Al Messerschmidt - Getty Images
5 months ago: JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts signs autographs before the kickoff against the Jacksonville Jaguars January 1 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
One report says Peyton Manning has a "noodle arm."
Another one says Jim Irsay has seen him throw, and is "pleased."
Now, Mike Lombardi of the NFL Network says that he's talked to people who have caught balls from Peyton recently, and the prognosis of his arm strength is not good.
Lombardi told Bill Simmons of ESPN and Grantland that Manning is having trouble throwing the ball to his left and across his body, and receivers he's been working with know it.
He can't throw the ball. I've talked to people who've caught the ball for him. He can't throw the ball to his left. He can't throw the ball across his body because he doesn't feel it. People that catch the ball for him say that he doesn't really have the velocity on the ball yet.
The "he can't feel it" part is likely in reference to Peyton's triceps muscle in his throwing arm, which is a direct result of the nerve regeneration issue he has been experiencing since before he had the third neck surgery in August 2011.
It's interesting to speculate who has been blabbing this kind of stuff to Lombardi. We know Peyton was working with Anthony Gonzalez and Blair White prior to him heading down to Carolina this week to rehab with Duke head coach David Cutcliffe, his former coordinator at the University of Tennessee.
Maybe that's the reason why Peyton left Indy to workout in Carolina, because people were talking. It's within Peyton's interests to convince people he is OK, even if he isn't. If any team has concerns about his arm strength, he's not going to get the offers he wants when the Colts cut him.
0 recs | 78 comments
i kind of thought that may be a reason he left indy
to get away from the local media or something?
danorocks17 - February 9, 2012
Local media doesn’t really matter if you’re a big star…..
CF4L - February 9, 2012
^This
Brad Wells - February 9, 2012
that's true, but perhaps he wanted to get out of the "environment"
danorocks17 - February 9, 2012
Would be nice if the media waited until they had something concrete before they report everything they hear.
Besides why would Manning show his cards right now. If he can throw I doubt it would be in his best interest to show them now that is if he doesnt’ want to be in Indy and would want to be cut.
CF4L - February 9, 2012
'Would be nice if the media waited until they had something concrete before they report everything they hear.'
I’m not one to defend Lombardi, but if, say, Anthony Gonzalez told me that Peyton couldn’t throw to his left, that’s news. Big news.
Brad Wells - February 9, 2012
At least he’s a far more reliable source everyone else seems to be saying every 5 seconds he’s going to retire etc.
He would put his name to it.
These guys not so much
CF4L - February 9, 2012
'He would put his name to it.'
No one is going to do that in this case. If Gonzo told me something like this, and then said leave my name of it, I’d report it to. It’s news. If you want to call Lombardi a liar, then fine. Whatever. I’m inclined to believe him. What does he have to gain by lying?
Again, if Peyton truly wanted to dispel any issues, then just invite people to one of his rehab sessions, and let them SEE him throw the ball. Since he isn’t going to do that…
Brad Wells - February 9, 2012
Why not?
At least there would be credibility
Look at last week there were reports that according to sources he was going to retire by the end of the week Manning was cleared to play football again.
So why exactly am I supposed to believe anyone right now?
Sure he could retire when all this craziness is past but at least let him announce it rather than speculate away and yet not verify with the man himself.
Manning isn’t going to show his cards here if he wants to be out of Indy and onto a contender its not in his best interest to show Jimbo he’s healthy.
CF4L - February 9, 2012
'At least there would be credibility'
If there wasn’t credibility, Lombardi wouldn’t have been a guest on Simmons’ show. Credibility is in who will vouch for you. Lots of people will vouch for Lombardi. If you personally don’t believe him, then fine. Your chose. But, pretty much everyone in the business does believe Lombardi.
That’s how it works.
Brad Wells - February 9, 2012
Sure because ESPN is full of credible people or anyone else in the sports media these days. Nobody waits for the story anymore they rather create one.
Regardless Manning has played this too close to the vest for me to believe these guys know more than Manning does about his condition.
I mean really if his throwing motion is so bad well it won’t matter when Jimbo cuts him now will it?
So why the debate to keep him?
CF4L - February 9, 2012
'Nobody waits for the story anymore they rather create one.'
