I don't think anyone is really worried about Manning's Neck (1 Viewer)

[Addai's Adidas]

I mean I guess you have to if you are publishing projections, but I don't think anyone is really worried enough about it to take him later than in year's past. He's got all his weapons back. Is he supposed too play tonight?

 

[shortbow]

I like Manning this year, hes probably the best value for his position of all the QBs. That being said I think the reason his perceived value has taken a hit is because he lost Clark last year and suddenly even though he threw 680 times (almost 100 more times than he ever has) he barely finished top 5.

 

[Jason Wood]

I don't see that many are worried about the neck. Taking him 4th or 5th is right in line with what we should expect this year.

 

[shader]

I recall the Colts offense being completely out of sync the last time Manning missed a large portion of the pre-season.

I think this year will be no different. We'll see.

 

[Godsbrother]

I agree that Manning is good value this year.

That said eventually the Colts are going to pay for not having a competent backup QB. They have been getting away with it for years but I have a feeling it is going to bite them one day.

 

[DoubleG]

I recall the Colts offense being completely out of sync the last time Manning missed a large portion of the pre-season.

What year was this? (Note: message boards are tough for tone of voice - this is a legit question)

 

[Jason Wood]

Again, I challenge the assertion that Manning is "dropping."

He's finished QB3, QB6, QB4, QB4 in the last four seasons, taking him 4th or 5th -- neck surgery or not -- is hardly being risk intolerant.

 

[Silver & Black]

Manning is a fantasy beast. My only minor concern is age and wear and tear has to start catching up at some point. Right?

I passed on him that year he had the knee issue and missed a chunk of preseason etc. He was fine after he shook the rust off. I dont believe this is the first issue he has had with his neck. Regardless, offseason neck surgery, even if termed minor, can not simply be ignored and say he will be fine. Manning is starting to get some serious tread on his tires causing the first stirrings of concern. As a New Yorker, I liken him to Mariano Rivera. Total beast, been around forever at a crazy high level...but is finally starting to show chinks in the armor. Slowly, but ever so surely.

Ultimately, I dont think this is the year he brakes down or starts to show significant signs of a serious fantasy decline. Like I said, he's a beast and I think he'll be ready for the start of the season. But his situation certainly bears monitoring and if you draft him, you should have at least a tinge of skeptisism and may even consider drafting a reliable backup a bit earlier than you might have in year's past.

 

[DoubleG]

Manning is a fantasy beast. My only minor concern is age and wear and tear has to start catching up at some point. Right?I passed on him that year he had the knee issue and missed a chunk of preseason etc. He was fine after he shook the rust off. I dont believe this is the first issue he has had with his neck. Regardless, offseason neck surgery, even if termed minor, can not simply be ignored and say he will be fine. Manning is starting to get some serious tread on his tires causing the first stirrings of concern. As a New Yorker, I liken him to Mariano Rivera. Total beast, been around forever at a crazy high level...but is finally starting to show chinks in the armor. Slowly, but ever so surely. Ultimately, I dont think this is the year he brakes down or starts to show significant signs of a serious fantasy decline. Like I said, he's a beast and I think he'll be ready for the start of the season. But his situation certainly bears monitoring and if you draft him, you should have at least a tinge of skeptisism and may even consider drafting a reliable backup a bit earlier than you might have in year's past.

I own Manning in a dynasty league. I agree with everything you have posted. IMHO, he will stay top 5-6 this year, and still shoudl be top 10 next year and perhaps the year after. After that though, I'm guessing he will become a QB2, if he keeps playing. Dynasty point: if you don't have Manning's replacement, draft one now. In 2-3 years you will likely need him (if not sooner).Redraft: He may not land you top 3 - but top 5 is almost a lock. Last year his comp.% was down a bit, but that had more to do with Clark missing time, and some of his WRs being dinged up as well.

 

[baconisgood]

Vick and Rodgers are 1&2 on most draft boards for obvious reasons. After that Brees, Brady and Rivers all come into the season looking at least as good as they did last year. Even if you only have a small concern it is more than you should have for 1 of those 3, so basically going 5-6th is right.

 

[Bamac]

I recall the Colts offense being completely out of sync the last time Manning missed a large portion of the pre-season.

What year was this? (Note: message boards are tough for tone of voice - this is a legit question)

2008: offseason knee surgery.

 

[TheFootballJesus]

I recall the Colts offense being completely out of sync the last time Manning missed a large portion of the pre-season.

What year was this? (Note: message boards are tough for tone of voice - this is a legit question)

2008: offseason knee surgery.

