COMMENTARY | The luck of the Indianapolis Colts may rest with Andrew Luck, their probable first round, first overall draft pick this year. Several sources are reporting that Peyton Manning may never play for the Colts again, leading their luck at quarterback to rest with Luck.
These sources say that nerves in Manning’s arm have not healed completely as of yet, which is affecting the velocity on his usually bullet-like passes. This is of a concern, as while nerves are regrowing, the muscles can atrophy. These sources also state that Manning has hit a plateau in regards to increasing his strength.
According to some physicians, these nerves may take up to a year to recover, so it may be too early to tell. As Colts owner Jim Irsay refused to discuss his status, Colts fans are left to wonder if the team will start with Luck or Manning as next season’s quarterback. If the recent reports are to be believed, Colts fans should plan on buying Luck jerseys before the start of the season.
While Manning may have a competitive desire to return, and may feel that if at 100 percent, he is an asset to the team, why should a professional football player, who has already earned millions of dollars return to the sport after an injury like this?
He could still remain an asset to the team if he opted not to return as a player, but rather, worked in a coaching position, mentoring Andrew Luck. What new NFL quarterback would not want to learn from Peyton Manning? Who would not soak up any and all information he could offer? In addition, the absence of his salary would provide the Colts with additional salary cap room.
With all of the change taking place in the Colts organization, with the firing and hiring of coaches and general managers, Manning has expressed his frustration with the atmosphere at the practice facility in an interview with Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star. “It’s not a real good environment down there right now, to say the least. Everybody’s walking around on eggshells. I don’t recognize our building right now. There’s such complete and total change.”
Why should Manning possibly risk his life for the sport and for a team that has, in recent times, frustrated him with its decisions? If I were in his shoes, I’d take the money and run, either staying with the franchise in a coaching/mentoring role for Andrew Luck, or retiring and enjoying the rest of my life!