How much will it cost (2 Viewers)

[Chase Stuart]

The Jets and Ravens have championship teams except at quarterback. I wouldn't be shocked if either team put in a move to get Manning next year. Maybe the Redskins, 49ers, Lions, Bears and Vikings are in the running, too.

But if the Colts get Luck, Manning becomes expendable. I guess the three questions become:

1) What does Manning go for if he doesn't play a down this season?

2) What does Manning go for if he comes back in weeks 16 and 17 and plays well?

3) What does Manning go for it he comes back in weeks 16 and 17 and plays poorly?

4) Which team pursues Manning the most?

Obviously it's possible that the Colts keep Manning and draft Luck. But to me, that's stupid. If Luck is your franchise savior, is it really worth losing out on multiple high draft picks (i.e., the cost opportunity of not trading Manning) to keep Luck on the bench? And Manning will be worth less in trade after the 2012 season, so sitting him for a year doesn't make a lot of sense to me, either.

I think the Jets and Ravens are too invested in their QBs to actually pull the trigger. I think SF is a good darkhorse, especially if Smith craps the best in the post-season.

 

[BallparkFrank]

Isn't it more likely that the Colts simply let Manning walk to avoid paying him all that money? I believe there's a big payday deadline sometime this offseason, but I honestly haven't followed the situation too closely.

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

Manning isn't going to play this year unless the Colts have the #1 overall pick in the bag. If the Colts feel Manning is healthy they aren't going to trade him. Luck will carry a clipboard for 2 years at the very least. The only scenarios I see the Colts trading Manning are if they know they can get a boatload for him or they know he's done and can still get a moderate amount for him. Hell, if Carson Palmer can bring what he did, then Manning should bring more. How the contract plays into this I'm not privy to.

 

[tonka]

I think a far more important question is what does Manning go for when every team in the league knows that the Colts will simply release him if they can't trade his gigantic contract away.

 

[Zeff]

Guy's a hundred years old with a ruined neck. I wouldn't want him if I were a Dolphins fan.

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

I think a far more important question is what does Manning go for when every team in the league knows that the Colts will simply release him if they can't trade his gigantic contract away.

If they can't trade him they play him. Every Colts fan wants that anyway, me included. The ideal situation is for Luck to sit behind Manning for 2 years.

 

[BallparkFrank]

Posted by Mike Florio on November 6, 2011, 11:07 AM ESTAfter hearing ESPN’s Chris Mortensen summarize the latest news regarding Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, there’s an overriding point that needs to be remembered whenever considering the decision that the Colts eventually need to make regarding whether to keep Peyton and pay him $28 million on early March 2012, or whether to trade/cut him and owe Manning nothing.Manning has the ability to soften the dilemma by delaying the deadline for the payment of the option bonus.The money currently is due in on the fourth day of the 2012 league year. Manning could offer to bump the trigger to April or May or June or July or however long it takes for him to get as close to 100 percent as he’s ever going to get after three neck surgeries in 19 months.For now, Mort explains that Manning has regained some strength in his chest, but that his biceps and triceps still haven’t fully responded. Mort also reports that Manning has been told not to throw yet because doing so could cause elbow and/or rotator cuff injuries.And so the Colts continue to inch toward the date on which they have to decide whether to plunk down another $28 million, to go along with a $20 million signing bonus (paid without Manning having to pass a physical) and other compensation totaling $6.4 million for 2011. The Colts now have to ask themselves whether they’ll be throwing $28 million in good money after $26.4 million in bad.To make the best decision, the Colts need the one thing that Manning can give them: Time.So even if, as Manning recently said, his current contract was structured to protect the Colts by making it a one-year deal with a four-year option, circumstances could end up putting the screws to the Colts, and Peyton has the power to loosen them long enough for Jim Irsay and company to make a prudent and informed decision.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

I disagree that keeping Manning is stupid. Not keeping him is stupid. Remember Aaron Rodgers took 3 years of clipholder monitoring before he was ready for stud status. Luck could learn a ton from Manning and when he's ready, the transition could be seamless (except for the '11 season roadbump).

