QB-PEYTON MANNING (on preparing for an NFC team coming off a tough game against a division rival) Wednesday, November 3, 2010
"I certainly feel like this year is a different year because we are playing with a lot of new guys, more so than we ever have. Every week is truly a challenge. All we have talked about this week, it's a short week for us, we have some guys banged up, they're coming off a bye week, everything has to be focused on just trying to get a win against Philly; not thinking about Houston or not thinking about who we play the week after (Philadelphia). I do think we've taken that approach. We've always taken it one game at a time. We haven't looked at anything else. We prepare for an NFC East opponent just like we do an AFC South opponent."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on how tough it is to win a game, but the team being accustomed to winning multiple games in a row) Wednesday, November 3, 2010
"It's not easy. When you've been on a team that's won three or won six, you never take winning for granted. I've learned that. I'm not sure how many of our players that are five- and six-year veterans understand that because that's what they've done all the time. It still is hard. It was hard the other night, and I know it will be really hard on Sunday."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on Coach Caldwell saying he doesn't mind a short week because sometimes there is an added focus to get ready) Wednesday, November 3, 2010
"I think there has to be. Your off day is kind of that Monday-Tuesday combined, but I do think it provides a tough challenge with us on a short week and them coming off a bye. I do think you have to really work hard to get your rest and get physically prepared to play. And you're kind of a day behind on your mental preparation. But it's an opportunity, I think like Coach Caldwell is probably saying, to really hone in and focus on the opponent."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on the Philadelphia crowd) Wednesday, November 3, 2010
"I haven't played in this new stadium yet, so there's a lot of newness in this game. The last three times we've played them, it was always the late Jim Johnson, who God rest his soul was just an outstanding coach, an outstanding human being, but you see a lot of the same philosophies in this new style of defense they're playing. The new coordinator, they're a very good defense, a very opportunistic defense. That's why I think it will be a tough challenge. And if it's anything like The Vet, it's going to be a loud place to play."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on the team having an identity now almost halfway through the season) Wednesday, November 3, 2010
"I think in some ways with some of the guys that had been playing, we sort of were beginning to form one. You saw a lot of new faces on Sunday. You could see some even newer faces this Sunday. We kind of find out as the week goes on who's going to be available to play, who's going to be available to practice. In some ways you have to kind of be flexible and just have to really focus in on doing your job. I still think we're continuing to form that, and I think each week, really, every game just kind of has a little bit something unique about it. You just kind of see as the game goes on what that particular identity for that game is going to be."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on TE-Jacob Tamme playing well vs. Houston) Wednesday, November 3, 2010
"He did play well. I think there's always some unknown with a guy once he gets into a game. I've thrown plenty of passes to Jacob in practice. He's always caught the ball well, he's always known what to do, but the lights come on, a big crowd around you, you always want to see how a guy responds. It was very encouraging to see how he responded. It was encouraging to see how Mike Hart responded to getting his first start. It's a great opportunity for those guys. But the key is you're looking for consistency, you're looking for it from everybody, from those guys to all the veterans. You can't have a good game one night and then have an off day the other. We have to try to find some consistency in our play."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if he likes what he is starting to see from the running game) Wednesday, November 3, 2010
"It certainly was important the other night to establish the run. I thought as much as anything, we almost flipped roles on Houston. The first game they ran the ball so well and kept our offense off the field. I thought we really kept their offense from getting any kind of rhythm. Thirty-six minutes of possession, we got the lead, which was important. I think the ability, the threat of being able to run the ball, it certainly keeps their defense from being able to hone in and stop one phase of your offense."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on he and Eli being able to switch binders on opponents this year) Wednesday, November 3, 2010
"A little bit, we do. Of course after Houston beat us I said, 'I can't help you on Houston.' So he went down there and took care of business there. There's a lot of thanking each other. Eli thanked me when we beat the Redskins. I know I'm sure the Giants will be pulling for the Colts this weekend. You can compare notes. There have been some new defensive coordinators in the division, so maybe not quite as familiar with some of the new schemes. Even four years ago when we played the NFC East, you kind of compare notes, but nothing really he can tell me about Philly that I don't already know. They're a blitzing defense, they have excellent players, Asante Samuel is one of the top cover corners and it's a loud, tough place to play. It's going to be a tough challenge."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on how much better the league is when a player like Michael Vick is back playing like he's capable of playing) Wednesday, November 3, 2010
"He's off to a great start. Sorry to see him get hurt the other day, but he'll be fresh coming off the bye week. All I think about for this week that factors into our game plan is we're going to have to score some points. At any given time, the deep ball or the long run, our defense is in for a tough challenge. But it's good to see him back and playing well."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if it feels like 200 games he's played in) Wednesday, November 3, 2010
"Some days it does, some days it doesn't I guess. The fun part about that is that a lot of those 200 have been wins, and hard-fought wins. I think it's the preparation and working with all the different teammates through all those that really kind of makes it gratifying."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if he likes the throwback look) Wednesday, November 3, 2010
"Yes, I do. There was kind of some talk of wearing the jersey without the helmet. The jersey is really not thrown back enough. The helmet kind of gives it the complete look. We wore it against San Francisco, and the players kind of liked it. I guess we kind of said, 'We like it.' It's ultimately other people's decision, but I think it's a good look. I like the blue helmets. I think it's probably a one-and-done deal. I don't think we'll stick with it, but I think it's got a decent look."
