Peyton Manning, speaking in the wake of the Indianapolis Colts' fourth loss in five games, said the solution has nothing to with injuries, or excuses. He must play better and he said that means reducing interceptions. "I have to play better," Manning said late Sunday afternoon after his four interceptions led to 20 points in the Colts' 38-35 overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys in front of 67,471 at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis. "I've got to make better decisions, and better reads. There was nothing new or different about the defense that Dallas was playing. The four interceptions, the guys were covered. The balls shouldn't have been thrown." That was the theme throughout Manning's meeting with the media Sunday afternoon following a third consecutive loss in a season that rapidly has slid into a strikingly unfamiliar, must-win-and-keeping-winning situation for the defending AFC Champions. Manning spoke for about seven minutes, and over and over again, shouldered the blame for the loss. Source: NFL Fanhouse
That's what a real leader does. Yes, he's made some bad throws and it's respectable to hear him admit it, but Peyton is not the entire reason why the team is struggling.
11 interceptions in three games? I don't care who you're throwing to, that is ridiculous. Especially for a top 3 quarterback in the NFL. The Colts have other issues, but he is not helping matters.
I watched one play that summed up working with new receivers. The play was called for the receiver to run a down and in, but the obvious route was down and out, where there was no defenders. Manning figured that was where the receiver would go, being the in route was smothered, so he started to throw the ball out, where he figured the receiver would break. Nope, receiver ran the original route, Manning stopped the throw, and threw the ball in. Pick 6. Yes, it was a poor decision by Manning, but poorer by the receiver for not adapting to the defense. That is the problem Manning is having with new receivers, trying to figure out what they are going to do.
It's not all Manning's fault obviously, but I like him stepping up and taking it as the leader of the team. Not like the guy is a slouch. He's having a tough time this season...crap happens.
