Rodgers says he’s got other plans for using his talents when those days roll around. There has been chatter, however, about the Packers quarterback hosting Saturday Night Live. I imagine I’d watch that.

Aaron Rodgers joined ESPN Milwaukee with Jason Wilde to discuss what it was like to work in broadcasting, the feedback he got from it, what his day was like, his public criticism of the effort level in the Pro Bowl and advice that he might have for Andrew Luck should his career begin with him playing behind Peyton Manning.

Are you planning on getting into broadcasting after football?:

“As much fun as it was to be in that setting – I really appreciate the opportunity from NBC, I enjoyed the little segments I got to do – I really would like to use my talents to do other things when I am done playing. That’s still the plan.”

How tough was it analyzing the Super Bowl?:

“It was tough. Like I was teasing Hines (Ward), you have an earpiece in both situations. The headset cuts off at 15 seconds in the play clock when you are playing football. When you are on the TV, you hear a lot of different things when you are talking. They were good about really not saying a whole lot when I was talking. But it’s tough to hear, you know, two, three or four different voices when you are going through your segments and try and stay focused. But it was a really good learning experience for me. … I have a greater respect for what those men and women do on TV.”

What kind of feedback did you receive?:

“I really had a lot of freedom about what I wanted to say. I think NBC people were happy with the way it went. Obviously, there were some nerves. In my rehearsal the day before I was working on about four and one-half hours of sleep. They might have been worried slightly about my energy level. I told them on Sunday morning when we had a meeting, I said don’t worry about me. I’m going to be good today. I’m going to bring it. I think they were happy with the way it turned out.”

On how his role changed as the day went on:

“On Sunday they added a couple extra (segments) in and changed the format a little bit to give me a little more opportunity. … I think there was an expectation level that I was going to do a good job, but at the same time they wanted to see how the early segments went and then they adjusted accordingly after I got off to a decent start. It’s funny talking about TV in those terms. I think I did get off to a pretty good start and after that they gave me a little bit more opportunity in some other segments.”

On his public criticism of the effort level in the Pro Bowl:

“In that situation I spoke about some strong feelings that I really believed in. There were some negative comments about it, but I think in general it was the thoughts of everyone who participated in the game or watched the game. Whether or not they were willing to say it, I was willing to say it. Haven’t backed down from it. Still wouldn’t back down from it. Wasn’t surprised by the commissioner’s comments that not only are they thinking about changing the format, but maybe eliminating it completely.”

If the Colts draft Andrew Luck and keep Peyton Manning, would you talk to Luck about being behind a legend on the depth chart?:

“It is a similar situation (to mine with Brett Favre). Obviously it has different components. I do think part of your legacy as a quarterback is how you bring up the next generation of quarterbacks. And I would be more than willing to talk with him as I have talked with some other young quarterbacks in the past. That being said, I think that the parties, let me just say all three parties, including (Colts owner) Jim Irsay, the Mannings – which includes Archie and Peyton – and Andrew Luck, would do a lot of good for the situation by not talking about it as much as there has been. Andrew first and foremost not having been picked yet, although most people assume he is going to go number one. I think it would do him a lot of good for him to have a less-is-more strategy when it comes to talking about the potential situation in Indy.”

Listen to Aaron Rodgers on ESPN Milwaukee here

Adam Vinatieri joined WFAN in New York with Joe and Evan to talk about how difficult this year was for him to go through, if Peyton Manning will be back, his kicks in the “tuck rule ” game that landed him on the map, other kicks that stood out and being clutch.

How difficult was this year for you to go through?:

“It was. I’m not used to being on 2-14 teams, I’m used to being in the playoffs every year. This year was a really trying time. The beginning of the season, knowing that Peyton wasn’t going to be back right away, we thought, ‘Well, you know, we’re going to do the best we can and we’re still going to win some games.’ It took us a long time to get those first wins. When you’re 0-6, 0-8, 0-10, it’s one of those things that you’re trying everything. It’s not from a lack of effort, we just weren’t winning games. … It was a tough season for us all the way around, but a lot of new shakeup, new changes … new everything there.”

Do you think Peyton will be back?:

“I’ve seen him over the last X amount of months, rehabbing, lifting, running, throwing. He’s doing everything he can to get back. I think he’ll be ready to play this year. I really do. If there’s any guy out there that can, it’s going to be a guy like him, because he’s doing everything in his power. … Will he be wearing a Colt helmet? I don’t know. I really hope so. When he’s out there on the field, there’s very few people that can play and be as instrumental to their team as he is. Obviously, look what the difference is.”