 

[habsfan]

What are the odds that the Jets or Ravens would "plug in" even a healthy Manning and be immediately successful?

I don't know how many times that scenario has worked but I'd be willing to guess it isn't many.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Didn't the Jets already try this with Favre?

 

[BallparkFrank]

I disagree that keeping Manning is stupid. Not keeping him is stupid. Remember Aaron Rodgers took 3 years of clipholder monitoring before he was ready for stud status. Luck could learn a ton from Manning and when he's ready, the transition could be seamless (except for the '11 season roadbump).

You're assuming good health which I think is a big stretch at this point...not to mention a lot of money that could be off the books if they simply cut him before the deadline. Face it, the Colts have holes everywhere and all of their skill guys are old. If they can get Luck and use that money to fill other holes, it's something they have to seriously consider. GM's must take emotion out of their decision making sometimes even if it means letting a legend go.

 

[eoMMan]

I don't think the Jets or the Ravens would go after him. Maybe one of the other teams that need a QB such as Miami, Washington, etc.....but the Jets or Ravens. Sanchez and Flacco have had their bad moments, but they aren't THAT bad.

<---- Fantasy stud right here.

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

I don't think the Jets or the Ravens would go after him. Maybe one of the other teams that need a QB such as Miami, Washington, etc.....but the Jets or Ravens. Sanchez and Flacco have had their bad moments, but they aren't THAT bad.<---- Fantasy stud right here.

The Jets will never win a SB with Mark Sanchez unless they win it despite him.

 

[ivnabru]

What are the odds that the Jets or Ravens would "plug in" even a healthy Manning and be immediately successful?I don't know how many times that scenario has worked but I'd be willing to guess it isn't many.

Assuming health (and who knows).The last time a QB of a similar caliber to Manning was traded is probably Montana to KC. They were pretty successful with him even though he was about a million.Bledsoe was probably the last time a probowl QB was immediately successful in his new team (Buffalo) but even probowl type QBs are rarely traded so there haven't been all that many misses since Bledsoe. Cutler had a miss 1st year. McNabb if you still consider him a pro bowl caliber guy has busted more than once. I'm sure I'm missing some.Forgot about Favre, pretty bad with the Jets but great with Minny his 1st year. Maybe he's Manning's caliber? I don't think so but closer than anyone but Montana that I remember being traded in the last 20 years.

 

[habsfan]

What are the odds that the Jets or Ravens would "plug in" even a healthy Manning and be immediately successful?I don't know how many times that scenario has worked but I'd be willing to guess it isn't many.

Assuming health (and who knows).The last time a QB of a similar caliber to Manning was traded is probably Montana to KC. They were pretty successful with him even though he was about a million.Bledsoe was probably the last time a probowl QB was immediately successful in his new team (Buffalo) but even probowl type QBs are rarely traded so there haven't been all that many misses since Bledsoe. Cutler had a miss 1st year. McNabb if you still consider him a pro bowl caliber guy has busted more than once. I'm sure I'm missing some.Forgot about Favre, pretty bad with the Jets but great with Minny his 1st year. Maybe he's Manning's caliber? I don't think so but closer than anyone but Montana that I remember being traded in the last 20 years.

Good list.I guess my point is, a quarterback move like this is more like an organ transplant than a new carburetor. Once you factor in the cost and whether the winning window for the team is opening or closing, it becomes a pretty risky operation...

 

[FavreCo]

Guy's a hundred years old with a ruined neck. I wouldn't want him if I were a Dolphins fan.

This. I would say the odds are he never plays again. He can get rid of the ball faster than just about anyone ever but with that neck, he's one missed assignment from a wheelchair.

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

Guy's a hundred years old with a ruined neck. I wouldn't want him if I were a Dolphins fan.

This. I would say the odds are he never plays again. He can get rid of the ball faster than just about anyone ever but with that neck, he's one missed assignment from a wheelchair.

This is why Bert Jones left the game.

 

[ivnabru]

What are the odds that the Jets or Ravens would "plug in" even a healthy Manning and be immediately successful?I don't know how many times that scenario has worked but I'd be willing to guess it isn't many.

