That has to mean Manning is out for the opener right? Collins wouldn't come out of retirement to be a backup would he?
Well, he's not Brett Favre. I think it means the Colts are a little more worried about Peyton being out now, and also scared to death of having to watch Painter or Orlovsky make a start.
Always tough to predict. You could also say it would be foolish for the Colts to wait until the wire to see if Peyton can go. You've got to have time to get a new QB into the fold and prepped. Even now, with 3 weeks, Collins will be hard pressed to be ready for the opener. I think it is safe to say we're either going to see Collins or a rusty Peyton.
I bet Wade is salivating over Collins, too. We ate his lunch a couple of years ago in that win in Tennessee, and that was with a poor defense.
After a quick browsing of local articles, I've come away with the impression that Peyton intends to play week 1, and that the team will have to shut him down against his wishes*....which they just might do if he isn't able to practice and demonstrate that he's ready to go. So it might come down to how quickly Collins can get on board in their two remaining preseason games. *he has a consecutive start streak that he has zero desire to see stopped
“@AdamSchefter: @mortreport reporting Colts' braintrust does not believe Peyton Manning will be ready for regular-season opener in Houston. Manning hopeful.”
Everyone wants to believe coaching and talent trumps all when it comes to winning football, and it often does. But,man, you also have to get lucky and have a few balls bounce your way, too, and the Texans have been among the unluckiest teams in football these past three years. If Manning is out week 1, and we can capitalize on it (sort of a major part of this equation), that is such a giant, giant break. Our new defense gets an "easier" opening opponent to get its feet wet and possibly build some confidence, we can steal a hugely important division game, we can start a rough part of the schedule on a positive note... these are the type of breaks this team is going to *have* to seize this year. AND... the Colts owe us for shutting PeyPey down in '09 against the Jets, eventually costing us a WC spot. Karma gods demand he sit.
Peyton unhappy with contract? Check Peyton unhappy with direction of team? Check Team threatening to hold Peyton out against his wishes? Check Sounds like the perfect storm for a down season for the Colts. Hopefully it's not just wishful thinking.
I thought it was already stated that Manning will not be playing in game 1. Is that information incorrect?
Don't understand why the Colt's haven't drafted a QB project... When they fall off, it will be a STEEP drop.
Bill Polian hasn't done a good job lately for the Colts. Peyton Manning covers up a lot of the teams flaws. Doesn't help that Donald Brown, Jerry Hughes, Tony Ugoh, Anthony Gonzalez, and Quinn Pitcock have all been major busts for them.
Don't have a link but I remember when free agency started reading some rumblings about him not being happy about the team not being active in free agency or something of that sort. And I think he structured/re-structured his contract to help the team. Nothing concrete, but I just got the impression that he wasn't happy -- and he shouldn't be. Their o-line is average and they really didn't improve anywhere.
lol wut Peyton was a free agent and signed a massive contract. The team couldn't do anything in free agency because they couldn't figure out what his cap number was going to be. He got a major major deal.
Huh?? Peyton signed a massive contract this off-season (5 years $90M), and he's never once said he was upset with the direction of the team. He knew that his contract would be the thing that handcuffed the Colts in free agency this year. And, Peyton's not stupid....he's not going to risk his overall health just to continue his streak. If anything, they might start him for a drive, and if he's not performing up to par, they might sit him.
Manning did not want to be franchised. The Colts wanted to give him a deal worth more than Brady's...but out of the other side of their mouth whined that a $25M salary would hamper the team. Peyton and the team agreed to a "discount" contract with the understanding that the Colts would make up the difference in bringing in FA help. I don't think there's any indications he's unhappy....but if the Colts do bench him for week 1 against his wishes (probable) and their ever-weakening O-line crumbles and they don't win the division....let's just say Peyton has been known to pass blame around.
You're right, my mistake on the contract. I still think he can't be happy with the direction of the team -- numerous draft pick busts, little free agent activity, and they lost their starting left tackle. They have an undrafted guy with 4 career starts as #1 on the depth chart right now. the Colts have been a model of consistency under Peyton, but if there's ever a year that you could see it spiraling downward this is it.
Manning has about as much reason to be unhappy with his contract as Kubiak being unhappy for the amount of patience Bob's given him lol
