Stampede Blue

That’s such a stupid comment. By the way maybe we should show a little gratitude for Bill Polian also, since this franchise was a shit show before he got here

udllama - January 3, 2012 via mobile reply

before Peyton got here..you mean.

Ayrshire - January 3, 2012 reply

Found Saturday. Took Freeney when all analysts said he was a reach. Took edge over Ricky Williams. Took Reggie Wayne when many said he wasn’t worth it. Found Mathis, Dallas Clark, Bethea, Brackett, etc. If you can’t recognize the positives I assume you just showed as a bandwagon fan 3 or 4 years into Peyton’s career, and don’t remember or know what this franchise was like before. I’m not saying it wasn’t time to move on but Bill Polian did a ton for this Franchise to move us from laughingstock to winners

udllama - January 3, 2012 via mobile reply

Put a prime Peyton Manning on ANY NFL team and they become contenders

I will freely admit that Polian has made some nice moves. However who couldn’t have found success with Peyton covering all the flaws?

He just became so stubborn and refused to fix the same damn holes that plagued this franchise every single year.

Why did we never find a cover corner?

Why didn’t we ever have an NFL sized DT to stop the run?

Why did our ST coverage units always stink?

Time to turn things around

It will take some time, sure. Everyone at Colts Authority is trying to reenact the iceberg/Titanic wedding. I haven’t seen nearly as much of that over here. It’s nice to be on the side of optimism now.

mkehoosier - January 2, 2012 reply

Exactly how I see it

Polian was really effective early on in his tenure. Unfortunately he has let his hubris and stubborn personality cloud his judgement.

If he had been more willing to bend his philosophy and listen to other opinions. He might still be employed today.

SmallMarketBigPlays - January 3, 2012 reply

After reading some of it I cannot help but wonder if tears were shed.

Joseph* - January 2, 2012 reply

It became clear that Bill was looking for greener pastures in the league office

and installed his son to transition. How much long was Bill going to stick around anyway?

I've criticized you in the past BBS

but today you and the staff did well. Cheers.

coltsfan89 - January 2, 2012 reply

BBS

Are you finally relieved? Do you think Caldwell should go?

I'm torn on JC

I think an established coach like Fisher would be better but it’s hard to let a guy go if the team wants him. Maybe it really isn’t all his fault. Remember Tryon said if JC had it his way he’d be starting.

I think Caldwell ultimately goes

It’s just going to be a situation where the new GM gets to make the call on him. Might as well keep him on the payroll and allow some continuity between now and the new front office.

Horseshoe_Tsunami - January 2, 2012 reply

Caldwell would be a great addition

back on the Penn State coaching staff. Great character guy with NFL experience.

PV Mike - January 2, 2012 reply

Caldwell must go!

Bring in somebody with a bit more authority. Might be a good idea to snag Spags as defensive coordinator…

Antillar - January 2, 2012 reply

No more Polians to kick around

Now that Bill and Chris have been run out of town, you can focus on the Colts new direction. No more Bill talking about “pundits” and ignoring the media.

Celpro - January 2, 2012 reply

Keep up the good work BBS

I am so happy the Polians got fired and you deserve major props for staying the course with the Polian criticism since 2009(well justified though).

It is literally cracking me up to see the titanic/iceberg enactement being done on Coltsauthority. Oh the irony of it all…the blogs claiming to be the positive ones are now drowning in tears for the Polians. After all they were supposed to be the best informed blogs out there based on pure information. (/smirk)

Anywaz it is a great day…feels amazing to be back on this blog.

I am least worried about Caldwell. McKenzie will be the new GM and Fisher will be the coach. Manning will be back and the Colts shall rise again.

Believeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

Nate is working on a numeric formula

That shows Bill Polian is vastly superior to Chuck Norris.

Horseshoe_Tsunami - January 2, 2012 reply

True he must be coming up with complex equations

That us normal folks might not be able to comprehend. I am literally having an blast reading the comments over there….

Boooooo…The sky has fallen…our great leader has departed…

Wahhhh…We are doomed to mediocrity for the next ten years…sob…make it the next twenty years…

Polian…Sob….Sob….Please come back….Sob….

Uh - why why?

Must you make yourself feel better by putting Nate down? Pretty juvenile. If you’re happy the Polians are gone, then be please with that.

buymymonkey - January 2, 2012 reply

I sold out on Nate's numeric formula's when

He came up with the one what said Joe Addai was the 3rd best Running Back in the NFL and Adrian Peterson was 17th.

