Colts may consider drafting a QB to groom (1 Viewer)

[BigTex]

Colts president Bill Polian acknowledged this week that the Colts may consider drafting a quarterback to groom as Peyton Manning's replacement. If this isn't the year to obtain a potential successor for Manning, who is 35 and entering his 14th season, then it could be next year. Should the Colts select a QB in this draft, it could be in the second or third round. The team reportedly worked out Nevada's Colin Kaepernick on Friday, and earlier in the week had a private session with TCU's Andy Dalton, according to the Indianapolis Star. Kaepernick is regarded as a second- or third-round prospect, and Dalton is rated as a second-rounder who could sneak into the bottom of the first round. The only other quarterback on the Colts' roster is Curtis Painter, who has been Manning's backup since being chosen in the sixth round two years ago. "Quarterback's an issue, probably not a front-burner issue, but an issue nonetheless because while Peyton's not at the end of his career, it's approaching faster than it has in the past," Polian told the Star. "I wouldn't rule that out in the right situation." Asked when the process of acquiring Manning's successor should begin, Polian said, "You don't know, but you know it's sometime soon. You begin to think about it." Could the Colts make a move for Manning's successor or a backup in this draft? "I don't know that you're going to find his eventual replacement drafting 22nd," Polian said. "And whether or not you would use that choice on a quarterback in an unsettled labor situation, where you don't know what kind of contract that's going to be signed, is another issue. That said, I don't think you can dismiss it." The Colts have seen the runaway success of the Packers in a similar scenario. With Brett Favre 35, the Packers drafted Aaron Rodgers with the 24th overall pick in 2005. After being groomed for three years, Rodgers took over in 2008 and has become one of the league's elite quarterbacks. Manning is currently unsigned, but the Colts put the exclusive rights franchise tag on him. Negotiations on a long-term deal are on hold until a new collective bargaining agreement is finalized. There's no reason to think Manning won't finish his career in Indianapolis.

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/feed/2011-01/2011-nfl-draft/story/colts-may-consider-drafting-a-qb-to-groom

 

[Sweet Love]

This should have been done a while back. The Colts have been very lucky when it has come to the health of Manning. I would go as far to suggest they have displayed gross negligence in their disregard over the years for the the backup QB position. Even Favre had guys like Brunell, Pederson, Brooks and Nall behind him at various points (they of course all left for other teams as either a starter or competition for the starting job). Manning, on the other hand has had Sorgi (who no one would mistake for a starter) and Painter (who they are basically saying is a backup since they are searching elsewhere for Manning's heir).

I just find it interesting that a team which is so focused on the QB position for overall team success, has not been more active in finding better backups.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

Manning at 35 looks like he has another good 4 or 5 years in him. He's a workaholic and a successor isn't necessary. Besides, the QB class this year is a crap shoot. I could see the Colts dealing for a journeyman backup rather than waste a high pick on a QB that will probably ride the pine for 4 years.

 

[Gatorman]

Truth is that the likely reason the colts haven't gone after manning's replacement is bc they do not think a lower round QB is the answer for one of the best to ever play. For all the aaron rodgers and phil rivers you see, there are plently of jay fiedlers, Jake Plummers, Brian Grieses, and the like who cannot overcome the shadow of the previous QB. Also, The guys who have "successfully" replaced a legend were all first round guys.

Again, I could be wrong, but mannings replacemnet likely comes the year after manning gets injured (ala David Robinson's injury bringing Tim Duncan to the spurs)