“Business is a combination of war and sport.” -Andre Maurois
The Colts had a lousy season.
There really is no other way to describe a season that saw the team go (2-14), lose its star quarterback, and go through two back-up quarterbacks; one of which was summoned out of retirement.
Things were tough in Indy, but you never got the sense that something major was going to happen because Peyton Manning would be back. He would come in and save the day and show all that despite this seasons disaster they were a good football team with him behind center. As the weeks went on the recovery process became vaguer. Things got scary in a hurry because no one knew if number 18 would even be able to throw after three neck surgeries. Coupled with the fact that there weren’t many explanations as to why the star was on the sideline looking more coach than Superman it became panic time.
Something else came with rock bottom. Something that no one else realized could have hurried the franchise and community altering quarterback out of a Colts uniform.
Andrew Luck.
What do you do if you’re Jim Irsay? Next week and you have to call Peyton Manning in for a meeting in a city he rejuvenated, a stadium his arm built, and a franchise he saved and tell him what? You’re going in a different direction despite the fact he was recently cleared to play? Do you trade the number one pick and miss out on the heir apparent to the Colts quarterback throne? Do you keep the pick and Manning and set your club back by handcuffing them with over $145 million invested in one position?
I don’t envy his position at all. On one side you’re getting the consensus number one overall pick in Luck. A franchise changing right arm (sound familiar?) and an almost sure thing; on the other you’re letting go of a player who has led your team to two Super Bowls (winning one), 141 victories, 8 division titles, and did I mention you will be playing in the stadium that will be forever know as “The Place Peyton Built?” Good luck with thos choices.
At the same time all the public back and forth, the Twitter wars, the statements, and the questions are irrelevant at this point. Eventually, Jim Irsay is going to have to sit down with Manning and decide whether now’s the time to cut ties is or not.
Manning, too, needs to go the route of Derek Jeter and keep quiet. It isn’t a coincidence those medical reports were released today because that doesn’t happen without the patients consent. Irsay was correct to insinuate some politicking was going on in the Manning camp and frankly it needs to stop until after the Super Bowl. What is being dubbed a spectacular job by the city of Indianapolis hosting the Super Bowl is being overshadowed by the sideshow that is Peyton/Irsay. Not to mention there is a great game that will be played Sunday and Peyton ought to give his brother Eli some respect and lay low.
Both of these men have done too much for the city and the franchise for it to be overshadowed by theatrics. Business is business, and the sooner both get down to it the better it will be for everyone.
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