Transcript of a conference call with the Colts' Jim Caldwell on Thursday afternoon:
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL
On the Colts not trash-talking…
It's been our M.O. for the most part, that we really try and focus on things we can control and try to keep our sights set on our opponent. They are a very tough team and we have to use all of our energy to be certain that we are doing all of the little things right in order to have an opportunity to compete with them.
On if he has any regrets about the last game against the Jets…
No. They are a good football team. They've earned it. They deserve to be where they are. We're looking forward to the game on Sunday.
On if the season will be a failure without a Super Bowl victory after the decision to pull the starters at the end of the season…
Everybody is entitled to their opinion. Our objective was to put us in the best position to win the first game of the playoffs. That was key. Now we focus on the next game. We'll go about that in a manner that we think is suited to try to get us a victory in that game. I don't agree with it. Nevertheless, in this league there is only one happy team at the end of the year and that is the team that wins it all. We all know that, we're all judged by that. That is obviously our goal, to win it all.
On if he is following the same path that Tony Dungy set in his approach…
Every team is a little bit different. Every year is a little different, so for the most part some of our basic routines and what we do day-to-day aspects of practice, have changed very little. Every year is different. Even during the time when Tony was here, we took things year-by-year. This year is no different.
On the Jets now versus the last time the teams played…
Even then they were a team that could run the ball and run it effectively, which they continue to do. They are very powerful up front and have a strong corps of running backs that can just flat get after you. That was quite evident when we played them. They have a great defense. Statistically, at that time they were No. 1 in the league and they continue to hold that position. I just think they are a talented group of guys that play extremely well together and right now they're on fire.
On the danger of facing the Jets in the AFC Championship…
I really try and focus in on us. As Rex describes his team, you all have to deal with that aspect. I have to deal with what we do and what we focus in on. We're just trying to get ourselves to be a better prepared, better equipped, better team than we were last week. That is the thing we have to do. We have to keep getting better.
On the leadership of Peyton Manning…
He's one of those guys that oftentimes as coaches we try and find different examples to use for individuals that embody the things that we think are important to successful play. When you have an individual that is here within your franchise that does things the right way in every single aspect, a guy that loves the game, has great respect for the game, handles himself in a way that is exemplary, that makes it easy for us to tell our young guys, "If you want to understand how folks that work and prepare for this game, how to play this game, you can watch this guy." Not only Peyton, we have others that certainly we can use as great examples. We have a great core.
On if Manning helped the team get past the end to the perfect season…
We moved beyond that weeks ago. Our focus shifted. We're going into the playoffs and I think veteran leadership helps you in a number of different ways, not only to deal with difficult situations, but also to keep you steady when things are going well.
On how he approached the season after clinching the top seed…
We look at it from our vantage point that what we consider it to be best for our team and made our decision based on that.
