Indianapolis Colts stand eligible to sign top draft prize next season – NFL News
A loss on past weekend ended the current National Football League (NFL) season for the Indianapolis Colts the way it had started and the only positive outcome for them in 2011 was their eligibility for top draft pick next season.
Andrew Luck, the Stanford College’s quarterback, has so far emerged as the top draft pick for the next year. He has already announced going pro from next year.
With the loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in their last game of the season on the Sunday the Colts have become leading contender for Luck.
Having started the season 2011 on the losing note the Colts had gone down to 0-13 before pulling off their first in their 14th game. They then went on a two-game winning streak before ending up the season on the losing note.
The side however is apparently happy to have avoided 0-16 score, which could have been their poorest show-off in the league. It looked very much inevitable at one point but it was a win in their 14th game that things turned around for them.
It was for the first time that their star quarterback Peyton Manning did not start for them and they could not manage a victory in the first 13 games.
Manning has not played a single game for his side this season due to neck surgery. It was his third surgery in last 18 months.
His latest injury has also sparked a controversy pointing out at the chances of his comeback next season or possibility of seeking his replacement by his side instead.
The potential candidate to substitute Manning is the top draft prize Andrew Luck, which the Colts qualify to recruit in the draft season beginning April next year.
Despite the Luck assurance of going pro there is no word from the Indianapolis Colts yet if they are going to sign Luck. It could be due to the reason that they were not sure on their chances earlier in the season and with their final loss now they stand
confirmed for Luck.
Earlier, there have been suggestions from the team management to stick with Peyton Manning, who is expected back to the side next year now, even if they sign Luck next year.
There is no further confirmation from them if they will be keeping both players who stand out for their performances at the quarterback position in their respective leagues.
Another option for the Colts will be to trade Luck and keep Manning. However, certain quarters have hinted at that the side might be looking at this opportunity to go for a transition, seeking to replace Manning with Luck.
However, the Colts owner Jim Irsay earlier confirmed if Peyton Manning returns next year to play football it will be with the Colts. There is no confirmation from Manning of the Irsay claims, though.
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