Nothing Lasts Forever

Manning and Irsay at today's announcement

            Manning and team owner Jim Irsay stood side-by-side Wednesday afternoon and made the official announcement that the two would end their 14-year relationship. That relationship began on April 18, 1998 and it ended today, March 7, 2012. It was a very emotional scene. Irsay got right to the point as his first sentence was “We’re here to announce the end of Peyton Manning’s career with the Colts”. After just five minutes, the tears began to run down Irsay’s face. He stumbled through the typical press conference mumbo jumbo until it was time for Peyton to take the stage.

                Peyton talked for about five minutes and thanked everybody in the city of Indianapolis and the state of Indiana for being great fans and supporters. I could tell he was shaken up by the whole ordeal. He had that trademarked “Manning face” on the entire time. You could see it in his eyes he was holding back the tears. It was a classy scene and one that truly showed just how great Manning is. He is the greatest quarterback in NFL history but he is also one of the humblest men to ever play the game. This was a far cry from Lebron James’s “Announcement”.

Manning after winning Super Bowl 41

                Manning’s departure is the second time in a six-month window that my favorite athlete has left my favorite team. After winning the 2011 World Series, St. Louis Cardinals’ first basemen Albert Pujols decided to chase the money and play for the Los Angeles Angels. Pujols has been my favorite for a long time, way before anybody outside the Midwest knew who he was. The difference in that situation is that the Cardinals organization has been around for over 100 years and has had tremendous success. The Indianapolis Colts have been around since 1984 and all their success came straight from Peyton Manning.

It’s hard to put into words the depression, sadness, and complete disbelief I am experiencing right now. For more than I decade I have watched Peyton Manning, the greatest quarterback of all time, lead my Colts to victory week after week. He created a football town in the middle of a state that only knew basketball. Manning was the foundation for the past decade of fantastic achievements the Colts have accomplished. Those achievements include 2 Super Bowl appearances, two AFC Championships and countless AFC South Championships. I would also go as far to say, that without Peyton Manning, there would be no Lucas Oil Stadium. And without Lucas Oil Stadium we would never have hosted Super Bowl XLVI. There’s also a possibility that the Indianapolis Colts would not even be in Indianapolis.

Finally, I would just like to say that if I was Jim Irsay, I would have handled the entire situation so vastly different. First I would have traded the 2012 #1 draft pick to a different team (i.e. Browns, Rams. Dolphins) for their 2012 first, second and third round pick plus two or three 2013 picks. Then in the 2012 draft I take running back Trent Richardson or wide receiver Justin Blackmon, if either is available. If both are taken then I would select Ryan Tannehill or Kirk Cousins, both of whom are quarterbacks. The point of selecting a quarterback like Cousins or Tannehill is that neither enter the draft with the high expectations that Andrew Luck has. Plus, neither will demand the huge amount of money Andrew Luck is. Then from there on out I select the best player available. Only exception to that rule is if that player is an offensive or defensive lineman because we have plenty of quality players already at those positions.

So the 2012 season starts and Manning is top quarterback on the team. During mini-camp and summer practices Manning is able to show the young quarterback, whether it be Cousins, Tannehill or somebody else, how he prepares for the season. Then when the season starts he teaches that quarterback how to prepare for games, watch game film and work with the offense. If Manning gets seriously injured then worst case scenario, that quarterback we just drafted becomes the starter. Best case scenario, Manning stays healthy for a few years and gives that young quarterback time to mature and learn what it takes to win in the NFL.

                Another option would have been to trade the number one draft pick to the Denver Broncos for some of their draft picks and backup quarterback Brady Quinn. Why Quinn? Besides being my favorite player in Notre Dame history, he was also the most prolific quarterback at Notre Dame. He hasn’t had any success in the NFL but he has NEVER been given a solid chance. He has all the tools necessary to be a great quarterback he just needs a real shot. If you can get him then you could use the draft picks on players that aren’t quarterbacks.

                
            None of these hypothetical ideas really matter because the outcome has already been decided. Peyton Manning will never play for the Indianapolis Colts again. Fortunately, his #18 will never be worn again ever. That was the only good news I heard today. 