Apparently I don’t know football because I disagree with his “science”.

It was right around when we played TB

We were arguing over the recent effectiveness of Polian and the way he had structured our cap situation.

My contention was that Manning had carried Polian for the last several years. And that a prime Manning on ANY NFL roster would make them a 10-13ish win team. Then we started talking about not cutting bait on vets and refusing to sign free agents for the most part.

I mentioned guys like Brackett, Bullett and Addai as guys who had regressed and weren’t worth what they got paid. Thats when he laid that doozy on me.

I know he is a fan and all, and I do respect that. He just refuses to see any point of view other than his own.

I know, you're a dumbass if you disagree.

It's Magc - January 2, 2012 reply

that's not true

He and I disagree all the time. You’re only a dumbass if you present dumbass arguments or behave like a child.

You know, kind of like how adults behave.

I've never argued with the guy, but I have seen some unnecessary name calling.

God forbid someone disagree with his airtight statistical analysis. Sometimes the eyeball test works just fine.

It's Magc - January 2, 2012 reply

I think stats def have their place

However they are limited and more infantile than in a sport like baseball. Too many variables in football to live completely by stats. Especially non regular advanced metric type stats.

Since he has been extremely critical of bullitt since he has been a starter I think it’s fair to say that never happened

udllama - January 3, 2012 via mobile reply

Addai always had a ton of value

because in the Manning offense, blocking is job 1. He was the closest thing we had to Edge. Brown has improved in that area, but he’s no Joe Addai. And neither is Peterson. Behind our line, AP actually would have less value overall than Addai. He was never the type of back that would work in that offense.

That said, once Manning got hurt, Addai’s extension became pretty pointless, because the offense wasn’t going to be even remotely the same.

I have no idea what the context of your discussion was or what stat possibly showed that 3v17 comparison, but in a Manning-led offense Joseph Addai’s price was by far the least of our worries, cap-wise.

Because the 5 games per year that Addai actually plays

Is so epically awesome that no stats can do it justice? How about we give Peyton credit for making any Dom Rhodes and Lance Ball off the street look like a competent NFL running back.

Maybe you guys need to develop a formula to show us that Jacob Lacey and Mike Pollak are really Pro Bowl caliber players?

Wow

you could’ve just saved a lot of typing if you just called me a name. It would’ve made just as much sense and been just as relevant to the discussion (which, I should point out, focused solely on Addai’s monetary value).

When was Lance Ball any good for us, and what did that have to do with Peyton?

Why would I call you a name?

If Luck has a bad game tonight

Prepare for a Luck vs RGIII debate among all analysts. The RGIII bandwagon is going to pick up steam if Luck has a bad showing tonight.

Agreed

Pick will still be Luck though.

Dito29 - January 2, 2012 reply

Shades of Manning vs. Leaf all over again

You have to take Luck in any event IMHO.

If for no other reason he is a pocket QB. How many running QB’s can you name that stay healthy in the NFL?

Cam Newton

Just sayin

Cam only been up a year

armycolts25 - January 2, 2012 reply

It's only been a year.

Eff Luck, Kellen Moore first overall baby!!!!!

It's Magc - January 2, 2012 reply

Sample size

Steve Young was originally a running QB, who learned how to stay in the pocket to prolong his career. Randall Cunningham reinvented himself as a pocket guy late in his career in Minnesota.

However most instances of high profile running QB’s almost always involve significant missed time with injury.

Mike Vick
Vince Young
Donovan McNabb
Daunte Culpepper

RG3 can run

But hes a pass first guy. People assume he’s run first because he has Olympic talent speed.

McNabb's injury history isn't that great

his “fat, lazy, and stubborn” history is, though.

I appreciate a lot about RGIII, but I was terrified of getting the #2 pick instead. I just don’t like the idea of trying to create and run a non-traditional college-like offense from scratch, and even more than that I don’t like the idea of trying to adapt it as his physical advantages erode with time. I just don’t see that model working as well. He’s head and shoulders above all those guys in terms of brainpower and accuracy, but he’s still going to slow down in time, losing that edge, and he’s still a risk of getting a wrist or ankle snapped, either of which would totally affect his game (beyond the immediate IRing him, of course).

Plus I guess I’m just used to Manning. I appreciate the heady play of a gifted QB more than the “I’ll just outrun you because I’m faster and that’ll cover my mistakes” gifts. I’d rather watch a Manning v Belichick chess match than Newton v Gregg Williams.

