HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on today's practice) * *
"Today was obviously one of those days where we try to really focus in on things that happen before the ball is snapped. I think the guys were concentrating extremely well and we got done what we wanted to accomplish this morning."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on whether he expects Tony Ugoh to battle for the starting left tackle position)
"Well, I sure do. This game is a game of competition and obviously he's a guy that certainly has a lot of pride in what he's doing. Charlie (Johnson) has been a fine player for us, so I would suspect that Tony is probably not happy with the move and he'll do something about it."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on OT-Charlie Johnson)
"Charlie, obviously his first day back was yesterday, so he looks good. Obviously, he's fresh. Charlie knows our system, knows it extremely well and functions within that realm extremely well, also. He's played a number of different spots for us on the line, but he's been able to hold down that tackle position pretty solidly whenever he's been called upon to do it."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on whether Tony Ugoh knew he would be fighting for the starting job)
"I would assume, and we've talked to him on a number of occasions and particularly in OTA's it was a topic. As a matter of fact, during OTA's, Charlie got injured right when Charlie was actually going to start at the left tackle position at that time. He certainly was aware of that fact."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on what he would like to see from Tony Ugoh)
"Well, you know, he's a talented guy. His rookie year I think he performed well and we just anticipated that he's going to make a leap here shortly. It's his third year, and we're just looking for overall improvement."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on today's practice style)
"Perhaps you may not have noticed, but this is not the first time we've done it. Our pace was a little bit different, but it was exactly the same practice, 30-and-30 (30 plays offensively and defensively). We just slowed it down just a little bit to focus in on the things that we think are going to help us become a better football team in terms of making certain that we don't have a whole lot of mistakes in pre-snap, beating ourselves with penalties (and) things of that nature, knowing exactly what you're supposed to do and then how to do it. We feel that if we can slow it down sometimes and get those things talked about and emphasized, that we'll be better for it."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on whether being detailed is a weakness)
"No, details have always been kind of a hallmark of ours, making certain that we stay on top of them, making certain that we perform well. We've always been a team that had very, very few mistakes, very few penalties, and we want to maintain that."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on if a slower tempo keeps the players fresher)
"I think so. I think perhaps they probably feel a little bit better in that regard. We've been working them pretty hard. They were in pads in the afternoon, which is something we had not done before. We would typically go pads in the morning (and) shells in the afternoon. We intentionally are putting them on in the afternoons and making them carry those pads in the heat."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on having players back in the afternoon)
"We'll get a couple guys back. Dallas will not be one of them. Dan Muir will be back out there. Possibly Lance Ball, (who) missed the other day. We think that he may be able to come back as well as Brandon Barnes. We'll get a few guys back, but that's kind of the nature of training camp, you get a couple back and a couple sit out."
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HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on whether there is an issue with Dallas Clark)
"No, nothing that we think is serious. He'll be fine."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on whether Jim Sorgi's injury will effect Peyton Manning's playing time Friday)
"No."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on whether the injury to Sorgi changes the possibility of obtaining Michael Vick)
"No sir. We feel that we're in good shape in terms of our quarterback position. Sorgi is taking a little bit (of time) to heal, but he'll be back shortly and we feel good where we are."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on whether Chris Crane is able to play a couple of series on Friday)
"He's going to have to. Nevertheless, he was with us the entire OTA's and during our rookie minicamps and things like that, so he heard our offense presented a few times. He has a good grasp of it, I think, and he'll be able to function."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on simplifying the transition for Crane)
"That's correct. We certainly are not going to let him have the whole ball of wax, but we'll try to spoon feed him a little bit and I think he'll do well."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on the progress of Curtis Painter)
"Number one, obviously any time you can get more reps it gives you an opportunity to improve, and he's doing that daily. As I had mentioned before, it's not an easy offense to operate at the line of scrimmage, particularly with some of the things that we do. He's learning little by little, and some of it he's learning by fire, but I think he's handling it pretty well."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on his excitement for Friday)
"I'm actually looking forward to seeing our entire team. From my vantage point, it's different. I'm excited about it and having an opportunity to see how they work, how they function. Game time is when you find all of those things out."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on the status of Corey Hilliard)