Assuming health (and who knows).The last time a QB of a similar caliber to Manning was traded is probably Montana to KC. They were pretty successful with him even though he was about a million.Bledsoe was probably the last time a probowl QB was immediately successful in his new team (Buffalo) but even probowl type QBs are rarely traded so there haven't been all that many misses since Bledsoe. Cutler had a miss 1st year. McNabb if you still consider him a pro bowl caliber guy has busted more than once. I'm sure I'm missing some.Forgot about Favre, pretty bad with the Jets but great with Minny his 1st year. Maybe he's Manning's caliber? I don't think so but closer than anyone but Montana that I remember being traded in the last 20 years.

Good list.I guess my point is, a quarterback move like this is more like an organ transplant than a new carburetor. Once you factor in the cost and whether the winning window for the team is opening or closing, it becomes a pretty risky operation...

I agree with you and with a team like Baltimore or the Jets they have title shots new QB or not. So I don't think it would be worth it for them to make a move.But you go with just about any team in the league and Peyton (if healthy) makes them a playoff team. Just my opinion. So I think it would be worth mortgaging a lot for a team that doesn't have much of a future right now. Maybe a Cleveland or Arizona or something. If my team was Cleveland I think I'd be happy the management mortgaged 5 years of the future in picks for a chance at 5 years of Manning type contention. Even if I was almost certain there wouldn't be a title in that 5 year window.

 

[Patoons]

I think a far more important question is what does Manning go for when every team in the league knows that the Colts will simply release him if they can't trade his gigantic contract away.

If they can't trade him they play him. Every Colts fan wants that anyway, me included. The ideal situation is for Luck to sit behind Manning for 2 years.

Haven't read the whole thread yet, but isn't that a tremendous amount to have tied up at one position if the #1 pick isn't going to play for a few years?

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

I think a far more important question is what does Manning go for when every team in the league knows that the Colts will simply release him if they can't trade his gigantic contract away.

If they can't trade him they play him. Every Colts fan wants that anyway, me included. The ideal situation is for Luck to sit behind Manning for 2 years.

Haven't read the whole thread yet, but isn't that a tremendous amount to have tied up at one position if the #1 pick isn't going to play for a few years?

Aren't rookie contracts friendlier under to the new CBA than in years past? Tie that together with more cap money and I bet they can make it work.

 

[Sweet Love]

Didn't the Jets already try this with Favre?

True, but he was not bad until his arm started to hurt. I am not sure what went on behind closed doors in regards to that (with Mangini and Tannebaum), but my guess is that the "steak" played a lot into that...they were 8-3 at one point during that season and then all hell broke loose.

 

[BallparkFrank]

Like a lot of the rookie QB's in this year's class, Luck doesn't strike me as a guy that needs to be eased into the action. He's NFL ready. People always point to Rodgers, but the Packers really had to re-build and develop him into what he is today. Rodgers, coming out of Cal, had the throwing motion of a high school QB.

 

[FavreCo]

Guy's a hundred years old with a ruined neck. I wouldn't want him if I were a Dolphins fan.

This. I would say the odds are he never plays again. He can get rid of the ball faster than just about anyone ever but with that neck, he's one missed assignment from a wheelchair.

This is why Bert Jones left the game.

Didn't know that one. Bert Jones -------> Roger Carr. Seemed like they hooked up 100 times for big TDs when it was really only 1 big year.

 

[Scooby1974]

What are the odds that the Jets or Ravens would "plug in" even a healthy Manning and be immediately successful?I don't know how many times that scenario has worked but I'd be willing to guess it isn't many.

Assuming health (and who knows).The last time a QB of a similar caliber to Manning was traded is probably Montana to KC. They were pretty successful with him even though he was about a million.Bledsoe was probably the last time a probowl QB was immediately successful in his new team (Buffalo) but even probowl type QBs are rarely traded so there haven't been all that many misses since Bledsoe. Cutler had a miss 1st year. McNabb if you still consider him a pro bowl caliber guy has busted more than once. I'm sure I'm missing some.Forgot about Favre, pretty bad with the Jets but great with Minny his 1st year. Maybe he's Manning's caliber? I don't think so but closer than anyone but Montana that I remember being traded in the last 20 years.

