Statement from Colts QB Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning underwent successful, corrective surgery Monday, May 23, 2011. The minimally invasive procedure was recommended to address discomfort and other symptoms related to a disk. Manning has returned to Indianapolis to begin his recovery and rehabilitation, ensuring his readiness with regard to the resumption of any and all activities of the National Football League as scheduled. Manning has the second all-time record of consecutive NFL starts and the longest current streak at 227, including the playoffs.

Although this year was the exception, the Indianapolis Colts typically created annual debates when they would rest starters once their playoff spot was confirmed. For many sports writers, there would be a basic reaction if the Colts faltered. They would blame the accumulated rust for the loss rather than the more likely (but less stimulating) explanation that the Colts just lost to a better team.

You would think that an 82-game season would create more instances in which NHL teams give their best players unofficial “bye weeks,” but that isn’t often the case. Of course, the reasoning is usually simple: the gap between playoff teams and playoff hopefuls is often quite small.

Yet after a few years of pushing the pedal to the metal all season long and then possibly being unable to find another gear once the playoffs began, the Washington Capitals have taken an interestingly measured approach this season. While they clearly are facing some growing pains as they transition from a run-and-gun offense to a more balanced approach, there’s also a sense that the team is learning how to save its best for last.

As you may already know, Alex Ovechkin will miss about a week with an undisclosed injury. When asked what exactly is bothering him, Ovechkin had an amusing response: “Guess.” He didn’t provide any more information other than that the mystery ailment has been troubling him for months.

Well, here’s my guess, then: maybe the Capitals are just being smart by allowing their biggest star to get a rare break.

It’s true that Bruce Boudreau allowed certain Washington players to grab a mini-rest last season, but that was just for a game or two at the very end. Getting a more extensive break could be a subtle boost for Ovechkin, a player who tends to go 100 mph in every game. The fact that he could then shake off whatever imaginary rust he builds up by playing a handful of other contests before the playoffs makes the idea seem that much brighter.

It also makes me wonder: why aren’t other contenders following their lead?

The Vancouver Canucks are showing great moxie in beating desperate teams in games they don’t need to win, but with Manny Malhotra gone for the rest of the season and playoffs, shouldn’t they start to rest the Sedins, Ryan Kesler and other players who will deal with greater burdens? The Philadelphia Flyers are already playing without Chris Pronger, but with the Atlantic Division more or less wrapped up, maybe they should give Mike Richards and other forwards a little siesta? A health-oriented approach might be especially wise for the Detroit Red Wings, being that they have an ample Central Division lead and next to no chance of passing the Canucks for the top seed after losing to them in regulation tonight.

Yes, home ice advantage is important, but going into the playoffs as close to full-strength as possible might be just as vital.

This is not to say that every high-end player should receive a 7-10 mini-vacation, but with a lengthy playoff grind ahead, every little bit of rest could be huge – even if the benefits might not be obvious to the naked eye.

Reading the coverage…

Houston Texans

For Arian Foster, attitude is the key, says Nick Scurfield.

John McClain talks Texans and Super Bowl. (Videos.)

Bill Romanowski’s thoughts on how Brian Cushing handled things, found by Alan Burge.

Matt Schaub talked to Battle Red Blog.

Indianapolis Colts

Marshall Faulk could be a Hall of Famer tomorrow, says Mike Chappell. (More from me on Faulk later today.)

The NFL will leave a legacy in Indianapolis, says Bob Kravitz.

Nate Dunlevy loves Pro Football References’ piece on quarterbacks in the playoffs.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Vic Ketchman turns out the lights and we wish him well.

Tennessee Titans

Mike Munchak could make the rare jump from position coach to head coach, says John Glennon.

Mike Mularkey’s approach looks like it would fit Tennessee well, says Jim Wyatt.

Munchak might just be the calm in the center of the Titans’ storm, says David Climer.

Kevin Mawae has high praise for Munchak, says Wyatt.

Tracy Rocker could be a guy the Titans chase to replace Jim Washburn, says Wyatt.

INDIANAPOLIS – Peyton Manning helped the Colts overcome injuries, struggles and his own slump this season.

Now team owner Jim Irsay will have to pay him for what he’s done.

One day after the defending AFC champs were eliminated from the playoffs with a 17-16 loss to the Jets, the Colts tried to turn their attention from another early exit to the uncertainty of this offseason.

It won’t be easy.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t shocked. I really thought we’d be getting ready for Pittsburgh today,” said center Jeff Saturday, who will have a key role in labor negotiations. “I think Peyton summed it up best when he said it stings.”

Sting or not, the Colts (10-7) can’t afford to waste time looking back.

Their biggest priority this offseason, of course, is re-signing the only four-time MVP in league history. Irsay has repeatedly said he will make Manning the NFL’s highest-paid player, a stance Manning likely cemented with his big numbers in the most trying of seasons.

Despite losing All-Pro tight end Dallas Clark in Week 6 with a season-ending wrist injury and receiver Austin Collie for most of the season’s second half because of concussions, Manning still led the Colts to a record-tying ninth straight playoff appearance.

Turns out, that was the easy part.

What Irsay and Colts President Bill Polian must do now is figure out how to make a deal that gives them enough wiggle room to improve the team without using a collective bargaining agreement – or salary cap – to guide them.

Manning was not available to reporters in the locker room Sunday.

“To be honest with you, I’m not sure how that works with the GMs,” said Saturday, the Colts’ union rep. “I assume they’ll sign guys according to what the agreement is in now. Everybody’s in the same boat.”

But it’s the size of the boats that vary.

In Indy, Manning’s contract probably will have to be finalized before they can do anything else.

Who else will they have to deal with?

The list of potential free agents includes Joseph Addai, the team’s best blocking back and most productive runner; Adam Vinatieri, the best clutch kicker in league history; Charlie Johnson, Manning’s blind-side protector; Melvin Bullitt, a key backup at safety who is ready to start in the NFL; starting linebacker Clint Session and starting defensive tackle Dan Muir.

“There are a lot of things that go into it and there has got to be a want on the other side, too,” Vinatieri said, expressing his desire to return. “But there’s not another place I’d want to be.”

