Peyton Manning confident in new Colts coach Caldwell's plan

Peyton Manning does not worry at all about his new surroundings in the Colts, because new Colts coach Jim Caldwell has “assured” him he has plan.

He has no longer the trio of head coach Tony Dungy, wide receiver Marvin Harrison and offensive coordinator Tom Moore surrounding him, but he still feels confident. No comments on giants jersey.

“Even though Tony Dungy won’t be on the sideline, I feel like the winning atmosphere and the environment he created in our building will carry through,” Manning said Friday. “Coach Caldwell assured me he’s got a good plan. Hopefully August 2 we’ll be able to hit the ground running.”

Peyton failed to take part in the Colts’ training camp and all five preseason games because of surgery on an infected bursa sac in his left knee.

Colts kicker Vinatieri is ready for the regular season

Adam Vinatieri, one of the NFL's great clutch kickers, had surgery on his right hip this week and will likely come back to team before regular season begins.

But the Colts did not release the timetable on when Vinatieri will be back. It is guessed that he probably is able to play in the opener Sept. 13 against Jacksonville.

"I kind of would fall back to Dr. Phillipon's directions and he said he would be ready for the season," coach Jim Caldwell said. "So we'll follow his lead in that regard."

So Colts fans need not worry much for Vinatieri, neither for cornerback Marlin Jackson and running back Mike Hart--the former already participated in drills and is ahead of schedule after anterior cruciate ligament surgery, and the latter is expected to be ready for the regular season too after his ACL surgery.