Keith Bulluck an authority on Peyton Manning

New Giants linebacker Keith Bulluck spent a good portion of the first nine years of his NFL career with Tennessee Titans studying Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning twice per season. So, it figures the Giants' coaching staff would consult him as part of their preparation for Sunday's night's matchup against the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium.

"They've asked me questions, but they're pretty much on point," Bulluck said. "It's their job to get in there and come up with a gameplan, and I think they've done a good job."

Bulluck declined to say whether or not it involves replacing linebackers with defensive backs against a Colts team that only ran the ball 10 times in its opening loss at Houston. But he did note that the Colts seem to be running the ball less and less compared to when they had Edgerrin James in the backfield in his prime. Running back Joseph Addai had 16 touches in Week 1, but six were pass receptions.

"You have to be conscious of the run, but I wouldn't say stopping the run is the No. 1 priority," Bulluck said. "Maybe six or seven years ago, there was more balance, but right now, it's more controlling the pass. This team is probably closest to an old-school run-and-shoot team. You have to be keyed into the pass, but they get into stuff off their play-action. It's tough on the defense, but that's what the week of practice is for.

"Their short passing usually sets up the long passing. Peyton is very patient. He wants those deep shots downfield, the '7' routes [deep outs] and the 'go' routes, but he'll dink and dunk his way down field until the defense sucks up. Then, he hits you with the seam pass or whatever deep play he hits."

Much always is made of the audibles Manning calls at the line of scrimmage in the Colts' no-huddle offense. Some of the verbiage is meant to confuse the defense, but Bulluck said, "A lot of people think those calls he makes are bluffs, but he's really calling out pass protection, safeties up or down. He's orchestrating his offense, and he does it very well."