On the kicks he made in the snow in the “tuck rule” game that put him on the map:

“I can’t believe it’s been 10 years ago this year. It was a long time ago, but it was a lot of fun. It really kind of catapulted the Patriots into what they are and their dynasty and all the different stuff that they did. It was a lot of fun. … Having the opportunity to go out there and tie it and then kick another kick to win it a few minutes later, man, that was kind of the defining moment of my career, I think. And it’s probably the game that I’m the most proud of. That one kick, the 45-yarder to tie it, if I had to pick one in my 16 years … I think that’s the one I’m the most proud of.”

Why are you so clutch?:

“First of all, I’m very fortunate to play on good teams that have allowed me to be in situations like that, big games. There’s a lot of good kickers out there that never get the opportunity. … For me, personally, I think kicking is about 80 percent mental, 90 percent mental. There’s a lot of guys out there that can kick a ball and kick it far and high and do all the right stuff, but you’ve got to be able to focus in and you’ve got to be able to block out all the extra stuff that’s involved, the pressure of what it means. … For the most part, I’ve been pretty fortunate enough to be able to block out all the extra stuff.”

Are there any other kicks that stand out?:

“The first time you win a Super Bowl is, I can’t downplay the second, the third, the fourth, but the first time is like the birth of your first child. There’s no more greater emotion than winning your first Super Bowl. As for a kicker, to have it come down to your foot, that’s what you dream about. … To be able to have that opportunity and have it go through, there’s not a greater feeling professionally.”

Listen to Adam Vinatieri on WFAN in New York here

Irsay says he’ll sit with Peyton Manning after this week and in the next few weeks before coming to a decision about the lucrative roster bonus for the legendary quarterback who missed all of this season with a neck injury. Irsay also says the plan had always been to hopefully get an understudy in for a year or two under Manning, and that that possibility still exists.

Jim Irsay joined WFAN in New York with Mike Francesa to discuss Indianapolis hosting the Super Bowl, the city of Indianapolis itself, a timetable for his decision-making with Peyton Manning, how tough the situation is, his relationship with Manning, the Johnny Unitas situation, if having Luck out there makes the decision harder and why Manning and Luck could potentially both be on the roster next year.

How has Indianapolis done as a host city up to this point?:

“It’s been outstanding. Obviously we got fortunate with the weather. The weather’s been incredible. … It’s been tremendous. I think the central location of everything, the way everything’s flowing, our preparation, so far it’s been outstanding. And we really feel it’s going to stay that way for the whole week.”

If I asked you to sum up Indianapolis in a word or two, how would you do it?:

“I think it’s Midwest sincerity. It’s hard work. It’s really, I think, being organized and big enough to be a big city but still the feel where people are really comfortable here and friendly. I grew up in Chicago, about 150 miles away. The Midwest is very similar. Chicago’s a little bit different. … A little bit of an edge.”

What is the timetable going forward with the future of the Colts?:

“I think a couple things. When you talk about the future of the Colts, it really is just that in terms of there are many storylines, many changes, complexities that have happened with the franchise. … There’s a lot of changes going on within the franchise. These things have kind of been forced to me. … I also haven’t closed my eyes to them, because in this business you’re going to be looked at by winning and losing. I think, with Peyton’s situation, it’s still a wait-and-see situation. We’ll sit down after the Super Bowl, we’ll talk in the month of February and early March and see where we’re at. But I think one thing that gets lost a little bit here is the complexity of this injury. … This is a neck that’s had multiple surgeries. It’s neurological and the best doctors in the world cannot tell you exactly how it’s going to work out.”

How tough a situation is it for you?:

“It is. It’s a tough situation. At the same time, you have to remember, as the owner, before you put a player like this, who’s meant so much to your city, team, the NFL, back onto the field. … We get criticized a lot in the NFL by some that say we don’t look at that enough. Like I said, this isn’t a knee or an ankle, this is a neck.”

How would you describe your relationship with Manning right now?:

“We’ve known each other for so many years. He wants to win and I want to win. You don’t always see eye-to-eye that way. So, he can speak his mind to me and I speak my mind to him and it’s a great relationship. At the same time, sometimes, if it’s third-and-seven, I don’t go to Peyton and say, ‘Why did you go to that receiver? Why did you see the tight end underneath?’ He plays quarterback and my responsibility as the owner is putting management, coaching, all those things into place. And you’re always going to get feedback from a great player like that, but in the end, there has to be a separation there. … So we have a great relationship. We’ve been through a lot together.”

