The Indianapolis Colts have been one of the NFLs elite teams for 11 years now, including a 7 year run of 12 wins or more between the years of 2003 and 2009. They have made the playoffs 11 years out of the last 13 seasons. Truly a dominant team in the NFL and a team that struck fear in opponents every Sunday they played.

They had heaps of success. The Colts became the 1st team from the AFC South to win a Super Bowl, when they beat the Chicago Bears in 2007, 29-17. Where Peyton Manning won his Super Bowl MVP after throwing for 247 YDs and a TD and completing 66% of his passes for the game.

Manning’s legacy in Indy has certainly been something to take into much consideration, especially after the horrendous season they have had in 2011. Manning, with his career 54,828 passing yards, the all time leader in Colts history, and 3rd on the list all time, and likely should become the all-time passing yardage leader in about 4 years, when he would be 39 years old, to surpass Brett Favre. Bottom line, Peyton Manning is without doubt one of the greatest players we have ever seen play the game.

The Colts have had their issues with QBs over the years, going through erroneous Jeff George, fiery Jim Harbaugh, who improved the team, with his style. Then they went through the experiment of Craig Erickson for a very short period.

Now the Colts are coming upon a very difficult decision, with their horrible record, they will earn a top 3, possibly number 1 pick in the NFL draft in 2012. Do the Colts draft a QB for the future, and of course the word is Andrew Luck from Stanford.

Picking the wrong guy can set your team back years; visibly, busts like David Carr, who was buried repeatedly in his early career, getting pummeled for 76 sacks in his first season, Texans had 24 wins in 5 years after that pick. Talented athlete, Akili Smith, but couldn’t read a defense, struggling with QBs until Palmer really came around in ‘05. And of course Ryan Leaf, we don’t need to relive his career, or lack thereof, really?

Manning has stated he believes in guys playing from day 1, as he did, feeling it’s a great way to learn the game. Baptism by fire, some would call it. So, if the Colts draft Luck, is Peyton saying he should start over him?

Sounds that way, but it doesn’t. Peyton will need to be traded somewhere else. He, Luck, and I think most fans sense it likely coming as well. Obviously he has had his share of injuries, with 3 surgeries over the last 2 years, but he has played through them all, except this very serious one, is that an indication that he is done? Can he return again and play the kind of QB we are all used to seeing on the field? And the Colts have made in known that “if the right QB was available” they would draft him.

We know that no QB is too big to get traded, especially after they hit the closing moments of their careers, Favre at 39, Montana at 37, Moon at 38, all traded at the older ages, still productive, but teams need to look ahead, we can’t play forever.

The Colts should draft Luck, without question. Trade Manning while he still has worth, he could still bring them picks and players and they could start looking onward to the future. Grab some O-line help to protect, maybe a quality RB, somewhere. Manning likely still has another 4-5 years in him, Luck’s future is expected for another 13-14, odds are in his favor. Time waits for nobody. Even for Peyton Manning.

Written by Mike Anthony for VegasTopDogs.com
 

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