Over the first 4 weeks of '08 his stats were96-154, 62.3%, 1031 yards, 5 TDs, 5 INTs, 6.69 Y/AI'm thinking that he starts slow out of the gate again this year. Possibly a good buy low value a few weeks into the season.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

I keep waiting for the Colts to announce Manning is out for the year, Painter leads them to a 1-15 season, and they get Andrew Luck for the next 12 years because of that. Sort of the the Spurs winning the Tim Duncan lottery because David Robinson got hurt one year.

 

[jon_mx]

The Colts are going to struggle to make the playoffs this year. Manning will be asked to do too much. Even if Mannning is healthy, I think his TD numbers will be down. He should get his yards, but probably will have his worst year in a long long time.

 

[rizzler]

The Colts are not going to make the playoffs this year. Manning will be asked to do too much. Even if Mannning is healthy, I think his TD numbers will be down. He should get his yards, but probably will have his worst year in a long long time.

Fixed. And oh ya, I love Manning. But being real here.

 

[shortbow]

The Colts are not going to make the playoffs this year. Manning will be asked to do too much. Even if Mannning is healthy, I think his TD numbers will be down. He should get his yards, but probably will have his worst year in a long long time.

Fixed. And oh ya, I love Manning. But being real here.

It would take 2009 Matt Schaub, 2010 Foster, 2008 Owen Daniels and a better Andre Johnson than we've ever seen. To keep the Colts out of the playoffs. Or just Peyton getting hurt.

 

[Tom Baker]

Vick and Rodgers are 1&2 on most draft boards for obvious reasons. After that Brees, Brady and Rivers all come into the season looking at least as good as they did last year. Even if you only have a small concern it is more than you should have for 1 of those 3, so basically going 5-6th is right.

Big Ben should be in that group. He will be the best value at QB, as always.

 

[rizzler]

The Colts are not going to make the playoffs this year. Manning will be asked to do too much. Even if Mannning is healthy, I think his TD numbers will be down. He should get his yards, but probably will have his worst year in a long long time.

Fixed. And oh ya, I love Manning. But being real here.

It would take 2009 Matt Schaub, 2010 Foster, 2008 Owen Daniels and a better Andre Johnson than we've ever seen. To keep the Colts out of the playoffs. Or just Peyton getting hurt.

I am a far cry from a Houston fan... but they will win that division, convincingly. In your short synopsis of what will be required for HOU to overtake IND, you completely forgot to take into account the decline of the entire Colts team.

 

[shortbow]

The Colts are not going to make the playoffs this year. Manning will be asked to do too much. Even if Mannning is healthy, I think his TD numbers will be down. He should get his yards, but probably will have his worst year in a long long time.

Fixed. And oh ya, I love Manning. But being real here.

It would take 2009 Matt Schaub, 2010 Foster, 2008 Owen Daniels and a better Andre Johnson than we've ever seen. To keep the Colts out of the playoffs. Or just Peyton getting hurt.

I am a far cry from a Houston fan... but they will win that division, convincingly. In your short synopsis of what will be required for HOU to overtake IND, you completely forgot to take into account the decline of the entire Colts team.

Im not a colts fan, im a realist. Manning has that much of an effect on his team. Im a believer that the Colts dont have much longer to go, but I dont consider the Texans even with all their offensive talent anymore of a contender for that division than the Titans or the Jags.

 

[rizzler]

The Colts are not going to make the playoffs this year. Manning will be asked to do too much. Even if Mannning is healthy, I think his TD numbers will be down. He should get his yards, but probably will have his worst year in a long long time.

Fixed. And oh ya, I love Manning. But being real here.

It would take 2009 Matt Schaub, 2010 Foster, 2008 Owen Daniels and a better Andre Johnson than we've ever seen. To keep the Colts out of the playoffs. Or just Peyton getting hurt.

I am a far cry from a Houston fan... but they will win that division, convincingly. In your short synopsis of what will be required for HOU to overtake IND, you completely forgot to take into account the decline of the entire Colts team.

Im not a colts fan, im a realist. Manning has that much of an effect on his team. Im a believer that the Colts dont have much longer to go, but I dont consider the Texans even with all their offensive talent anymore of a contender for that division than the Titans or the Jags.

Many thanks for making me choke on my sandwich.

 

[Addai's Adidas]

Well I was enough of a doubter that I dropped him after he didn't play on Friday night, right before the keeper deadline in a my keeper league. Whew!