What do you remember from the situation with Johnny Unitas?:

“I remember being in Joe [Thomas'] office and my dad was around, following my dad around. I actually lived with Joe in Golden, Colo., during training camp my first year in 1972, so I knew Joe very well and had a million questions a day for him. But I think, at the time, Joe really was a very dynamic, aggressive, kind of bombastic kind of guy. He really didn’t have kid gloves, so to speak. It’s tough. … Fans love to see players go out on top. … I think, ideally, when you have a player with one franchise, that’s the way that you want it be [that a player plays his whole career in one jersey]. So hopefully we can avoid that, but we’ll see what the next month and a half brings.”

Does the fact that a special player like Andrew Luck is out there make your decision even tougher?:

“I don’t think so. With the way the rookie pool is now, the way things changed after we got this new CBA, it’s a lot easier. Before, you might think, well, you’d have to have Aaron Rodgers later in the draft because he’s not taking up as much cap space. But now I think that you can do. Ideally, the way we always envisioned it, was hoping that you’d get a replacement in place, that he’s there for a year or two.”

Is that a possibility?:

“I think that’s a possibility. I think they’re unrelated in this aspect, that this is a two-aspect medical issue. That’s very complicated with the neck.”

Listen to Jim Irsay on WFAN in New York here

Having the worst record in the NFL has its rewards, especially in a Draft with a consensus top player that plays the most important position in the NFL. Peyton Manning is still recovering from his most recent neck surgery, the third in the last 19 months, and he may be forced to call it quits. Even if he decides to continue his brilliant career, it will be and should be somewhere other than Indianapolis. The Colts need to move on from the Manning era and enter the Luck era. They also need to wave good-bye to some of their aging veterans like Reggie Wayne and get the rebuild started.

Reggie Wayne joined 1070 the Fan in Indy with JMV to talk about what he thinks about Chuck Pagano as new head coach,  his relationship with Pagano, if he expects to be back in Indianapolis in 2012,  if he’s worried that he may have played his final game with the Colts, and whether or not he expects Peyton Manning to play in 2012.

What he thinks about the Colts hiring Chuck Pagano as head coach:

“I like it. I really do. I think he’s a great hire. I didn’t even know he was in the running. I was actually on my way to Indianapolis and I got a call from Ed Reed and he told me ‘I think Chuck is about to be your head coach.’ I said ‘really?’ I didn’t even know he was in the running and then by the time my plane landed it was all over everywhere. I think he’s going to be a great coach, I think he’s going to bring some of that excitement that he carries with himself to the organization and to the team. I think everyone will grow to love him and I think he will do a great job.”

On his relationship with Pagano and the kind of guy he is:

“I do and everybody is going to get an idea of when he is joking and when you can joke back and when he’s serious. It won’t take long but one thing about Coach Pagano is he loves the game of football and if I’m not mistaking he’s a coach’s son so he’s been around it for a long time. I also know his brother who is out there in San Diego. I know everything about him. He’s a great dude, great family, and I think everybody, even Colts Nation will grow to like him.”

If he expects to be back with the Colts this season:

“I don’t know man. I can’t do anything until my phone rings. I can’t text them and say ‘yo what’s up?’ The only thing I can do is sit back and wait for my phone to ring. There’s plenty of time for that to happen between now and when free agency starts. Until then I’m going to enjoy the Super Bowl festivities and then after that’s over I’m going to enjoy the family like I have been doing and taking it for what it’s worth.”

Whether or not he is worried that he may not be back with the Colts in 2012:

“You know what? It does not worry me. One thing as a professional football player you are prepared for this day. Probably the only person who is not prepared is Peyton Manning. This is the first time he’s been mortal. Probably throughout his career he was immortal. Whatever came his way it bounced off of him like teflon. He’s just like us now. All of us don’t have a clue what’s going on but you’re prepared for this day. If a time comes where you have to move on then you move on. No regrets, no nothing, you just keep it moving. Like you said I don’t see myself playing nowhere else. This is all I know. I feel like I’m a Hoosier, I bleed blue, just like all the Colts fans and players, this is all I know but I do understand the business part of it. That’s the way it goes. It’s a business. Just like Mr. Irsay treats his business like the Colts business-like I have to treat Reggie Wayne the same way so whatever happens that’s what’s going to happen. I can’t do anything until my phone rings. Who knows? They might not even call me and offer to even bring me back. I’m already expecting the worst and if they don’t do that then hopefully I’m wanted somewhere else.”

If he has thought about having a different QB throwing him the ball if he remains with the Colts:

“One thing about it, in college I had four different quarterbacks. Every year I had a different quarterback. I got here and I had the same quarterback but I do understand and know how to catch a football. One thing about this season we just had I had three different quarterbacks and all the balls came the same. The balls were still brown and it was still up to me to finish the catch. Being that it may be a different quarterback it would suck because I’m a Peyton fan too. I know what he can bring to the table but I also know that I can do it no matter who is back there. It is what it is. I have been catching the football since I was seven-years-old. No matter who is throwing it, nothing changes for me.”