No, and why should they? The news doesn’t stop, and information never ‘waits.’ If we ‘waited’ for the story, it would no longer be a story. Instant news and frenzied interest are what drive the NFL to be a multi-billion dollar business. If no one cared, if everyone ‘waited’ for the story to be ‘finalized’ with Peyton Manning, then the NFL would not be making the money it makes.
Regarding your last point, regardless of whether he is healthy or not, it will matter to many fans. Some people are not following this story as you or I am, and when Peyton is cut, it will piss off a significant number of fans. Many people root for this team SOLELY because of Manning. To someone like Irsay, he must reach those people can convince them to stay interested. Otherwise, he’s losing money.
Brad Wells - February 9, 2012
Probably because they won’t look like morons when they aren’t accurate?
Just a thought.
Look you can’t please everyone if those fans were there because of Manning and him alone then they weren’t really Colts fans.
And with Luck I’m sure he’ll bring his following too(assuming he pans out)
Fans will stay interested if you win. That’s all that matters. Look how quickly the Packers forgot about Favre(of course unlike this fanbase they aren’t nearly as fairweathered)
CF4L - February 9, 2012
and when Peyton is cut, it will piss off a significant number of fans.
Fans want Peyton to play for Indy or retire. If Peyton retires, then everything is cool with the Colts. If you ask me, that is pretty selfish of these so called “fans” to wish him well enough to play for the Colts but, don’t be ok to play for someone else. It’s like the person you used to date, you don’t want them, but you don’t want them with someone else. Self serving….
ItsALLgood - February 9, 2012
I agree this is why I don’t fault players when they decide to go elsewhere etc. Fans quickly forget you anyways in the end because most of them are about the team(as they should be) players come and go after all.
If Manning wants to go elsewhere to win given the circumstances I’d be happy for him(except against us of course) as long as he doesnt’ host a decision special like LeBron did.
CF4L - February 10, 2012
How about "If" you actually had some factual news vs. more speculation?
“Instant news and frenzied interest” says Brad. No, that is hyperbole.
Peyton Rules - February 9, 2012
Brad, you make it sound like its okay to create news
Now I get your idea that speculating is a necessary part of the business to maintain interest, I’m all for that. But there has to be limits also, getting in the habit of trying to jump in front of the story creates a lot of misinformation and does readers no favors. I love the speculation, but take for example Yahoo! sports report that Manning wasn’t making progress, that created the necessity for Manning to feel obligated to dispel that damaging false information during Super Bowl week; that was a distraction. Also Kravitz’s report of Peyton’s supposed “noodle arm”, if you listened to Bill Polian’s PTI interview and comments by Vinatieri, Kravitz seems to be pulling that story out of their ass. Bill Polian comments in fact contradict Lombardi’s report too. So a lot of confusion is created, plenty of misinformation so far and that’s a disservice to fans.
soforizo - February 9, 2012
How about "If" you had factual news vs. more speculation?
“Instant news and frenzied interest” says Brad. No, that is hyperbole imo.
Peyton Rules - February 9, 2012
Uhhh
Lombardi is not as respected as you lead on…
HOOSIER NOLE - February 9, 2012
Haven’t you called Simmons credibility into question in the past?
It's Magc - February 10, 2012
jesus cf4l
those werent reports
those were tweets from rob lowe. an actor. how do you not know the difference?
omahacolt - February 9, 2012
I was referring to the Yahoo Sports report from a week ago moron.
CF4L - February 10, 2012
Same guy who said Bob Sanders career was over
and would never take another snap in the NFL when he was with the Colts. Per his ‘sources.’ I take what Lombardi says and dismiss it right away because of that one story alone. Bob went on to play pretty well for the Chargers until he basically put himself on IR to make room on the roster while he was hurt.
coltsfan723 - February 9, 2012
should say
play another down, not take another snap. Obviously Bob isn’t a QB
coltsfan723 - February 9, 2012
'Same guy who said Bob Sanders career was over'
And he was right.
Sanders didn’t even make it through the first game of the 2010 season. Now, his career is over.
Brad Wells - February 9, 2012
Except he played 2 games in the 2011 season before he was out for the year in SD
CF4L - February 9, 2012
Again
Two games.
From what I remember, Lombardi’s report was that there was concern Sanders would ever play again. Sanders then played a total of 2.5 games over a span of 2 years.
Again, I’m not one to defend Lombardi, but he was correct in his report. Sanders was done. Accept it. Deal with it. Move on.
