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

2011 Indianapolis Colts; Preview

            
            The worst possible news for the Indianapolis Colts and us fans was announced today. Peyton Manning had another surgery today and will be out for at least 2 months. (I’ll let you soak that in). Yes, Peyton is out.

            

             I should probably just leave the preview at that because Peyton is the Indianapolis Colts. This team has gone from Super Bowl contender to playoff hopeful in less than a couple of weeks. When the NFL Lockout ended everybody in Indy rejoiced that not only would we get our Super Bowl, but that our team may be playing in it. Now that dream has been shattered.

             

            The Colts will start Kerry Collins and will have Curtis Painter as a backup. In my opinion, I would flip that and have Painter start. Painter led the Colts offense against the Packers first string defense in a preseason game and scored two touchdowns. That was the Super Bowl Champion Packers and a pretty stout defense.

-If you recall, I said Tommy Rees would better than his teammate Dayne Crist who got to start for Notre Dame last week. So far that prediction is holding true.

             

            Whoever the quarterback is they will have a plethora of options to choose from. Wide receiver Reggie Wayne is one of the best receivers in the league (and a supporter of Painter). Also on the receiving corps: Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie, Anthony Gonzalez, and Blair White. All these guys are solid pass catchers, but the key is to stay healthy. Gonzalez has only played a full season once since being drafted by the Colts in 2007 and Collie suffered two concussions last season.

-I just checked the Colts roster and not listed is Mel Brooks. He had a good preseason and would have been a better pickup than Gonzalez.

             

            There’s also this other guy that you may have heard about, Dallas Clark. Clark is one of the best tight ends in the NFL but missed time last year due to injury. He is back this year and healthier than ever so look for him to get a lot of passes thrown his way. The second option at tight end is Jacob Tamme. Tamme filled in for Clark last season and made some good plays.

            

            In the back field for the Colts is Joseph Addai and Donald Brown. This tandem should go by the moniker, “Kings of Averageness”(It’s my blog, I’m allowed to make up words). Neither of these guys are game changers and won’t ever break open a huge run. They both enjoy taking a hand off, juking left or right, and then getting tackled in the backfield for a gain of zero yards. Watch for that season, it won’t take long to see what I’m talking about.

             

            On the defensive side of the ball not much has changed from 2010. Defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, and Linebacker Gary Brackett, are still the staples of the unit. The biggest change was getting rid of safety Bob Sanders (no love lost here). Melvin Bullitt, who has proved to be just as adequate, will replace him. It’s hard to judge how the defense will be this season. I could almost guarantee that they will not be great against the run, but maybe they’ll be a pleasant surprise.

2011 Colts Schedule

9/11- at Houston Texans

9/18- vs. Cleveland Browns

9/25- vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

10/3- at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

10/9- vs. Kansas City Chiefs

10/16- at Cincinnati Bengals

10/23- at New Orleans Saints

10/30- at Tennessee Titans

11/6- vs. Atlanta Falcons

11/13- vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

BYE WEEK

11/27- vs. Carolina Panthers

12/4- at New England Patriots

12/11- at Baltimore Ravens

12/18- vs. Tennessee Titans

12/22- vs. Houston Texans

1/1- at Jacksonville Jaguars

            My first thought after looking at the schedule is that this is gonna be a longgg season. I count three “circle games”, as Peyton would say. Those would be games that you circle as easy wins. The six divisional games (Houston, Jacksonville, Tennessee) could be split, or even end up 4-2. I don’t see us beating the Texans twice though. 
            Unless this team gels and really comes together there is no way we beat most of the teams up there. It’s unfortunate we play two of the toughest divisions in the League, the AFC North and NFC South.

             

            With Peyton Manning out for the whole season I think the Colts finish 6-10. If he somehow comes back, then that win amount will increase. Either way, this will be a pretty depressing season for Colts fans.

Ready the Panic Button!

            This might be the most dreadful and depressing sentence I have ever had to write: Peyton Manning may not start in the first game of the season next Sunday. It was announced late Sunday night/Monday morning that Peyton has started to feel soreness in his back. Since then every news outlet in America has reported the story and it seems like every story is a little different.

             

            This is what’s known. Manning began suffering back pain and has been deemed “questionable” to start on Sunday. He did not practice today and will not the rest of the week.  The soreness was thought to be due to the rehabilitation process but it is not. Team doctors ran tests and released this statement, “As of now, Peyton continues to deal with a complicated neurological recovery, the end date of which is unpredictable…It serves no useful purpose to speculate about hypothetical outcomes. When and if there are concrete medical facts to report we will do so.’’