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

who knows whats going on? Conflicting reports aren't unusual for the colts.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/08/20/irsay-colts-preparing-to-play-without-peyton/

Irsay: Colts preparing to play without Peyton

Posted by Michael David Smith on August 20, 2011, 12:32 PM EDT

AP

Peyton Manning has never missed a start in his NFL career. But as he continues to recover from offseason neck surgery, the Colts are growing increasingly concerned that Manning won’t be ready to go when the regular season begins in three weeks.

Colts owner Jim Irsay wrote on Twitter that the team is evaluating the quarterback situation because it needs to be prepared for the possibility of playing without Manning early in the season.

“We r evaluating the QB sitch,#18 healing but we got 2 b prepared 4 early season possibility without him,defense has 2 pick it up,big time!” Irsay wrote.

Irsay then asked fans on Twitter to offer their suggestions for who the Colts could sign to hold down the fort if Manning can’t play early in the season. That’s not much of a vote of confidence for Dan Orlovsky and Curtis Painter, the two quarterbacks who have had the bulk of the work during training camp and the preseason. But given the way Orlovsky and Painter have played so far in the preseason, they don’t deserve a vote of confidence.

Manning is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform list, and it’s been widely expected that he’ll be activated before the start of the regular season. But if he isn’t, he’ll have to miss the first six games.

That would be a disaster for the Colts. There’s obviously no one they could acquire before the start of the regular season who could play at anything even close to Manning’s level.

If Manning can’t play at the start of the season, the Colts are in deep, deep trouble. That Irsay is openly talking about that possibility is reason for Colts fans to panic.

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

Colts' Manning expects to play in opener

By MICHAEL MAROT

The Associated Press

Jim Irsay says on Twitter account that Indianapolis may be missing their No. 1 QB for season opener

Peyton Manning still thinks he can be ready for the Indianapolis Colts' regular-season opener.

The rest of the preseason appears to be out.

Manning said Saturday he will use the next two weeks to get healthy from offseason neck surgery, a timeline that could put his streak of 227 consecutive starts in jeopardy.

"I certainly want to be out there, and it's hard to keep track of the hours I've spent in rehab," he said. "I was short-changed a little bit by the lockout and I'm going to need every bit of the next two weeks, and then I can give you more of an update with where I am."

The only four-time MVP in NFL history spoke at halftime of Saturday's second high school football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. The annual tripleheader is hosted by the PeyBack Foundation, Manning's charity.

He underwent neck surgery in May to repair a nerve and has been on the Colts' physically unable to perform list since the start of training camp.

While Colts coach Jim Caldwell hasn't said when Manning might return to the practice field, it's clear there are concerns within the organization.

About 6 hours before Manning spoke, team owner Jim Irsay used his Twitter account to acknowledge there is a possibility the Colts will start the season without their No. 1 quarterback.

"We r evaluating the QB sitch,(hash)18 healing but we must 2 b prepared 4 early season possibility without him,defense has 2 pick it up,big time!," Irsay wrote.

Manning said he was unaware of Irsay's comments because he had been busy rehabbing. He signed a five-year, $90 million contract in July after the 4 1/2 -month lockout ended.

The notion of not having Manning line up behind center will undoubtedly make Colts fans cringe and, until now, seemed inconceivable.

Since being the No. 1 overall pick in the 1998 draft, Manning has started all 208 regular-season games and 19 more in the playoffs, the second-longest streak for a quarterback in league history behind only Brett Favre.

But the recovery from the second operation on his neck in 15 months, has been slower than expected.

"I have made progress, but I still have some work to do," he said. "When I'm healthy enough, I'll be able to play."

The only other time one of his starts appeared to be in jeopardy was in 2008 when Manning needed two operations to remove an infected bursa sac from his left knee. He missed all of training camp and the entire preseason, then struggled early in the regular season before winning his third MVP award.

With Manning, the Colts have been a perennial Super Bowl contender.

Without him, well, the dream of becoming the first team to play an NFL title game in its home stadium would certainly take a hit. Indianapolis will host the upcoming Super Bowl.

Backup quarterback Curtis Painter has started both preseason games and has completed 8 of 16 passes for 95 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. In Friday night's 16-3 loss to Washington, Painter managed only one first down and couldn't get the offense past its 29-yard line despite playing the entire first half.

Painter hasn't played in a regular-season game since relieving Manning in the final two games of the 2009 season - after the Colts had already locked up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. His career numbers are 8 of 28 for 83 yards with no touchdowns, two interceptions and a quarterback rating of 9.8.

The only other quarterbacks on the roster are Dan Orlovsky, who has played in 13 games in six NFL seasons - though none with the Colts - and undrafted rookie Mike Hartline.

Irsay quickly dispelled one possible move. The Colts won't select former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor in Monday's supplemental draft.