The career Arc of Mike Vick makes we not want a running QB

No matter how many ways they have tried to configure a team around him. The teams seem to underachieve more than they overachieve.

And I though Micheal Vick coming out of College was the only guy I would have rather had than Peyton.

Vick with 70% accuracy would be seriously scary.

Griffin is a full 15% more accurate than Vick, and he was often playing against teams with more talent than his own.

I don’t like Vick, and never did, but mostly because he was too inaccurate. Mid-50s even in college.

There’s no question that Griffin will be a nightmare to defend. Only that it’s tough to plan around that as a team leader for the future.

willyduer - January 3, 2012 reply

This upcoming draft is going to be a very important for years to come

fanatik - January 2, 2012 reply

Also, what about Blackmon?

Let say that the colts trade the pick, and if Wayne is gone, Blackmon could be an option.
Blackmon-Pierre-Collie does not seem like a bad WR combination

fanatik - January 2, 2012 reply

I've thought that same thing for awhile

Another note, we really need to find a way to keep Mathis.

Why on earth would you pass on a Franchise QB to take a WR?

The Free Agent market is flooded with WR’er every single offseason.

Other than an injured Drew Brees leaving to make room for Phil Rivers. We have never seen a true franchise QB leave as a free agent in his prime.

Look how well Cruz played for the Giants this year.

He was an unsigned nobody until the Giants took him.

PV Mike - January 2, 2012 reply

Exactly

Look at who we have played at WR in the Manning years. What did Marvin Harrison do here before Peyton was drafted?

Blair White, Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie?

Other than RB and maybe Cover-2 linebacker, what is a more fungible position than receiver?

Marvin's talent was obvious from Day 1.

He just didn’t post the monster numbers.

I’m very pro-Manning but let’s be honest here. Marvin was a freakish talent the entire time.

Marvin was extremely gifted

My point is that without a QB, it doesn’t matter who the receivers are. Case in point, look at the wideout stats in Denver this season.

Ridiculous to point to Denver

as they’ve regressed to a college offense with no thought of pass-first. Hell, Tebow isn’t the passer even lower-tier picks like Kellen Moore are at this level. He just can’t hack it as a passer, so its not really a great comparison.

I’m also not sold that Luck is the second coming of PM. Good, yes. Great upside, of course. However, I highly doubt he makes players around him as good as PM does. No one is saying Luck isn’t a good pick at #1, but even if we trade down and get a QB in the next couple drafts, you can’t just toss scrubs out there and expect your QB to make them look stellar. You have to give them as much help as possible. This is why a WR, at some point in this draft, makes sense. And why Blackmon is so intriguing.

every rookie QB has "upside"... until they get a taste of the NFL

I’m with you, no one doubts luck can be a good QB and of course he like even rg3 could be a very good qb but this talk of the next manning is ridunkulous.

Amen.

There is no guarantee and to say that anyone can turn scrub WRs into reliable talents is crazy. But Manning has taken what many people consider sub-par WRs (Collie, Garcon, Gonzo) and turned them into legit threats down the field when playing and healthy. You just can’t rely on every QB prospect to do that much for their teammates.

What did 88 do before 18?

96: 15th(tied) in TD’s in the league, 32nd in yards, 28th in catches. For a team that went 9-7, only rushed for 1,400 yards and led his team in all major receiving categories.
97: 20th(tied) in TD’s in the league, 27th in yards, 14th in catches. For a team that won THREE games.

Now the rest of marv’s career numbers were insane because he did benefit from having a great QB but given just a decent QB and a good team and Marv would have been to multiple pro bowls all on his own.

cq.noble - January 4, 2012 reply

Well and the Giants almost cut him.

buymymonkey - January 2, 2012 reply

Other than Cruz

Who’s been a breakout ur drafted wr? Welker? I’m not saying pass on Luck I’m just saying Blackmon would be a great pickup.

Jim Irsay's Stones

Looks like Brad owes Irsay an apology for that claim about his lack of “stones.” Apparently no one was reading the tea leaves correctly. It’s a tragic day in Indy. I feel sorry for all parties involved, players, owner, front office. I haven’t liked BP for a long time, but I am sad to see things end this way. I don’t care for his son. I think that was a disaster in the making. I feel sorry for the players going from Superbowl contenders to dysfunctional. Lots of talent there, and lots of players that never would have been given a chance in another system. I do feel sorry for Caldwell, and I think Irsay is being very decent in this process, showing great humility and humanity. What a humbling experience!

coxandreweric - January 2, 2012 reply

Apology

Yeah, he does. I’m not holding my breath though.