Pro Bowlers Robert Mathis and Reggie Wayne also want new deals, though they have one year left on their contracts.

And it’s Manning, as usual, that will be the key.

With Manning in charge, the Colts have gone from also-ran to perennial Super Bowl contender. Besides the four MVP awards, Manning has taken the Colts to two Super Bowls and won one.

Statistically, the 34-year-old Manning was as productive as he’s ever been.

He helped the Colts win a seventh division title in eight years, set a career high in yards (4,700), threw 33 TDs, 17 interceptions and broke the NFL record for completions in a season (450) though he had to throw a career-high 679 times to do all of it.

Because Indy couldn’t run the ball until December, the offensive line struggled and 18 players wound up on injured reserve, Manning also had to carry a larger burden than usual and still helped the Colts become the third team since 2000 to lose a Super Bowl and make the playoffs the following season.

But on Saturday night, all those shortfalls finally caught up to them.

The Jets ran for 169 yards, controlled the clock for most of the second half, kept Manning out of the end zone for the final 30 minutes and took advantage of a mishmash of special teams players with Antonio Cromartie’s 47-yard kickoff return.

That return helped set up Nick Folk’s last-second 32-yard field goal to win it, and sent Indy home without a playoff win for the third time in four seasons.

“We don’t like this taste in our mouth,” Addai said Saturday night. “I know the only thing to do, and it’s kind of hard to do this, but move forward.”

Moving on means figuring out how to get better.

Coach Jim Caldwell said Sunday he planned to take a break before he and his staff start evaluating players and preparing for the draft.

The biggest area of need is the offensive line, which Polian criticized after last season’s Super Bowl loss.

But the most important move going forward will be Manning’s contract.

“It’s probably unlike any other group that I’ve ever seen, had probably more adversity to deal with through the course of the season than most teams,” Caldwell said. “They did it, I think, in grand fashion. They were able to stare it right in the eye. They didn’t weep and complain. They didn’t implode. They didn’t point fingers. What they did is went to work and certainly did everything they possibly could to put us in position to win. We’re not satisfied with where we ended up, but I think the guys did a heck of a job.”

INDIANAPOLIS — Peyton Manning helped the Colts overcome injuries, struggles and his own slump this season.

Now team owner Jim Irsay will have to pay him for what he’s done.

One day after the defending AFC champs were eliminated from the playoffs with a 17-16 loss to the Jets, the Colts tried to turn their attention from another early exit to the uncertainty of this offseason.

It won’t be easy.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t shocked. I really thought we’d be getting ready for Pittsburgh today,” said center Jeff Saturday, who will have a key role in labor negotiations. “I think Peyton summed it up best when he said it stings.”

Sting or not, the Colts (10-7) can’t afford to waste time looking back.

Their biggest priority this offseason, of course, is re-signing the only four-time MVP in league history. Irsay has repeatedly said he will make Manning the NFL’s highest-paid player, a stance Manning likely cemented with his big numbers in the most trying of seasons.

Despite losing All-Pro tight end Dallas Clark in Week 6 with a season-ending wrist injury and receiver Austin Collie for most of the season’s second half because of concussions, Manning still led the Colts to a record-tying ninth straight playoff appearance.

Turns out, that was the easy part.

What Irsay and Colts President Bill Polian must do now is figure out how to make a deal that gives them enough wiggle room to improve the team without using a collective bargaining agreement — or salary cap — to guide them.

Manning was not available to reporters in the locker room Sunday.

“To be honest with you, I’m not sure how that works with the GMs,” said Saturday, the Colts’ union rep. “I assume they’ll sign guys according to what the agreement is in now. Everybody’s in the same boat.”

But it’s the size of the boats that vary.

In Indy, Manning’s contract probably will have to be finalized before they can do anything else.

Who else will they have to deal with?

The list of potential free agents includes Joseph Addai, the team’s best blocking back and most productive runner; Adam Vinatieri, the best clutch kicker in league history; Charlie Johnson, Manning’s blind-side protector; Melvin Bullitt, a key backup at safety who is ready to start in the NFL; starting linebacker Clint Session and starting defensive tackle Dan Muir.

(2 of 2)

“There are a lot of things that go into it and there has got to be a want on the other side, too,” Vinatieri said, expressing his desire to return. “But there’s not another place I’d want to be.”

Pro Bowlers Robert Mathis and Reggie Wayne also want new deals, though they have one year left on their contracts.

And it’s Manning, as usual, that will be the key.

With Manning in charge, the Colts have gone from also-ran to perennial Super Bowl contender. Besides the four MVP awards, Manning has taken the Colts to two Super Bowls and won one.

Statistically, the 34-year-old Manning was as productive as he’s ever been.

He helped the Colts win a seventh division title in eight years, set a career high in yards (4,700), threw 33 TDs, 17 interceptions and broke the NFL record for completions in a season (450) though he had to throw a career-high 679 times to do all of it.

Because Indy couldn’t run the ball until December, the offensive line struggled and 18 players wound up on injured reserve, Manning also had to carry a larger burden than usual and still helped the Colts become the third team since 2000 to lose a Super Bowl and make the playoffs the following season.

But on Saturday night, all those shortfalls finally caught up to them.

The Jets ran for 169 yards, controlled the clock for most of the second half, kept Manning out of the end zone for the final 30 minutes and took advantage of a mishmash of special teams players with Antonio Cromartie’s 47-yard kickoff return.

That return helped set up Nick Folk’s last-second 32-yard field goal to win it, and sent Indy home without a playoff win for the third time in four seasons.

“We don’t like this taste in our mouth,” Addai said Saturday night. “I know the only thing to do, and it’s kind of hard to do this, but move forward.”

Moving on means figuring out how to get better.

Coach Jim Caldwell said Sunday he planned to take a break before he and his staff start evaluating players and preparing for the draft.

The biggest area of need is the offensive line, which Polian criticized after last season’s Super Bowl loss.

But the most important move going forward will be Manning’s contract.