"Not taking Pryor...what VET QB would u vote 4 to sign that's out there? If sum1 has 2 hold the fort early season,who u going with?" Irsay wrote.

But with only three weeks left until the opener, almost anybody the Colts bring in would have to learn on the fly. The Colts rely on lots of calls at the line with Manning, which is why they have traditionally relied on their own experienced quarterbacks, such as Painter and former Colts player Jim Sorgi, to fill in when Manning is not on the field.

When could Manning return?

The Colts aren't saying.

During a conference call with reporters Saturday, Caldwell reiterated the point he's made since the Colts held their first training camp practice on Aug. 1 - it's up to the doctors.

"He's still caught in the same rehab mode, working extremely hard, as hard as he possibly can," Caldwell said. "The doctors, as of today, have not released anything."

Indianapolis had a practice scheduled for Friday afternoon but it was closed to reporters.

Afterward, Manning sped over to the Colts' home field for the prep games. He wore an orange and white striped shirt, jeans, and a baseball hat. He shook hands with students and school administrators, and even heard his name chanted.

The quarterback for Bishop Chatard wore a blue and white jersey with the No. 18, prompting some to wonder when they'd see the famous No. 18 back on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium.

"It reminds me of how fortunate we are to play this game," Manning said. "They (the high school players) play this game because they love it, and I play because I love it."

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

Don’t read too much into Colts owner’s tweets about Peyton Manning

By Reggie Hayes / The News-Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Ind.) | Sunday, August 21, 2011 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Columnists

Photo by AP (File)

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay’s tweets about the quarterback situation are making fans a little nervous. Is he really suggesting Peyton Manning could miss the opener?

Here’s something for Colts fans to keep in mind: Most of the time, Irsay uses Twitter as his stream-of-consciousness remarks about anything and everything. He tweets rock lyrics. He gives away prizes for trivia answers. He generally comes off as a friendly if eccentric guy who just tweets whatever pops in his head.

Yes, he’s the Colts owner. No, you cannot take his tweets as the carefully considered ruminations on the short-term prognosis for Manning.

Irsay caused a stir Saturday with this tweet:

"We r evaluating the QB sitch, 18 healing but we got 2 b prepared 4 early season possibility without him, defense has 2 pick it up, big time!"

He followed that tweet with this one:

"Not taking Pryor...what VET QB would u vote 4 to sign that’s out there? If sum1 has 2 hold the fort early season, who u going with?"

Now, if you’re not into Twitter, all the weird spellings are due to the 140-character limitation of the form. Here’s the most important factor: You have to read between the abbreviations.

Irsay watched backup quarterbacks Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky in Friday’s loss to the Redskins. They looked like they have bright futures in the insurance or pharmaceutical sales industries. Neither one is going to lead the Colts to the Super Bowl. In fact, I think they’d be better off using Joseph Addai in the "wildcat" formation. After all, Addai played quarterback when he was younger.

So you have to assume Irsay is just as lacking in confidence in the possibility of Painter or Orlovsky running his offense as anyone else watching the game. So he thinks out loud about the idea that maybe the Colts ought to perhaps consider someone else onto the roster who looks more experienced.

Saying the Colts need to be prepared if Manning can’t play is not the same thing as saying Manning can’t play, and that’s where the reaction to Irsay’s tweet veers into baseless speculation. He could have tweeted that first comment with his emphasis intended to be on how the defense which had its own problems Friday have to "pick it up, big time!"

Then he talked about not taking former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor in the supplemental draft, which makes sense. Pryor is slated to be suspended for the first five games, so how could he help any scenario where Manning isn’t ready for the opener?

On top of that, does anyone really think that Irsay is going to take the suggestions of his Twitter followers on who the Colts should pursue, if they pursue another quarterback? I’m guessing Bill and Chris Polian would be highly surprised to be told they’re going after, say, Kerry Collins, on the recommendation of Irsay’s Twitter followers.

Manning was at the game Friday night in a Colts polo shirt and jeans. His progress, at least in terms of the barely revealing words of Colts coach Jim Caldwell, remains the same.

"He’s still caught in the same rehab mode, working extremely hard, as hard as he possibly can," Caldwell said today. "The doctors, as of today, have not released anything."

Caldwell did say after the game on Friday night that Manning’s health situation recovering from neck surgery is much different from the knee surgery that kept him from any preseason work in 2008. The Colts and Manning got off to a slow 3-4 start that season before winning their final nine games.

"(Manning) is not standing still right now," Caldwell said. "He is not idle."

Irsay is not idle, either. He’s tweeting. And he’s causing much more of an uproar than a couple quick tweets deserve.

