We certainly had a tough Sunday, but we still got the win.  My teammates know how to face a challenge and they really pulled out the stops to take the game in the 2nd half.

You may not always get the cleanest win, but if you keep working, training and studying you'll get there.

I think the young ladies of the Kihei Dolphins Pee Wee Cheer Squad are doing just that.  They're my "Pick" this week.  Just click on their calendar and you'll notice not only games and events scheduled, but also weekly conditioning. 

You have to work hard in every aspect of your sport if you want to succeed, and cheerleading is no exception. It's a tough sport both mentally and physically.  The Dolphins know that if they want to meet their goal of a national championship appearance in Florida later this year, they have to challenge themselves. 

The girls are also linked up with their sister teams on Weplay and of course the Pop Warner group. You can't be picked by me if you're not linked up.  Keep working hard girls. I enjoyed learning more about your squad and your goals. I'm also glad to see a squad from Hawaii on the lead board! 

If your team wants to be selected as Peyton's Pick, check out my leader board.  There's just under a month left before we select the five, $500 scholarship winners and the grand prize, a personal clinic with me. 

We just closed out week 7 and our team improved to 6-0 with a strong road win vs. the Rams.  I can't speak highly enough about my teammates and our coaching staff out here in Indianapolis.  We kept our momentum going and played hard.  That's all I can ask for in a team.

I know Coach Pantier of the Gilroy Browns and Coach King of the Bolingbrook Trojans Jr. Midgets must be proud of their Pop Warner football teams too.  These two teams are my "Picks" this week.  Congrats to all of you.

I have to address the massive amount of photos uploaded by the Gilroy Browns. I haven't seen any other Pop Warner group come close to the 1766 images uploaded by the Browns.  I could spend all afternoon clicking through their game albums.  I know parents and family members must get a kick out of looking through them as well.  

The Bolingbrook Trojans may not have as many 2009 season photos in their gallery, but they have uploaded some quality videos from seasons past.  I know watching that film helps young and new players get on the right track.  Trojan team organizers are also doing a nice job of sending out important team messages. From snack schedules to practice changes, good communication is key.  Lastly, I think the Trojans have done probably the best job of linking up with relevant teams and groups in their league.  

If your Pop Warner team or squad wants to catch my eye, be sure and check out the leaderboard to see how you can become next week's Pick.

The Colts and me are taking advantage of our bye week.  We're gearing up for the Rams next Sunday.  I never take a game for granted. You can never be too prepared in this game.

It looks like the Girard Little Indians Football League from Ohio know a little bit about hard work.  There my "Pick" this week and will be considered for a $500 scholarship or personal visit by me early next year.

This league has had a strong season. I watched a few game clips in their gallery and was really impressed.   Video tells all. I saw some key tackles and a really nice run by Mosely for a TD.  Ya'll are working together as a team and that's the most important factor for success.

I also like that the entire Girard Pop Warner family sticks together.  From fundraisers, town parades to board meetings, the Indians are in sync with their organization.  The Girard Midgets even made it to the Super Bowl Championship. Good Luck out there. I know the Squiggs, Pee Wee and all the parents and fans from across the league will be out there supporting you.

If your team or squad wants to be selected as a Peyton Pick, get moving.  There's only one month left.  The contest ends November 20th.  I'm looking for groups with the most members, links to other Pop Warner groups and lots of photos and videos in their galleries.  

Playing in Tennessee is always tough, especially on a Sunday night. But we beat our AFC south rivals and it was a great win.  Weplay Pop Warner teams also had a solid week.  

I found another great cheerledaing squad to kick off Week 5 of Peyton's Picks.  The 2009 Brick Dragons PeeWee from Brick, New Jersey have a really nice page.  This group is on point this season.  Everyone on the squad created their Weplay profile so there's almost no blank benchwarmers, which I'm not a fan of seeing.  If you're on the team, you should work as team both in the gym and here on Weplay.  I also like that the Dragons are engaged. They're commenting on photos in their gallery, and they post positive messages to pump up the team.  

