[mattsb25]

the stories on:

http://www.sportsrageous.com/colts-want-luck-peyton-manning-out-01-19-2012

If the old “history repeats itself” adage is true, then Peyton Manning’s Indianapolis Colts tenure is about to end.

Colts owner Jim Irsay has cleaned house once before. In 1998, Irsay fired General Manager Bill Tobin, Head Coach Lindy Infante, and released veteran quarterback Jim Harbaugh in favor of his number one draft pick, Peyton Manning.

The moves may have seemed hasty at the time, but they paid off. Under Manning’s leadership, the Colts had 11 winning seasons, 11 playoff appearances, eight division titles, two AFC Championship victories, and one Superbowl win.

Irsay’s ‘98 personnel overhaul reinvigorated a franchise. Now, he’s at it again. After recent firings of GM Bill Polian and Head Coach Jim Caldwell, Irsay told the Indystar that he is, “…Trying to run scenarios through my mind on where the franchise is going to be, how you transcend into different eras, historically, how have others done it in Dallas, Denver and Green Bay.”

The transition, for Irsay, includes Quarterbacks; especially injured ones.

Manning is coming off of a dicey neck fusion surgery that, according to ESPN’s Sports Science, can result in 10 percent loss of neck motion, and can’t absorb the same force.

Mayfield Clinic urges that in order to prevent reoccurrence, the patient should create a stress free work area, certainly not feasible in the NFL with 325lb monsters barreling down on you. So the question becomes, does Manning, at 35 years old, have the durability to stay in the league?

If Irsay does retain Manning, he will owe him a guaranteed $28 million, as reported by CNN. Though keeping Manning will incur a $38 million hit on the Colt’s organization, leaving limited cap space to sign other high profile players.

Adding to this dilemma is the highly touted college Quarterback Andrew Luck who the Colts can nab with the first overall pick in the 2012 draft. Irsay all but admitted he intends to pick Luck, saying,

“When I’ve talked about pillars of a franchise, quarterback, general manager and head coach, if you have a chance to get a great one, you get it, because there’s not a lot of great ones.”

All the signs point to Manning’s release, so where does the legendary quarterback end up? The Jets, Cardinals, and Redskins are viable landing spots for the Superbowl MVP, but even more intriguing is the possibility of retirement.

Actor Rob Lowe, who is friends with Irsay, tweeted, “Hearing my fave, #18 Peyton Manning will not return to #NFL. Wow. #Colts.”

Although it is merely hearsay now, it is yet another twist in the Peyton Manning drama.

[frankcal20]

The only way you link Payton to Washington is just based on the OLD GM, Vinny Cerrato who is no longer here. Let me tell you why he is not coming to DC and no explanation is needed:

1. PM's injury
2. PM's required compensation
3. PM's played in a different system for 17 yrs
4. The Shanahan's are control freaks.
5. PM is a control freak
6. PM called his own plays most of his career
7. See #4
8. Redskins are looking to get younger
9. If Manning is a FA, he will go to a team that is ready to win right now. Not a rebuilding team like Washington.

This is just enough info to lead me to believe, while it's a fun story to tell and fun to chat about, there's is little to no likelihood that he'll be here. This team needs to be successful and getting Manning will only handcuff this franchise for the length of his contract.

[PAPDOG67]

This is not the first time and wont be the last time we are linked to Manning, and I cringe every time I hear his name followed by the Redskins as a possible landing spot. I just do not see this in any way shape or form happening on our end. I don't think Shanny or Allen will be interested. The guy is extremely damaged goods. One Leonard Marshall to Joe Montana type hit and the guy may end up not being able to walk at all. It would be the equivilent of owning a '67 Shelby with no working engine. Sure it looks good in your driveway, but what good is it if you can't show it off and pick up chicks with it. Peyton's had a great career, its time for him to ride off into the sunset. I would much rather have a healthy, younger unknown like Matt Flynn, if we decide to go the FA route.

BTW Since when is Rob Lowe someone who breaks sporting news?

[riggofan]

I agree with everything you just wrote frankcal. Even so, would you really be that surprised if you wake up one morning in March and hear that Manning is on his way to DC? I would never put it past the Redskins to defy all logic and common sense and make something like this happen. hah.

[frankcal20]

Well he is Rob Lowe and he's a Politician (or played one on TV).

As for Manning, given everything they've done good and bad, it just doesn't make sense. I think that after the DMac experience, this is another reason I don't see it happening.

[Mississippiskinsfan2]

[frankcal20]

[Deadskins]

[RayNAustin]

Peyton Manning's injury is an unfortunate thing for him, and his slower than expected recovery and danger of re-injury suggests that his best option may be retirement/staff coaching position for the Colts.

He would be crazy to risk re-injuring himself, which includes the possibility of paralysis. Why do that at his age? For just a couple more years of playing time? It makes no sense unless the doctors tell him he'll be fine, which I don't think is the case.

Certainly, Manning has been the best for years ... he's got his Super Bowl ring, and I doubt he needs the money. So why would he want to come here, and why would we even consider that? It's not even remotely logical from either side.

No chance. He'll likely retire/coach, and the Colts will put their next Peyton Manning on the field next year in the person of Andrew Luck.

[CanesSkins26]

[frankcal20]

If course you can debate my points but just the compensation alone required to get him will keep us out of the running. As for PM changing his system, I don't see it happening.

Changing offenses is linked to learning a new language. I'm a fairly smart guy (well, one step above stupid) but you put me in Russia and I'm screwed. It's going to take me some time to figure things out. Even if I start learning the language now, I won't be able to hold my own for a while. That's the same for PM. He won't be ready to play in a new system until year 2 at best. I look at DMac as an example and he came to us healthy. Also, you can't say PM's skills have not diminished because we don't know. We also don't even know if he's physically able to play next year.

[CanesSkins26]

[frankcal20]

Age & injury are the number one concern. Everything else is just more reasons for us not to bring him in.

[GoSkins]

If we are interested in Peyton it will be because:
1. He is healthy
2. He wants to play
3. The Colts want to draft Luck
4. The Colts want to save $ by letting Manning go

If all of the above occurs then we should look at Manning if we can sign him for reasonable $.

[frankcal20]

A huge factor in all of this is will Manning want to come here? I seriously doubt it.