Good list.I guess my point is, a quarterback move like this is more like an organ transplant than a new carburetor. Once you factor in the cost and whether the winning window for the team is opening or closing, it becomes a pretty risky operation...

Montana was fading fast when SF let him go. Bledsoe was decent to good, but not great when shipped from NE. Favre had lost it in the sense that he could no longer put the team on his shoulders. Manning, outside of his neck, has not shown that decline. I agree that the time to move on from Manning is likely NOW. 3 neck surgeries in 19 months is nothing to overlook. Manning has been an iron-man and is worthy of honor and respect no doubt. However honor and respect are one thing, managing a franchise moving forward is another story. I think it is time to let Manning walk, let the older position players go if they can't get on board with Peyton's release and Luck starting...with the upheaval in Indy over a win-less looking season, what do they really have to lose at this point? If they bring Peyton back and pay him all that money only to watch his neck snap in half or see him pulling a Curtis Painter and skipping passes off the turf to Wayne and Garcon, the fan base will turn on Peyton anyway---despite his name/achievements. It is a "what have you done for me lately" world we live in and Andrew Luck's number is coming up roses.

 

[FavreCo]

I think a far more important question is what does Manning go for when every team in the league knows that the Colts will simply release him if they can't trade his gigantic contract away.

If they can't trade him they play him. Every Colts fan wants that anyway, me included. The ideal situation is for Luck to sit behind Manning for 2 years.

Haven't read the whole thread yet, but isn't that a tremendous amount to have tied up at one position if the #1 pick isn't going to play for a few years?

Aren't rookie contracts friendlier under to the new CBA than in years past? Tie that together with more cap money and I bet they can make it work.

Yes. It is now not as costly of a mistake if you have a 1st Rd QB bust.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

Aren't rookie contracts friendlier under to the new CBA than in years past? Tie that together with more cap money and I bet they can make it work.

Yes. It is now not as costly of a mistake if you have a 1st Rd QB bust.

coughsjamarcuscough

 

[FavreCo]

Aren't rookie contracts friendlier under to the new CBA than in years past? Tie that together with more cap money and I bet they can make it work.

Yes. It is now not as costly of a mistake if you have a 1st Rd QB bust.

coughsjamarcuscough

Remember he was the last straw.

 

[th3f00l]

What are the odds that the Jets or Ravens would "plug in" even a healthy Manning and be immediately successful?I don't know how many times that scenario has worked but I'd be willing to guess it isn't many.

Assuming health (and who knows).The last time a QB of a similar caliber to Manning was traded is probably Montana to KC. They were pretty successful with him even though he was about a million.Bledsoe was probably the last time a probowl QB was immediately successful in his new team (Buffalo) but even probowl type QBs are rarely traded so there haven't been all that many misses since Bledsoe. Cutler had a miss 1st year. McNabb if you still consider him a pro bowl caliber guy has busted more than once. I'm sure I'm missing some.Forgot about Favre, pretty bad with the Jets but great with Minny his 1st year. Maybe he's Manning's caliber? I don't think so but closer than anyone but Montana that I remember being traded in the last 20 years.

Warren moon. From the former oilers.

 

[Chase Stuart]

The Rodgers situation is apples and oranges. The Packers were in the NFC Championship Game the year before Rodgers started. The Colts might be 0-16. Way too many holes on the Colts to not trade Manning for a bounty, if they can.

 

[GregR]

What are the odds that the Jets or Ravens would "plug in" even a healthy Manning and be immediately successful?I don't know how many times that scenario has worked but I'd be willing to guess it isn't many.

The Jets would have one slight advantage there. Peyton Manning's OC for his career has been Tom Moore. The Colts quietly got rid of Moore last year, and he is currently working for the Jets as an offensive consultant. Don't get caught up in that title... it's necessary because the NFL worsened the pension plan for coaches, and so even back on the Colts, Moore quit his job as OC and was hired back as an offensive consultant so he keeps his bigger pension benefits under the older plan.So, the Jets would have a leg up in the familiarity between their offensive staff and Manning. But that said, it isn't like the Jets system is identical to what Peyton had in Indy, where Peyton was the system. But, you'd figure that familiarity has got to help some.

