I couldn't agree more with the response of Colts QB Peyton Manning to kicker Mike Vanderjagt. At his third Pro Bowl, trying to enjoy his accomplishments, Manning shouldn't have to deal with a situation created by an "idiot kicker" (to borrow Manning's phrase). Manning had every right to call him out.

Manning runs the Indianapolis Colts. He's the leader, not Vanderjagt. When all is said and done, the team looks to head coach Tony Dungy and to No. 18. And apology or not, Vanderjagt spoke out of turn when he publicly questioned the toughness of Manning and Dungy.

When you call someone out without letting them know, it's a lack of respect -- it's gutless.

It's too bad. Vanderjagt is a great kicker and a solid athlete, but I will always have a problem with players who air their dirty laundry in public. Even if there was any validity to his comments, he offset them by handling the situation like a coward.

I wouldn't expect Vanderjagt to target his family for public scrutiny. And when you're on a team, your coach and teammates have got to be your family. If they're not, than you don't belong in that organization. I don't care if you like or dislike them, but there better be respect.

If you've got a problem, at least attempt to settle it behind closed doors. Deal with it privately. When you call someone out without letting them know, it's a lack of respect -- it's gutless.

So in this case, Manning is absolutely justified in his public comments. Initially, he chose not to comment, but now, with his back against the wall, he decided to fight his way out because he's tired of it. You can only be hit in the mouth so many times before you decide that enough is enough. Especially when it shouldn't have happened in the first place.

The best analogy I've heard is that it's like the bat boy calling out the league's leading hitter. Tony Dungy and Peyton Manning are two of the best at what they do; the Colts lean on them. Meanwhile, Vanderjagt is involved in about six plays per game. I have been around Manning and have seen firsthand how he labors over his position. There's no one who prepares harder. And with the exception of general manager Bill Polian, no one knows that organization better.

The irony in all of this is that knowing Manning, he'll feel badly about calling Vanderjagt an idiot -- that's just his personality. But in no way do I believe he should apologize. Vanderjagt took a sucker punch at two of the most respected guys in the league, and now he better be prepared to suffer the ramifications.

Because if it's a question of who goes and who stays ... as good as he is, kickers are replaceable. And while Vanderjagt might not be a "big Colts fan" right now (as he said), I doubt the Colts are a big Mike Vanderjagt fan either.

Former NFL quarterback Sean Salisbury is an analyst on "NFL 2Night," broadcasts on "The Dan Patrick Show" on ESPN Radio and contributes each week to ESPN.com during the NFL season.