Manning trying to cope with upheaval

INDIANAPOLIS — Peyton Manning still intends to play football.

He's also no fan of the Colts' big offseason overhaul that included the firing of coach Jim Caldwell and other executives.

In an interview that appeared Tuesday in The Indianapolis Star, Manning touched on everything from his future plans to the difficulty he's had coping with all the changes. He has not responded to interview requests made by The Associated Press.

"It's 20 degrees (minus 7 degrees Celsius), it's snowing, the building is absolutely empty except when you see coaches cleaning out their offices," Manning said. "I guess it's the reality of the football world, just not something I've had to deal with very often. But I'm in there every day, so I have to sit there and see it. Everybody's being evaluated and I'm no different. It's not the best environment."

"It's unfortunate because so many of them have been such a big part of so many big wins here, and this is so . . . sudden," Manning added. "Their keys didn't work the next day. There's no other way to do it? I don't know. That's hard to see, all these people leaving. And I may be behind them. Who knows?"

One thing Manning does know is that last week's discussion about his "impending" departure from football was premature.

He poked fun at the frenzy surrounding a Twitter post from actor Rob Lowe, who wrote Manning was expected to announce his retirement last week. Manning said the whole thing caught him off-guard.

"I never thought 'Sodapop Curtis' would announce my retirement," he said, referring to Lowe's character in the 1983 movie "The Outsiders." "I always thought I would be the one to announce it."

The biggest questions, of course, are about Manning's health and his future in Indianapolis.

"Whatever happens, happens," Manning said.

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