Manning Sad To See End Of Two-A-Day Practices

ANDERSON, Indiana (AP) -- The Indianapolis Colts had their final two-a-day workouts Thursday, and rookie quarterback Peyton Manning did not welcome the reduction in practice time.

"I think quarterbacks are a little different. We're not out there getting hit," Manning said. "It's a mental challenge for us, rather than physical. Obviously, you have to get out there and throw, but I don't feel tired."

The Colts will have single practices Friday, Saturday and Sunday before ending training camp and heading to Cincinnati for a Monday night game, the second of their four exhibition games.

Manning does feel compassion for his linemen, who are charged with protecting his $48 million body that has helped boost fans' enthusiasm for the upcoming season.

"My body feels good, my arm feels good. These linemen, their bodies are hurting right now. I can understand that," Manning said. "For me, every day is a mental challenge. If I'm tired mentally, I come out and I won't have a good day."

The former Tennessee star completed his first pass for a 48-yard touchdown to Marvin Harrison in Saturday's 24-21 loss to Seattle and then struggled. He completed 8-of-15 passes for 113 yards with one interception, was sacked once for a loss of 9 yards and compiled a 72.4 quarterback rating.

"I came in here with high expectations. I expected the game to be fast. I expected the game to be more complex [than in college]," he said. "Nothing has really shocked me."

Coach Jim Mora anticipates Manning will play a half at Cincinnati, but if the quarterback had his way, he'd play the entire game.

"The best way to learn is to be out there, taking the hits, and facing the blitz, and doing it over and over again," Manning said. "You can be good on paper, on the chalkboard and in the film room, but you have to be good out there on the field."

Manning, consistently a harsh critic of his performances in his football career, is doing fine, according to quarterbacks coach Bruce Arians.

"Until you really handle him up close and personal, you really don't realize how much dedication this guy has to the game," Arians said. "I think he's (already) passed some guys who have been in this league 10 years. ... As far as knowing our offense and being ready to play, he knows it as well as anybody on our team."

Arians said one of the adjustments Manning faces is handling new footballs every game.

"In college, you get to use those old balls, and a couple of [passes] squirted out of his hand. They're real slick. Those are the little things you get used to," Arians said. "He handled the huddle beautifully. He directed the team nicely."

Manning has also handled being the center of attention well, making himself available to area and national media for lengthy and frequent interviews and patiently answering the same questions several times. He's one of the last players to reach the locker room after practice as he stops to satisfy countless autograph requests.