Brad Wells - February 9, 2012
But you forgot the 2011 season which was my point he did play albeit longer than I thought.
And he was wrong he did play again just didn’t last which is the story of Bob’s career.
CF4L - February 9, 2012
Yep
What you stated is correct. and Lombardi clarified as much a few days later. I remember on Mark Patrick’s show (thank god it’s gone) he said ~“Bob could easily suit up again this year but the people I’ve talked to highly believe he’s finished and will never be able to play much of a season.”
JHetfield99 - February 9, 2012
Regardless most of us have said this for years about Bob hardly makes Lombardi an expert on him either
CF4L - February 9, 2012
Lombardi
I’m not calling Lombardi and expert on anything, really. I’m just saying he was right about Sanders. There were legit concerns his career was in jeopardy, and clearly those concerns were justified.
Look, fans can rant and rave and say ‘BUT HE PLAYED TWO MORE GAMES! LOMBARDI WAS WRONG’ but that just makes those said fans look silly. Lombardi spoke to someone in the Colts org who told him that Bob might not hold up. That prognosis was 100% accurate.
Brad Wells - February 9, 2012
except that he reported it in 2010, before the Colts preseason game in which Bob did this:
Sanders Youtube highlights from the game
He reported that a full 2 seasons before Bob retired.
I could say that Eli Manning’s career is going to be over if he keeps playing this way, and eventually I’ll be right too.
BoilerUp1982 - February 9, 2012
Anyone with half a brain could've told you that Bob Sanders' playing style = a short career
I don’t know why Lombardi wanted credit for that ground-breaking idea.
BoilerUp1982 - February 9, 2012
Pretty much anyone who lives in Indy knows every workplace has this as part of their office pool when Bob will go on IR
CF4L - February 9, 2012
I didn't watch Sanders in college,
so maybe he’s always been a missile. But, considering how inept the Indy run defense has been the last several years, Bob pretty much had to be a missile….if the run was going to be stopped. He was the last line of defense many times.
Ayrshire - February 9, 2012
I have a vague memory of him at Iowa but I don’t recall him getting injured all the time then again Iowa had a better defense than we did
CF4L - February 9, 2012
He did get injured in IOWA..its why we got him in the 2nd round...
dezznutz1001 - February 9, 2012
That at least is believable because this is Bob we’re talking about… Before this season Manning was the iron man
CF4L - February 9, 2012
Kuhursky
Says Manning visit at Duke is just a ‘social visit’ with Cutcliffe and a former UT teammate Todd Helton.
coltsfan723 - February 9, 2012
This is simple...
If Manning were healthy, somebody with a camera would have seen him throw the ball like he used to.
He’s not healthy now.
Period.
taipei_coltsfan - February 9, 2012
Of course he’s not healthy he’s cleared to resume an NFL career doesn’t mean he’s healthy most of us knew that.
Really do people not realize how long a recovery process this is?
CF4L - February 9, 2012
This doesn't make sense to me
What makes you think there would be a video out there if he were healthy? I don’t follow the logic…
Mark Olson - February 10, 2012
that doesn't mean he won't get health though
Benson L - February 9, 2012
Ahhh, the Manning speculation ramps up yet another notch.
At least to compensate a bit for this abortion of a season, we’re going to have the most interesting off-season in history. I’ve finally come to terms with the possibility/probability that Peyton’s moving on. Whatever he does, I wish him total success. At this point, I’m just going to watch the show.
Ayrshire - February 9, 2012
Mike Lombardi is a tool
My buddy and #1 Colt fan met this dude at the airport in Cali on the way to meet with family, he said they basically laughed at Lombardi cuz he was trying to tell them that “Peyton was done”
Cept it WASNT anytime this year they had that discusion…he told him Peyton was done the season BEFORE he took us back to the Super Bowl
So LMFAO @ Lombardi
dezznutz1001 - February 9, 2012
Will Carrol
coltsfan723 - February 9, 2012
Hasn’t that been the theme of this whole Manning saga?
CF4L - February 9, 2012
I keep hearing "reports" about Manning's health
and as far as I know, only time will tell. The man kept the pregnancy of his wife and birth of his twins a secret from the media. I pretty much sure he can do the same thing when it comes to how healthy he is.