Irsay dosnt deserve an apology

He did what an Owner and CEO should do, which is LEAD for the future of the franchise!
14 years is 5 or 6 years too long for a GM, Polian served the franchise well but the wheels came off and exposed him for the A-Hole he is, unkind and a dinosaur as compared to the progressive nature of the league now.
Irsay is right, the future is now and time to move forward in a new “One Voice”…

yeah he does because he did the right thing

the thing BBS has claimed over and over he wasnt man enough to do that he was too inept or had no balls or whatever snide remarks he made in every article that were unwarranted and in the end incorrect and false and showed that BBS was wrong. Again

C.Settles - January 2, 2012 reply

How has picking franchise Qbs #1 worked elsewhere in the NFL?

Theres only 2 QBs picked #1 overall in the past 14 years to win a superbowl. Peyton and Eli. When will people realize that QBs in the draft are HIGHLY over rated. I believe the value of the return we could get in exhange for the rights to the #1 pick far and away surpass the value of Luck. I hope Irsay and whom ever we hire as the new GM can realize this as well.

What kind of value do you expect to get?

The 46 million in Cap space from Peyton and Freeney leaving would be enough to sign 8-10 really solid free agents.

Worst case scenario here is we deal Luck and Peyton can’t come back. Or he comes back and isn’t the same or is hurt midway through next year.

Do you remember the great “value” we got from trading John Elway?

Also keep in mind that

20 of the 32 starting QB’s were 1st round picks. Sure you might get lucky and find a Romo or Brady on the scrap heap.

It’s just not wise to plan on not having a plan.

Irsay surely remembers what it was like between Burt Jones and Peyton Manning?

value as in more picks

say for example, miami trades us a 1 2 and 3 this year, 1 and 3 next year and 1 the following year.. (iv heard many times luck could land us 3 first rounders) miami most likely wont be a contender next year, so we’d probly be getting at worst a top 20 pick from them. we could get a QB next year with one of our 2 first rounders..or next year. I just see much greater value in 5 first rounders, then 1 that will ride the bence behind manning. Also, do you really want to bring in 8-10 solid free agents? look where that got the eagles this year. Our Build from within policy has WORKED, teams like the skins and eagles who pluck guys from other rosters HASNT!

Too many holes to build from within right now

The problem other than Manning getting hurt, is that we just got old all at once. The vets with big cap numbers are getting to the end of the line. The time to press reset is upon us.

I’d say lets sign some free agents and plug some holes. We can draft guys in the next few years to understudy behind them and hopefully re-live the years of Freeney and Mathis pushing Bratzke and Jackson and Hayden pushing Burris and Poole.

i see what ur saying

but why not have all the extra picks that luck could land us to fill those holes? 5 first round picks in the next 3 years could fill those holes sooner rather then later. i agree on pressing reset, unless some of these older guys take pay cuts to stay, they need to go. id just rather replace them with first rounders then taking bigger chances on later round guys. getting a quality back up QB is must this offseason, but i feel with all the extra picks we would get for Luck we have plenty of time and picks to find a replacement for PM.

I just don't Peyton's health going forward

Even if he can come back healthy. He is always going to be an elevated injury risk. Even if he comes back healthy and doesn’t get injured. He is 36 in 3 months. At what point does he start to decline?

You can’t stop the hands of time.

Elway couldn’t
Montana couldn’t
Favre couldn’t

Peyton won’t either.

thats why need a quality back up

and take all the pressure off of Manning when he is on the field. build a strong running game around him, or build a strong defense. that way if he does get hurt again, all the pressure isnt on that back up to win for us.

36 is no 40 there are plenty of years in between there

Farve had great stats his second to last year and he is no where as safe and effective as Manning. Farvess problems were more INT and his own ego more than playing ability two problems i dont see with Manning

C.Settles - January 2, 2012 reply

I've got no problem letting Manning stay on a reworked deal

I just think it would be lunacy to not have Andrew Luck as a fallback option. Trading him is akin to using a winning lotto ticket to light your cigar.

so your saying

that luck is already a winning a ticket? lol. hes a chance, just like any pick would be. but id rather have 5 chances to win it then 1. the old saying “dont put all your marbles in one basket” fits well.

The fallacy here is thinking that all picks are created equal

There is a difference in the pedigree between guys like Elway and Manning. Guys who were projected 1st overalls for 2 years running. And guys like JaMarcus Russell and Akili Smith who earned their spots with combine and workouts.