 

[dutch]

There is no reason for the Ravens to trade away a very good, young, talented quarterback for an aging star who may very well be on the downside of his career.

Chase, I know you know the game so I am puzzled by your assertion that Flacco is somehow the weak link on the current Ravens team. If he had wr's who could hang on to the ball and an offensive coordiantor that would call a consistent and well thought out game plan then perhaps Flacco might be given more room to improve. As is, he has given the Ravens numerous opportunities to win ball games the past few years only to watch some other facet of the team, including the vaunted yet overhyped defense, lose it for everyone. As a Raven fan I would be mighty pissed if management did something as hairbrained as what you propose.

 

[Raider Nation]

Even though it would likely take Luck a couple of years before he has the Colts contending for a playoff spot, I can't imagine Indianapolis would want to see Manning remain in the AFC. Just in case he returns to being Peyton Manning, you know?

 

[Chase Stuart]

There is no reason for the Ravens to trade away a very good, young, talented quarterback for an aging star who may very well be on the downside of his career. Chase, I know you know the game so I am puzzled by your assertion that Flacco is somehow the weak link on the current Ravens team. If he had wr's who could hang on to the ball and an offensive coordiantor that would call a consistent and well thought out game plan then perhaps Flacco might be given more room to improve. As is, he has given the Ravens numerous opportunities to win ball games the past few years only to watch some other facet of the team, including the vaunted yet overhyped defense, lose it for everyone. As a Raven fan I would be mighty pissed if management did something as hairbrained as what you propose.

The Ravens would not have to trade Flacco. I'm pretty sure the Colts wouldn't want him It would be odd, of course. But you can envision a scenario where the team trades for Manning but Flacco is still the long-term QB of the future (and, obviously, he would be pretty good insurance if Manning went down).

 

[peter griffin]

The real question is what would Manning fetch in return from the Ravens/Jets/another QB needy team. People speak of getting a "bounty" for Manning, but if you're the Ravens, Jets, etc are you giving up even one first rounder for a 36 year old QB with an extremely uncertain medical future? I think people are largely overestimating what the Colts could get for Manning in a trade because there is no way to guarantee his health going forward.

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

The Rodgers situation is apples and oranges. The Packers were in the NFC Championship Game the year before Rodgers started. The Colts might be 0-16. Way too many holes on the Colts to not trade Manning for a bounty, if they can.

What was the Colts record last year?

 

[dutch]

I can't envision any player worth their salt willingly taking to the bench aftert they've shown they are more than capable of starting in the NFL.

Was Manning waaayyyy better than Flacco when Manning was in his prime? Does the pope s$#t in the woods? But the question becomes who is better right now and also for the next 5-10 years and the answer to that, if history is our guide, is undeniably Flacco.

Now, as for your teams qb...yes, they should make that deal in a heartbeat.

 

[Raider Nation]

OT: A healthy Peyton Manning throwing to Philly's receivers would be a thing of beauty to watch.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

There is no way he is worth 28 million at this point in his career. He is going to be cut unless he renegotiates to a much lower number. I can't even imagine a team being interested in trading for him at that salary.

 

[The_Man]

Ravens would never make a deal for Manning. For one thing, they went this route already once with Elvis Grbac and had disastrous results. But also, it runs counter to their organizational philosophy. They build from within, and while they let good players go - Heap, Bart Scott, Kelly Gregg, Jamie Sharper - they don't let their cornerstone franchise players leave - Ogden, Lewis, Reed, Suggs, Ngata. I expect them to lock up Flacco and Rice the same way.

Unfortunately, this probably means they will lose some more good players in the near future (like Yanda, Ben Grubbs, maybe Jarrett Johnson) but they figure they can replace them through the draft, and it's worth the price you pay to let those guys go if it allows you to keep your true blue chip players. That's another thing about the Ravens - because they genuinely believe that every first round pick they make will be a Pro Bowl player that they will have signed to an affordable contract for a good number of years, they won't give up one of those picks for another team's overpriced veteran.