             

            One of the rumors flying around is that Peyton will need another surgery sometime soon. There is also talk that the injury could be way more serious that anybody thinks and could end Peyton’s career. These are just rumors so don’t put much stock into them yet. To top that off the rumors began on Twitter. What a shocker!

           

            In answer to the rumor of Manning needing surgery, Colts president Bill Polian said this: “I don't know anything about that. I honestly don't."

           

            

            We will all learn very soon if Manning will keep his 208-straight career starts streak going or if he will have to miss the game on Sunday against the Texans. The mood around Indy is pretty somber. Everybody is preparing for the apocalyptic news that Peyton Manning will not play. Then everybody is worrying about who will start if Manning can’t. Well I have trust in Curtis Painter that he can do the job. Better so than Kerry Collins.

            

            As soon as any new information is released I will post it on this story, so check back for updates.

Colts vs. Packers Analysis

            The Colts played the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers last Friday night in their third preseason game. Although the Colts ended up losing at the last minute, 24-21, there was plenty to be optimistic about. The play of the Curtis Painter in the first half was actually pretty impressive. The Colts starting defense was great too as they held Aaron Rogers and company to just 10 points in the first half.

3 Things I liked:

Curtis Painter- I have proudly stated that Painter need to be cut from the team ever since he was picked up by the Colts. He was never that good at Purdue, so why would he be good in the NFL? He has looked absolutely dismal in every start he’s had and in every game he's ever played in. He changed that perception Friday night though. In fact, Painter looked solid. He stood in the pocket every time he went back to pass and kept his composure until he found an open receiver. There were times when he didn’t pick up blitzes, but that falls on the offensive line as well.

            With 1:55 in the second quarter, Painter led the Colts down the field in a perfect 2-minute offense. He finished the drive with a perfect toss in the back corner of the end zone to wide receiver Chris Brooks. After the play there was a clip showing Peyton Manning  smiling on the sidelines. To me, Peyton was thinking “I knew you could do it” or “That was a heck of a throw”, either way it was a cool moment.

            Painter was done after the first half, but during the time he played he threw for 171 yards and two touchdowns. I never thought there could be such a widely publicized battle for a backup job, esp. when the leading contenders are Painter and Kerry Collins. If you would have told me even a month ago that I would type this next sentence I would have laughed in your face and probably punched you. Curtis Painter needs to be the backup to Peyton Manning.

Colts defensive front: The four defensive linemen for the Colts were monsters for two straight quarters. People want to hype up what the Detroit Lions have, but I think our lineup is pretty impressive; Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis on the edge, then Tommie Harris and Jamal Anderson inside. These guys had three sacks, knocked down a pass, and pressured Aaron Rogers continuously. Rookie Drake Nevis made one of those sacks and should get some time on the field this season.

Dwight Freeney (#93) and Robert Mathis (#98)

Tackling: The Colts have been called out past seasons and in this year’s preseason about how poor their tackling is. I didn’t see but one or two broken tackles, if that, in the first half. The speed of our defense didn’t allow the Packers players to break tackles because our guys were swarming their ball carriers.

3 things I didn’t like:

Phil Simms: God this guys is annoying!!! I hate this announcer more than any other of any sport or any network. He NEVER has anything good to say about the Colts. Never. It was even more annoying when he started a sentence “In this building…” (referring to Lucas Oil Stadium) three times in two quarters. Newsflash Simms, L.O.S. isn’t that loud, and doesn’t even begin to compare with the cacophony inside the old RCA Dome.

Phil Simms

Offensive line: These guys were definitely the weak link in the game. I swear it must be somewhere in Ryan Diem’s contract that he HAS to be the cause of at least one penalty a game. How can you have a “false start” when you’re playing at your own stadium, in the preseason? It’s not like you can’t hear the quarterback! They also let Packers corner back, Charles Woodson, get to Painter about three times and sack him twice. They opened up no holes at all for the running game,thus never giving Joseph Addai or Donald Brown a decent chance of getting a big run.

Phil Simms again?: There wasn’t a lot to dislike about how the Colts played in the first half. The real problem came in the second half when the backups went in. The even bigger problem came in the final minute of the 4^th quarter. The Packers scored a touchdown then a 2-point conversion, recovered the ensuing onside kick, and then kicked the game winning field goal. Yeah, all that in the final minute. Fortunately, several of the players involved in that meltdown were cut from the team.

            The Colts play their final game of the preseason Thursday night against the Cincinnati Bengals. The regular season starts against the Houston Texans on Sept. 11^th.

            Indianapolis also announced that Peyton Manning is off the “Players unable to play” or “PUP” list and was able to practice today. It seems like somebody was right about Manning being ready to play in the first regular season game.

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!