Whether or not he thinks Peyton Manning will play in 2012:

“I’m not sure. I really don’t have an answer for that. I hope he is able to. You don’t want to see nobody, no player not be able to do what he always wanted to do because of an injury you know? If there’s anybody on the Colts team that I know can bounce back from an injury it’s Peyton. He’s one of those guys. I’ve seen him in the training room plenty of times and I’m thinking man that can be tough to come back from but he comes back from it and he’s playing every day. Look at his track record. He played in 200 or something games in a row. I feel like he can bounce back no matter if he’s with the Colts or whatever. If he’s able to play I still feel like he’s got some years left in him. He’s one of the smartest football geeks I’ve ever seen in my life and he still has a lot to give. Hopefully it all works out for him.”

Listen to Reggie Wayne on 1070 the Fan in Indy here

The Colts are tearing their organization down from the top and completely rebuilding from the bottom up. Everyone looks to be expendable, including the franchise quarterback who helped bring the organization out of obscurity and into prominence starting in 1998.

Pagano may be an innocent by standard of this whole situation, but he sure has some tough decisions ahead of him.

Chuck Pagano joined 1070 The Fan in Indianapolis on The Ride with JMV to discuss his first order of business as Indianapolis Colts head coach, looking to the outside for an offensive coordinator, the type of coach he will become in Indianapolis, bumping into Peyton Manning at the Colts facility and attending Super Bowl XLVI next weekend.

What’s first on the list for you as the new head coach of the Indianapolis Colts?

“Well like you said we are trying to keep a lot of balls in the air right now. I think first and foremost we are trying to put together one of the best staffs in the NFL, so we gotta get busy in contacting guys and getting people in here and try to put this staff in place.”

Is the offensive coordinator position going to remain the same? Are you looking out of house for that?

“Again this thing has happened so quick it wouldn’t be fair to me or anybody else to even comment and say where we are at on that. I just haven’t had enough time to sit down with Ryan Grigson and Jim Irsay and we’ve got a pool of names and certainly there is quality people that have come through here and that are still here and everybody will have an opportunity. We’ll just go about our business and due diligence and get some guys in here and we’ll find a great offensive and defensive coordinator and great special teams coach.”

What type of coach do you feel you will be here?

“Well I am a high energy, emotional, passionate type of guy. That’s just how I have always been. As hard as I try to remain calm and keep that to a minimum I am really going to have to do a much better job now cause I gotta stay one step ahead of the game as far as being the next football coach now. I’m a high energy guy and I love having fun with these guys and getting in the fire with them and so there will be some moments down there that may raise a few eyebrows I guess, but they’ll all be good once [JMV laughs]. They’ll be entertaining I guess you might say. [JMV: I'm first in line for entertainment] Well I hope it’s based on our football teams play more than it is the coach.”

In the couple of minutes you have been out there have you bumped into Peyton Manning yet?

“No I have not. [JMV: You haven't bumped into him?] No I haven’t. [JMV: Is that in the plans short term?] I am going to try to reach out to all these guys and he certainly is one of them.”

Are you planning on going in and around the area for the Super Bowl too?

“We’ve got so much to do here. I don’t even know if I will have time to watch and maybe they are going to make me go to the game. I don’t know, but we got a lot of work to do, so if something happens? It happens. I foresee myself locked down in this building.”

Listen to Chuck Pagano on 1070 The Fan in Indianapolis here

The former Vice Chairman of the Indianapolis Colts talks about the nature of business in the NFL. He speaks about accountability and the fact that he didn’t get the job done in terms of having the Colts prepared to win without a sufficient backup quarterback.

The following interview really speaks volume to the kind of character exhibited by both Bill and Chris Polian. They have both taken full responsibility for the 2-14 season that occurred for the Colts and understand why Jim Irsay wanted to go in another direction.

Bill Polian joined 1070 The Fan in Indianapolis with JMV to discuss being fired by the Indianapolis Colts, being prepared for the final decision by Jim Irsay, the final meeting between himself and Jim Irsay, whether it was fair for Jim Irsay to fire himself and his son, Chris Polian, Jim Caldwell remaining as the Indianapolis Colts head coach and his future plans for his career.

What was the overall shock when you were told by Jim Irsay that the Colts wanted to go in a different direction?

“No shock. Some big surprises, but when you are 2-14 in this business and especially in this day and age there needs to be some accountability. I was not at all surprised that that happened. It happens in this business and it’s not shocking.”

