QB-PEYTON MANNING (on playing at home) * *
"It's nice. It seems like it has been awhile, including the bye week. It'll be good to get back home. We play a tough team, though. It's another unfamiliar opponent. We've had a few of them here recently. It's a team that's 3-3 and really could be 5-1. They had the last minute play against Minnesota and almost won last weekend at Houston. The Atlanta game was the only one that wasn't close. They have a very sound defensive scheme, good players, and it will be a good test for us."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on his film study when playing unfamiliar teams like San Francisco)
"You certainly have to study quite a bit. I don't know if it's necessarily any more than you would normally for a team, especially playing them the first time around. Sometimes when you play a division team the second time around there is not as much new film to study. This team, there are lots of things to look for. Their system is in place. These guys are familiar with it, and they play the scheme well."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on things he wants the offense to still work on)
"We want to get better every week. I think it's important this week that we protect the ball and be able to stay on the field on third downs and protect the ball in the red zone and try to get touchdowns. Our defense will have a tough test. San Francisco has an excellent running game. Offensively, when we get the ball we need to be efficient."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on the next three games being at home)
"It does feel good to come back and play at home just because playing four out of the first six on the road (is tough). It's certainly easier travel schedule wise. It doesn't guarantee you anything. Playing home or away, it's whoever goes out and makes the plays on Sunday. I know our players always like playing in front of our fans. I know the place will be loud on Sunday, and hopefully we can execute well."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if he was a Mike Singletary fan growing up)
"I guess so. My dad played against him. I'm kind of an offensive fan more than a defensive fan. (He was) a great player. From what you see on film, it looks like their defense takes on his personality. They're a physical, aggressive, kind of in-your-face type of defense. It's a very challenging defense. They get up and challenge the offensive players. That seems to be kind of what he was about as a player."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if Mike Singletary ever sacked his dad)
"He may have. He easily could have. He had some pretty good guys around him that got sacks as well."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on WR-Reggie Wayne almost never missing a practice)
"That's kind of what Reggie is about. He's a dependable guy. Reggie holds other guys around him accountable. If you're going to hold other guys to a high accountability level, then you need to be accountable yourself. That is what he is. He's not just there on Sundays, he's there at practice. He wants to get better everyday. Along with being a better player this year than he was last year, he's also doing a good job with these young guys. (Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receivers) Clyde Christensen deserves a majority of the credit because he's had different guys through the years and has gotten them all ready to play. He's also allowed Reggie to help mentor these young guys. That's had a lot to do with these young guys coming along so quickly."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on a Colts' win Sunday being their 16th straight and if it translates to a 16-0 season)
"I wouldn't really look at it that way. Is it that slow in sports around here? The World Series is tonight, isn't it? That's a pretty big game. Is it sweeps month?"
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on the NFL protecting quarterbacks too much)
"I don't make the rules. I don't know. I've never asked for a call or a penalty. Whether they fine the guys or penalize the guys, they don't ask us for our opinions. I'm probably the wrong guy to ask. I'm sure (Colts President) Bill (Polian) would give you a good answer, or the guys on the competition committee. The referees come and see us every single year and try to give us the new rules and what they're focusing on. You kind of find out what the points of emphasis are."
