By now, everyone just wants it to be over with. Stay or go. Decide already.
Owner Jim Irsay is going to take the decision, whether to pay Peyton Manning his $28M option-bonus or not, down to the final hours. And for good reason.
First of all, there is no reason to rush to judgment on someone who has been the face of the franchise, and the league, for 14 seasons. He has made winning 10-plus games a regular occurrence.
Manning has left a lasting-imprint that goes well beyond the football field. A hospital in his name, the PeyBack Classic, and generous gifts that the public never hears about.
On the field, Colts games have been guaranteed sell-outs for a while and there’s a waiting list. He revitalized the city, indirectly helped build Lucas Oil Stadium and land Super Bowl XLVI.
He has sold jerseys, Colts apparel, and put an incredible amount of focus on football in a basketball state.
Next, I believe that Mr. Irsay wants to keep Manning if he’s willing to take a cut and make it feasible for the team. There’s no point of keeping him if it boggles down the team so much that they can’t put players on the field that Manning can win with. They aren’t in a good position financially and have many players without contracts, like Robert Mathis , that they are working hard to re-sign.
By waiting until the deadline, March 8, Irsay is also providing Peyton the maximum time for him to prove he can resume playing. The neck is fine, but nerve re-generation is tricky and unpredictable.
After working out in South Florida last week, he has been at Duke where his offensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee, David Cutcliffe, is now head coach. According to various reports, Manning is joined by Jeff Saturday, Dallas Clark, Austin Collie, and former teammate Brandon Stokley. Those are some of his best friends and so it makes sense that they all flew out there, are hanging out, and giving Peyton realistic environment.
A video from a workout from March 2nd has surfaced (see below), or rather purposely planted. I have no doubt Manning’s camp deliberately ‘leaked’ the video. Why do I say that? Well the video is edited, shows little but enough, was uploaded by a *new* YouTube user, and Chris Mortensen tweeted a link out minutes after the video was published. If it was truly random, it would be floating around twitter before a national outlet picked up on it.
The new collective bargaining agreement does not allow Irsay, new GM Ryan Grigson or new head coach Chuck Pagano to watch him work out. Instead, they must rely on their doctors, the only folks allowed to watch. The decision is Irsay’s and so he will have to rely heavily on what Manning is telling him and the doctor’s evaluation.
Although the season-ticket renewal form was due March 2nd, I don’t think that has played a factor in the decision whatsoever. There is a waiting list and whether Manning is here or not, the place will be sold out. Those that refuse to renew because Manning may not be here will be replaced with those excited to see rookie Andrew Luck on the field.
And finally, I think Mr. Irsay is getting a plan in place in attempt of parting ways on good terms. Put up a statue outside Lucas Oil Stadium, have a celebration honoring his time in Indy, and retire his jersey. All should be done.
Next Thursday, March 8th, the decision becomes official. I believe Mr. Irsay will execute the same plan that he followed in 1998. New general manager, new head coach, and with the No. 1-pick in the draft — new quarterback.