AFC South blog
•Blog network: NFL Nation
"I feel good out there throwing, I feel good in my lifting, I feel like everything went according to plan," Manning said on the opening day of the Indianapolis Colts' mandatory minicamp. "I'm very relieved of that and I no longer have to get the treatment that I was having to get for the past four years.
"Treatment was time as much as anything, manual traction trying to relieve some things. Three times a day about 25 minutes apiece just got to be tough, very time consuming."
Manning had surgery in Chicago in early March to alleviate the problems a pinched nerve had caused for about four years.
Manning's comments were his first in public on football matters since Indianapolis lost to the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV.
He's not buying into the recent history of Super Bowl hangovers for runners-up who then produced poor follow-up seasons.
"I don't really get into the tendencies," he said. "I think it's all about how you handle it as a team. I think we've had another outstanding offseason. Come training camp time we expect everybody to be here."
Colts coach Jim Caldwell pushed back the team's offseason program to give his players sufficient time off so they don't feel the 2010 season is stacked quickly on top of 2009.
Manning declined to talk about his contract situation, but as he heads into the final year of his current deal, owner Jim Irsay has said he intends to line up a new package that will make the league's first four-time MVP the league's highest-paid player.
He said he's spent time with receivers since April, putting a particular emphasis on building good timing with players such as rookie tight end Brody Eldridge, receiver Sam Giguere and re-establishing his connection with Anthony Gonzalez, who was injured in last season's opener and unable to return.
The quarterback won't be throwing to wide receiver Reggie Wayne, who's staying away from minicamp to make a statement about his desire for a new contract.
Caldwell said Wayne, defensive end Robert Mathis and safety Antoine Bethea are not with the team. Mathis also is seeking a new contract, and Bethea has not yet signed his restricted free-agent tender.
Caldwell said his intention is to "coach who shows up."
While Manning and safety Bob Sanders (biceps) are recovered and working, the Colts listed 13 players who won't practice Friday because of injuries, including Dwight Freeney, cornerbacks Kelvin Hayden and Jerraud Powers and offensive lineman Tony Ugoh. Caldwell declined to get into specifics.
‘Perfect weather’ as New York Jets, New York Giants make Super Bowl bid officialMourinho coy on transfers
