Peyton Manning Still Hopes To Play In 2011

Added on Oct 06, 2011 by Jack Thurman in

NFL

Although NFL fans and the mainstream sports media has all but given up on Peyton Manning playing this season, he’s not given up hope. He’s in good spirits, says his recovery from neck surgery is going well and is still hoping to return to action before the end of the 2011 season.

Manning said he doesn’t like being in the press box:

“I had two hot dogs up there in Tampa and Indianapolis. But the press box gave me a bad vibe.”

Manning has taken on a role as a surrogate assistant coach as he recovers from his injury–not surprising given that many consider him the most cerebral quarterback in NFL history. He says that he’s going to hold out hope until he’s officially ruled out:

“I think you have to have hope until the doctors rule you out. We’re having a lot of injuries so if they (the Colts) come to me and say they have to make a move, I won’t fight them on that.

“The good Lord is calling my plays and I’m not allowed to audible at this point, so I have to listen to the doctors.”

For now, Manning just wants his team to get their first win of the season and hearkened back to his rookie campaign to make his point:

“You know I’m the only guy to be 0-4 on this team, and what a thrilling win that one over the Chargers was, right?. Was that the fifth game? Yeah I thought so, so I’ll be like all true Colts’ fans, hoping for a win Sunday.”

Still, not being an active participant on game days is a new experience for him:

“It’s a new experience for me. People ask, how are you handling it? I’m learning.”

The Colts have started the season 0-4 though have been competitive in the past two games with Curtis Painter at quarterback. They’ll host Kansas City on Sunday hoping to break through for their first victory of the season. The Colts are currently a -2 point NFL betting favorite with the total set at 38. Kerry Collins remains sidelined due to the effects of a concussion so Curtis Painter will once again start for Indy.