You were prepared for the final decision from Jim Irsay based on the Colts record and how the season went?

“Oh yeah. Absolutely. Sure. I have been around this game a long time and so nothing surprises you and very little shocks you.”

You guys have known each other and been friends for as long as 30 years according to Jim Irsay. How was that final meeting like for the both of you?

“Well I am sure very difficult for him and it was very difficult for me as well. We have been friends for 30 years. I have worked for him for 14 years. In my respectsl the 14 happiest years of my life. He’s been a great friend, a great boss, and a great supporter. He remains that way. It’s never easy to have these kinds of leave takings, but it happens in our business and we both understand that, but I don’t think that will affect at least from my part my affection for him and my respect for him. I’m a Jim Irsay guy and will be until the day I die.”

Do you think it was fair to let you and your son, Chris Polian, go for the 2-14 season?

“I think as I said before you always when one of these seasons takes place in especially a franchise like this where the public and the media are use to long term overwhelming, unprecedented success there is a feeling for a need of accountability. I understand that. That’s part of the business. Jerry Jones was in a league meeting one time someone asked if this was necessarily a fair thing to do and he said it is not about fair. It is about what is right for the franchise and what is right for the league and that was well said. It’s not about what you have done in the past. It’s about what is going to happen in the future and what needs to be done for the good of the franchise and I understand I have been an executive for a long time and understand ownerships prerogative and perspectives and from Jim’s perspective he feels very strongly that he is not only owner, but the steward of the franchise for the fans and in this particular case he felt this was the best role to take and I would never question that.”

Do you think Jim Caldwell is going to keep his job?

“I do not know. I do not know. That’s a decision Jim will have to make and consultation from whoever is the next general manager or however they title that position. As you know I think the world of Jim Caldwell and as I’ve said to you before and I said many times the biggest issue was not having the ability to have a backup quarterback who could step in right away and perform at a high level and that is my responsibility not Jim’s, so I think the world of him. I think he is a heck of a coach, but ultimately Jim Irsay will have to make a decision there as well.”

Have you thought about what you want to do next in the future?

“I haven’t thought much about it. My focus has been trying to help every body over at the complex that has to find work to do so and to help with leads and recommendations and setting up the logistics to do that and then of course making our own personal transition, so I really haven’t thought much about the future. We’ll kind of let that take care of itself. I usually have found in my career that when you are least prepared and you least see something on the horizon something pops up.”

Listen to Bill Polian on 1070 The Fan in Indianapolis here

Wayne joined WQAM in Miami to talk about his comments before the season concerning Curtis Painter and Kerry Collins, why he thinks it was too much to ask Collins to learn the Colts offense in such a short period of time when the team had a quarterback in Painter who had learned the system for the past three years, getting to 800 career receptions in the Colts’ Week 3 loss to the Steelers, how he’s always looked up to Michael Irvin dating back to his college days at the University of Miami, who’s been taking the snaps at quarterback for the Colts during practice this week, playing hard against the Steelers but ultimately falling short, and how Peyton Manning has been more involved at practice lately instructing and teaching players while he continues to work his way back from neck surgery.

On his previous comments about not understanding why the Colts wouldn’t give Curtis Painter a shot at quarterback rather than bringing in Kerry Collins at the last minute to try to learn the Colts’ offense in so little time:

“You know, I had nothing against Kerry Collins, we have the same agent also as Curtis Painter — we all have the same agent. My agent says Kerry Collins is coming in, great guy. I say I’ve heard a lot of good things about Kerry Collins. But when it came to me that he was coming in and that he was the starter, I’m like whooa, wait a minute, I know I’m not the smartest guy on the block but I’m not the dumbest either. It took me two years to learn this offense. Now, you mean to tell me we’re going to bring somebody in and he’s going to learn it in 18 days? That just doesn’t sit right. That just didn’t sit right with me. And I know we have Curtis Painter who’s been here three years. We’ve got to give him a shot, we got to give him a chance. That’s all I was saying. And it kind of brought me back to my second year here with the Colts, and I was like alright I’m going to have a chance, this is my chance. All offseason I’m using that motivation in my workouts, and they bring in Qadry Ismail. And I’m like okay, I’m never going to shy away from competition, it’s part of the game. And then all of a sudden they just threw him in there with the starting job. So it kind of reminded me of my second year, and I was like they didn’t even give me a chance, they didn’t even give me a shot. So I’m a loyal guy, all these guys in the locker room they’re my brothers, so I’m going to do whatever I need to do to back them up. And that was my way of backing up Curtis Painter.”