BlueHorseShoe - February 9, 2012
media reports unknown facts
This says it all from a poster on here….Would be nice if the media waited until they had something concrete before they report everything they hear…that is all they ever do is run mouth and have no idea if it is true..build a giant story from it and hale no more idea if it is concrete or not….it is a trip….I can barely stand to read it all anymore…I can’t wait till he gets 100% healthy and plays for the Colts so I can so I told you so….
Colts53 - February 9, 2012
Haha would Blair White and Anthony Gonzalez even remember how it feels to “catch” a ball….
ColtsFanNZ - February 9, 2012
That’s funny. Albeit I do like Blair White – I’m surprised Gonzo didn’t get hurt playing catch.
kk5b - February 9, 2012
If I read it correctly, with the bonus, Manning would account for 44M of the cap.
Just makes no sense at this point to keep him if you draft Luck.
TheFreakSFG - February 9, 2012
I believe Manning would only count $17 million against the cap for 2012. His $28 million dollar bonus is an option or roster bonus, and as such, does not impact the salary cap. In total, he would be due around $45 million from the Colts this year.
That is a ton of money, even for a healthy player. But the way his contract was drawn up, most of his money is paid out in bonuses which don’t effect the Colts’ salary cap figures.
BoilerUp1982 - February 9, 2012
Your Right BBS this is just another "he say she say" or "I heard"
Unless we actually see on film this piece journalism is just that “NOTHING” new, no substance, no supporting evidence. Too many people want to have their take on the Manning story. Unless you, are there yourself in person catching the ball from him, you not going to know any better than us.
kbreboot - February 9, 2012
Polian denied the "noodle arm" claims..
On the radio show this morning.. called it “untrue”
Coltsfan79 - February 9, 2012
Someone should ask Kravitz if "noodle arm" is a technical, or medical term
BoilerUp1982 - February 9, 2012
Kravitz in my opinion
has a noodle brain
OBGYNOSUPREME - February 9, 2012
Mmmmm
Noodle brains.
buymymonkey - February 9, 2012
just saying!!
Bill Polian on PTI.. saw video on NFL32 just now.. this is getting ugly..
thebossuzzi - February 9, 2012
Ugly?
How
(206)NightRidah - February 9, 2012 via mobile
better
here is the video https://twitter.com/?iid=am-70781558913288050035404177&nid=4+status_user&uid=7667842&utm_content=profile#!/PTI/status/167756306743173120
thebossuzzi - February 9, 2012
thanks that was good
OBGYNOSUPREME - February 9, 2012
shit that was good
soforizo - February 9, 2012
Seems like not half bad of a guy, huh?
In deference to BBS.
buymymonkey - February 9, 2012
That's because Polian is a smart guy that has had a great career
It was time for him to move on as his draft strategy was outdated…But most Colts fans realize that although he wasnt perfect he was an excellent GM and made significant contributions to the organization. This site seemed to have contempt for him but I dont think most fans had a personal issue with him.
Unfortunately there is a vocal minority that thinks he is was a useless tool that is a complete failure as a person and a GM and cost Peyton 4-5 more rings! Subsequently these are the generally the same people that can’t let go of Manning so they root for Andrew Luck to be a bust…
(206)NightRidah - February 10, 2012 via mobile
LOL
There was a bit more to it than his draft strategy. I believe the truth is in the middle somewhere. I watched the interview and he comes across very well. I didn’t even see any arrogance until the final minute when asked if he would be interested in being a GM again…he said ‘I COULD be a GM somewhere, but nothing appeals to me right now.’ It’s in Polian’s best interest to come across well and in an interview like that. You might say he is aware of being on his best behavior.
He did understand that value of Peyton Manning and how it is worth sacraficing areas of the team, because Peyton elevates everyone around him. There’s some validity to that statement. And, I believe Polian did some good things early on in his career. But, actions speak louder than words. And, in the final years, it had morphed into a dictatorship filled with nepotism, cronyism and bad decision-making. It’s not a healthy environment when Colts employees have to walk on eggshells constantly, and that’s what happened, as well.
Ayrshire - February 10, 2012
Arrogance?
Ayr, you are arrogant…I am arrogant! Most of us that are hardcore football fans are arrogant about our opinions…
So Bill ran the organization his way…I ain’t got any issues with it…most people who have power got there because they are type A an cutthroat. It wasn’t a dictatorship! No one was burned at the stake…it was a my way or the highway type of issue. Ask anyone that worked with Steve Jobs or Bill Gates or Oprah if there is room for alternate opinions.