“It’s probably unlike any other group that I’ve ever seen, had probably more adversity to deal with through the course of the season than most teams,” Caldwell said. “They did it, I think, in grand fashion. They were able to stare it right in the eye. They didn’t weep and complain. They didn’t implode. They didn’t point fingers. What they did is went to work and certainly did everything they possibly could to put us in position to win. We’re not satisfied with where we ended up, but I think the guys did a heck of a job.”

NFL Playoff Wildcard 2011: New York Jets vs Indianapolis Colts Live on NBC - Last year, Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts advanced to the Super Bowl at the expense of coach Rex Ryan and the upstart New York Jets.

Live from the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, the NFL Playoff Wildcard 2011 schedule between the New York Jets vs Indianapolis Colts will have a kick off time of 8:00 pm ET, January 8, 2011

Apparently, New York (11-5) went on improbable playoff run as the fifth seed last January, and appeared headed for a stunning Super Bowl appearance before Peyton Manning and the Colts (10-6) ended those hopes with a 30-17 win. Manning helped erase an 11-point, second-quarter deficit by throwing three touchdown passes, and Indianapolis dominated the second half by outscoring the Jets 17-0 before losing to New Orleans in the Super Bowl.

Ryan has lost twice to Manning and Indianapolis in the playoffs with the other defeat coming as Baltimore’s defensive coordinator in 2007.

“I don’t know when I’m going to beat him, but I want it to be Saturday night,” he said. “Is it personal? Yes, it’s personal. It’s personal against him, Reggie Wayne, all those guys, yeah. (Dwight) Freeney and (Robert) Mathis and those other dudes? Absolutely.

Rex Ryan didn’t waste too much time bringing attention to himself and Gang Green. One thing about the Jets this year compared to last year, though: they have offensive weapons. Last year, it was pound the ball and hope Mark Sanchez doesn’t turn it over.

However, this could be Ryan and the Jets’ best chance at eliminating Indianapolis, which needed a 43-yard field goal from Adam Vinatieri as time expired to beat Tennessee 23-20 on Sunday and clinch a playoff berth. The Colts won their seventh AFC South title in eight years, reaching the playoffs for a ninth consecutive season to tie Dallas’ NFL record.

“Consistency would be the word there,” said Manning, who completed 27 of 41 passes for 264 yards and two TDs against the Titans. “It’s doing your job every single week and every single year. I guess that’s what you want to be, a consistent player and a consistent team.”

The Colts limped into the playoffs in perhaps their most unimpressive fashion during the Peyton Manning era – but all that matters is getting there. Indianapolis battled injuries this year with Dallas Clark, Bob Sanders (the Nick Johnson of the NFL) and Austin Collie all out for the season. The AFC South champs would head to Pittsburgh with a win over the Jets.

The live coverage of  NFL Playoff Wildcard 2011: New York Jets vs Indianapolis Colts  will be via NBC.  Better check your local channel listings now for the availability of updated airing schedules. Nevertheless, be updated now by stay tuning here to get the latest feeds on scores and results of the Jets vs Colts game.

GAME RESULTS AND RECAP:

Pittsburgh scored touchdowns off two mistakes by Kentucky’s punting team and the Panthers, playing for their former coach, beat the Wildcats 27-10 in the BBVA Compass Bowl on Saturday. Pittsburgh players dedicated the win to Wannstedt, who was forced to resign following a disappointing regular season.

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INDIANAPOLIS Personally, Rex Ryan will take it.

He beat Peyton Manning with a made-for-TV script.

Nick Folk made a 32-yard field goal as time expired Saturday night, finally giving the Jets and their bombastic coach a 17-16 playoff victory over Manning’s Colts to wrap up a head-to-head showdown that Ryan called personal.

“I’ll tell you what, it feels awesome because this is the playoffs and we’re moving on,” Ryan said.

Manning, somewhat surprisingly, is not.

After winning four straight to clinch the AFC South, Manning moved the Colts into position for a go-ahead field goal with 53 seconds left. Then the four-time league MVP watched helplessly as the Jets drove down the field for the final time.

It’s not the kind of finish Manning, or Ryan, are used to in this series.

“It’s certainly disappointing tonight and that’s really all you think about tonight,” Manning said. “It’s disappointing with the way we lost tonight. Any time you lose on a last-second field goal, it certainly stings.”

With his main tormentor out of the way, Ryan and his Jets (12-5) head to New England for a third meeting with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick next Sunday; they split during the season, but the Patriots won 45-3 at Foxborough.

The Colts (10-7) beat the Jets for the AFC title a year ago. But both defending conference champs were eliminated from the playoffs Saturday. New Orleans, which beat Indy in last February’s Super Bowl, lost at Seattle.

It was a remarkable turn of emotions – and events – for the Colts, who thought they had just beaten Ryan again when Adam Vinatieri made a 50-yard field goal that could have added to Vinatieri’s reputation as the best clutch kicker in NFL history.

“You know, he (Manning) is the best,” Ryan said, “and he almost did it to us again.”

But Antonio Cromartie returned the ensuing kickoff 47 yards and Mark Sanchez needed only five plays to get the Jets into position for the winner.

Manning certainly had chances to beat Ryan again. He was 18 of 26 for 225 yards and one TD and put Vinatieri in position to win it with the eight-play, 48-yard drive.

The mistake Manning made was the one opponents like the Jets usually make against him: leaving too much time on the clock.

“We were certainly trying to pick up that first down at the end, we thought that would make them use some of their timeouts and we could run the clock down,” Manning said. “But we didn’t pick up the first down and had to settle for the field goal.”

The Jets made Manning pay, and when the Colts called timeout with 29 seconds left and the ball at the Indianapolis 32, Sanchez connected with a high pass to Braylon Edwards for an 18-yard completion on the right sideline to the Colts 14.

On the next play, Folk trotted on and won it.

“We’ve got to tip our hat to our offense. It was unbelievable,” said Ryan, whose bravado made him a summer sensation in HBO’s “Hard Knocks” series. “I mean, we totally dominated the second half offensively. On defense, we had to hold serve. Against Peyton, you’re not going to stop him completely, but our guys played well enough to get it done and keep him out of the end zone. Our offense was just spectacular.”

Manning connected with Pierre Garcon, the star of last year’s championship game, on a 57-yard TD pass for the only score of the first half.

