At this point, a separation might be good for both Manning and the Colts
Based on some of the comments coming out of Indianapolis these days, it would appear as though Peyton Manning’s career with the Colts is coming to an end.
Such as life. Times change, people separate, memories fade. Why should sports be any different?
According to ESPN NFL Business Analyst Andrew Brandt, it would cost the Colts $50.5 million to keep Manning and Andrew Luck on the same roster in 2012. Manning’s option is $28 million in addition to a $7.4 million salary while the No. 1 overall pick will receive approximately $15.1 million in bonus plus salary in 2012. Thus, it doesn’t make sense financially for the Colts to pay Manning and draft Luck while trying to fill holes all over a depleted roster.
It doesn’t make sense from a risk/reward standpoint either. Manning is 35 and is still trying to recover from neck surgery that he had last May. I’m not a doctor but when you listen to other athletes talk about the same nerve damage that Manning has, it’s feasible that he could have complications the rest of his career. That’s why there’s still plenty of speculation about whether or not he’ll ever play again.
I’m not trying to be cold because I’m very aware of what Manning has meant to the Colts franchise over these past 14 seasons. But former Giants GM Ernie Accorsi said it best when he stated that he would rather be accused of getting rid of a player a year too early rather than a year too late. This is a business decision and the right business decision for the Colts is to part ways with Manning and draft their future signal caller while they have that chance. There are teams like the Browns, Dolphins, Bills and Redskins who continuously fail to address their quarterback situation and the Colts have a golden opportunity to replace one franchise signal caller with another in just one fell swoop. Cold? Probably. But smart? Definitely.
Let’s not overlook the fact that this could be a good thing for Manning as well. During John Elway’s final years he essentially took a backseat to Terrell Davis because the Broncos became Davis’ team. He won two Super Bowls handing the ball off to Davis and throwing when he had to, but Manning doesn’t have that same fortune. The Colts proved last year that they’re a serious rebuilding project. At this point in his career, Manning shouldn’t be at the helm of a rebuilding team: he should be trying to take one more shot at winning a Super Bowl just like Elway did. (Assuming of course that Manning is healthy enough to ever pick up a football again.)
In a perfect world the Colts would already have Manning’s replacement on their roster. But they don’t, and now this is the situation that they find themselves in. Separations are never easy and if the Colts do decide to move on from Manning, it will be a hard decision. But it doesn’t have to be difficult.
Times change, people separate, memories fade. That’s just life.
Follow the Scores Report editors on Twitter @TheScoresReport. You can also follow TSR editor Gerardo Orlando @clevelandteams and @bullzeyedotcom, and you can follow TSR editor Anthony Stalter @AnthonyStalter.
Improve your game today!
You've got to brush up on your game to get the girl! Find your hookups with this online dating guide.
Fair enough, but instead of the (seemingly) way they are treating him now as opposed to keeping him in the fold to assure a good public relations factor, I think they are making a mistake.
I’ve said it before (and Irsay probably has some better info than any of us do) but Manning has a career-ending injury. But why treat him like a POS, but instead keep him within the organization as a coach, trainer, etc.?
Obviously, Manning has to see the writing on the wall before this happens, but they could at least be amicable until then. It’s like watching Boston when they shunned Larry Bird . . . pathetic.
If he’s injured, bring him into the fold. I can’t believe there’s nothing he can’t teach Andrew Luck (or whoever), and wouldn’t be overjoyed to accept a new role.
The issue is the $28 million he’s owed. Also, Peyton wants to play. Conflict here was inevitable under these circumstances.
Right, therefore:
-Until he’s declared unfit for playing, treat him as an invaluable member of the team.
-Make it known to him that he has a future with the team weather as a player or coach/front office staff.
-At the deadline of his payout, as pre-discussed, let him either walk, or more importantly, retain him as a highly respected member of the organization and the community/fanbase i.e. bring him into the organization as someone who is highly knowledgeable of his area of expertise.
I mean, it’s not like he’s Joe Namath for Christ’s sake! He legitimately won a SB out of knowledge and skill, not to mention a shitload of games. And he’s really survived a lot of seasons in his industry.