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

Ravens would never make a deal for Manning. For one thing, they went this route already once with Elvis Grbac and had disastrous results. But also, it runs counter to their organizational philosophy. They build from within, and while they let good players go - Heap, Bart Scott, Kelly Gregg, Jamie Sharper - they don't let their cornerstone franchise players leave - Ogden, Lewis, Reed, Suggs, Ngata. I expect them to lock up Flacco and Rice the same way.Unfortunately, this probably means they will lose some more good players in the near future (like Yanda, Ben Grubbs, maybe Jarrett Johnson) but they figure they can replace them through the draft, and it's worth the price you pay to let those guys go if it allows you to keep your true blue chip players. That's another thing about the Ravens - because they genuinely believe that every first round pick they make will be a Pro Bowl player that they will have signed to an affordable contract for a good number of years, they won't give up one of those picks for another team's overpriced veteran.

Plus, the city of Baltimore doesn't want anything to do with an Indy hero, even though there is a lot of respect from the city of Baltimore toward Peyton Manning. He reminds them of JU.

 

[cstu]

The real question is what would Manning fetch in return from the Ravens/Jets/another QB needy team. People speak of getting a "bounty" for Manning, but if you're the Ravens, Jets, etc are you giving up even one first rounder for a 36 year old QB with an extremely uncertain medical future? I think people are largely overestimating what the Colts could get for Manning in a trade because there is no way to guarantee his health going forward.

I agree, no way will they be able to trade him for anything meaningful. If he's healthy, they'll pay him, if he's not, they'll cut him.

 

[Shutout]

The Rodgers situation is apples and oranges. The Packers were in the NFC Championship Game the year before Rodgers started. The Colts might be 0-16. Way too many holes on the Colts to not trade Manning for a bounty, if they can.

No, there is ONE hole to fill...the absence of Peyton Manning. This is the same team that was 14-0 a few years ago and a solid playoff contender last year despite losses of Clark, Addai, Saturday, and half the defense. Manning IS the player for this team. Otherwise, its a complete rebuild and that is why it makes A LOT of sense to bring in a new QB, whether it is Luck or not, and have him learn the system in earnest (something Painter did not do) OR learn the new system that will be once Manning leaves.

And when I say that about Painter, I don't mean that against him. The Colts (and it is understandable) simply fell into the trap of knowing that they had an all-time top 5QB that NEVER got hurt and was in his prime. They simply did not see the need to develop a QB. But now, with this situation and his age, I am sure they do.

Heck, we do this on our fantasy teams sometimes. You got an awesome RB like a Priest Holmes, Terrell Davis, Shaun Alexander, Larry Johnson on your team; you neglect the position because you KNOW you got a stud. But then an injury pops up and ends it quicker than you think and you are reeling for a year or two.



Its just been too easy to take what you have in Manning for granted because he has been THAT good, in fantasy and in real life.

 

[cstu]

Even though it would likely take Luck a couple of years before he has the Colts contending for a playoff spot, I can't imagine Indianapolis would want to see Manning remain in the AFC. Just in case he returns to being Peyton Manning, you know?

Due to how the new rookie contracts are structured the Colts would free up a lot of money after cutting Manning and signing Luck. I think they could contend very quickly with some smart FA moves.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Ravens would never make a deal for Manning. For one thing, they went this route already once with Elvis Grbac and had disastrous results

That's quite possibly the first/last time those two guys' names will ever be used in the same breath.

 

[Avery]

Ravens would never make a deal for Manning. For one thing, they went this route already once with Elvis Grbac and had disastrous results. But also, it runs counter to their organizational philosophy. They build from within, and while they let good players go - Heap, Bart Scott, Kelly Gregg, Jamie Sharper - they don't let their cornerstone franchise players leave - Ogden, Lewis, Reed, Suggs, Ngata. I expect them to lock up Flacco and Rice the same way.

