I enjoy that part of it. But it does take work because you're trying to teach these guys the offense and also the way we do things here at the Colts facility from a work ethic standpoint, so every year you are having to start over again. You can't just sit back and hope they figure it out. You've got to jump in the middle to teach them the offense and get them up to speed on how to be a professional football player, so I think it's important all of our veterans do that.
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on his relationship with the younger players) Friday, June 04, 2010
"Yeah, I have a good relationship with all our players, I certainly try to, but I also try to get to know our young guys, get their phone numbers right away, lifting weights with them, throwing routes with them. I get to know them a little bit. I think the sooner you do that the sooner we all get on the same page and the better off we're going to be."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if there is any reason to think this isn't a better team than last year?) Friday, June 04, 2010
"We certainly hope to be. I think that is an interesting point because I look at Bob Sanders and Anthony Gonzalez as free agent acquisitions because they weren't there last year. People say, oh they added a couple free agents and all the draft, but when we get Anthony Gonzalez back and Bob Sanders back and a healthy Kelvin Hayden, that is very exciting for our team. Right now we're talking about strictly what's on paper, but I'm excited about the potential of this team and hopefully we can get it in good use."
* *
DB-BOB SANDERS (on if he feels like some people have forgotten about him) Friday, June 04, 2010
"I can't really worry about that. I'm excited to be back. I'm excited to be practicing. I'm excited to get back to doing what I love to do, and I'm sure Anthony (Gonzalez) feels the same way. It's kind of one of those things where, out of sight, out of mind. I'm totally fine with that. I've been able to rehab myself back to pretty decent health where I can actually practice full-time. OTAs have really gone well for me. The knee has been doing great, the arm is doing great, so I feel great."
DB-BOB SANDERS (on the last time he felt healthy) Friday, June 04, 2010
"It's been a long time. Like I was saying earlier, this is the first time I've been able to do OTAs in years. I was always at this time rehabbing and icing up a lot and spending a lot of time in the training room, so it feels good not to spend most of my offseason in the training room and actually be able to go in the weight room and get my weight back up and be able to compete with my teammates. Just being around that atmosphere of building that camaraderie and working with my teammates, it's definitely encouraging and a lot of fun."
DB-BOB SANDERS (on what he expects in terms of his durability now) Friday, June 04, 2010
"I really don't even think about that. I can only worry about the things that I can control, and that's my rehab, strength and conditioning, learning the defense, just staying focused and taking it a day at a time. I don't want to think outside of today. Today I have to practice, work out and get through today. I try not to look too far forward, and just focus on one day at a time, an hour and a minute at a time and see what happens."
DB-BOB SANDERS (on if he is excited about the possibilities to do more blitzing now) Friday, June 04, 2010
"I love it because it just expands my game, and each safety around here. It gives us more opportunity to show what we can do and showcase our skills. We're excited about it and look forward to getting better at it."
DB-BOB SANDERS (on if he is having fun practicing) Friday, June 04, 2010
"I really do. Like I said, it's been a long time. Usually my teammates really don't see me on the field playing until it's game time on Sundays. It's exciting to get back out there and compete and run around and just enjoy the weather and just being back on the field, getting my feet underneath me and just having fun. I definitely enjoy it."
DB-BOB SANDERS (on if he feels bad for Melvin Bullitt if he takes over the starting role and Bullitt returns to being a role player) Friday, June 04, 2010
"I don't feel bad for him, and I don't think he would want me to feel bad for him. Melvin's a great player, and he's done an excellent job. We're all competing. We don't know who's going to be where. We have no idea. It's still early. We just don't know, so I really can't make a comment on that because there's a lot of time here left and there are a lot of positions on the field that we can all play. We're just going to focus on getting better and working as a unit and working as a team. And whatever happens in that way, it will happen. We'll wait and see."
DB-BOB SANDERS (on how concerned he is that some teammates have elected not to participate in mini-camp) Friday, June 04, 2010
"Concerned? There's no concern. Things are always done for a reason around here. If there's a guy who's not practicing, there's a reason why he's not practicing. We may not all know it, and there are some times you might see a teammate who is healthy and you know he's healthy and might not be practicing, but there's a reason. We don't look into those things around here, we just take care of the things we can take care of as an individual player and work on getting better. And we always have guys to fill in, so we're not concerned about that at all."