Trying to establish a dynasty with his unaccomplished son was his Waterloo…but GMs can’t stay forever. There is a new philosophy needed and Irsay may be a crackpot but he is batting 1.000 right now with hirings
(206)NightRidah - February 10, 2012 via mobile
In the interview, towards the end,..
you definitely see a hint of arrogance, and this is in the most controlled setting imaginable. I’m sure the arrogance was on steroids when he was ruling the Colts. And, for the record, I am not arrogant. I’m just realistic. Sometimes that doesn’t go over well here, when many readers want to read about peace, harmony and rainbows, in regard to the Colts. You may not have issues with the way Polian ran the organization, but I definitely do. It was a dictatorship in my opinion, even though you disagree. True, nobody was burned at the stake that we know of, but I’ve read enough reports to know that it was a very bad environment at W. 56th Street. People couldn’t even be seen talking with certain other people for fear of their jobs. I haven’t even talked about this stuff since the firing and wouldn’t have, until Buymymonkey brought up the interview and the fact that Bill seems like a level-headed, rational guy. What a joke.
Ayrshire - February 10, 2012
....and yes, I like the Irsay hirings so far.
Ayrshire - February 10, 2012
His nerves have a long way to go
he probably won’t know until July or august nerves go slow,, Hello Mr. Luck,, I hope they do regenerate, but they are not even close now if he can’t throw to his left or has no zip on teh ball
OBGYNOSUPREME - February 9, 2012
This is what Bill Polian had to say about Manning's throws...
“It’s marked (improvement) from where he was back in September,” Polian said. "He threw it accurately, he threw it with a good, tight spiral, and he threw it with velocity.
“Generally, he looked like a pretty confident quarterback out there.”
Polian also indicated that Manning was able to make a variety of throws and throw across his body.
This is his description of Manning’s workouts in DECEMBER.
Now, however you feel about Polian, I’d lend a little more credibility to his words than the unnamed sources these clowns are quoting, if they even exist. Not to mention Adam Vinatieri and Joseph Addai, who have said pretty similar things.
I almost wonder if there is a campaign of disinformation going on with some of the BS “scoops” people have been reporting about the Colts in general.
nmbr5ml - February 9, 2012
Here's the link to that story btw...
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d826d18ef/article/excolts-exec-polian-says-manning-will-return-at-a-high-level?module=HP11_headline_stack
nmbr5ml - February 9, 2012
I was happy to see Polian go, and I thought he was washed up
But I believe what he has to say about Manning and his progress infinitely more than the writers like kravitzand Lombardi with their unnamed sources.
TheWeasley - February 9, 2012 via Android app
Kravitz seems all over the place....
…about pretty much everything. Does he have reliable sources at all?
Antillar - February 9, 2012
About as reliable as everyone else that has covered this story.
Take that for what its worth.
March 8th can’t get here fast enough
CF4L - February 10, 2012
Everyone is trying to come up with a 'report' on manning
It is great for ratings. And in reality, only bad news on Manning is good for ratings. All of the good reports have gone, for the most part, un -noticed. Anyone who says they saw Manning having trouble tying his shoe is going to be considered a credible source who has ground breaking info on Manning. For as much desire the sports networks have to hype Andrew Luck, they seem even more interested in painting Manning as a wheel-chair bound quadriplegic. Nobody knows anything and I have a feeling they won’t until March 8th or maybe even later.
Mark Olson - February 10, 2012
KRAVITZ UPDATE
Kravitz now backing off his wording of “noodle arm” and calls himself a “noodle brain” – likely because the sensationalist term, which BBS of course ran with, mischaracterized Manning’s situation and leads Joe Public to believe that you or I can throw harder than Manning right now when that really isn’t the case.
Don’t forget that Manning played 2010 with moderate pain in his throwing arm and was not pleased with his ability to make the throws he had been accustomed to for his early career. And he still had pretty good stats in 2010 and was a poor special teams play away from a “Who Knows” scenario in the 2010 playoffs.
Why don’t we all just let this play out a little instead of “chasing every tennis ball off the porch” as Steve Czaban calls all of this hoopla.
AceOfSpades - February 10, 2012
If only but we live in an era of instant gratification where we have to know everything right now regardless of whether its true or not.
CF4L - February 11, 2012
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