Controversy around Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning football future gains firm grounds – NFL Feature - Part-1
Controversy and uncertainty around the football future of Indianapolis Colts' star quarterback (QB), Peyton Manning continues to linger on.
As a matter of fact, it has rather gained firm ground amidst the mum being kept by the player himself and the team management.
Peyton has not uttered a single word regarding the future of his football career since he had his neck surgery in September 2011.
It could be a possibility that the player is not hundred percent sure about it.
This was his third surgery for the same neck injury in past 19 months and he might not be so sure about his recovery to the solid strength of his muscles and playing football again as to predict or speculate his comeback.
Even more silent is his team management. There are a couple statements here and there from the team owner, Jim Irsay. In most cases, those statements are in the denial of reports or rejection of speculations and suggestions around the issue.
Only vocal person in the team was their former vice chairman, Bill Polian. He was probably the only person so much hopeful of the QB’s return that he waited the entire 2011 National Football League (NFL) regular season for his comeback at any time in the
year.
A reason behind the Polian’s optimism could be his failure to find and groom a replacement of Manning to help them avoid the humiliation of ending the season at their lowest in two decades.
The Indianapolis Colts played 16 games in the season, won two and lost the majority 14 of them. This includes the streak of 13-game losses.
Polian admitted in his post-sacking comments that it was the team’s total reliance on one man, Peyton Manning, that cost them the entire season. It also cost his job at the end.
In spite that Polian did not have a timeline for Manning’s recovery and return, he kept assuring his side that he might return at some point in the season and boost their chances for win. He left the player on active roster throughout the season.
The Manning’s return never happened in the regular season. There is no confirmation until now if he is able to return next season.
The speculations and rumours on the possibility of his return and other way around continue in the meantime.
A number of theories have surfaced since his injury last year. First, it was the assurance of his former boss, Bill Polian that he will return. It was more of an ambition in absence of solid evidence backing the likelihood of his return.
Polian was joined by the Manning’s younger brother, Eli, who is a QB at the New York Giants. Eli Manning said that Peyton was serious for his comeback in the 2011 regular season. He was working hard on his recovery and it could possibly allow him to stage
a comeback some time later in the season.
Similar hopes were expressed by the Peyton’s father, Archie Manning. He said his son was expected to recover timely enough to join his squad in the season.
Archie Manning himself had played the professional league as a QB, and his statement was taken as much credible as those from the team’s officials such as the VC Polian.
Polian continued with his ambitiously hopeful remarks on the return of the player along all other hopefuls.
His views were never confirmed or denied by his employer, Colts owner, Jim Irsay. So, at the end, Polian’s statements became an issue of credibility.
Even Peyton never accepted or rejected those statements.
With the Colts continue to lose on the field; there came a definite chance for them to hire a new draft pick next season.
He has so far emerged to be Stanford College’s QB, Andrew Luck.
Having lost 13 consecutive games, the Colts had come closer to the eligibility of signing the top draft prize.
Their successive victories in the next two games, which came out of the blue, pushed them back slightly in their chances.
It was again their loss in their last game against the Jacksonville Jaguars that guaranteed their opportunity for the top draft pick.
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