“What If” at the Indianapolis Colts
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 8th. 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
Pro Football 2011-2012
F- I- N- A- L- L- Y. This year of professional football has finally come to an end. It’s been a good year for some teams, and a great year for a lot of fans (unless you are a fan of the Colts, Rams, Dolphins, Browns, Vikings, or Deadskins……oops, typo there, I meant Redskins). Most of my friends, including my Wife, are Redskin fans, and I dearly love to tease them. You see, for thirty years I was a Baltimore Colts fan, and it was a requirement that you had to “hate” the Redskins. Of course, I don’t dislike the Redskins anymore. In fact, I am a fan (don’t you go telling my friends that), unless they are playing the Colts, or Ravens. Old habits are hard to break.
It’s been a year full of surprises and accomplishments. Some teams playing WAY over their talents, and great teams playing UNDER theirs. Fans or not, you have to enjoy watching Brady, Brees, and Rodgers. They make it look so easy, setting records as they go. And the future of the quarterback position in the NFL, Newton, Stafford, and TeBow. Next year, if things play out as predicted, we can watch first round draft picks, Luck, and RGIII. How exciting. I’m not taking anything away from the talented running backs, wide receivers, tight ends , line backers. corner backs, kickers, linemen, and special teams, I’m just saying the Old Guard at quarterback is being replaced by a new breed.
Peyton Manning. Quite possibly the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. (I’m sure Brady and Brees would disagree with that statement). Peyton, sidelined with neck surgery, had to watch his beloved Indianapolis Colts lose game after game. As you watched him on the sidelines, you could almost see the tears in his eyes. For this team does not belong to owner Jim Irsay, it belongs to Manning. He built this franchise. Without him, they would still be at the bottom of the AFC South (just like this year). The new Lucas Oil stadium isn’t called the “House that Peyton built” without reason. So, whatever happens to Peyton, whether he plays, retires, or coaches, he will always be the “Gentle Giant” of football to me.
Moving on to Super Bowl XLVI. One team, the Patriots, which I predicted before the season started, would be there. And the Giants, not a chance in h*** of being there (I predicted the Bears). But, the Cinderella Giants, and, playing beyond his natural ability, Eli Manning prevailed. They beat the dominant Patriots, and their cheating head coach Belichick, at their own game (again). And, ironically, Eli Manning did it in the “House that Peyton built”. Congrats to the entire Giants team for a job well done.
Ten years from now, will we remember which teams played, and which team won? Probably not. But, we will remember some wanna-be singer named M.I.A flipping off the crowd, and millions of people watching on TV. Such class. When will people learn that, if you want to be remembered, do great things. Create world peace. Stop global warming. Cure cancer. Don’t resort to sensationalism, as your claim to fame (aka Janet Jackson). Maybe this young lady(?), who calls herself M.I.A., will do us all a favor and really become M.I.A. (Missing in Action).
God Bless America
UnderThisOldMansHat 