From all accounts Luck would have been 1st overall each of the last two years. People were touting him as a freshman.

He comes from a family with a former NFLer Dad.
He scored top level SATs and graduated early from a top academic school.

Sure he can bust. However the chances of him are MUCH smaller than any other QB prospect in recent memory.

Worst case is he becomes a Phillip Rivers.

That is the one thing that makes me really want Luck,

I think he can bust jsut like anybody else, but the fact that he is intelligent, seems to love the game, and is deeply loyal and competative sells me on him.

Sir Sci - January 3, 2012 reply

Elway and Favre

Favre took the Vikings to the brink of the Super Bowl at 40.
Elway won the SB twice with a revamped team at the end of his career.

Those two reasons alone are worth a shot to roll the dice with Manning and a revitalized roster if you even call it taking a chance. Good QBs come around every 2-3 years. Super Bowls don’t, and Manning never will again.

AceOfSpades - January 2, 2012 reply

How would we get the pieces to realistically do that?

Those teams literally had 15-20 guys on those rosters better than who we have in their places here.

The window to compete with Manning is closed.

Trading the #1 is a great place to start

This team is a stud safety, stud CB and stud WR away from being back at the Super Bowl.

A healthy Manning alone gets the team the South division next year with the same roster.

AceOfSpades - January 3, 2012 reply

Maybe we can bring Marvin and Edge back to shore up the skill positions?

Marcus Pollard would be great as the 2nd TE. Maybe Walt Harris and Tyrone Poole can help out in the secondary?

If you're talking value,

Luck’s has gone up tremendously because of MB going back to USC. I’m fine with a trade out of #1, amassing picks, then taking Barkley or another QB in the future with one of our first round picks.

With this year’s first you get a WR, second RD go CB, and pick up safeties later or next year when a better class comes along. Plus, if we jettison the likes of Diem and other fair sized contracts where we don’t need them (think restructuring as well, with DFree helping to keep Mathis, etc.) it could really work for a quick reload.

In my opinion, only, of course.

now your just being

a smart ass. however, Trent Richardson or Justin Blackmon would sure up those skill positions you mentioned. Tamme is a good enough #2 tight end. What your failing to realize is that, even though our core is getting old, we already have players that can supplant them as our core. Bethea and Angerer seems to be a good start to building a solid foundation on defense. Connor played very well as well. We need help at CB, I personally dont think any of ours are a #1 CB. On offense we have young guys like costanzo and ijalana or h/e you spell it, and garcon and collie are by no means old. We do have holes, but if we traded the #1 pick we could fill those holes quickly. Why not try to build around manning real quick and give the greatest qb who ever lived another shot to take us to the promise land rather put all our faith in a rookie QB who wont have the weapons to take us anywhere for 3-4 years at least. I’ve said it before, we need to take some of the pressure off of manning, build a more solid team around him, and he will have a far greater chance of winning a few more superbowls in the twilight of his career then andrew luck will throughout his entire career.

Max Scull - January 3, 2012 reply

You take the QB with the first..dumb not to.

armycolts25 - January 2, 2012 reply

lol

i bet the raiders, texans, browns, bengals, falcons, and possibly the 49ers all disagree.

only 2 busts on that list

Palmer
Vick
Smith

Have all looked good.

Couch played well for a short while and had a freak shoulder injury that ended his career.

i didnt say they were all busts

however. smith is the only on the list doing anything for the team that drafted him and it took him way to long to succeed. if I was a GM and I draft a QB first overall id expect him to be my QB for at least 10 years and lead my team to the playoffs most of those years..

Luck looking pretty good so far, but...

He lacks the big play down the field with the big arm! The play action was nice, but I’m still on the RGIII bandwagon, bigger arm, accurate down field throws that can thread the needle and big plays with his feet. Smart kid and a class act like Luck is as well.

RGIII is the type of QB of the future the NFL is starting to see in Newton and to some degree, Rodgers that can make plays extend with their feet…

Luck has plenty enough arm to make downfirkd throws, he has no real playmakers on the outside. Griffin has two really solid receivers, besides the fact he runs a spread system. They are both great, I still think Luck is better. But none of us really know anything.

hitmaneraser21 - January 2, 2012 via mobile reply

Because the best QBs in the league all have the best arms? Coming out of college – Drew Brees “lacked the big arm”. Peyton Manning “lacked the big arm” and Ryan Leaf “had the big arm”. You don’t just take the QB with the big arm. Pocket QBs will always rule the NFL.

