INDIANAPOLIS — Peyton Manning may not have all the answers about the Colts’ coaching staff.
At least he’s on the same page as management.
Ten days after complaining about a lack of communication with the front office, the Colts’ franchise quarterback said he now understands the team’s plan — with or without recently retired assistants Tom Moore and Howard Mudd.
“I feel like I have a good grasp of what’s going on right now in terms of who’s here,” Manning said Friday. “I feel like we will be in a good situation and that coach (Jim) Caldwell will handle things accordingly.”
That’s a stark contrast from Manning’s previous comments. The three-time league MVP and Super Bowl winner opened a workout last week by expressing frustration over the departure of Moore and Mudd.
Discussions between Manning, team president Bill Polian and Caldwell helped alleviate some of Manning’s concerns and prompted Manning to respond Friday with answers more compatible to the company line.
“You can what-if yourself to death,” Manning said as the Colts opened a three-day mandatory minicamp. “I do know Jim Caldwell has a plan, and I’ll be there to support it whatever way we go.”
Vinatieri has hip surgery.
Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri had surgery on his right hip this week and is expected to be ready for the regular season.
Vinatieri, one of the NFL’s great clutch kickers, was treated in Vail by Dr. Marc Phillipon, who operated on New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez.
The Colts have not given a timetable on how much time Vinatieri may miss, other than to say he should be able to play in the opener Sept. 13 against Jacksonville.
Footnotes.
Eagles running back Brian Westbrook had surgery on his right ankle and is expected to be ready for the regular season.
The procedure was done by Dr. Mark Myerson, who said he did not expect Westbrook to be ready for preseason play.
• The Browns signed offensive lineman George Foster, the Broncos’ first-round pick in 2003 who spent the previous two years with the Lions.
• Injuries could force Bills starting cornerbacks Terrence McGee and Leodis McKelvin to miss the remainder of the team’s spring minicamp practices.
The Associated Press