"Corey's wife had a baby yesterday, or she was actually going to be induced yesterday. I haven't spoken with him yet today but that's why he's absent."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on when Mike Hart might return)
"Not to the date, but I know he's making real good progress."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on when Tony Ugoh moved back in the depth chart)
"What happened was we had had some discussion about Charlie moving into the position and Charlie sustained an injury right after that, right during that time, so we were not able to certainly follow through with it and thus Tony was in that position and it gave him the opportunity to prove himself. And obviously, Charlie has returned, so you have competition."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on whether he was disappointed with Tony Ugoh during the OTA's)
"Really I think he made some progress, but not quite enough."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on the defensive line rotation)
"It's a rotation for the most part. It just depends on the situation, who we're playing and things of that nature, that sometimes calls for us to do a little different lineup. You'll find a huge rotation on our front line. We have a lot of guys that we think can be functional, that can play very well, and we're going to try to put them in the best situation to utilize their talents."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on whether there is a play count for players Friday)
"Not as of yet because a lot of it is dictated by personnel groups that we see from an offensive set and things of that nature, so it just depends."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on whether Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon's contrasting styles will provide them both opportunities)
"That's a possibility. Both of them are certainly progressing. Austin is a guy that has good spatial awareness and (is) certainly getting a feel for the slot, but obviously he could possibly play outside. Certainly, Pierre is a guy who can stretch the field for you, who can get down the field and really threaten defenses deep. Nevertheless, he also has enough talent to work the intermediate routes as well."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on how training camp is going)
"I just think if we continue to work, obviously it will be nice to see what happens in the game on Friday for a number of guys. Some guys will play more than others, but I just think everyday we need to bring the intensity and work on getting better and value these reps going against the starting defense. For us, I kind of welcome the different looks we are seeing on defense because it's a little bit more of what you see through the course of the season – multiple fronts and different coverages and what not. I think it's good learning for our younger players. Everyday in practice there is something new to learn from."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on the defensive line moving around)
"I've always kind of said to be careful; just because you're doing something new doesn't mean it's going to be better. You still have to come out and execute it. We've always done a good job up front. Every time you have something new, it's all about the attitude you adopt. And those guys are excited. They are adopting a new attitude, trying to learn it and master it. They are trying to be on top of it as much as they can. For us, on offense, it's good to see some different looks over the course of the season."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if he's working extra with WR-Austin Collie)
"I try and spend time with some of these young receivers, but sure, Austin will be playing this year. I'm not giving anything away as far as what the rotation is and what the depth chart looks like, but he will be in the mix. Any chance you have a chance to spend some time with him or Donald (Brown) on the signals, the audibles and just trying to put things in their ear and take advantage of our time in training camp."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on WR-Anthony Gonzalez's improvement)
"Anthony made plays for us the past two years and will be in a starting role this year, and with that comes more responsibility. There are a lot of plays to be replaced losing Marvin (Harrison), so we need to keep him healthy – that's one thing we hope he can do, play all 16 games. Marvin, except the last two years, has been an unbelievably durable receiver, as has Reggie (Wayne). That's what we expect out of all of these guys, we can't have them four games here, then take off three. We need to have him for 16. So we are looking for Anthony to make big plays this year."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on Charlie Johnson playing left tackle)
"That's more of a question for (Colts Head Coach Jim) Caldwell and (Senior Offensive Line Coach) Howard Mudd. That was their decision. But whoever is in there, I know they are going to fight hard, I know they'll be ready to play, and that's all you ask of your lineman. They fight hard on every play for the pass protection and the run game, and that's how it's been throughout my time here."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on QB-Curtis Painter getting to play more)
"Any time you get to play in games it's always a great opportunity. Unfortunately, (Jim) Sorgi is injured. That's two preseasons a row he's kind of missed some time just because of freak injuries. It is always a little different when you're out their playing a different team and the bullets are flying and you are live in a game, so it will be good for a number of guys, including Curtis, to get out there and see how they handle being under the lights and playing someone different."