Agreed, It's always an overrated intangable

The best QB’s are intelligent and natural leaders. If you have a quick release and are accurate. That is plenty enough if you can master the playbook and control your huddle.

and RGIII isn't smart and a leader?

He put Baylor on the MAP, take him off that team they win 3 games tops!

I think RG3 will be a really good pro QB

I just believe Andrew Luck will be better.

Luck is gonna need a really good running game

Which the Colts do not have IMHO! Brow and Carter are mediocre at best and Addai is way over rated

His play action ability

And the rules of the pro game will help his passing. We will pass to set up the run. Just like we have during the Manning era.

very true

watching the game and this whole season (i live in Palo Alto) harbaugh built that team as a running team. if luck is counted to be “the next peyton manning” fans will be 100% disappointed.

Newton and Rodgers are pocket QB's

and make plays extend with their feet and quickness…
RGIII’s accuracy is better than Lucks, yards per completion and more. Baylors D isnt as good as Stanfords and goes to show what a great college QB RGIII is…

This year yes…Wasn’t much last year.
Spread offense will always produce better numbers in college. Luck runs a pro style offense. I guess Timmy Chang and Colt Brennan should have been #1 overall picks then I guess. Case Keenum #1 overall this year?
Baylor’s receivers and athletes >>>>>>>>>> Stanford’s receivers. Luck has literally not 1 deep threat. Not a single one.

At this stage of the game, he’s much more prepared for the NFL than RGIII. He understands and reads defenses better than any other QB in the country. Before the snap, he finds mismatches. RGIII runs a spread offense that literally any QB can run with success. No I don’t think he’s a system QB, but Luck has been much more impressive throughout his college career and much more deserving of the #1 overall pick at this point and time.

Deserve has nothing to do with it...

I stated future of the NFL QB, Newton and RGIII is the future! Spread offense doesnt apply, RGIII is ready now to play in the NFL regardless of system.

Luck is good, but no better than RGIII from a smarts standpoint

Deserve has nothing to do with it

when it comes to the draft… Its about evaluation of the player for your team is what I meant Fan1345

Maybe...

If he had WRs to throw to. We would be able to see his arm strength down the field a little more.

INdymayneNVegas - January 2, 2012 via mobile reply

Andrew Luck silences his critics tonight!

with a very bad hand off and

fumble on his own 3 yard line

Wasn’t his fault…

the hell it wasnt

So what, like Manning didn't have bad plays..please

armycolts25 - January 2, 2012 reply

I like these guys...

Coach: Fisher/Cowher
Defensive coordinator: Spags (ex-Rams)

Antillar - January 2, 2012 reply

if cowher is the head coach

he’ll want to run a 3-4 defense but i agree about fisher

Phillycolt - January 3, 2012 reply

Luck overrated

He may be good, but he’s no Manning, seems like Luck needs good a running game and protection to succeed. Luck reminds me of Tom Brady, which isn’t a good thing if he’s playing in a team like the Colts.

soforizo - January 2, 2012 reply

I have said the very same thing

thank you…

comment is unfair

Luck has a great oline and a running game to compliment him, but to say he can’t succeed without them is premature. We don’t know that….I am 100% behind u in that he is not Manning, however, no one is. Plus, manning will be back and Luck will have a couple years to even get better….but for the next 3 yrs, I hope it’s manning all the way

Z.Pain - January 2, 2012 via iPhone app reply

what else can one say?

Having a great O-line and running game just makes his selection even more of a gamble. If we do pick him, this means that we definitely need to get rid of Manning, because Luck will need alot more help than Manning to succeed.

Is anyone wanting us to have a terrible O-line and running game?

This has been part of the issue with the “Polian can do no wrong” crowd. He is so great, yet the running game is frequently poor. The offensive line is almost alway terrible. The defense has never stopped the run. And the ST coverage units have always been terrible.

Why not draft a really good QB……AND BUILD A GOOD TEAM AROUND HIM?

Agreed, but you have to get rid of Manning to have any hope of that

and even then, Manning would be a drag on the cap.

I doubt Manning comes back without redoing that contract

Still we have about 40-50 Million in other dead money that can be stripped off the cap this offseason.