LaDainian Tomlinson, considered washed-up by some before the season, carried 16 times for 82 yards and scored on two 1-yard runs to give the Jets their first lead at 14-10 with 9:59 left in the game.

“It’s emotional, exciting and all those things at once,” Tomlinson said. “We knew it was going to be a dogfight against a great team.”

It needed to be after Vinatieri made it 14-13 and then put Indy back in the lead with his longest field goal since making a 51-yarder to beat San Diego on Nov. 23, 2008.

And it looked like Manning would top Ryan again.

But Cromartie, Sanchez, Edwards and Folk didn’t let it happen.

“We’ve been in some close ones this year, but to come out and pull this game out against a great football team, against a great quarterback, it was a Herculean effort,” a relieved Ryan said. “I mean really, I’m just thankful for the men I coach. Thankful for the two backs we got, that pounded it in there. Thankful for that coaching staff. Thankful for Nick Folk, and I’m thankful that I finally got to beat Peyton Manning.”

NOTES: Indy finished the season with 18 players on injured reserve after putting cornerback Kelvin Hayden on the list before the game. … Manning’s 18 completions left him eight short of passing Joe Montana for second on the career playoff list. … Jets running back Shonn Greene carried 19 times for 70 yards, and Sanchez was 18 of 31 for 189 yards with one interception. … New York receiver Brad Smith left in the first half with a quad injury to his right leg, but returned in the second half.

NFL Playoff Wildcard 2011: New York Jets vs Indianapolis Colts Live on NBC - Last year, Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts advanced to the Super Bowl at the expense of coach Rex Ryan and the upstart New York Jets.

Live from the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, the NFL Playoff Wildcard 2011 schedule between the New York Jets vs Indianapolis Colts will have a kick off time of 8:00 pm ET, January 8, 2011

Apparently, New York (11-5) went on improbable playoff run as the fifth seed last January, and appeared headed for a stunning Super Bowl appearance before Peyton Manning and the Colts (10-6) ended those hopes with a 30-17 win. Manning helped erase an 11-point, second-quarter deficit by throwing three touchdown passes, and Indianapolis dominated the second half by outscoring the Jets 17-0 before losing to New Orleans in the Super Bowl.

Ryan has lost twice to Manning and Indianapolis in the playoffs with the other defeat coming as Baltimore’s defensive coordinator in 2007.

“I don’t know when I’m going to beat him, but I want it to be Saturday night,” he said. “Is it personal? Yes, it’s personal. It’s personal against him, Reggie Wayne, all those guys, yeah. (Dwight) Freeney and (Robert) Mathis and those other dudes? Absolutely.

Rex Ryan didn’t waste too much time bringing attention to himself and Gang Green. One thing about the Jets this year compared to last year, though: they have offensive weapons. Last year, it was pound the ball and hope Mark Sanchez doesn’t turn it over.

However, this could be Ryan and the Jets’ best chance at eliminating Indianapolis, which needed a 43-yard field goal from Adam Vinatieri as time expired to beat Tennessee 23-20 on Sunday and clinch a playoff berth. The Colts won their seventh AFC South title in eight years, reaching the playoffs for a ninth consecutive season to tie Dallas’ NFL record.

“Consistency would be the word there,” said Manning, who completed 27 of 41 passes for 264 yards and two TDs against the Titans. “It’s doing your job every single week and every single year. I guess that’s what you want to be, a consistent player and a consistent team.”

The Colts limped into the playoffs in perhaps their most unimpressive fashion during the Peyton Manning era – but all that matters is getting there. Indianapolis battled injuries this year with Dallas Clark, Bob Sanders (the Nick Johnson of the NFL) and Austin Collie all out for the season. The AFC South champs would head to Pittsburgh with a win over the Jets.

The live coverage of  NFL Playoff Wildcard 2011: New York Jets vs Indianapolis Colts  will be via NBC.  Better check your local channel listings now for the availability of updated airing schedules. Nevertheless, be updated now by stay tuning here to get the latest feeds on scores and results of the Jets vs Colts game.

Get the latest sports news from SportsNewscaster.com straight to your e-mail inbox by subscribing to our RSS feeds via e-mail for free. Enter your e-mail address below and confirm your subscription by clicking the link that will be sent to your e-mail.

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Colts kick off their 2011 playoff run at Lucas Oil Stadium against an old foe they eliminated last season.The New York Jets have revenge on their mind in the AFC Wild Car matchup, but they haven’t been playing well of late. But the Colts have been on the upswing.Peyton Manning has kept it all business this week.

