As the comments from Colts owner Jim Irsay about the decision to choose championships over statistics continues to careen through the NFL like a pinball caught between a trio of bumpers, the target of the remarks has opted to say nothing.
As expected.
“I don’t have any answer for you on that or any comment on any of that,” Manning told reporters during his weekly Wednesday media appearance.
Coach John Fox also was mum, a day after calling Irsay’s remarks a “cheap shot,” “disappointing,” and “inappropriate.”
“Those were yesterday’s comments,” Fox said Wednesday. “Any comments moving forward will be relative to the game in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil against the Indianapolis Colts.”
Manning also didn’t have much to say about how he’ll feel returning to Indy as the quarterback of the visiting team. But he shot down one potential comparison to another strange personal circumstance.
“Somebody asked me earlier, ‘Is this kind of like playing against Eli [Manning]?’ And I said, ‘I know Robert Mathis hits harder than Eli. I guarantee you that.’”
We guarantee that, no matter how good the game ultimately is, there will be plenty of intrigue as Peyton Manning returns to his 14-year home as the captain of the away team.