Reggie Wayne bleeds blue... Pierre Garcon & Robert Mathis are off-season priorities... Bruce Arians loves the 'Shoe... and Peyton Manning is a gifted man...
FROM THE SADDLE (official team news)
GREEN APPLES AND ROAD APPLES (media analysis)
APPLE PIE (SB Nation goodies)
(Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
Now, let us bow our heads and pray:
Dear Lord (or whomever you fancy),
Please grant
Eli Manning and the New York Football Giants the strength to defend our town and stadium,
from the evil, UGG-wearing Tom Brady. You would not only help kill the wet dreams of "Mrs. Brady" (pictured above, left), but you'd also put a grin the size of Tennessee on
Peyton Manning's face, along with every Colts fan in the universe.
C'mon.. You know you like us better. '06 AFC Championship? Week 10 in '09? Heck, you remember.
Amen.
I was hoping the fans would make this feel like a home game for the Giants.
But most of the crowd won’t actually be Colts fans so it will probably be 50/50 just like any other Super Bowl. Other than SB 44 when like 80% of the crowd was clearly cheering for the Saints. FML
kferguson2002 - February 2, 2012 via mobile
Manning said yesterday in an interview w/ Dave Calabaro (local Indy sports guy)
That he was throwing passes and running routes with Anthony Gonzalez at the Colts complex. He reiterated that his rehab gets better every day, and that he has no intention to retire.
He certainly looks and sounds like someone who has every intention of playing with the Colts in 2012. And, as Irsay has said, if he’s healthy, he will be a Colt.
Regarding his neck, the concern isn’t that the fusion will get re-injured from a blind-side hit or something like that (LBs, DBs, and Safeties have had this surgery and returned, and they make their living by way of collisions) – the concern is about the nerve regeneration. The point I’m making is that if the nerve regenerates fully, the neck fusion won’t hamper is performance. There’s talk that he’s going to be so delicate if he returns that how can we expect him to stay upright for an entire season, let alone the rest of his contract. What I’ve heard from reporters who’ve spoken with doctors on Radio Row is that this successful fusion surgery means Manning is no more prone to injuring his neck than any other player. The concern is the nerve regeneration, and once it regenerates completely, Manning will be good to go.
Of course, no timetable is available for the regeneration. The speculation that he has reached a “plateau” in his rehab is based purely and entirely on the simple fact that he’s still not 100%. It’s a terribly irresponsible way to refer to his rehab. That we know he’s throwing routes to Gonzo and Blair White already is great news, and – I think – proof that he’s getting stronger each day.
Maybe his days with the Horseshoe aren’t as numbered as everyone thinks.
BoilerUp1982 - February 2, 2012
I’ve had this surgery myself. While the nerve regeneration never happened to the extent that I became able to walk, the vertebrae fusion stabilized my spinal column very well…to the point that I was able to not only play tennis again, but I was able to dabble in a little wheelchair rugby while I was still young, hale and hardy.
Anyone who thinks that Peyton is going to be a delicate little spring flower after the spinal fusion surgery should watch the movie “Murderball.” That will allay any fears you may have in that regard.
Chopaholic - February 2, 2012
Irsay also said this isn’t fantasy football and its not a sentimental decision.
If he’s not strong enough by March 8th he’s gone from the Colts at least.
CF4L - February 2, 2012
OK
Then why was Irsay talking about moving the Signing bonus day back a few mths if Peyton would agree?
sounds like somone who maybe wants to keep his future HOF’er around after all
dezznutz1001 - February 2, 2012
I fully expect Irsay to make an informed decision on Manning
His “fantasy football” comment was meant to show that he’s not going to throw that money at Manning for the sake of appeasing the fans.
If Manning continues to improve day by day (and it sounds like he is), I think that Irsay could conceivably keep him even if he isn’t yet at 100% by March 8th. Manning was only cleared to throw in the December for the first time since his last surgery. It’s not been 2 months yet of steadily increasing workouts, and now he’s freely talking of throwing routes to receivers at the complex.
The timeline, I don’t think, is as bad as the media is making it out to be. The 24-hour news cycle makes it seem like it was forever ago when Manning was cleared to throw the ball, when in actuality is was just a month and a half ago.
BoilerUp1982 - February 2, 2012
Interesting...
That Manning was throwing with Anthony Gonzalez – Gonzo will NOT be a Colt next season.
Also, neither side (Irsay or Manning) has hinted towards Manning’s return in quite some time. All of the “if he’s healthy, he’ll be a Colt” talk was months ago. In the sports world, that’s an eternity; and many things change. Also, there’s a lot of leeway in “if he’s healthy” when referring to a 35-year-old QB coming off of his 3rd neck surgery. This March 8th deadline is a perfect excuse for Irsay to dump Manning. Be prepared.
kmbryant09 - February 2, 2012
You sure about Irsay?
Pretty sure he said yesterday on a number of his interviews on the Row that a healthy Manning would be a Colt, and I know he said that in an interview with Rich Eisen during the conference finals just a couple weeks ago.
TheWeasley - February 2, 2012 via Android app
Hmm
Could be wrong, but I haven’t heard any definitive quotes from either side in quite some time.
It’s all be, “difficult decisions will be made at the appropriate time” blah blah blah.
kmbryant09 - February 2, 2012
Yeah, I know what you're talking aboutwith the"difficult decisions"talk
Most of the news re: Manning involves that phrase. I just hope he either stays and plays or retires…it would suck to cut him if he can still ball.
TheWeasley - February 2, 2012 via Android app
Wayne?
Reggie Wayne is a class act and a fighter till the end. Did I also mention that the guy backs his teammates no matter what? (Hello Painter!). No way in hell should we let him go elsewhere! Give the man the ball and he makes plays. To bad Caldwell persisted with the God-awful Painter.
Antillar - February 2, 2012
Pretty sure BP was in charge of the depth chart buddy. (Gonzo, Tryon, Pollak) Jim Caldwell was the yes man.
Tricky Bobby - February 2, 2012 via mobile
coaching staff
Greg Manusky new dc
zorro7114 - February 2, 2012
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