He studied tapes, looked for flaws and worked overtime to figure out how he beat the Jets defense. No change there, so don’t take it personally, Rex.”It takes you absolutely forever to watch one game with their defense because they have so many different players and formations. It’s a full-time cram session,” Manning said. “It just takes you time if you are going to truly study.”Few prepare more thoroughly than Manning, and even fewer can match the feats of the only four-time MVP league in history. This week’s possible milestones include passing Joe Montana for No. 2 on the postseason completions list and moving into the top five in playoff TD passes.So if Ryan thought he could make Manning fret by calling this week’s matchup “personal,” well, think again.As Ryan continued chirping, Manning kept working.”I really don’t have any reaction to it,” Manning said. “I know how hard it is to prepare for this style of defense.”Playing mind games with Manning is dangerous, something nobody understands better than Ryan.He’s 1-5 against Manning as the Jets coach and Ravens defensive coordinator, with the win coming in a game Manning didn’t even finish. The Colts yanked their starters early in Week 16 last season, throwing away their chance at a perfect season and helping the Jets position themselves to charge into the playoffs.Four weeks later, the teams met again in the AFC championship game and Manning led the Colts to a 30-17 come-from-behind victory.So given what Ryan has endured in the past, anything is worth a shot.”I remember in Baltimore, we had to get a stop to get the ball back and make it a game, and it was third down and it was just impossible to make the pass he makes to Dallas Clark. The coverage by Corey Ivy was ridiculous,” Ryan recalled of another playoff loss to Manning’s Colts. “He still made the throw and they went down and kicked a field goal, and the game was essentially over at that point.”Over the years, Ryan has seen that scenario play out time and again.From implausible throws to perfect game management to timely calls, Manning seems to have written the book on beating Ryan.Changing that will likely take a ball-control offense, a lockdown defense, no turnovers and a little good luck.New York (11-5) certainly has the pieces to do it.Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson helped the Jets rank fourth in the NFL in rushing, and the Jets are coming off last week’s season-high 276-yard showing at Buffalo.Defensively, the Jets are No. 3 overall and No. 6 against the pass and they’re hoping to get a payoff after bringing in cornerback Antonio Cromartie to team with All-Pro Darrelle Revis. Ryan acknowledged that the move for Cromartie was designed specifically to stop two teams — the Colts (10-6) and the Patriots.It still might not be enough to beat Manning. What Revis remembers about last year’s championship game loss was the way Manning adjusted on the fly.”I have never seen a quarterback know somebody else’s defense that well,” Revis said. “He knows what coverage you are in, it’s sometimes like he’s toying with us. You know, ‘I’m going to play around with you.’ He knows how to move people around and then to throw it where he needs to.”That goes back to the homework.But there are troubling signs for the Jets, too.Since Week 5, the 31-year-old Tomlinson has averaged just 3.3 yards per carry. Quarterback Mark Sanchez has been contending with a sore throwing shoulder and the Jets have only beaten two teams with winning records this season — Week 2 against New England and Week 15 at Pittsburgh.Need more?Indy, which had one of the worst defenses against the run this season, allowed only 79.8 yards in the last four games despite facing four of the league’s top runners — Chris Johnson twice, Maurice Jones-Drew and Darren McFadden.”The confidence level is definitely high,” Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney said. “We definitely did a great job against the best running teams and running backs this year, so we know that we are capable of it. It is just about going out there and executing our game plan.”On offense, the Colts have strung together three straight 100-yard rushing games, providing enough balance to make Manning even more dangerous.The result: Indy heads into the playoffs on a season-long four-game winning streak and playing its best football all year. If things do get tough, they can always rely on Manning’s arm, too.And it frustrates Ryan, which is why the coach let it out this week.”Losing is the worst. Everybody hates to lose, but when you lose in a playoff game, it’s just, it’s devastating,” Ryan said. “When you go back and look at 2006 in Baltimore, that was one of the best defenses in the game. We thought if we won that one, we were going to win the Super Bowl and then he gets you. And then there was last year. I feel like I owe him.”But, as Ryan knows, the less colorful Manning won’t leave anything to chance.”I think he’s going to try to stick it to me and that’s what he should do,” Ryan said. “But to say I want to beat him worse than any guy in the league, that’s probably true.”

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning leads practice squad players Chris Brooks (16) and Kole Heckendorf as the team runs during a Wednesday session. Manning solved the Jets last year in the playoffs, but he won’t have Dallas Clark to call on this time. (Michael Conroy/Associated Press)

Peyton Manning has kept it all business this week.

He studied tapes, looked for flaws and worked overtime to figure out how he beat the Jets defence. No change there, so don’t take it personally, Rex.

“It takes you absolutely forever to watch one game with their defence because they have so many different players and formations. It’s a full-time cram session,” Manning said. “It just takes you time if you are going to truly study.”

Few prepare more thoroughly than Manning, and even fewer can match the feats of the only four-time MVP league in history. This week’s possible milestones include passing Joe Montana for No. 2 on the post-season completions list and moving into the top five in playoff TD passes.

So if Ryan thought he could make Manning fret by calling this week’s matchup “personal,” well, think again.

As Ryan continued chirping, Manning kept working.

“I really don’t have any reaction to it,” Manning said. “I know how hard it is to prepare for this style of defence.”

Playing mind games with Manning is dangerous, something nobody understands better than Ryan.

He’s 1-5 against Manning as the Jets coach and Ravens defensive co-ordinator, with the win coming in a game Manning didn’t even finish. The Colts yanked their starters early in Week 16 last season, throwing away their chance at a perfect season and helping the Jets position themselves to charge into the playoffs.

Four weeks later, the teams met again in the AFC championship game and Manning led the Colts to a 30-17 come-from-behind victory.

So given what Ryan has endured in the past, anything is worth a shot.

“I remember in Baltimore, we had to get a stop to get the ball back and make it a game, and it was third down and it was just impossible to make the pass he makes to Dallas Clark. The coverage by Corey Ivy was ridiculous,” Ryan recalled of another playoff loss to Manning’s Colts. “He still made the throw and they went down and kicked a field goal, and the game was essentially over at that point.”

Over the years, Ryan has seen that scenario play out time and again.

From implausible throws to perfect game management to timely calls, Manning seems to have written the book on beating Ryan.

Changing that will likely take a ball-control offence, a lockdown defence, no turnovers and a little good luck.

New York (11-5) certainly has the pieces to do it.

Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson helped the Jets rank fourth in the NFL in rushing, and the Jets are coming off last week’s season-high 276-yard showing at Buffalo.

Defensively, the Jets are No. 3 overall and No. 6 against the pass and they’re hoping to get a payoff after bringing in cornerback Antonio Cromartie to team with All-Pro Darrelle Revis. Ryan acknowledged that the move for Cromartie was designed specifically to stop two teams — the Colts (10-6) and the Patriots.

It still might not be enough to beat Manning. What Revis remembers about last year’s championship game loss was the way Manning adjusted on the fly.

“I have never seen a quarterback know somebody else’s defence that well,” Revis said. “He knows what coverage you are in, it’s sometimes like he’s toying with us. You know, ‘I’m going to play around with you.’ He knows how to move people around and then to throw it where he needs to.”

That goes back to the homework.

But there are troubling signs for the Jets, too.

Since Week 5, the 31-year-old Tomlinson has averaged just 3.3 yards per carry. Quarterback Mark Sanchez has been contending with a sore throwing shoulder and the Jets have only beaten two teams with winning records this season — Week 2 against New England and Week 15 at Pittsburgh.

Need more?

Indy, which had one of the worst defences against the run this season, allowed only 79.8 yards in the last four games despite facing four of the league’s top runners — Chris Johnson twice, Maurice Jones-Drew and Darren McFadden.