On the long history of guys in the league just needing a shot to show what they can do:

“And that’s all you can ask for, that’s all you can ask for. And I talked to Curtis Painter about it and I said you’re going to get your shot, but you’ve got to be ready. Be ready. You’ve got to position yourself each week like you’re that dog, you’re that man. And when they call your name, call your number, you’ve got to be ready, and once you step on that stage baby, you’ve got to perform. That’s just the way it goes. One of these days, hopefully we can get Curtis out there to show what he can do, and he can perform at the top level. So we’ll see.”

On getting to 800 receptions the other night, a feat that Michael Irvin wasn’t able to accomplish in his Hall of Fame career:

“But you know what, everybody knows the business man on this phone, Michael Irvin. And everybody who knows me, knows I looked up to Michael Irvin. When I got to the University of Miami, everybody was like man, you kind of remind me of Michael Irvin. So I was like, I need to look at some Michael Irvin film. I’ve got the tape, let me check that film out. I saw it, I was like that’s a grown man, that’s a grown man right there. So I took that film with me and I used it throughout my whole career. And Mike, I take my hat off to you, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. And you didn’t know what you were doing, but you did a lot.”

On who has been taking the bulk of the snaps in practice this week at quarterback:

“Today was actually the first day of practice. Because of having a Monday Night game, Coach Caldwell kind of blessed us a little bit by giving us an extra day off. So far Curtis has been in there, but we’re not sure what the status of Kerry is at this point in time, I don’t think we’ll find out until later this evening or so. But right now, Curtis is the man, he’s taken the snaps in walk through, so we’ll just have to wait and see.”

On playing well against the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday night but ultimately falling short:

“Well the whole goal for every game is to go out and be successful and that is to win. You want to win. There’s a win column, a loss column, and very seldom has a team been in that tie column. There are no moral victory columns, okay? There are none of those columns. We took an L but we got better. We looked at the film and we looked at our mistakes and they were all mistakes that we can correct, and we said we knew we should have won that game. Take our hats off to Pittsburgh, they came in and did what they had to do which is to leave town with a W. But we knew we had an opportunity to win, we could have put that game on ice and we could have showed the world who we really are no matter who’s playing. And like we said earlier, next guy up; we could have showed the world who we really are and that’s the winning organization of the Indianapolis Colts. But we’ve got a chance to redeem ourselves on national television, and that’s Monday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who are a young team, flying around and looking good, looking fresh. And they’re also trying to make a name for themselves. It should be a good game.”

How Peyton Manning is doing from a mental standpoint as he slowly tries to recover from his neck injury:

“You know, last week or so he’s been around more. I think the doctors have cleared him where he can be around more and be active around the team. He’s been real vocal in the meeting rooms and out on the practice field. And I think we need that, especially the quarterbacks, because I don’t think there’s anybody in this building that knows the offense better than Peyton. So just him being out there giving his two cents, and just out there telling guys what he thinks is a better look is key for us. And I think the coaches would like to see what he has to say also. So just him being out there giving his criticism about different things has been good for us. And I think the more he’s involved, the better off we’ll be.”

Listen here to Wayne with The Michael Irvin Show on WQAM in Miami

Anyway, after happily not having to worry about Clark’s effect on the Indianapolis Colts offense in 2010 after the All-Pro was lost for the year last last October with a wrist injury. Clark is back and itching to get back on the field with his teammates after a long rehabilitation and waiting period. He’s been advised to wear a brace by team doctors all season for precautionary reasons, but according to Clark, he’s begrudgingly coming around to the idea after discovering early on in training camp that the brace isn’t having adverse affects on his ability to comfortably catch, run block or pass protect.

Bad news for myself and anyone else in Steeler Nation who’s apprehensively eying the Pittsburgh-Indianapolis matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday Night Football in Week 3.

Clark joined 1070 The Fan in Indianapolis to talk about how his wrist is feeling, how he’ll probably have to wear a brace all season long, why he’s not as concerned about that as he was initially because of how little it has bothered him thus far in camp, how excited he is to return to action this weekend after such a long layoff even if it is just a preseason game, the enjoyment he gets from watching unheralded rookies make a name for themselves and earn a roster spot by playing well during the preseason, and how hard it was for him to sit out all of last season while the Colts resiliently fought their way to yet another playoff berth.

How is the wrist feeling as the Colts get set to start their preseason schedule”

“It feels great. How long have we been here? I don’t even know, but I have not felt it. I’m trying not to jinx myself or think about it too much, but I’m seriously trying to just take it day by day, and cross whatever bridge that comes — however it feels, or whatever attention it needs, more therapy, more post-workout treatments and things like that. But it feels great so I’m really excited.”