Freeney
Addai
Brackett
Bullitt
Clark
Wayne
Mathis
Saturday

Are all very likely gone and represent a TON of cap space.

let's hope so

I don't buy that ALL of these go

Freeney – Will restructure and allow them to try to bring back Mathis
Addai – WIll most likely be gone and wouldn’t hurt with the RBs we have
Brackett – Has been replaced and although he is a great Colt, can’t be back
Bullitt – Okay, Can go as well
Clark – Probably correct in his leaving
Wayne – Should be brought back, but at a lower price than he might like
Mathis – Will be made an offer and I believe he loves the Colts, would come back
Saturday – Most likely will retire, but if not look for a short contract with a smallish cap hit

when isn't a number 1 pick

Not a gamble?

Z.Pain - January 3, 2012 via iPhone app reply

a gamble always

I wasn’t disputing that it would be a gamble, just that it would be a bigger gamble.

luck is smart

He makes good decisions and is poised under pressure…u can’t fault a guy for what he has around him…his job is to play qb, not ask the oline and running game to suck just to help showcase hi value.

Z.Pain - January 3, 2012 via iPhone app reply

so is kellen moore but he isn't being considered for the #1 pick

picking luck would basically mean

that we are conceding the next 3 years if stick him on the bench, do you really think that jsut because we get peyton back next year we will be contenders again? did you watch any of the games prior to our first win? the team was quite bad, manning might have got us to 7 wins at best. we need far more help than a QB that will ride the bench can bring us.. trading the pick for a package of more picks could fill those holes and we could be serious contenders again in 2 years.

Max Scull - January 3, 2012 reply

what team are you watching?

did you not remember playoffs last year or the year before or before that or before that why wouldnt Manning make this team a contender again next year it isnt any worse off and may even be slightly improved than last years

Every team we played this year Manning could and has torn up especially division rivals and teams like baltimore

C.Settles - January 3, 2012 reply

Luck

He reminds me of Matt Ryan a lot. Which is good, but not nearly what some are expecting from him. Add to that he would be attempting to replace a legend and the result will be less than expected.

Manning, if healthy, is the guy. Blackmon would be a great pick if they can trade with the Browns or Dolphins.

AceOfSpades - January 3, 2012 reply

I couldnt agree more

We need to get someone who we can stick in the lineup and help us win now, something luck couldnt do. Blackmon dominated for 2 straight years and with a QB like Manning he could very well dominate in the NFL as well. not to mention all the other help we could draft with the other picks we get in return for the #1..

Max Scull - January 3, 2012 reply

as a #1 pick luck is VERY overrated

all this talk about him being the best overall passer since manning is hilarious. fans are seriously on this mans junk but he doesn’t stand out no more than other QB’s that have come out. media always has to have a “best since….” to keep the hype machine going and luck is the next in line.

Yeah!

The fans are… WRONG!!
The media is… WRONG!!
The scouts and NFL GMs and pros are… WRONG!!

I’m… RIGHT!!

LOL

Yougotme - January 3, 2012 reply

You weren't around when Ryan Leaf was seriously contended...

everyone in that draft year said he was a sure thing.

He was such a sure thing...

that Polian drafted Manning ahead of him?

Leaf had A LOT of question marks, not the least of which character, that Luck doesn’t have. There were A LOT of people who said that.

Yougotme - January 3, 2012 reply

Leaf did not have have a lot of question marks...

that is why people remember that Manning was picked over him. BECAUSE IT WAS RIGHT

good enough for a #2 pick but not good enough for a #1?

looking back it looks like a home run, but if he had serious question marks and red flags, San Diego would have never taken him #2.

danorocks17 - January 3, 2012 reply

Grain of salt

I remember the ESPN/ Mel Kiper ratings during that draft. They had it

Andre Wadsworth 98
Peyton Manning 97
Ryan Leaf 96

So they were indeed very close. Peyton was thought to be the safer pick. Leaf was the guy with the bigger arm and possibly the higher ceiling. Peyton had the higher floor in most peoples eyes.

Similar to what we are seeing with Luck vs RG3

Blackmon

Anybody else watching the clinic that Justin Blackmon is putting on. 158 yds and 3 TDs. That’s like 34 pts in Fantasy Football, non-ppr. But seriously, there is no way this guy will last past the 3rd pick, barring a trade.

shastamasta - January 2, 2012 reply

Gifted

Would be really nice to plug him in Indy. But i think he’s top 5 at best.

