Sorting Through The Colts Predicament

Has there ever been a more interesting build up to the NFL Draft than this year? The Indianapolis Colts' dismal season earned them the first overall pick and what they have now is a conflict. Peyton Manning's well-documented neck injury kept him from playing the entire 2011-12 season and the Colts suffered greatly. It is clear how much of an impact Manning had on that team and it is realistic to think that, if he was healthy, Indy would have won at least 10 games. He's that good. However, there is no way to tell if he will ever be fully healthy again and that is why the Colts have tough decisions coming up. Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck is widely regarded as the top quarterback in the '12 Draft Class and he is nearly a lock to be shaking Roger Goodell's hand first on draft day. But what about Peyton Manning? A few years ago it would have been ridiculous to say that Indy might cut Manning, but now it's a real possibility. In this post I will discuss what each group/player should do with the current situation, starting with Luck.

Andrew Luck, Stanford QB
If I'm Andrew Luck then I am begging the Colts to take me. Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre don't exactly have the ideal relationship but look at Rodgers now. It doesn't hurt to learn from a living legend. If Manning is still in the blue and white Luck should come in with the mindset that his time will come. If he does his work and keeps quiet then there is no reason why Manning shouldn't welcome him in with open arms. Sure, Luck could get drafted and step into the quarterback role right away, but let's look at how well that has gone for guys like Ryan Leaf, Cade McNown and Joey Harrington. Elite quarterbacks in college usually end up in bad situations and they never reach their potential. A guy like Alex Smith has finally found what he was looking for, but it took him years. Rodgers is in pursuit of his second Super Bowl and has established himself as one of the top three quarterbacks in the NFL. I could see the situation in Indy being very similar to Green Bay's a few years ago.

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts QB

Nobody likes to have to check over their shoulder to see what's waiting behind them. That's especially true for a future Hall of Famer. We see it all the time in sports, a legend's career is coming to a close and the future star is waiting. That is a rough time period for any veteran. However, we don't know how good Manning could be if he gets back on the field. He may come back and be his old self. That is highly unlikely though, and if the injury is as bad as it sounds, then he should retire. That's my opinion but it makes sense. Retire a Colt and go out on good terms with the organization, the fans and his teammates. Also, a neck injury isn't something to mess around with because the ramifications of reinjuring it could be costly. Now, if doctors clear him and say he can go play then by all means he should go out and play. I just want to see him in a Colts jersey and if that doesn't happen then I would like to see him retire. He is a top five quarterback in history and will be in Canton as soon as possible so there is nothing left for him to prove. Don't be a Brett Favre. That's the best advice I could give Peyton Manning.

Indianapolis Colts organization
The Colts are in the toughest spot of anybody. The easy decision is to draft Luck at number one. That's the smart thing to do and it's the right thing to do. The hard thing will be deciding what to do with Manning. Like I said above, if he can play then let him play while Luck sits and waits his turn. If the Colts think he has lost his magic then I think they should advise him to retire and offer a position on staff as a mentor to Luck. That would be the ideal situation, but the reality is it probably won't happen. I think if you are the Indy front office you just have to make sure there is good communication with Manning and make sure that the relationship isn't sullied. He has been the face of the Colts since he was drafted and it would be a shame to see him leave in anger and try to get "revenge" on the organization by signing with a division rival or another team.

In my mind the perfect situation would be that Peyton Manning gets to play two or three more years at a high level for the Indianapolis Colts while Andrew Luck sits and learns from him. Manning then retires and Luck steps in and keeps the Colts at the top of the AFC standings. The two have a good relationship, unlike Favre and Rodgers, and it becomes one of the best stories in sports. However, I'm smart enough to know that that probably won't happen. We are still a few months away from the NFL Draft but there is no doubt that this will be a story that draws much attention and will disected from every angle. Tough decisions will have to be made and we could have to say goodbye to Peyton Manning. Something that would come too soon.