This is the time that all football fans dread. Their franchise quarterback is the leader and the face of the team and when he can't play the whole fan base is in mourning. Right now for all intended purposes Peyton Manning's career is over. Take a deep breath Colts fans. The next 10-15 years are probably going to suck balls.
Colts owner Jim Irsay tweeted this nut kicker this morning: ""NFL Season opens 2nite!We had a good practice yesterday and r guys r fired up 4 the season.#18's out for awhile,but compete,we will/BELIEVE"
Without #18 the Colts are going to be garbage. Manning has played in 208 consecutive games and has been the only starting quarterback for the Colts the past 13 years. Before Manning they had Jim Harbaugh and honestly I don't even recall much of it because they sucked back then. With a healthy Manning the Colts are a lock to make the playoffs. They haven't missed it in a decade. Without him they will be lucky to win 6 games with that watering hole they call a veteran QB in Kerry Collins.
It's going to be ugly. It's going to be sad. And if you are a Colts fan it's never going to be like it was before. Sure Manning could have a miraculous comeback but does he really want to come back from neck surgery to repair a nerve? Manning has his Super Bowl ring. He has his respect and is widely considered a top 5 NFL QB of all-time. He has plenty of money in the bank. He has nothing to prove to the game or his fans. At this point it's all about his health and if the doctors are saying another hit could essentially cripple you for the rest of your life then there is no reason to take another snap.
I like Peyton Manning. He seems like a good guy and is capable of making fun of himself. But at this time in his life he has a family he should be concerned about rather than his fans. In my opinion we have seen the last of #18 in Indianapolis and there is no shame in that.
I don't think that he's done for good. He's a fighter, but has displayed a lot of patience in the past. If he has to take a season off, he'll be back, even if it's just to groom a young quarterback that the Colts will pick up now that they realize he isn't Ironman. Not that I like the Colts, because I don't, but I don't see Peyton throwing in the towel unless things go very poorly.
ReplyDeleteThree neck surgeries in less than a year doesn't bode well. Peyton definitely won't play this season. I'd be almost shocked if we ever saw him put on the pads again. I hope I am wrong.
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