Mort: Colts to Release Peyton Tomorrow (1 Viewer)

[Don Quixote]

Not surprising, but looks like it is official...http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7653897/sources-indianapolis-colts-part-peyton-manning-wednesday

Peyton Manning's 14-year career as a member of the Indianapolis Colts is coming to an end.Sources close to the team told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen that the announcement will come at a press conference in Indianapolis on Wednesday with both Manning and owner Jim Irsay in attendance. The decision to pass on the $28 million bonus owed Manning and not to pick up the four remaining years on his contract means Manning will become a free agent, and sources told Mortensen that he intends to continue to play.The four-time league MVP missed the entire 2011 season after having his third neck surgery in 19 months, a fusion of two vertebrae. His doctors have medically cleared him to resume his career and Manning has increased his throwing regimen. Several sources have told ESPN during the past month that Manning's throwing strength has dramatically improved as his nerves continue to regenerate following his latest neck surgery Sept. 8. Dr. Robert Watkins, who performed the single-level cervical fusion, has stated publicly that he has cleared Manning to resume his playing career.Manning has broken all of Indianapolis' career records for quarterbacks and had never missed a start before last season. He's taken the Colts to the playoffs 11 times, captured seven AFC South titles in eight years, won two AFC championships, one Super Bowl title and a Super Bowl MVP Award. The Colts have the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft and are likely to draft former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck or former Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III.

 

[notdarkyet]

Love that they are running this as breaking news when it has been all but inevitable for some time.

 

[Da Guru]

They could have made this announcement as soon as they secured the #1 pick.

 

[yankdog]

Shocking. Never saw this coming.

All Joking aside, grab your popcorn, what comes next will be a storyline you'll tell your grandchi....errr....podiatrist.

 

[JohnnyU]

Even though everyone knew the outcome, it still makes me :sad:

 

[Heatman]

They could have made this announcement as soon as they secured the #1 pick.

Yep

 

[Mr. Peterson]

I like Andrew Luck, but I hope be struggles and Irsay is left looking like a fool. If I was a Colts fan I would be pissed.

 

[Sinrman]

Yeah, it was pretty obvious what they were going to do. Can't say I blame Irsay. Manning is one of the best of all time, but

$28 mil bonus + 2012 salary and beyond for a mid-30's QB who's had several neck surgeries in a short period of time...? I think

I'd be doing the same thing if I were in his place. The fans will be PO'd, but they have to see that it is what is best for the

team long-term.

 

[glumpy]

Love that they are running this as breaking news when it has been all but inevitable for some time.

Had to play out this way for all involved including presentation. Everyone saves face and finishes a winner.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

I don't think this was quite as inevitable as you guys are making it out to be. It was always the most likely scenario, but I'm sure Irsay gave a lot of thought to trading down and keeping Peyton.

I definitely think it's way off base to paint Irsay as a bad guy for making the tough decision.

 

[JohnnyU]

I like Andrew Luck, but I hope be struggles and Irsay is left looking like a fool. If I was a Colts fan I would be pissed.

:rewind: Peyton Manning threw 28 ints his rookie year and went 3-13. So what makes it so unusual if Andrew Luck struggles his first year? Also, John Elway sucked his first year and I'm sure many other HOFers struggled their first year.

 

[Da Guru]

Yeah, it was pretty obvious what they were going to do. Can't say I blame Irsay. Manning is one of the best of all time, but$28 mil bonus + 2012 salary and beyond for a mid-30's QB who's had several neck surgeries in a short period of time...? I thinkI'd be doing the same thing if I were in his place. The fans will be PO'd, but they have to see that it is what is best for theteam long-term.

The Niners had to let go of HOF QB Joe Montana..it is a business when all is said and done.

 

[shredhead]

Yeah, it was pretty obvious what they were going to do. Can't say I blame Irsay. Manning is one of the best of all time, but$28 mil bonus + 2012 salary and beyond for a mid-30's QB who's had several neck surgeries in a short period of time...? I thinkI'd be doing the same thing if I were in his place. The fans will be PO'd, but they have to see that it is what is best for theteam long-term.

The Niners had to let go of HOF QB Joe Montana..it is a business when all is said and done.

And seeing Joe in a Kansas City uniform never felt right. It's not going to feel right next season seeing Peyton in whichever jersey he wears next season. I don't envy Andrew Luck (or RG3), he's got some very big shoes to fill, there's going to be more pressure than usual on this young man. Hopefully for his sake he can live up to all of the hype that surrounds him.

 

[dickey moe]

I like Andrew Luck, but I hope be struggles and Irsay is left looking like a fool. If I was a Colts fan I would be pissed.

If I were a Colts fan, I'd be happy my team made the right decision.

 

[Cookiemonster]

Good thing Luck is so similar to Steve Young (as is RGIII IMO) who filled in nicely for Joe. I can't think of a better choice to replace Manning with since Manning (Peyton). Will feel weird next year. Kind of sad, even though I was never really a Manning fan.

 

[Warhogs]

I like Andrew Luck, but I hope be struggles and Irsay is left looking like a fool. If I was a Colts fan I would be pissed.

:rewind: Peyton Manning threw 28 ints his rookie year and went 3-13. So what makes it so unusual if Andrew Luck struggles his first year? Also, John Elway sucked his first year and I'm sure many other HOFers struggled their first year.

Quit giving hope to all those Blaine Gabbert fans.

 

[ExaltedOne]

I just hope the colts learned their lesson and add another qb or two to develop behind Luck

 

[Mello]

I like Andrew Luck, but I hope be struggles and Irsay is left looking like a fool. If I was a Colts fan I would be pissed.

If I were a Colts fan, I'd be happy my team made the right decision.

Unless you have some hard evidence that Manning's not the same QB as 2010, replacing one of the best QBs ever (one that's been carrying a weak team to the playoffs all by himself) with a rookie is not a good decision. Especially when that #1 pick is at a higher value than any pick in a long time and could be traded for multiple picks that could improve the rest of the team.