Indianapolis Colts: What They Should Do with Peyton Manning

Week after week, the reality of the Indianapolis Colts ending the season as the worst team in the National Football League becomes more and more obvious.

And with seemingly lackadaisical play on both sides of the ball, and the lack of talent to back it up, all roads lead to April for the franchise that has went from delicate to dumpster in a matter of months.

And as Colts fans look past their team's remaining seven games and forward five months, they see the "Golden Calf" of the 2012 draft, the stiff-armed-man-to-be, QB Andrew Luck.

But as everyone knows, there's a rather gaping predicament in Indy. What to do with the MVP, the Most Vertebrae Problems?

Well, from what we've seen this year, Peyton Manning is clearly the most irreplaceable player in the entire league. But will he be replaced?

As hard as it is to come to the reality of it all, I think he should be.

Manning is 35 years of age, and while it may not rival Methuselah, it's a clear number that signals a player is past his prime.

So yes, Colts fans, if given the honors of having the first pick (and having the sorriest team in the league), the Colts should draft Mel Kiper's prototypical quarterback made in heaven, and select Luck.

And along with that, trade Manning. To whom, you may ask? Well, that's where things get even more complicating.

A 35-year-old who's had three neck surgeries in two years is not exactly a hot commodity most of the time, but this might be a slight exception.

With that being said, consider the fact that though there may be a decent dose of teams looking for a starting quarterback, many of those are looking to build for the future.

Knowing Manning, he might play till he's 50, but chances are more than great that he won't, so that slims down the pool of choices.

The Redskins' Dan Snyder is always throwing dough everywhere he goes, and with John "Who the Heck" Beck or Rex Grossman as their starter, they will go one step less than nowhere.

I would also add the most unlucky (no pun intended, it's been used way too many times already) team in all the NFL, the Miami Dolphins.

Though it seems they to are going to be rebuilding, there's always a chance that they take one of the best minds the game has ever seen.

And another team potentially in the Manning sweepstakes, whether shockingly or not, are the Dallas Cowboys. Yes, Jerry Jones may be looking peripherally towards Indy.

Even though Tony Romo is constantly given backing from the organization, football is a business. Just look at the main theme of this story and you'll see what I mean.

Manning may have a chance to do something great with a star on his helmet, with more than enough talent around him, or at least more than he had with the Colts.

And, meanwhile, the Colts should get good value in return, even if it's not near where it would have been just a couple of years ago.

But with whatever way it happens, the Manning Era in Indy, though it may be hard to imagine, is ending right before our eyes.