HONOLULU -- Disbelief and disappointment don't sum up the feelings of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning upon hearing critical remarks by teammate Mike Vanderjagt earlier this week.

"It's ridiculous. It's a joke," Manning said after returning from Pro Bowl practice on Thursday. "I don't know how else to respond."

Vanderjagt, a guest on a Toronto-based cable sports TV network, said he wasn't a "big Colts fan right now" and suggested that the Colts won't go far in the postseason because Manning and coach Tony Dungy are too laid back.

Manning saw Vanderjagt's interview on TV and was obviously perplexed at why his teammate would call him out publicly.

"I guess he has a lot of free time on his hands and that it was a slow news day," Manning said.

The Colts' season came to an end with a 41-0 loss against the New York Jets in the wild-card playoff round.

Warm reception
John Lynch is preparing for his fourth Pro Bowl, but the other experiences weren't anything like this one.

"It's an unspoken rule that you pay respects to the Super Bowl champions, and everyone's done that," the Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety said before participating in his first practice this week. "It's something I have looked forward to because I have been on the other side for so long."

After myriad engagements and schedule changes, the Buccaneers finally arrived in Hawaii on Wednesday. Bucs defensive end Simeon Rice, who had gone to New York for spots with Carson Daly and Regis, disappointed some Pro Bowl organizers because he missed a scheduled event here. However, the mix-up didn't take anything away from his arrival as a world champion.

"We came in here with our heads up and shoulders high," said Rice, who registered two sacks in the 48-21 win over Oakland in Super Bowl XXXVII.

One Buc who'll miss out on this week's festivities is defensive tackle Warren Sapp, who stayed home because he will have arthroscopic surgery on a knee. However, nothing here will compare to the reception and parade in Tampa earlier this week.

"To see the experience the fans are going through, I am more happy for them," said Derrick Brooks, the league's defensive player of the year.

Cub reporter
Pre-teen Crystal Wallem is doing more than vacationing in Hawaii this week. She's actually working.

The 10-year-old from Salem, Wis., was assigned by one of her teachers to do a report from the Pro Bowl. So instead of simply getting autographs while her dad, Scott, takes photographs for the Chicago Bears, Wallem is interviewing players.

"If you weren't playing football, what job would you be doing," Wallem asked Vikings running back Michael Bennett.

She also interviewed Packers wide receiver Donald Driver and Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher. While the school assignment adds a twist to her fifth trip to Hawaii, Crystal wasn't intimidated with the task.

"I've gotten used to it because my dad knows a lot of the Bears." Wallem said.

James C. Black is the assistant NFL editor for ESPN.com