35 year old 11 time pro bowler, Peyton Manning has without a shadow of a doubt has been the face of the Indianapolis Colts for 13 years. He is the Colts leader in passing yards, with 54,828. 1st in touchdown passes thrown as well with 399, as his gutsy ironman reputation for starting in 208 consecutive games, since 1998.

When the Colts drafted Manning 1st overall in the 1998 draft, it was a daunting decision between him and Washington State QB, Ryan Leaf over who would be the better star coming into the next level in the pros. 13 years later, I would think we could all come to the obvious conclusion of who was the better deal.

Leaf; by the way, in case you forgot (which is very possible) threw for 3,666 yards, 14 touchdowns, 36 interceptions and approximately 259 tantrums in his problematic 3 year career between the Chargers and the Cowboys, the Chargers, who snagged him at the 2nd spot of that draft. Now, with all said and done, Peyton has had off season neck surgery, and it looks as if it may be a serious concern for the Colts team this season. When Colts owner Jim Irsay, makes statements of his main man, “We r evaluating the QB sitch, #18 healing but we got 2 b prepared 4 early season possibility without him, defense has 2 pick it up, big time!,” it raises some level of concern.

The glaring fact is that the Colts have never addressed the possibility of having an issue with their iron man Peyton Manning. They have survived with backups like Curtis Painter, Jim Sorgi, and Brock Huard over the years. None of whom are anything you would feel very secure in your team with. The Colts have been on the downside, going a respectable 10-6 in 2010, their first time not winning 12 games or more in 7 straight seasons. But alot is expected of the Colts, after so many seasons of incredible success, it puts an almost unrealistic expectation on the team every season. Truthfully, all good things must come to an end. The Colts have been great in the past, the future seems to look a little dimmer, is the window closing?

If Peyton’s injury takes longer to heal up 100% this could utterly be a depressing reality that Colts fans may have to deal with. Even if Manning’s neck is good enough to play, how much can it affect his throwing and his QB play? Manning, who is known for pinpoint accuracy, strong arm, and extraordinary football smarts, could struggle. And if he struggles, the Colts will absolutely follow.

With lack of a genuine running game, since Edgerrin James back in 2005, they have had to rely on his quarterback skills. Which, of course, makes what Manning does even that much more important. Teams know he is going to throw the ball 35 times a game and he still torches them every week. Is it time for the Colts to look into the eventual replacement, and start the transitional phase for the next guy? The New England Patriots did it, grabbing Ryan Mallett this year, letting him sit and learn behind Brady, and see where that leads. Maybe the Colts need to envision the future. Peyton may be an iron man, and an iconic QB in the NFL, but he still is a human being.
 

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