“The confidence level is definitely high,” Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney said. “We definitely did a great job against the best running teams and running backs this year, so we know that we are capable of it. It is just about going out there and executing our game plan.”

On offence, the Colts have strung together three straight 100-yard rushing games, providing enough balance to make Manning even more dangerous.

The result: Indy heads into the playoffs on a season-long four-game winning streak and playing its best football all year. If things do get tough, they can always rely on Manning’s arm, too.

And it frustrates Ryan, which is why the coach let it out this week.

“Losing is the worst. Everybody hates to lose, but when you lose in a playoff game, it’s just, it’s devastating,” Ryan said. “When you go back and look at 2006 in Baltimore, that was one of the best defences in the game. We thought if we won that one, we were going to win the Super Bowl and then he gets you. And then there was last year. I feel like I owe him.”

But, as Ryan knows, the less colourful Manning won’t leave anything to chance.

“I think he’s going to try to stick it to me and that’s what he should do,” Ryan said. “But to say I want to beat him worse than any guy in the league, that’s probably true.”

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning leads practice squad players Chris Brooks (16) and Kole Heckendorf as the team runs during a Wednesday session. Manning solved the Jets last year in the playoffs, but he won’t have Dallas Clark to call on this time. (Michael Conroy/Associated Press)

Peyton Manning has kept it all business this week.

He studied tapes, looked for flaws and worked overtime to figure out how he beat the Jets defence. No change there, so don’t take it personally, Rex.

“It takes you absolutely forever to watch one game with their defence because they have so many different players and formations. It’s a full-time cram session,” Manning said. “It just takes you time if you are going to truly study.”

Few prepare more thoroughly than Manning, and even fewer can match the feats of the only four-time MVP league in history. This week’s possible milestones include passing Joe Montana for No. 2 on the post-season completions list and moving into the top five in playoff TD passes.

So if Ryan thought he could make Manning fret by calling this week’s matchup “personal,” well, think again.

As Ryan continued chirping, Manning kept working.

“I really don’t have any reaction to it,” Manning said. “I know how hard it is to prepare for this style of defence.”

Playing mind games with Manning is dangerous, something nobody understands better than Ryan.

He’s 1-5 against Manning as the Jets coach and Ravens defensive co-ordinator, with the win coming in a game Manning didn’t even finish. The Colts yanked their starters early in Week 16 last season, throwing away their chance at a perfect season and helping the Jets position themselves to charge into the playoffs.

Four weeks later, the teams met again in the AFC championship game and Manning led the Colts to a 30-17 come-from-behind victory.

So given what Ryan has endured in the past, anything is worth a shot.

“I remember in Baltimore, we had to get a stop to get the ball back and make it a game, and it was third down and it was just impossible to make the pass he makes to Dallas Clark. The coverage by Corey Ivy was ridiculous,” Ryan recalled of another playoff loss to Manning’s Colts. “He still made the throw and they went down and kicked a field goal, and the game was essentially over at that point.”

Over the years, Ryan has seen that scenario play out time and again.

From implausible throws to perfect game management to timely calls, Manning seems to have written the book on beating Ryan.

Changing that will likely take a ball-control offence, a lockdown defence, no turnovers and a little good luck.

New York (11-5) certainly has the pieces to do it.

Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson helped the Jets rank fourth in the NFL in rushing, and the Jets are coming off last week’s season-high 276-yard showing at Buffalo.

Defensively, the Jets are No. 3 overall and No. 6 against the pass and they’re hoping to get a payoff after bringing in cornerback Antonio Cromartie to team with All-Pro Darrelle Revis. Ryan acknowledged that the move for Cromartie was designed specifically to stop two teams — the Colts (10-6) and the Patriots.

It still might not be enough to beat Manning. What Revis remembers about last year’s championship game loss was the way Manning adjusted on the fly.

“I have never seen a quarterback know somebody else’s defence that well,” Revis said. “He knows what coverage you are in, it’s sometimes like he’s toying with us. You know, ‘I’m going to play around with you.’ He knows how to move people around and then to throw it where he needs to.”

That goes back to the homework.

But there are troubling signs for the Jets, too.

Since Week 5, the 31-year-old Tomlinson has averaged just 3.3 yards per carry. Quarterback Mark Sanchez has been contending with a sore throwing shoulder and the Jets have only beaten two teams with winning records this season — Week 2 against New England and Week 15 at Pittsburgh.

Need more?

Indy, which had one of the worst defences against the run this season, allowed only 79.8 yards in the last four games despite facing four of the league’s top runners — Chris Johnson twice, Maurice Jones-Drew and Darren McFadden.

“The confidence level is definitely high,” Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney said. “We definitely did a great job against the best running teams and running backs this year, so we know that we are capable of it. It is just about going out there and executing our game plan.”

On offence, the Colts have strung together three straight 100-yard rushing games, providing enough balance to make Manning even more dangerous.

The result: Indy heads into the playoffs on a season-long four-game winning streak and playing its best football all year. If things do get tough, they can always rely on Manning’s arm, too.

And it frustrates Ryan, which is why the coach let it out this week.

“Losing is the worst. Everybody hates to lose, but when you lose in a playoff game, it’s just, it’s devastating,” Ryan said. “When you go back and look at 2006 in Baltimore, that was one of the best defences in the game. We thought if we won that one, we were going to win the Super Bowl and then he gets you. And then there was last year. I feel like I owe him.”

But, as Ryan knows, the less colourful Manning won’t leave anything to chance.

“I think he’s going to try to stick it to me and that’s what he should do,” Ryan said. “But to say I want to beat him worse than any guy in the league, that’s probably true.”

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning leads practice squad players Chris Brooks (16) and Kole Heckendorf as the team runs during a Wednesday session. Manning solved the Jets last year in the playoffs, but he won’t have Dallas Clark to call on this time. (Michael Conroy/Associated Press)

Peyton Manning has kept it all business this week.

He studied tapes, looked for flaws and worked overtime to figure out how he beat the Jets defence. No change there, so don’t take it personally, Rex.