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QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if he has been told how long he will play Friday)
"I have not."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on what he hopes to accomplish in Friday's preseason game)
"Like I said, any time you are out there you'd like to see as many situations as you can. If you can get a couple of third downs, a couple of third-and-ones, maybe get into the red zone and have some goal line – if you can get all of that in that many plays, I don't know, but over the course of the preseason that would be ideal if we could face a number of different situations and hopefully execute in those situations."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on if he still likes to get hit once in the preseason)
"I think at some point you want to. Don't let this come out the wrong way, but sure. We don't tackle during training camp, we do stay up. The goal of training camp is to try and stay healthy, so I know linebackers are looking forward to hitting somebody and you do kind of want to get in some contact and protect the ball under duress or whatever the situation is so you're ready to go once the season starts."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on the slower-paced practice sessions)
"That's (Coach) Caldwell's call. He's explained it to me because of the decrease in the amount of players we can bring into training camp – and of course the number of guys you have injured or who are not doing two-a-days or not practicing at all – it was kind of a matter of taking advantage of the time but protecting some bodies physically so we are healthy for training camp. So that was the call. The key is, we are doing it even though we're not doing it full speed, everybody is into it 100 percent mentally. Today, we were working on a couple of situations in our game plan. You don't need them until you need them, but when it's fourth-and-10 and there's two seconds left you better have a certain call for that situation. Its good to work on that, and we filmed it, and we'll study this film like we would in a normal practice and we'll see what we can do better."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on the left tackle situation)
"I've never in my time that I've been here, as I drop back, have looked at a certain side or a certain d-lineman. Anytime a quarterback is looking at a pass rush, it's not good for the offense, or the quarterback, (since) you can't read a progression or a defense. Howard (Mudd) is going to put the guys in there that he feels are going to do the best job. But we've had different guys play for the year, and I know Tony (Ugoh) is in there and he'll do his best, and Charlie (Johnson) had an unfortunate injury during mini-camps and I know he's looking forward to being on the field. And Charlie has been a fighter the whole time he's been here, so I know he'll do his job well. I feel good about whoever is in there. I know Jeff (Saturday) will get them all lined up, and Ryan (Diem) really had a good year last year. He kind of went under the radar because everybody was talking about the injuries and who wasn't playing, but Diem really had an outstanding year last year, and expect that from him this year. We need the right guard, (Mike) Pollak or whoever is in there, to stay healthy. It would be nice to have more of a consistent line-up this year, as opposed to have to shuffle due to injuries. Now, injuries are part of it, don't get me wrong, but we are still hoping…the ideal goal is to have five to start the season and those five stay in there if they are playing well, and hopefully we can get that done this season."
OT-TONY UGOH (on his understanding regarding the starting tackle position)
"I knew coming into camp that that's the move they wanted to do coming into camp, because I found out actually I guess back in late March, early April. They told me I had a chance to prove myself again."
OT-TONY UGOH (on whether he felt like he proved himself)
"Yes, I felt like I had been practicing well. I felt like things kept going well for me, but unfortunately, I can only control what I do."
OT-TONY UGOH (on how he plans on handling the situation)
"It hasn't happened (to me before), but everybody is faced with some kind of adversity, so the only thing I can do is just keep doing what I've been doing and that's working. I'm not going to stop working, because this is how I've been doing (it). All I can do is continue to try to perfect my craft and continue to try to get better. That's the only thing I can control, is what I do."
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OT-TONY UGOH (on what he thinks he needs to work on)
"Honestly, all I can do is just keep working. I don't necessarily know exactly what they're looking for. I know 'When we see this, you'll be back in there.' I was kind of told this is kind of how it was going to be for now, so all I can do is continue to keep working."
OT-TONY UGOH (on whether he believes it's a motivational move)
"No, I don't think so. I mean, they told me it wasn't. It's not for motivational purposes."
OT-TONY UGOH (on how much progress he believes he's made since his rookie year)
"I played well my rookie year. That's the past. I was dealing with injuries last year, and since then I haven't really been able to do too much. I felt as if I handled myself well, but the only thing I can do is continue to work."
OT-TONY UGOH (on being demoted for the first time in football)
"Like I said, everybody is faced with some kind of adversity. I can't really change anything that I do. I'm not going to change anything that I do, just continue to go to work every day and try to make myself a better player."
QB-CURTIS PAINTER (on playing his first game Friday)
"I think there's going to be a certain amount of it (nerves), no question about that. At the same time, preparing these last few weeks, continuing this week, hopefully I'll be that much more prepared and the nerves will be out of the way soon, and I'll just be excited to get out there again and play and compete. That's kind of what you look forward to."