California also scored another "Pick".  The Huntington Beach Midget Blue Vikings have uploaded 439 photos since August 15th.  I'm impressed Viks.  Ya'll have a busy October schedule, so keep up the good work. Coach Lee Kotchnik and organizer Les Wannall have it right.  The teamwork, friendships and leadership skills you build playing the great game of football will stay with you far beyond your playing days.  Keep it up.

I come across a lot of groups that are not linked to Pop Warner.  That's a game changer for me.  You got to put in the effort teams and squads if you want to win a $500 scholarship or a special appearance by me.

• Linked up to Pop Warner and other relevant groups.

• Make sure ALL you players and group members sign up and connect.

• Upload photos and videos to your team galleries. 

It's week 4 of the season and I know I feel pretty good so far.  The Colts set a franchise-record 13th consecutive regular-season victory after our win Sunday.  We're keeping things in perspective, but it certainly fees like a good start.

I know the Poway Jets and the South Lake Eagles must be feeling alright too.  These two teams are this week's Peyton's Picks.  Congratulations to both.

I gotta kick things off with the 8U Jets. This strong team from California recently got a surprise visit from one of my peers in the NFL, Vincent Jackson of the San Diego Chargers.  I had a great time checking out their latest Weplay team album featuring more than 60 photos from Vincent's visit.  You kids are looking great after a boost from Vincent and a 1-0 season start. Keep working hard Poway and remember to invite your family and friends to join.

The 9U South Lake Eagles also made an impression on me this week.  This team is active, vocal and does a great job of capturing the best moments from practices, celebrations and games in their team gallery.  Also, team organizer Lori, is doing a excellent job of utilizing the team documents and messages section to keep all 91-members notified and engaged.  Finally, there team motto is great a example for everyone on Weplay:

"It's not the size of the EAGLE in the fight, but the size of the fight in the EAGLE!"

I'm still keeping my eye out for some strong Pop Warner dance teams. I hope to find some soon. Message me if you have a recommendation. Remember, five teams/squads will win a $500 scholarship and my favorite pick at the end of the season will get a personal visit by me.

I'm proud of my teammates.  We picked up another big "W" against the Cardinals last night. 

It looks like ya'll are doing your part too.  Especially Coach Rusty Cumpston and the Cambrian Valley Mitey Mite Longhorns out in San Jose, California.  Coach Cumpston is a veteran here on Weplay so I'm sure that's why his group is looking so good.  411 photos in their gallery, 51 solid members and most importantly, the Longhorns are linking groups with other Pop Warner teams in their league and area.  Keep up the great work!

My second Peyton's Pick for this week has to be the Tiny/Mitey Mite Anchorage Chargers up in beautiful Alaska.  The girls have a full season ahead of them but are doing a really stellar job.  I like their mix of photos AND video in the team gallery.  Thanks Coach Garza for sending me the shout out.  Enjoy your season Chargers!

Your Pop Warner group could be my next pick.  If you're team wants to win a $500 scholarship or a personal visit by me, invite more friends to join, upload media, post team news and link to Pop Warner.

Peyton

Big Monday Night game for the Colts later, but I still have time to post my "Picks".

Ya'll made it a little tougher than last week to make my selections, but I feel confident about these two groups.

First up, the Southeast Michigan Pop Warner Football League from Detroit.  With nearly 20 organizers helping out (that's a full on coaching staff), their dedication to the group is unmatched. I always enjoy looking at game photos, and there are 165 to choose from, but I really think this Pop Warner league is a great example of why linking groups is important.  Staying connected, informed and up-to-date with your league or other teams in your area is easy on Weplay. Just link up.

My second pick this week is the Ogden Bears Mitey Mite Orange.  Located up in Spencerport, New York, this 9U team showcases a nice roster and has nearly 71 photos AND videos.  They're also doing a good job of updating their team news and comments.  

Well done to all of the coaches and players in these groups.  

Don't forget I'm on the look out for the best Pop Warner football, cheer and dance (where are all the PW dancers?) teams and squads on Weplay.  You could be Peyton's Pick next week.

How:
invite your family and teammates to join
Share media
Keep your schedule up to date
Post team news/announcements/comments
Link your group


Peyton

The Colts and me kicked off our 2009 season yesterday evening in Indianapolis, but now it's your turn.

I'm proud to announce my first two Peyton's Picks nominations.  These squads caught my eye and for good reason.