Unfortunately, this probably means they will lose some more good players in the near future (like Yanda, Ben Grubbs, maybe Jarrett Johnson) but they figure they can replace them through the draft, and it's worth the price you pay to let those guys go if it allows you to keep your true blue chip players. That's another thing about the Ravens - because they genuinely believe that every first round pick they make will be a Pro Bowl player that they will have signed to an affordable contract for a good number of years, they won't give up one of those picks for another team's overpriced veteran.

Just a quick TO from this thread to note likely the first time in history that Payton Manning has been compared the Evlis Grbac.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Ravens would never make a deal for Manning. For one thing, they went this route already once with Elvis Grbac and had disastrous results. But also, it runs counter to their organizational philosophy. They build from within, and while they let good players go - Heap, Bart Scott, Kelly Gregg, Jamie Sharper - they don't let their cornerstone franchise players leave - Ogden, Lewis, Reed, Suggs, Ngata. I expect them to lock up Flacco and Rice the same way.

Unfortunately, this probably means they will lose some more good players in the near future (like Yanda, Ben Grubbs, maybe Jarrett Johnson) but they figure they can replace them through the draft, and it's worth the price you pay to let those guys go if it allows you to keep your true blue chip players. That's another thing about the Ravens - because they genuinely believe that every first round pick they make will be a Pro Bowl player that they will have signed to an affordable contract for a good number of years, they won't give up one of those picks for another team's overpriced veteran.

Great point. This is the way most successful NFL teams operate.

 

[FavreCo]

The Rodgers situation is apples and oranges. The Packers were in the NFC Championship Game the year before Rodgers started. The Colts might be 0-16. Way too many holes on the Colts to not trade Manning for a bounty, if they can.

No, there is ONE hole to fill...the absence of Peyton Manning. This is the same team that was 14-0 a few years ago and a solid playoff contender last year despite losses of Clark, Addai, Saturday, and half the defense. Manning IS the player for this team. Otherwise, its a complete rebuild and that is why it makes A LOT of sense to bring in a new QB, whether it is Luck or not, and have him learn the system in earnest (something Painter did not do) OR learn the new system that will be once Manning leaves.

And when I say that about Painter, I don't mean that against him. The Colts (and it is understandable) simply fell into the trap of knowing that they had an all-time top 5QB that NEVER got hurt and was in his prime. They simply did not see the need to develop a QB. But now, with this situation and his age, I am sure they do.

Heck, we do this on our fantasy teams sometimes. You got an awesome RB like a Priest Holmes, Terrell Davis, Shaun Alexander, Larry Johnson on your team; you neglect the position because you KNOW you got a stud. But then an injury pops up and ends it quicker than you think and you are reeling for a year or two.



Its just been too easy to take what you have in Manning for granted because he has been THAT good, in fantasy and in real life.

Mel Kiper blows a gasket one final time if they do anything other than select Luck #1 overall.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Didn't the Jets already try this with Favre?

and until Favre blew out his arm it was working real well. They were 8-3 at the time and were coming off back to back victories on the road against an undefeated (at the time) Tennessee and New England.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Didn't the Jets already try this with Favre?

and until Favre blew out his arm it was working real well. They were 8-3 at the time and were coming off back to back victories on the road against an undefeated (at the time) Tennessee and New England.

But isn't that the lesson learned here...huge risk involved in dealing for an aging QB coming off a missed season due to neck surgery.Also, my two cents but I wouldn't put Flacco and Sanchez in the same company. To me Flacco has the skills just not the consistency that often comes with age. I'm not convinced Sanchez has the skills.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Didn't the Jets already try this with Favre?

and until Favre blew out his arm it was working real well. They were 8-3 at the time and were coming off back to back victories on the road against an undefeated (at the time) Tennessee and New England.

But isn't that the lesson learned here...huge risk involved in dealing for an aging QB coming off a missed season due to neck surgery.Also, my two cents but I wouldn't put Flacco and Sanchez in the same company. To me Flacco has the skills just not the consistency that often comes with age. I'm not convinced Sanchez has the skills.

I don't think the Jets do it either - but probably not because of what happened with Favre.