Friday, November 30, 2001
Mora says Manning issue 'closed book'
Colts trying to avoid distractions from dispute
The Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS — A day after Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning griped publicly about coach Jim Mora's tirade following Sunday's loss, his teammates closed ranks to end the public dispute.
With the 4-6 Colts facing their second three-game losing streak this season amid fading playoff hopes, Mora asked his players not to talk to reporters about the rift when they gathered around their coach after practice Thursday.
Mora told reporters he and Manning resolved any hard feelings when they spoke Thursday. He called the matter “a closed book.”
“I approached Peyton. I just said, "Hey, let's go sit down and talk.' That was it. We had a good talk,” said Mora, who declined to detail his conversation with the Colts' quarterback.
Manning made his uncharacteristic public comments about Mora on Wednesday, saying he was embarrassed and upset that Mora had made a public critique of the Colts' 40-21 loss against San Francisco.
In those comments, Mora complained about the team's five turnovers and four interceptions, although he didn't mention Manning by name. He called the performance “disgraceful,” and the postgame news conference has been played repeatedly on television and radio since Sunday.
“What bothers me is that what he said to us in that locker room has become the entire country's business,” Manning said Wednesday. “And I don't like that. But I have to deal with it.”
Manning was not available to reporters after Thursday's practice, but his teammates said the tiff is history and the team is focused on preparing for Sunday's road game against the Baltimore Ravens (7-4).
“I can't get into Peyton's head, but he had to do what he had to do, and they got it worked out and we're moving on to Baltimore,” said tight end Ken Dilger. “... It was a minor issue between Coach and Peyton, and they got it worked out.”
Still, Dilger said there is growing frustration among the players after their third straight loss further dimmed what had been a promising start to the season.
“I think the expectations are there for us to be a good team, but we're not living up to those expectations,” he said.
Linebacker Mike Peterson echoed those comments, saying there is a high level of frustration with six games remaining.
“Everybody's frustrated. If you're not frustrated you don't care about the team. I'm frustrated and everybody's frustrated,” he said. “You're 4-6 and you're supposed to be frustrated.”
Backup quarterback Mark Rypien said the team doesn't need any distractions now.
“Everyone gets into a position where you're frustrated and you want to excel, whatever, and you say things, but you have to move on. It takes a cool head to do it,” Rypien said. “One thing you don't want is any distractions and that's kind of where we sit right now.”
Backup running back Dominic Rhodes said he felt that the comments between Mora and Manning were not a big deal, but had been magnified by the media.
“That whole thing got blown out of proportion. There was no need for it to get to be a problem. We're a team, we're going to stick together as a team. We're not going to let any of that bother us,” he said.
“We still got six games to go and try to make a run for the playoffs. Right now we're worried about Baltimore.”
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Mora says Manning issue 'closed book'
