OK, I’m going out on a limb here, but I figured I’d run with the new thread in anticipation of the shit storm if this shakes out at all.
Rob Lowe, yes frigging Rob Lowe, has reported via Twitter that he’s heard that Peyton Manning is going to retire. Apparently Lowe and Irsay are good buddies and people speculate that Lowe might have access to this type of water cooler talk.
PFT naturally is running with the announcement. And so the story begins. Expect the media storm to spread from here if there’s anything resembling meat on this. Presumably the “respectable” sports sites will hold off on spinning this until they’ve checked with a few sources, but it’s a matter of time before Mort and Schefter pop off, with or without corroboration, and then it will be tomorrow morning’s leading story unless they get some clear and strenuous denials.
PFT is rightfully getting killed in their comments section for running such flimsy “news” and I expect a goodly portion of you to direct the same mocking at me here, and I’m sure it’ll be deserved. But, for no reason I can explain, I believe that this is true. I’ve been saying since the start of the season that Manning would never play again and that coming back would be nearly insane. Manning also probably realizes that taking that bonus in March would be crippling to the Colts and maybe he actually has some loyalty to them to do the right thing.
Given the fact that Payton’s older brother suffered a severe neck injury that ended his football career and it is a that known fact that he is really close to his family, it is entirely possible he could retire.
But, the man could be an amazingly great coach/ offensive coordinator.
In fact, as you probably all know already, this man has been the defacto OD for the Colts for years.
He calls more audible from the line than anyone, even more than the genius who is Drew Bres.
Can you imagine how kickbutt the Colts could be with Manning as OC?
They get this kid, Andrew Luck, and let him play as a rookie.
The first year 2013, the team wins 7 maybe 8 games.
The next year 2014, watch out y’all.
Under Manning’s tutelage, the Colts could be right back there.
On the other hand, Indianapolis could be dumbasses and trade Manning to … uh… the Browns.
It’s pretty clear that the Colts are cleaning house- the GM and the coach are gone, and it seems probable to me that they’re going to draft Andrew Luck and make him the new starter ASAP.
So, where does that leave Peuton Manning? Well, obviously, HE’S the only one who knows how his neck feels, and if he can still make the throws.
If he can’t he defintely retires.
if he Can, he’ll almost certainly play again for a few more years… but only on his terms. He’s too old to go to a lousy, rebuilding team. If he plays again, it will only be for a team that he thinks is strong enough to go all the way. ANd (importantly) for a team with a coach who’ll defer to him.
How many teams are there that have
A lot of talent everywhere but at quarterback
A head coach who’d be willing to let Peyton be de facto offensive coordinator
A strong chance of making it to the postseason
Among the teams that meet ALL those criteria…
Baltimore Ravens (especially if Flacco lays an egg this weekend)
New York Jets
Chicago Bears
Seattle Seahawks
A few wild cards?
Jerry Jones is flighty enough to decide, on the spur of the moment, that Tony Romo has had enough chances, and make an offer for Manning.
The team that MIGHT be the very best fit for Manning is the Titans. They’re a strong defensive team that could easily win the division next year with the right quarterback, and he’d get to come “home” to his Volunteer fans!
But I don’t think there’s any way the Colts would trade him to a division rival.
All the rhetoric about how Manning is a virtual OC is a bit overblown. Yes, he’s a good QB and does make the players around him better. But he’s certainly not telling Jeff Saturday how to direct the o-line or coaching the receivers or backs on technique. Even on play calling, Jim Kelly did quite a bit more of his own calls in Buffalo. Manning gets 2 or 3 calls radio’ed in, from which he generally audibles.
Love to see Manning gone and give Houston a couple good years of success, but I’m wary of that much good fortune. So, I’ll believe it when I see it. Can’t see Manning retiring, bad neck or not.
I don’t think this will ever happen, but it sure would be fun for the Jets-Patriots rivalry to have Manning and Brady on opposite sides of the field twice (or thrice) a year.
My son is good friends with someone who has a good friend who is good friends with Peyton. According to my son Peyton isn’t coming back. Take that for what it is worth.
