Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan has been around and covered sports for a lifetime. He’s written at the globe for decades, written 13 books and been a frequent contributor to ESPN’s Around the Horn.
Ryan came on the “Grady and Big Joe Show’ on ESPN 1070 The Fan in Indianapolis to primarily preview the Pacers-Celtics game Friday. But while on the line, he provided an outside opinion on the Peyton Manning ordeal.
“It’s not even a hard call,” Ryan said. “Peyton, it’s been wonderful. See you later. It’s been a wonderful relationship but come on, we’re not paying you $28 million when we don’t even know whether you can play. It is the perfect, easy opportunity for a blissful transition from one era to the next.”
The Colts signed Manning to a new deal on July 30th, just before training camp last season. It ultimately was either a one-year deal, or a five-year deal. Peyton allowed for the $28 million team-option bonus after the 2011-12 season and he already made $25 million without even taking a snap.
At this point, I don’t think Manning even knows if he can play again. And the bonus — due on March 8, four days before the start of the new league year — has the Colts in a very tough situation.
“If Peyton can go somewhere and be a veteran presence for some other team, and they want to take the risk with the injury. I don’t want to fool around with a neck. I lived through a neck with [former Patriots QB] Steve Grogan. A neck injury means wheelchair.”
[Click here to listen to the interview — Manning talk begins at 11:46]
“This is ridiculous. If I’m Mrs. Peyton Manning…and if I’m Archie and I’m Olivia, I’m going son — no. What are you trying to prove? You’re going to the Hall of Fame, you’ve got the ring, you’ve got the money, you’ve got the stature, you can make all the commercials you want the rest of your life or whatever you want to do. Enjoy your life.”
Bob Ryan believes the decision is easy for Jim Irsay and co.
“If the Colts commit to him, they’re out of their mind.”
Indianapolis has the No. 1 pick in April’s draft and Andrew Luck seems to be the sure-pick.