The Winchendon Pop Warner Pee Wee Cheerleaders have been spot on so far this season.  With more than 185 photos, 32 active members and a really great team photo, I just couldn't pass them by.  

Same goes with the Jr. Midget Wildcats from Royal Palm Beach, Florida.  The Wildcats are 57 members strong and are gearing up for their third season with Pop Warner.  I also like that the girls have been using the cheerleading skill and drill videos to help them nail down the basics.

Congratulations to the coaches and cheerleaders who made these two groups stand out.  

If you're a member of a Pop Warner football, dance or cheer team or squad, you could be my pick next week.  Start uploading, inviting and celebrating your season.  I'll be on the look out.

Peyton

My Dad, Eli, Cooper and I just wrapped up the Manning Passing Academy down here in Thibodaux, La. It's a special time for me not only to "room" with the four of us, but working with the 800 kids and seeing some come back and improve year after year is what makes the effort and heat (and it was hot) worth it.

We also had a ton of councilors. Great people. Stay tuned for some skills and drills videos Candice shot for everyone to enjoy. (I think she filmed Eli, Colt and Sam.)

In the meantime, lets dip into the comments area and tackle some of your questions...

Question: How can I improve my throwing to go farther than I am right now? Because most recently for the past two days, maybe more, I been practicing and it's not getting any better. And I had Gym Thurs. and Fri. so my arm hurts. - Carla, 16

Carla, I think in order to throw the ball farther you do have to practice throwing the ball down the field, but if you're ever having arm soreness or pain, then you're throwing too much and you need to stop. Icing your arm after you throw is important.  Always ice your arm after you throw.  I ice my elbow and shoulder and that prevents some of the soreness. But in order to get the ball to go farther down the field you do have to practice throwing the ball deep. I used to kneel down with my right knee on the ground, my left knee up and throw off my knee and try to throw the ball, 30 yards, 35 yards, 40 yards. I felt like throwing off my knee helped me have the right mechanics to get that ball to go farther. So, that's one drill that can help you improve throwing the ball farther down the field.

Question: I feel the same Mr. Peyton. but i feel like i can be a great athlete like you but people are always telling me to quit because i will never get to the NFL and that is my life's dream. any advice? please -- Albert0, 14

Alberto, keep setting goals, keep dreaming big, follow your dreams, work as hard as you possibly can, and use the people around you--your friends, your teachers, your coaches, your parents. It's important to set goals and have dreams, and follow your dreams and work hard to achieve those dreams. You can do it!

Question: Good luck this year. Now that Harrison is gone, who is replacing him? Also who do you think could be an uprising player now that they might get a chance since Harrison is gone? - Natalie, 16

Natalie, Reggie Wayne is still here and he's been a constant receiver for us for the past number of years. Anthony Gonzalez will play a more prominent role in the starting offense now. He'll move to the right wide receiver position that Marvin played. There's no question that it's going to be hard to replace Marvin Harrison. He's been such an outstanding player for us for so many years. I think he'll be replaced by a committee.  Pierre Garcon has a chance to be an uprising player. He's had a really good spring and off season and I hope he has a big year for us this year.  He's a second-year receiver for us.

Question: How do you deal with a loss? More specifically, do you get angry (in a perfectionist way) or do you simply shrug it off because you've been playing for so many years? - Gianna, 19

No, Gianna, I don't think you ever get used to losing, and I don't think you ever get good at handling losses. That's not something that you want to get used to. Obviously, you want to win every single week, and when you do lose it does hurt a lot because you put so much time and effort and energy into preparing to play that game and hoping to win. And when you lose on a last second field goal or by one point, it really does hurt. The important thing is to learn from it and try to learn from the mistakes that were made in that game so you don't repeat the loss, so you win the next week or you win the next time you play that game. So, there's no advice I've ever gotten that's made losing games easier, but you do handle it, you do learn from it and the main thing is you try to be better from it the next time.