“It takes you absolutely forever to watch one game with their defence because they have so many different players and formations. It’s a full-time cram session,” Manning said. “It just takes you time if you are going to truly study.”

Few prepare more thoroughly than Manning, and even fewer can match the feats of the only four-time MVP league in history. This week’s possible milestones include passing Joe Montana for No. 2 on the post-season completions list and moving into the top five in playoff TD passes.

So if Ryan thought he could make Manning fret by calling this week’s matchup “personal,” well, think again.

As Ryan continued chirping, Manning kept working.

“I really don’t have any reaction to it,” Manning said. “I know how hard it is to prepare for this style of defence.”

Playing mind games with Manning is dangerous, something nobody understands better than Ryan.

He’s 1-5 against Manning as the Jets coach and Ravens defensive co-ordinator, with the win coming in a game Manning didn’t even finish. The Colts yanked their starters early in Week 16 last season, throwing away their chance at a perfect season and helping the Jets position themselves to charge into the playoffs.

Four weeks later, the teams met again in the AFC championship game and Manning led the Colts to a 30-17 come-from-behind victory.

So given what Ryan has endured in the past, anything is worth a shot.

“I remember in Baltimore, we had to get a stop to get the ball back and make it a game, and it was third down and it was just impossible to make the pass he makes to Dallas Clark. The coverage by Corey Ivy was ridiculous,” Ryan recalled of another playoff loss to Manning’s Colts. “He still made the throw and they went down and kicked a field goal, and the game was essentially over at that point.”

Over the years, Ryan has seen that scenario play out time and again.

From implausible throws to perfect game management to timely calls, Manning seems to have written the book on beating Ryan.

Changing that will likely take a ball-control offence, a lockdown defence, no turnovers and a little good luck.

New York (11-5) certainly has the pieces to do it.

Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson helped the Jets rank fourth in the NFL in rushing, and the Jets are coming off last week’s season-high 276-yard showing at Buffalo.

Defensively, the Jets are No. 3 overall and No. 6 against the pass and they’re hoping to get a payoff after bringing in cornerback Antonio Cromartie to team with All-Pro Darrelle Revis. Ryan acknowledged that the move for Cromartie was designed specifically to stop two teams — the Colts (10-6) and the Patriots.

It still might not be enough to beat Manning. What Revis remembers about last year’s championship game loss was the way Manning adjusted on the fly.

“I have never seen a quarterback know somebody else’s defence that well,” Revis said. “He knows what coverage you are in, it’s sometimes like he’s toying with us. You know, ‘I’m going to play around with you.’ He knows how to move people around and then to throw it where he needs to.”

That goes back to the homework.

But there are troubling signs for the Jets, too.

Since Week 5, the 31-year-old Tomlinson has averaged just 3.3 yards per carry. Quarterback Mark Sanchez has been contending with a sore throwing shoulder and the Jets have only beaten two teams with winning records this season — Week 2 against New England and Week 15 at Pittsburgh.

Need more?

Indy, which had one of the worst defences against the run this season, allowed only 79.8 yards in the last four games despite facing four of the league’s top runners — Chris Johnson twice, Maurice Jones-Drew and Darren McFadden.

“The confidence level is definitely high,” Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney said. “We definitely did a great job against the best running teams and running backs this year, so we know that we are capable of it. It is just about going out there and executing our game plan.”

On offence, the Colts have strung together three straight 100-yard rushing games, providing enough balance to make Manning even more dangerous.

The result: Indy heads into the playoffs on a season-long four-game winning streak and playing its best football all year. If things do get tough, they can always rely on Manning’s arm, too.

And it frustrates Ryan, which is why the coach let it out this week.

“Losing is the worst. Everybody hates to lose, but when you lose in a playoff game, it’s just, it’s devastating,” Ryan said. “When you go back and look at 2006 in Baltimore, that was one of the best defences in the game. We thought if we won that one, we were going to win the Super Bowl and then he gets you. And then there was last year. I feel like I owe him.”

But, as Ryan knows, the less colourful Manning won’t leave anything to chance.

“I think he’s going to try to stick it to me and that’s what he should do,” Ryan said. “But to say I want to beat him worse than any guy in the league, that’s probably true.”

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Peyton Manning has kept it all business this week.

He studied tapes, looked for flaws and worked overtime to figure out how he beat the Jets defense. No change there, so don’t take it personally, Rex.

“It takes you absolutely forever to watch one game with their defense because they have so many different players and formations. It’s a full-time cram session,” Manning said. “It just takes you time if you are going to truly study.”

Few prepare more thoroughly than Manning, and even fewer can match the feats of the only four-time MVP league in history. This week’s possible milestones include passing Joe Montana for No. 2 on the postseason completions list and moving into the top five in playoff TD passes.

So if Ryan thought he could make Manning fret by calling this week’s matchup “personal,” well, think again.

As Ryan continued chirping, Manning kept working.

“I really don’t have any reaction to it,” Manning said. “I know how hard it is to prepare for this style of defense.”

Playing mind games with Manning is dangerous, something nobody understands better than Ryan.

He’s 1-5 against Manning as the Jets coach and Ravens defensive coordinator, with the win coming in a game Manning didn’t even finish. The Colts yanked their starters early in Week 16 last season, throwing away their chance at a perfect season and helping the Jets position themselves to charge into the playoffs.

Four weeks later, the teams met again in the AFC championship game and Manning led the Colts to a 30-17 come-from-behind victory.

So given what Ryan has endured in the past, anything is worth a shot.

“I remember in Baltimore, we had to get a stop to get the ball back and make it a game, and it was third down and it was just impossible to make the pass he makes to Dallas Clark. The coverage by Corey Ivy was ridiculous,” Ryan recalled of another playoff loss to Manning’s Colts. “He still made the throw and they went down and kicked a field goal, and the game was essentially over at that point.”

Over the years, Ryan has seen that scenario play out time and again.

From implausible throws to perfect game management to timely calls, Manning seems to have written the book on beating Ryan.

Changing that will likely take a ball-control offense, a lockdown defense, no turnovers and a little good luck.

New York (11-5) certainly has the pieces to do it.

Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson helped the Jets rank fourth in the NFL in rushing, and the Jets are coming off last week’s season-high 276-yard showing at Buffalo.

Defensively, the Jets are No. 3 overall and No. 6 against the pass and they’re hoping to get a payoff after bringing in cornerback Antonio Cromartie to team with All-Pro Darrelle Revis. Ryan acknowledged that the move for Cromartie was designed specifically to stop two teams — the Colts (10-6) and the Patriots.

It still might not be enough to beat Manning. What Revis remembers about last year’s championship game loss was the way Manning adjusted on the fly.

“I have never seen a quarterback know somebody else’s defense that well,” Revis said. “He knows what coverage you are in, it’s sometimes like he’s toying with us. You know, ‘I’m going to play around with you.’ He knows how to move people around and then to throw it where he needs to.”

That goes back to the homework.

But there are troubling signs for the Jets, too.

Since Week 5, the 31-year-old Tomlinson has averaged just 3.3 yards per carry. Quarterback Mark Sanchez has been contending with a sore throwing shoulder and the Jets have only beaten two teams with winning records this season — Week 2 against New England and Week 15 at Pittsburgh.

Need more?

Indy, which had one of the worst defenses against the run this season, allowed only 79.8 yards in the last four games despite facing four of the league’s top runners — Chris Johnson twice, Maurice Jones-Drew and Darren McFadden.

“The confidence level is definitely high,” Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney said. “We definitely did a great job against the best running teams and running backs this year, so we know that we are capable of it. It is just about going out there and executing our game plan.”

On offense, the Colts have strung together three straight 100-yard rushing games, providing enough balance to make Manning even more dangerous.

The result: Indy heads into the playoffs on a season-long four-game winning streak and playing its best football all year. If things do get tough, they can always rely on Manning’s arm, too.

And it frustrates Ryan, which is why the coach let it out this week.

“Losing is the worst. Everybody hates to lose, but when you lose in a playoff game, it’s just, it’s devastating,” Ryan said. “When you go back and look at 2006 in Baltimore, that was one of the best defenses in the game. We thought if we won that one, we were going to win the Super Bowl and then he gets you. And then there was last year. I feel like I owe him.”

But, as Ryan knows, the less colorful Manning won’t leave anything to chance.

“I think he’s going to try to stick it to me and that’s what he should do,” Ryan said. “But to say I want to beat him worse than any guy in the league, that’s probably true.”

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)—Adam Vinatieri(notes) is still clutch—and still almost automatic.

The veteran Indianapolis Colts kicker made a 43-yard field goal as time expired this past Sunday in a 23-20 victory over the Tennessee Titans, his first game-winner in over two years.

The man who has two Super Bowl-winning kicks was happy to get reacquainted with a bit of pressure in time for Saturday night’s playoff game against the New York Jets.

“It’s been a little while since I’ve had the opportunity,” he said. “There were a couple games early in the year where it was looking like we might have a chance and it didn’t turn out that way, but it’s always nice to have an opportunity to get out there and try and help your team win games. It was nice to get it when we did, and hopefully, we’ll carry that momentum into the postseason.”

Vinatieri also made a season-long 48-yarder and a 44-yarder against the Titans. He has made 14 straight field goals since missing his only two attempts of the season Oct. 17 at Washington.

“He has really been solid down the stretch here,” quarterback Peyton Manning(notes) said. “He has made a lot of kicks. We certainly feel like we want to be better in the red zone and don’t like settling for field goals, but when called upon, that is what he does. We certainly felt real good about that, but you don’t take him for granted. I certainly don’t.”

The 38-year-old Vinatieri has statistics to be proud of. He ranks 11th all-time in field-goal percentage (82.7), 11th in field goals made and is one of just seven players in league history to score 500 or more points with two different teams.

“His longevity is based upon the fact that not only is he good, not only is he extremely accurate, but he is also a real professional in how he goes about taking care of himself,” Colts coach Jim Caldwell said.

But Vinatieri is best known for when he makes kicks.

He won two Super Bowls for the New England Patriots in the final seconds—a 48-yarder to beat the St. Louis Rams in 2002 and a 41-yarder to beat the Carolina Panthers two years later.

As a Colt in 2007, he made five field goals in the playoffs against Baltimore to help Indy beat the Ravens 15-6, and made three field goals in a Super Bowl win over Chicago. He made 14 of 15 field goals in the playoffs that year and set an NFL record by scoring 49 points in the postseason.

He has 23 game-winning field goals in his 15-year career with the Colts and Patriots. He made 26 of 34 postseason field goals with New England, and 16 of 17 with the Colts.

“He’s very settled,” Caldwell said. “He’s not one that’s prone to do anything in the extreme, and he functions in the clutch consistently.”

Vinatieri didn’t have a chance to add to his postseason legend last season. He had surgery on his right hip in June 2009 which caused him to miss all of training camp. After playing in the first five games that season, he had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to remove a piece of cartilage. He thought he might be able to return, but he was inactive during Indy’s run to the Super Bowl as the Colts chose to stick with his replacement, Matt Stover(notes).

“It was a little difficult to stand on the sideline and try to be a cheerleader instead of a participant in the game,” Vinatieri said. “I tried to do what I could as far as leadership, not being on the field. It was difficult personally, but professionally, it was great seeing our team do as well as it did.”

He recovered from the surgeries and is fully healthy now.

“This offseason, we spent a lot of time strengthening and doing some rehab and making sure that I was healthy, and knock on wood, I’ve felt great the whole season long and it hasn’t been an issue,” he said. “I can’t say I feel like a new man, but I feel like a repaired man.”

This season, he made 26 of 28 attempts and was the most accurate kicker in the league among those with at least 20 kicks. He scored 129 points, the second-best total of his career.

“I didn’t have any doubts that I could make it back,” he said. “A lot of guys have knees and shoulders that need to be fixed, then you go on to the next year. I figured if we had the offseason to get ready and prepare, it should be a successful season.”

Vinatieri always has enjoyed the playoffs, but appreciates it more now.

“It’s nice to get back to the postseason, and it’s nice to be a part of it on the field, rather than on the sideline.”