Bill Polian, Irsay and Manning before Super Bowl 41

Quarterback news!

            There was big news for two Indiana teams and their QB situation. On Wednesday, the Indianapolis Colts finally signed a veteran quarterback out of retirement to back up Peyton Manning. The catch is his name isn’t Brett Favre. Instead, the Colts picked up Kerry Collins.

-The news of this signing was actually announced on Twitter by Colts owner, Jim Irsay. This comes less than 24 hours of me writing “Twitter should never be used as a valid source”. Thanks for proving me wrong Irsay!

            
            The 38-year old Collins has played in the NFL for 17 years for five different teams. He was actually drafted by current Colts president, Bill Polian in 1995 when Polian controlled the Carolina Panthers. Collins has a total of 206 career touchdown passes (Manning has 399) and 40,441 yards (Manning has 54,828).

            
            Some see this move as an indication that Manning will miss significant time at the beginning of the season, others see it as an insurance move. I tend to believe that this is more of an insurance move. I like to believe that Manning will be ready to go 100% once the regular season starts Sept. 11. There is a chance though that he could further injure his neck so signing a veteran like Collins is a good move.

            
            With Collins in, current back up Curtis Painter may be on his way out. I’m crossing my fingers!

           

            
            In other NFL news, the Oakland Raiders picked up former Ohio State player, Terrelle Pryor. This is just another fantastic move by the geniuses in Oakland. The Denver Broncos named Kyle Orton their starter. This means that neither Tim Tebow nor Brady Quinn (my favorite Notre Dame quarterback) will be starting. The Carolina Panthers also named their starter. That will be the 2011 No. 1 draft pick, Cam Newton. This forces former Irish QB Jimmy Clausen to the bench. It’s not a good time to be a Notre Dame quarterback.
 -How awesome would have it been to see the Colts make a move for Clausen or Quinn? I know Quinn has what it takes to be a great QB if he was given a chance.

           

            
            This brings me to the disappointing news I found out on Wednesday as well (not via Twitter). The starting quarterback for the 2011 Notre Dame Fighting Irish will be Dayne Crist. Crist and Tommy Rees had been battling since spring to determine who would be the starter. I guess Crist won the battle.

            
            I have been preaching and teaching and preaching some more that Rees is the man for the job. I have been arguing on ESPN, blogs, Facebook, and Xbox Live! When Crist leads the Irish to another 3-3 start, just remember I was right.

Brett Farve to Indy?

Brett Favre as a Green Bay Packer

            There’s a question I NEVER imagined I would have to answer. Then again, after Favre’s (yes that is the correct spelling) drama the past few years nothing surprises me. The whole Favre thing began because Peyton Manning will not play in any preseason games due to his neck surgery, and may not be 100% for the first couple of regular season games.

            

            So on Sunday, Jim Irsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts “tweeted” (which should never be considered a valid source for any reason) “Brad, I'm in Hattiesburg. . . . is it right or left at the Firechief?''. You would think this was the “tweet heard ‘round the world”. ESPN Analysts and even local news affiliates suddenly decided this meant the Colts were interested in bringing Brett Favre to Indianapolis from his hometown of Hattiesburg. Since Sunday evening dozens of articles have been posted about Brett playing for Indy, from the Indianapolis Star to the Washington Post.

            

            For one, as I said earlier, Twitter should never be taken seriously. Two, who the hell is Brad in the tweet? Third, why would the Colts want Brett Favre? Indy currently has back-ups Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky who are pretty horrible, but would be better than Favre. Favre would have to learn a new whole offense, as well as get timing down with the entire offense. Plus, Brett is not the same Brett he was with the Packers, or even the Vikings.

            UPDATED 8/232011- I just finished Indianapolis Star writer Bob Karvitz's article about all the Brett Favre and Twitter hooplah. He believes the "Brad" in Irsay's tweet is former Minnesota Vikings coach, Brad Childress.

            
            On Monday, Brett Favre’s agent said he has not heard anything from Brett about leaving retirement to play. The last he heard from Brett, he was on his tractor at his home in Mississippi.