Question: It seems like you never really have an "off" season. I know in order to excel in any sport you need to be entirely committed and intensely dedicated but how do you keep in perspective the things that are truly of importance in life? -- Susan, 55

 You're right, Susan. In football, 'off season' is a pretty misleading word. We do work out year round. We get February and the first half of March off, and then about the third week of March we begin our off season lifting program. I think to be good at football, to be good at your profession, you have to commit to it year round. At the same time, there are some times when it's important to get away, whether it's a vacation with my family, playing golf with my friends or traveling to different places. I think it is important to get away mentally from football. There's no question, there are a lot of things to remind you to keep things in perspective. I do a lot of work with our charity foundation, called the PeyBack Foundation, helping kids out in Indiana, Tennessee and New Orleans who don't have life easy. Certainly, when you're working with those kids it reminds you of the importance of keeping things in perspective, that football is not the most important thing.  And I feel that I have those priorities in order. I still think it's important for athletes to spend a lot of time preparing to play football, but at the same time, remembering what is truly important in life.

Question: Peyton I don't wanna think about your retirement, but have you thought what you would do after football? Do you want to coach? I hope we hear from you again soon. :-) - Marilu, 37

That's a good question, Marilu. I don't think a whole lot about retirement at this point although I do take it one year at a time. I haven't thought a whole lot about it because I'm concentrating on being the best player I can be this year for the Colts. I'm not sure if I'd want to coach or not. At this point I'd say probably not, but here I am in the middle of my career.  How I'll feel five, six, seven, eight years from now will be entirely different. I really don't have a great answer for you at this point. I'm just concentrating on my current job and that's being the best quarterback I can be.

Question: Thanks for blogging again, Peyton! Just wondering...would you buy paper from Dunder Mifflin or The Michael Scott Paper Company? - Debra, 47

The Michael Scott Paper Company without a doubt. Wherever Michael Scott goes, I'm there. I'm a huge fan of The Office. I watch it every single Thursday, and obviously Michael Scott is the man.

Question: Hey Peyt how is your knee doing ? I am having trouble with mine and it might be what yours was. I am so nervous . Message back please ! - Darby, 19

Well, I hope you don't have what I had because mine was not much fun. My knee is doing much better now.  After the surgeries and the rehabilitation it feels better. I don't have any problems with it now. Hopefully, it will remain that way. I had an infection in my knee that had to get removed. I hope you don't have that, and I hope you get healthy real soon, Darby.

That's it for today. Heading to training camp soon, but feel free to continue to ask away and I'll check back in shortly.

Back from my workouts and saying hello. A couple of days ago, the NFL released the schedule. I always like the day they come out with the schedule for the season because it gives us someone to focus on. It's like ok now we know what's on tap for us starting in Week One. And that's Jacksonville.

So I was reading LeBron's blog a week or two ago and saw that he was answering some questions from members, so I figured I had to keep up with him. Lots of great comments in there and some good questions. First one that a bunch of you asked, including Desikan and Brittany... How do you gear up for a new coach?

Well there's certainly going to be an adjustment. We know that with a new head coach and new leader, there will be changes. Even though I think Coach Caldwell (who has been my quarterback coach and I'm very close with) will coach in a similar mode to Tony Dungy (you know Coach Dungy is one of Caldwell's influences), it is a new head coach regime. There will be differences. There will be changes. That's just natural in any business and sports are our business. So everybody has got to be prepared for that.

We had our first a team meeting a month or so ago, which was the first time that Coach Caldwell addressed the team as head coach. But I could probably give you a better answer in October when I know what it's going to be like.

Fact is that everybody needs to be on their toes a little bit. There's a new coach, but everybody has to be accountable and do their job. I will take time to say that we will miss Coach Dungy. A great deal. Even though he won't be on the field, the winning atmosphere and environment that he created in our building, will hopefully help us continue to win. I can't thank him enough for what he's done for me personally and professionally as a football player.

Abby asked when training camp starts - that's always around the end of July.

Finally from Candice: are there any things you indulge in during the off-season?

Not necessarily. I always enjoy eating at good restaurants, I do travel some during these times as well and try to go to different spots. I enjoy playing some golf and was down in some warmer places playing. So if I am indulging in anything, it's that. Of course, once the season starts I won't get to play at all. Eating wise, I pretty much eat the same stuff I do during most the year.

Of course, there really is no offseason... we're working out every day getting ready for the season. Only three months or so until training camp.