QB-PEYTON MANNING (on Oakland's defense) Wednesday, December 22, 2010
"It's a pretty classic Oakland Raiders defense; very aggressive, some great athletes over the field, a lot of speed, a lot of size. They are playing with a lot of momentum. The Jacksonville game easily could have gone their way. They had a really convincing win this past Sunday over Denver. They are playing at home. They are right in the thick of the playoff chase, as are we, so I know it's going to be a tough ballgame."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on the Colts having a balanced offense this past Sunday) Wednesday, December 22, 2010
"We'd sure like for it to be. That's been our goal for a long time, every single Sunday trying to have some balance. You never know what type of game is going to occur, the flow of the game. We know we'll have to score some points because their offense is very explosive. They have a great running game, they throw a lot of deep passes, so they are explosive. We are going to have to do our part."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on WR-Austin Collie being placed on injured reserved) Wednesday, December 22, 2010
"I'm disappointed for him. I know how hard he's worked all offseason. I know how excited he was to be back the other day and how well he was playing. I wish him a recovery. Like I said, it's one of the worst parts about football when you see guys get injured and get put on injured reserved, especially a guy that loves football as much as he does and how much he wants to be out there. I just wish him a quick recovery."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on the offense has to move forward without WR-Austin Collie) Wednesday, December 22, 2010
"That's the only choice we have. WR-Blair White has done an outstanding job all year, every time he has been called upon. Somebody else needs to step up. You never know who it might be and whose number might be called depending on the situation, down and distance and what not. Blair will fill in to that spot for Austin, and I know he'll do a good job."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on the impact on the offense when it has RB-Joseph Addai, TE-Dallas Clark and WR-Austin Collie taken away from it) Wednesday, December 22, 2010
"It's certainly going to have an impact. Where that biggest impact is, is hard to say. Especially here in the second to last week of the season, it doesn't do you any good to think about who is not playing, who is not going to be available, you have to go with who's available. We feel like with who is available we can go out there and still make some things happen. It's going to be a real challenge because this is a very physical, athletic defense. We have the potential for bad weather up there, so it's a tough place to be. It will be a tough challenge, but we have to answer the bell."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if he beat himself up after WR-Austin Collie was injured in the second quarter of the Jacksonville game) Wednesday, December 22, 2010
"I just don't like to see anybody get injured, I really don't, especially when you see somebody go down and you know that it is potentially another concussion. Like I said, my heart and prayers just go out to him during that time. I know how important he is to the team, but also I know how much football means to him. It's not a fun feeling that anybody wants to experience. I'm glad he was okay and came back on the sidelines in the second half. I know how disappointed he was. Like I said, just think about him and pray for him."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on the Oakland game being like another playoff game) Wednesday, December 22, 2010
"It's the same type of approach. You have to have a real sense of urgency in the way you prepare. I think this game is going to be a great physical challenge. Every time you play in the NFL against a defense it's a mental challenge, but this is a physical group all the way across the board on defense. I'm sure they are on offense, as well. That will really be a challenge. You have to be able to reload and regroup and get ready to play again."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if his preparation changes when he is playing a team he isn't familiar with) Wednesday, December 22, 2010
"It's a lot of film. You've got 14 games that you have to watch (and) cover yourself with from a study standpoint and try to get to know the people that you are playing against, as well as the schemes. So, it's definitely more challenging than it is when you're playing a division game or Tennessee next week. We'll only have played two games since the last time we played them. So it's a great challenge from a preparation standpoint, trying to get as familiar as you can with these guys before the game on Sunday."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on since there is so much to play for is it easy to stay focused despite the Christmas holiday coming up) Wednesday, December 22, 2010
"We don't have a whole lot of choice. We have to leave on Saturday. There is not a whole lot of flexibility on when you can fly out to Oakland. They tried to tweak the schedule a little bit, but there is really only so much we can do. It's what we have to do. We have to get prepared and work as hard as we can, using this time to get ready."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on what he remembers about the atmosphere at the Oakland Coliseum) Wednesday, December 22, 2010
"It's a tough place to play, loud. They have great fan support out there. The fans are long-time Raiders fans and love their team. I think last time we played them, I think they were mathematically out of it (the playoffs) at that point. So, I expect an even tougher environment because of what is on the line for them and where they are in their division. It's loud. We were behind in that game and had to come from behind late, so I think it will be a very challenging place."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on the experience of playing at Oakland) Wednesday, December 22, 2010
"It's one of the few places I had not played in, in 2007. My dad used to talk about playing in Oakland. It's one of the places you do remember. Going back out there this late in the season, with this much on the line, it's going to be a big game."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if he wandered down to the Black Hole) Wednesday, December 22, 2010
"I didn't get down there. It wasn't on my itinerary."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if Oakland is one of the places that you really don't want family and friends to go to the game) Wednesday, December 22, 2010
"I'll be curious how many Colts fans are in Oakland the day after Christmas. The ones that are there, then I want to shake their hand. They will be true die-hard Colts fans because I know it is Christmas time and it is a long trip away. Hopefully, we will have some blue out there. I know we had some a few years ago. Any type of support we can get on the road, we'll take. But I understand it is the day after Christmas, so if anybody wants to stay home and watch it on TV, I understand that as well."
