QB Peyton Manning set to leave Indianapolis after 14 years as Colts decide to cut him-NFL News
The uncertainty and impasse around the saga of quarterback, Peyton Manning, are set to end on Wednesday, March 07, 2012, as reports of the player’s release by Indianapolis Colts are likely to be confirmed by the stakeholders at a news conference scheduled
later in the day.
The possibility of Manning’s recovery from a neck injury and his prospects of returning to Colts have been making headlines almost on a daily basis since the player had a surgery on September 01, 2011.
Since the 2011 National Football League (NFL) regular season proved to be the worst year for Colts in the franchise’s history, all the focus remained on Peyton Manning, as his absence was seen as the main factor behind the team’s failure.
It was the first miss of the player’s 14-year career with Colts and without Manning, the team ended up winning only two games in the season.
Since it was Manning’s third neck surgery in 19 months, his ability to recover to the previous level of health and fitness and chances of rejoining the squad remained in debate throughout, but the team’s failure in the last season and overhauling of the
front office increased the intensity and frequency of the question.
Reports surrounding Manning’s return engulfed the football atmosphere in the US and the matter is now expected to settle down, finally.
Some sections of media have quoted anonymous sources saying that Peyton Manning and Colts’ owner, Jim Irsay, have recently met and the player is informed about the decision.
Both of them are expected to make an official announcement at a media call on Wednesday evening.
Peyton Manning is due an amount of $28 million bonus by March 08, 2012, a day from today (Wednesday), and now the management has decided against paying him, which means the player will hit the free agency market.
This should clear the future course for both parties, who are equally hopeful of their alternative prospects.
Irsay, who had been waiting for Manning to prove his health and fitness, was not convinced by the daily news reports suggesting the player’s good and fast recovery.
A day earlier, a leaked video showed the quarterback throwing football deeper and at an aggressive pace, yet the owner remained unmoved.
Meanwhile, Irsay has attempted his best to keep the situation under control by claiming that he and the player were talking to each other on a regular basis and working on a solution that would be acceptable to both of them.
On the contrary, the new general manager, Ryan Grigson, had hinted in one of his remarks at the player’s release, saying they would not take a decision on the issue that could have long-term effects on the franchise and the player’s career.
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