Peyton Manning says he's not retiring

INDIANAPOLIS -- Put any retirement talk to rest. Peyton Manning isn't having it.

Manning, whose future with the Colts continues to be a dominant topic, made it crystal clear he's not even considering calling it a career, something that was implied in an Internet report Monday night.

"I have no plans on doing that," the quarterback said Tuesday after a promotional appearance. "All the other talk, it is what it is. But my plan hasn't changed. I'm on track with what the doctors have told me to do. I'm rehabbing hard and I'm enjoying this week.''

Manning, recovering from fusion neck surgery, said he expects to sit down soon with Colts owner Jim Irsay to discuss his fate. Indianapolis owes Manning a $28-million roster bonus in March, and there's talk the Colts probably will select Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the first overall pick in April's draft, making it unlikely Manning will be back for another season here.

But he's encouraged by the progress he's making, which gives him reason to think he can play after sitting out this season as the Colts went 2-14.

"I'm working hard," Manning said. "I really had a good rehab session today. I'm continuing to work hard, I've continued to make progress and the doctors are encouraged and that's encouraging to me. I'll keep doing that.

"Jim and I will talk at the right time. He's busy this week. He and I are going to have dinner on Sunday, though, along with some other NFL people. The [Super Bowl] host owner has a dinner every year, so I'll go to that and see him. He and I have been talking."

Apparently, Manning has been chatting with Irsay more than he has with his little brother Eli. The Giants quarterback, however, seems to have given Peyton props for sending him to a nice local eatery.

"I've just talked to him briefly," Manning said. "I got a reservation for 20 in St. Elmo's on Monday night for him and his linemen. I know he picked up the tab and I'm sure that was a healthy one. He said there were a lot of good reactions from his linemen on the shrimp cocktail. He sounds good."

At least Peyton finished his toughest task of the week.

"We are out of the ticket business," he said. "I've got him a lot of tickets. A lot of my teammates helped out with that and so all the tickets are done, which is a good feeling to have. He's excited and I'm excited for him. I've been proud of the way he's played and I look forward to cheering him hard on Sunday."

Of course, Peyton is pulling hard for the Giants, even if a win would give Eli one more ring than the four-time MVP.

"He and I have talked about that," Manning said. "Everybody wants to talk about after the game and what's going to happen, the legacy. He and I are kind of into enjoying the journey and not the destination. This is a special week.

"So I have always wanted nothing but the best for Eli. I hope he breaks every record I've ever had, and I've always been that way when it comes to him. That's how much I care about him, and pull for him and support him."