DB-BOB SANDERS (on if he has ever felt criticized for something out of his control) Friday, June 04, 2010
"From you guys? Maybe, but like I said, if I can't control it, why stress over it? Why get upset? There's nothing I can do. I'm sure you understand. You have a job to do as well. I understand, too. I'm not concerned about that."
DB-BOB SANDERS (on if there is anything he can do to stay healthier) Friday, June 04, 2010
"I've done it all. I don't want to create a list now because we'd be here all day if I told you all the things I've done. Not really much has changed as far as my preparation. I've prepared. The defense has changed a lot, so I have more time to focus on that. Rehab is basically the same, but I've tried pretty much everything."
DB-BOB SANDERS (on some of the things he's done behind the scenes to try to stay healthy) Friday, June 04, 2010
"Chamber. One thing is getting in a hyperbaric chamber. I've been doing that. Actually I got one of those after the season and been using that a lot. It's really helped me. I'm not sure if it's the same for other guys, but it's helped me get a little better. That's just one thing that I've done that I haven't done in the past."
DB-BOB SANDERS (on if people have reached out to him on opinions or medical solutions to stay healthy) Friday, June 04, 2010
"I've had guys approach me and say, 'I've had this type of injury, I've done this or done that,' or 'I have a guy out in so-and-so, I'll give you his number, why don't you give him a call.' It's a lot, it's so much. I just try to stay focused and continue to do what they have me to do around here. We have a great training staff, and they do an excellent job, so I trust what they tell me and I do it."
DB-BOB SANDERS (on if any of the suggestions he received got his attention) Friday, June 04, 2010
"Yes, you want to look into everything. I try to look into everything that's given to me because there are guys who have been through things and they know more than I do about certain injuries, so sometimes I take their advice."
DB-BOB SANDERS (on feeling healthier and if being able to prepare now as well can make him a better player) Friday, June 04, 2010
"It allows me to get back to doing what I love to do. Just the past few years, it's been all rehab, rehab, strength and conditioning. It's been hard to really focus on keeping my head in those books, but now I can actually keep working at it, keep getting better. It's encouraging, it's exciting because I'm actually able to put myself in a position where I am getting better. Instead of just rehabbing myself to 100, I'm actually getting better and can go across that 100 percent."
DE-DWIGHT FREENEY (on how his ankle is doing) Friday
"(The) ankle is good. I have a little scar tissue, but that's to be expected. I just have to stretch it out here and there…It's (ankle) feeling good though. It's right on track. I'm going to get it right."
DE-DWIGHT FREENEY (on if he has spoke to DE-Robert Mathis much about his contract situation) Friday
"I haven't spoken to Robert Mathis much. Whatever decisions he needs to make, that's up to him. He's his own man, and that's his own business. He's his own guy. He has to make whatever decisions he needs to make for him. We haven't really talked about it."
DE-DWIGHT FREENEY (on Colts first-round pick DE-Jerry Hughes) Friday
"Jerry (Hughes) is a great guy. He is very motivated to be better. I've always told him since he's been here to get in the (play) book and the rest is going to take care of itself. Mentally you just have to be strong. You don't want to go out there behind the eight ball. You are already kind of behind the eight ball as a rookie coming in. If you're going to be out there playing, then you have to make sure mentally you are right."
DE-DWIGHT FREENEY (on if he could place a percentage on his ankle at this point) Friday
"Stability-wise, it's 100 percent. It's doing fine. We are just working at it, stretching and doing the things that we need to do. You have to be smart. You're not out there to prove anything. You don't want to go out there (at this stage) and hurt yourself. You want to make sure you go out there when you are feeling great. Anything could happen. It has happened to me. One play I'm here and then one play I'm down. You have to make sure your body is feeling good, and that's most important."
DE-DWIGHT FREENEY (on QB-Peyton Manning and his mindset now) Friday
"Peyton (Manning) from day one has been that same guy. He is always trying to get better. He helps guys understand the scheme a little better. That's the type of guy we have. We are thankful we have a guy like that."
DE-DWIGHT FREENEY (on if he will be ready to participate in training camp in August) Friday
"Definitely, I'll be out there during training camp flying around like normal. No issues."
DE-DWIGHT FREENEY (on if he has watched film on the Super Bowl loss against New Orleans) Friday
"I haven't seen anything. For me it's a little bit too early to be watching that because I'd be ready to strap it up right now. I wait until at least when we get near training camp before I even revisit that. It's a long time from now in my mind for when it actually really counts in September. I just have to hold back so you don't see me running down the street with my helmet and my shoulder pads."
