Controversy around Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning football future gains firm grounds – NFL Feature – Part-2
The controversy around the recovery and return of Indianapolis Colts’ star quarterback (QB), Peyton Manning, continues to linger on with prospects of signing new draft pick, Andrew Luck, and chances of him playing football next year.
With the start of the mock draft season in November 2011, Peyton Manning's issue made the headlines yet again.
This time it was round the matter of choice for the Colts to either sign or let go Andrew Luck with chances of Peyton Manning’s return very much there.
First, it was projected that the Colts will sign Andrew Luck as a replacement for Peyton Manning in the longer run.
Manning has played at the Colts for more than 13 consecutive years. He is seen to nearing the end of his career.
The Colts were seen in a situation similar to the one they have now when they had drafted Peyton Manning 13 years ago.
The team at then faced with the choice of signing Manning and using him for replacement of their former QB, Jim Harbaugh, who was an outstanding player in his stature.
The team with the top draft prize, Peyton Manning, was faced with a similar problem then. They went for Manning and the credibility of their decision was proved for next 13 years.
Peyton Manning had started for the team during all those years. The year 2011 was the only season that he was not at the starting position for the Colts.
Coincidently, it is the only year that they could not manage to pull off a victory for first 13 games.
They ended the season with only two wins. It was their worst record in last 20 years.
They face the same matter of choice again after 13 years. The top rated draft pick in front of them is Andrew Luck.
They have the choice to use him to replace their star and four-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) Peyton Manning.
The team has the choice to sign Luck and keep Manning as well, and replace him in the longer run. This could only happen if the team does not have a salary cap issue.
With the reports of the team facing the financial hardships on pay packages, this is unlikely to happen.
Other choice is to sign Luck and if Peyton returns and the team decides to go with him, they can trade the rookie Luck with any of the franchises around the league.
Another choice in front of them is to pay Peyton the bonus of $28 million, due by March 8, 2012, and let him go free agent.
Again, Polian is the only person who has speculated on the issue of the signing.
First, he said that the Colts will be signing the top draft candidate. He was not backed by his team management for his views.
He then speculated that they might not sign him if Peyton returns. Again, neither there was confirmation or denial of his opinion.
The former vice chairman went on to say that they might sign Luck and keep Manning at the same time. He claimed that the team can afford to have both the players at their pay roster at the same time.
There was no word in favour or opposition of his comments either from the team’s owner and player.
It was certain then that a storm was in the making at the team. The vice chairman’s job was seen on the line there and then.
It proved true when he became first person in the postseason to have been fired by the Colts owner.
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