___

Visit the News-Sentinel, at http://www.news-sentinel.com/.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/columnists/view.bg?articleid=1360365

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

btw lol @ Irsay Bng Twitterate

 

[Kleck]

I noticed a little concern about Manning in my survivor draft today. He went at pick 5.10 as the 7th QB off the board. I thought it was pretty good value.

 

[shotgun72]

I grabbed him in the 6th round of a 10 team ppr snake redraft league last night. Great value if you ask me.

 

[icehouse]

The Colts are not going to make the playoffs this year. Manning will be asked to do too much. Even if Mannning is healthy, I think his TD numbers will be down. He should get his yards, but probably will have his worst year in a long long time.

Fixed. And oh ya, I love Manning. But being real here.

It would take 2009 Matt Schaub, 2010 Foster, 2008 Owen Daniels and a better Andre Johnson than we've ever seen. To keep the Colts out of the playoffs. Or just Peyton getting hurt.

Or it could just take Houstons defense not playing at a historically ####ty level.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

I keep waiting for the Colts to announce Manning is out for the year, PainterCollins leads them to a 1-15 season, and they get Andrew Luck for the next 12 years because of that. Sort of the the Spurs winning the Tim Duncan lottery because David Robinson got hurt one year.

 

[azgroover]

I keep waiting for the Colts to announce Manning is out for the year, Painter leads them to a 1-15 season, and they get Andrew Luck for the next 12 years because of that. Sort of the the Spurs winning the Tim Duncan lottery because David Robinson got hurt one year.

Holy ####, I was going to post in the other "Manning Rumor" thread that this is exactly what that situation reminded me of without having ever seen this post. That Robinson injury was the best thing that ever happened to the Spurs.

 

[Houston turmOiler]

I keep waiting for the Colts to announce Manning is out for the year, Painter leads them to a 1-15 season, and they get Andrew Luck for the next 12 years because of that. Sort of the the Spurs winning the Tim Duncan lottery because David Robinson got hurt one year.

Holy ####, I was going to post in the other "Manning Rumor" thread that this is exactly what that situation reminded me of without having ever seen this post. That Robinson injury was the best thing that ever happened to the Spurs.

And another Houston team is forced to deal with the fallout for another decade and a half...

 

[Upchuck]

I keep waiting for the Colts to announce Manning is out for the year, Painter leads them to a 1-15 season, and they get Andrew Luck for the next 12 years because of that. Sort of the the Spurs winning the Tim Duncan lottery because David Robinson got hurt one year.

Holy ####, I was going to post in the other "Manning Rumor" thread that this is exactly what that situation reminded me of without having ever seen this post. That Robinson injury was the best thing that ever happened to the Spurs.

Indy homer here. I am CONVINCED he is done. Will not play this year, possibly never again. Too many 'people close to the situation' saying so. And these are people who tend to know. They are NOT people going to the media, either.

 

[cubbie5150]

I keep waiting for the Colts to announce Manning is out for the year, Painter leads them to a 1-15 season, and they get Andrew Luck for the next 12 years because of that. Sort of the the Spurs winning the Tim Duncan lottery because David Robinson got hurt one year.

Holy ####, I was going to post in the other "Manning Rumor" thread that this is exactly what that situation reminded me of without having ever seen this post. That Robinson injury was the best thing that ever happened to the Spurs.

Indy homer here. I am CONVINCED he is done. Will not play this year, possibly never again. Too many 'people close to the situation' saying so. And these are people who tend to know. They are NOT people going to the media, either.

Then how have you heard about those peeps "close to the situation"????

 

[farroki]

I don't get it though Tony Dungy said Manning would play only unless hes dead. :(

 

[De Novo]

I keep waiting for the Colts to announce Manning is out for the year, Painter leads them to a 1-15 season, and they get Andrew Luck for the next 12 years because of that. Sort of the the Spurs winning the Tim Duncan lottery because David Robinson got hurt one year.

Holy ####, I was going to post in the other "Manning Rumor" thread that this is exactly what that situation reminded me of without having ever seen this post. That Robinson injury was the best thing that ever happened to the Spurs.

Indy homer here. I am CONVINCED he is done. Will not play this year, possibly never again. Too many 'people close to the situation' saying so. And these are people who tend to know. They are NOT people going to the media, either.

Then how have you heard about those peeps "close to the situation"????

He either knows people close to the situation or it's the alcohol talking.

 

[domvin]

Well, he has seen this up close with his brother Cooper, who was a talented wr, but had his career end due to his own neck injury. I wont be shocked at either outcome here.