            

            
            It is a fact that Peyton Manning’s expected return to the playing field is unknown. It is also a near guarantee that he will not get any time in the next two preseason games. My gut feeling is that Manning will be the starter for the first regular season game on September 11^th. Manning has worked hard his entire career to start every game, and has started 208 consecutive games. There is no way he is going to start that number over.

            

            Manning came off of surgery in 2008 and had a slow start. When he finally got his mojo back the Colts finished the season with nine consecutive wins. The same thing will probably happen for the 2011 season. The Colts and Manning will struggle in the beginning of the season but when Manning gets his timing down and shifts the offense into high gear they will be nearly unstoppable.

2011 Colts Training Camp

            Training camps for NFL teams are open, and preseason football is right around the corner. The Indianapolis Colts have been at Anderson University since Sunday and are getting ready for the regular season. The biggest news coming out of camp this past week has been punter Pat McAfee nailing field goals from 75-yards away. Yes, this is what training camp is all about!

            
            Off the field the Colts have been signing veteran players and free agents. The signing of Peyton Manning led to the signing of Joseph Addai, Ryan Diem, and Antonio Johnson. Indy also signed free agents linebacker Ernie Sims, defensive end Jamaal Anderson, and defensive tackle Tommie Harris. I was taken aback by these pickups, as the Colts very rarely big name players. Team President, Bill Polian, explained that the three new players all played in the same defensive scheme that the Colts use, the Cover 2.

            
            The Colts start pre-season games on August 13^th, against the St. Louis Rams. They play at Lucas Oil Stadium against the Washington Redskins on August 19^th and on August 26^th they play the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers. Finally, they finish September 1 in Cincinnati for the I-74 Rivalry.

FOOTBALL IS BACK!

            
            The NFL Lockout came to an end early this week as the NFL Owners and Players Association came to a 10-year agreement. This was absolutely great news for everybody and anybody. Coaches, players, fans, team bus drivers, concession stand workers, limo drivers, gamblers, agents, are all making money now. It also means Super Bowl XLVI is coming to Indy!!!

               

                
            Going on a tangent here, hang on!

                
            The announcement was really unsatisfying to me. I was expecting ESPN and Sports Illustrated and other sports outlets to post on their websites celebratory headlines, stories and pictures. I was also expecting a set time as when it was over. Instead, it was made public knowledge Sunday night that the two sides would agree on a contract Monday. Then it was finalized Tuesday. Sure, there were many stories rejoicing the return of football, but there was nothing that was like my headline. Nor were there any stories about how long we’ve all waited for this decision to come.

                
            Most of the stories written after the decision were all about the teams signing draft picks and free agents (understandably). In fact, the Indianapolis Colts made moves immediately after the Lockout was over.  The Colts signed 12 undrafted players, but none of the players they actually drafted in April. A part of those 12 players were Nate Davis (Ball State), Darren Evans (Virginia Tech), Chad Span (Northern Illinois), and Mike Hartline (Kentucky). Davis and Hartline are both quarterbacks, and Evan and Span are running backs. I hope to God that Davis and Hartline turn out better than current back-up, Curtis Painter.

                
            On Wednesday, Indianapolis re-signed cornerback Melvin Bullitt and kicker Adam Vinatieri. There are still 10 unrestricted free-agents (players that are not under contract and are allowed to look elsewhere for a place to play). Those include running back Joseph Addai, offensive lineman Charlie Johnson, linebacker Clint Session (he may end up with the Jacksonville Jaguars), and defensive tackles Dan Muir and Antonio Johnson. Owner of the Colts, Jim Irsay, has indicated that Addai and Johnson are his top priorities right now.

                
            How could I forget the other free agent? Mr. Peyton Manning. It was expected by everybody in the western hemisphere that his contract would be completed very soon. It is now a few days after the Lockout’s end and Manning is still not really an Indianapolis Colt. There is no doubt that he will not be a Colt, but I would feel better if there was a legal agreement backing that up.

Less than 200 days away!