Agree

I have dreams of the Cotls trading back with Cleveland for a haul and then trading back with Washington once more, stockpiling an embarassment of 1st, 2nd and 3rd round picks over the next two years. Think about what you could do with 5 1st rounders, 5 2nd rounders and 5 3rd rounders over the next 2-3 years. You could grab a great QB prospect, shore up the o-line, rebuild the defense and grab a couple of potential stud skill players.

shastamasta - January 3, 2012 reply

agreed

the luck hype train will be in full effect but exploring ALL your draft options, including trading down, have to be considered. luck is not head and shoulders over every QB that has come out of college in the last 14 years since peyton. he will need a serious run game and OL which you can say with ANY QB. Hears hoping the colts do weigh other options and not get swayed by public opinion only.

Taylor and Blackmon

Stud gamers!

Terrible call by Stanford to run the wild cat

ColtsFanInEnemyTerritory - January 3, 2012 reply

Here we go

Let’s we what you got Luck

INdymayneNVegas - January 3, 2012 via mobile reply

How about these commentators?

Millen and talent evaluaton don’t mix.

AceOfSpades - January 3, 2012 reply

Overtime - OSU lucked out

OSU left way too much time on the clock when they scored there. I understand Stanford’s D was gassed and OSU was using it to their advantage. But they could have easily let the clock run down some more, especially with the way their Defense has been playing or not playing as it were.

shastamasta - January 3, 2012 reply

Some changes could be good in Indy

Irsay brought up some good points in that Bill Polian has taken himself out of the decision making and look what happened. And I have to admit that some of Polian’s picks as of late haven’t necessarily been the best such as Brown. The idea to leave Caldwell’s job up to the new GM also is quite smart. I think that would make any good quality GM more comfortable to come to Indy, feeling that he truly has some say. I think it also sets the Colts up to be more able to grab a great new coach if they decide to get rid of Caldwell. Polian had such intense control that I think many coaches were not the most willing to come to Indy. One thing I do hope is that the Colts pick up Luck. In the Fiesta Bowl he is showing great poise and decision making, things I love about Peyton Manning. I don’t think the Colts can pass Luck up nor can they afford to deal him away. And Irsay is right, you have to keep Manning if he’s in good health. There is only one 4 Time MVP, and if he’s healthy, you’re stupid to trade him away. Many hyped draft picks have floundered like JaMarcus Russell, Ryan Leaf, Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, etc. If anything, my faith in Irsay to make good decisions has grown.

the more i watch luck the more and more I want peyton back healthy

he has 2 all american OL, has about 10 nice RB’s, throws alot of short passes, where his receivers took it for way more yards so it pads the numbers and nothing stands out with him. sorry guys i can’t buy the hype yet.

He showed that he can make NFL throws.

And he barely has legitimate receivers – really just TEs who struggle to get seperation. Those short passes were often second and third reads under pressure. Why would you have a problem with that? Luck naysayers seem to be quite irrational in there judgements.

I can’t argue the value of a haul of picks, but the QB is hands down the most important position and Luck looks legit.

mlc2656 - January 3, 2012 via mobile reply

Luck IS Peyton Manning

Sets the offense to take advantage of the defensive set. Throws with accuracy. Has a kicker who chokes away the big one!

Purds - January 3, 2012 reply

Manning would totally abuse a defense

if he had a running game and the protection Luck had tonight.

what exactly is your point?

mlc2656 - January 3, 2012 via mobile reply

Luck Vs Manning if both guys were 22

Then we choose Manning.

36 year old Manning off of 3 spine surgeries Vs Andrew Luck…….You gotta go with the kid.

You owe your franchise a real future.

yea but...

it’s the future. You don’t know how Manning is going to respond and you don’t know how Luck is going to go…..

I just feel like its criminal to not have an exit plan with Manning

If you want to let him come back for 1 more run. Fine.

Personally I think the supporting cast got old really fast. I think the window is closed to compete next year. Irsay using “Rebuilding” verbiage leads me to believe he thinks the same thing.

I fear you are right...

That the offense we know can’t go on with even Manning.

yea but?

A decision has to be made. It sounds like the popular opinion around here is to draft a QB in the fifth round.and hope the Colts strike gold.

We have the luxury of the first pick. Determine who will likely become the best NFL quarterback and draft him. That easy. If its luck take him first. If its Nick Foles – wait no one believes that.

mlc2656 - January 3, 2012 via mobile reply

You act like being a first round pick is automatic...

of course risk exist

But are you so risk averse you can’t handle taking a much needed, very highly rated QB prospect with the draft pick we have been awarded?

You want to hedge the qb situation with an offensive lineman and a corner.

mlc2656 - January 3, 2012 via mobile reply

Honestly I don't know what to do...

Manning is a known AWESOME is all I know. After that it is a crap shoot that could be ryan leaf bad.