What’s a fan to do?  Peyton Manning’s rein as the premier quarterback at Indy, for more than a decade, may vanish in the next couple of days.

The deadline is March 8^th.  Will Peyton agree to a restructured contract and stay?  Will owner Jim Irsay even make that offer, or just refuse to negotiate and Manning becomes a free agent?  As fans, do we even want him to remain a Colt?  Afterall, he is getting older and may be getting closer to his retirement.

Since Peyton’s neck surgery last September, we have watched him standing on the sidelines, watching as his world champion Colts lose game after game.  If he stays with the Horseshoe, can he return to the quarterback position, and play with the same intensity, confidence, and ability that is the trademark of his career?  Can he even throw at all?

Yes he can!  A short choppy, 27 sec. video of  Peyton throwing has popped up on You Tube. Practicing at Duke University, along with Dallas Clark, Austin Collie, and ex-Colt, Brandon Stokley,  Manning is shown unloading some serious passes.  The velocity and range appear good.  Accuracy may be in question, but as with all quarterbacks, accuracy is sometimes only as good as your receivers.  But, by golly, the man can still throw.  What a relief.

Enter Andrew Luck, or maybe Robert Griffin III.  Quite possibly the two best quarterbacks to enter the NFL, since Manning himself.  Both should be first year starters in the NFL.  Jim Irsay has said for months that the Colts will select Luck as their first round pick.

As Colt fans, what do we now?  Keep Manning?  Hey, he’s throwing, and he looked good in the short video.  We all know that Peyton wants to remain a Colt.  He has stated that fact, time and time again.  So, Peyton stays, and Luck remains on the bench to learn from the master.  If Manning gets hurt, or is not at his best during a game, we have a premier quarterback to step in and run the offense in a very similar way as Peyton himself.  Maybe let Andrew start a few games to see what he’s made of.  Afterall, he will be the future of the Indianapolis Colts.

Or………Scenario #2:    Do we trade that first round pick for additional round picks to bolster our sagging, and aging, offensive and defense?  There are quite a few NFL teams out there that are in need of a good quarterback.  Redskins, Dolphins, Jets, and Chiefs, come to mind.  Manning will need additional protection from the offensive line as he continues to rehab while playing the game he loves so much.

Or……….Scenario #3 (a very painful one):   Draft Luck. Let Peyton go.  I see this as being the way this will go down.  Owner Jim Irsay will be looking forward towards rebuilding the franchise as they had to do in 1998-2000.  Without Manning’s huge salary, the Colts will have a lot of money to spread around the league to obtain new, highly skilled players.

As we continue this saga, I am reminded of three other NFL quarterbacks that suffered nearly the same fate.  Johnny Unitas of the Baltimore Colts, Joe Montana of the San Francisco 49s, and Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers.  Superior players that were adored, and admired by their fans.  All three quarterbacks left their teams under different circumstances, but it was always extremely painful for the dedicated fans.

Peyton Manning.  If he does get released by the Colts, we, as fans, must endure the pain and sorrow that will accompany the announcement.  We must think with our brains, and not our hearts, and look forward to rebuilding this franchise into a leader again.

Lastly, we can only hope that wherever Peyton plays, it will be a team in the NFC.  And maybe,  just maybe, we may never have to face him as the opponent.  I can honestly tell you, that if the Colts ever play against Manning, I will probably be rooting for his team.  Sorry!

FB  03/04/2012