Have the team doctors given any indication of how long they’d like him to wear the brace this season:

“Yeah he wants me to wear it all year, which at first I was pretty not excited about. But I’ve gone out to practice here and been able to catch, block, pass-pro and do everything that I need to do. The ball I dropped, I just took my eye off it; it wasn’t the brace or anything like that. So it’s exciting. It’s not inhibiting me from doing what I need to do. It looks stupid, but other than that it does it’s job, it gives me just a little more protection; I’ll probably wear it all year. So we’ll see what happens and take it week by week.”

If he’s feeling 100 percent or close to it:

“Yeah they say it’s a year recovery, and it’s in October so we’ve got a few months before that. But they’re probably just kind of taking it day by day, and going on how I feel if we need to rest it or anything like that. But I seriously have not felt it, or it hasn’t given me any reason to idle back on practice. It’s just been great. It’s exciting, and they’re kind of excited as well. It’s kind of one of those things that you don’t really talk about unless I come to them and say ‘hey I did something and it just doesn’t feel right.’ But we haven’t had that case yet, so, so far so good.”

How excited will he be to take the field in the Colts’ first preseason game this weekend considering he’s been out for nearly a year:

“Oh gosh, yeah! I mean, I don’t know, I might actually even be nervous it’s been so long, it feels like anyway. So I’ll be excited to be out there. I know it’s only preseason so you’ve got to keep the excitement at a minimum because it’s hard to get excited for a couple series. But I’ll enjoy the heck out of those.”

If he enjoys watching a no-name, unheralded rookie make a name for himself and earn a helmet by playing well in the preseason:

“Yeah every year there’s always one, two…obviously it all depends but every year there’s always at least one where you just feel a little extra special, a little more happy for those guys that no one here or none of their friends or family probably thought ‘aww, no well they’ll ever make it.’ Just to see them fight that hard to get rewarded like that, it’s great to see. Because it’s not easy to make a team. There’s so many great athletes out there these days, and it gets tougher and tougher, so it means a lot when you get to make an NFL team.”

How hard was it for him to sit out and have to watch most all of the Colts season in 2010:

“Miserable, absolutely. I can’t even explain it. It’s the toughest part of the sport I feel — dealing with injuries, dealing with you’re out there giving everything you got to help your team, and one play you’re done for the year. So it’s tough, but it happens, it’s part of the game, it’s not a shocker or anything like that. But it doesn’t make it easier. It’s something you go through and you either get better from it or you let it eat you and just kind of break you down mentally. But it’s tough. But it’s great to see the team go out there and play well and make the playoffs and make a great run with all the injuries they had. I was just really proud of how everything turned out.”

Listen here to Clark with Matt Taylor on 1070 The Fan in Indianapolis

Harris looked like a player a year ago that desperately needed a change of scenery and he is going to get that opportunity in Indianapolis. The Colts took a chance on the former Pro Bowler with the hopes that they can recapture that first round ability by putting him next to Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.

Tommie Harris joined ESPN Radio Chicago with Waddle and Silvy to talk about other teams that were interested in him and why he picked Indianapolis, how much it will help to play alongside Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, what he learned from being in Chicago, whether or not he is healthy, how much the injuries have affected him, how the lockout helped him, what he thinks about Jay Cutler’s ability in Chicago, and how he would sum up his time in Chicago.

Why he picked Indianapolis:

“Carolina and Indy were the other two options. I just wanted to be familiar with the system and be pretty much under the same tree as Lovie was. To get as close as possible to it and I got it with the Colts and Coach Caldwell.”

It doesn’t hurt to play with Freeney and Mathis either right?

“Not at all. That was another option man. I had an opportunity to play with a great defensive end in Peppers and Israel Idonije and now to have an opportunity to play with Mathis and Freeney, it’s like I’m just switching uniforms.”

How healthy he is:

“I’ve learned a lot from this whole Chicago experience. I’ve learned to keep my mouth shut and I can show you better than I can tell you.”

How much the injuries have affected him:

“Most definitely but I find a way to get my job done. When you have this opportunity, and I’m so fortunate for this lockout, to have this opportunity to see what you really can get done in about six months that we really had off, I’m confident to see how I’m gonna do out there.”

How the lockout helped him:

“It just gave me an opportunity to really strengthen things that I didn’t have confidence in. When you go into a season, people really don’t know that we really have a month or almost two months off before we get right back at it. Before you have other guys touching on you, poking on you, and telling you that they can fix this and they can fix that. To have an opportunity to have all my specialists look at me and check me out and everybody put together a game plan, a person that doesn’t work for the team but really works for you, that you paid, that’s the type of deal we went through and it helped a lot.”

