Leaf Not To Blame For Missing Meeting Agent Says Colts Coach Owes Coug Quarterback A Public Apology

Ryan Leaf wants the Indianapolis Colts to know he was having tests on his shoulder when he failed to meet with the team during last weekend’s NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.

“He’d have rather been meeting with the Colts than doing what he was doing,” Leaf’s agent, Leigh Steinberg, said Monday from New York, where he and Leaf were attending the ESPY Awards.

Steinberg said Leaf spent three hours having an MRI on his right shoulder, a test requested by the Chicago Bears. Steinberg said that when Leaf told combine officials he was supposed to meet with the Colts, he was told “physicals take precedence over meetings.”

The Colts hold the first pick in April’s NFL draft. They had met earlier with quarterback Peyton Manning of Tennessee.

“Sometimes the agent is involved in that kind of decision,” Colts coach Jim Mora said when Leaf failed to appear. “Perhaps he had something to do that extended into our meeting time.

“When you set up an appointment with him, and he’s got a chance to be the No. 1 pick, and he just doesn’t show, it’s a little disappointing. More than a little disappointing, to be honest with you.”

Steinberg said Leaf was bothered about missing the meeting but there was nothing he could do.

“Jim Mora owes Ryan leaf a public apology,” Steinberg said. “Ryan went to the combine looking forward to meeting with the Colts.”

Mora said the meeting had been scheduled for more than a week and Leaf had told reporters late Saturday afternoon that he was looking forward to meeting with the Colts.

The move may clear the way for the Colts to use the pick on Tennessee’s Peyton Manning.

“We spent about two hours talking with Peyton. We were supposed to meet with Ryan last night. He didn’t show,” Mora said. “So we didn’t get a chance to visit with him. But, we did have a real good interview with Peyton Manning. He’s a very impressive young man.”

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: PICK OF THE CROP The NFL draft takes place April 18-19.