How he would summarize his time in Chicago:

“Great. I lived and I learned. It was like going through school. Through first to 12^th grade. You saw my good, my bad, my ugly, and I would always wonder when I see guys like Mushin Muhammad and all these different players come to the facility from different teams and I always wondered have these guys always been like this or do you get a fresh opportunity to start all over? I’m looking forward to it and I thank the Bears for the opportunity. I have nothing bad to say about those guys. That organization is a great organization, my teammates, I love those guys and I just look forward to hopefully one day coming back up there and playing with you guys.”

Whether or not Jay Cutler can be the leader of the Bears at QB:

“Yeah he can. Jay could be the leader of the offense. Before you even saw Jay come to the Bears, Jay is a monster. Playing Jay through our scouting report you knew that guy could do anything. He can run, he can throw, and the sky is the limit for Jay. It just takes him a while to really warm up to people and there’s nothing wrong with that. People can judge all they want about the guy but I feel like he’s a good guy.”

On his expectations playing in Indianapolis:

“I don’t even know the whole deal but I don’t expect anything to be given to me. One thing I just want to be a part of their number. I don’t come in trying to demand anything. I just want to present what I can do and let that take care of itself.”

Listen to Tommie Harris on ESPN Radio Chicago here (Audio begins 1:19:00 into the podcast)

Now the fun really begins, as teams scramble for the remainder of the week to negotiate a truncated free agency period, as well as report to camp. After waiting patiently for news to discuss, fans are about to get bombarded with transactions and signings in the forthcoming days. Can’t wait!

Saturday joined Tony Bruno on Into the Night to talk about his classy gesture towards Robert Kraft and his late wife Myra, how the Colts players have been talking amongst themselves in anticipation of the lockout’s end, his excitement to get back to work with his teammates at camp later this week, how in a true negotiation there’s always going to be certain individuals who are less than pleased with certain aspects of the agreed upon deal, why he still thinks the deal is a fair and exciting for both sides as well as the fans, and the contract and health status of Peyton Manning.

On his classy gesture towards Patriots owner Bob Kraft on Monday:

“Oh I appreciate it. He deserves it. I can’t imagine what he’s going through with the loss of Myra. And I honestly believed what I said. That she cared that much to encourage him to go to the negotiations, and for what he did for our game, it’s special and I meant what I said.”

If he’s gotten any grief on Twitter or elsewhere from Colts fans about making any sort of nice gesture to a member of the rival Patriots:

“I’m sure I’m going to get some when I go back. But most Colts understand what’s going on and will give me some grace — only in this circumstance though.”

On all the Colts players are on the same page in terms of being ready to get back to work together at camp this week:

“Oh yeah. We’ve communicated as players very closely and so guys will be ready to get back. We’ll actually get back, guys going into the facility getting checked out, making sure they get their physicals and their updates. And I’m sure most teams will be like that. And then once we get to camp, it will be business as usual. You know, once you get there all this will be forgotten — coaches will take over and start installing offenses and defenses and we’ll be ready to play some ball.”

If he thinks there will be some players who verbalize discontentment with any part of the new CBA:

“I’m not sure. It would depend on the player and what part of the deal. Like I said, this was definitely a negotiation — we didn’t get everything we wanted, and they didn’t get everything they wanted. But what I do feel honestly about it is it’s a fair deal for both sides. And at the end of the day, if we’re going to be business partners — and that’s what we called ourselves the whole time — that’s what we need to do. It’s going to be fair, and both owners and players can stand to make a lot of money in this deal and make our fans happy for ten years. I don’t know if it gets much better than that.”

If Peyton Manning, one of the players who lent his name to the players’ lawsuit against the owners,  is comfortable with the deal:

“Oh yeah, he’s absolutely good on this. I have spoken with him on a regular basis and he’s a guy who’s ready to get back to playing football. He’s definitely a player, you know, he lent his name to the case, he’s been supporting the cause and doing the right thing, and now that it’s done he’s ready to getting back healthy, practicing and playing some ball.”

If, as a veteran, he’s pleased that training camp and other offseason activity is curtailed under the new CBA’s provisions:

“It absolutely does. I think we’ve exhausted the need for two-a-days and the multiple hits we’re taking to the head. As offensive linemen, we’re taking 75 to 100 more hits a day just by having these practices and drill-work. I think for the longevity of our game, and for the longevity and health of our men, this situation is going to lend itself for guys playing a lot longer.”

Listen here to Saturday on Into the Night with Tony Bruno on Fox Sports Radio (interview begins at 23:00 mark)