Colts Cleaning House, Firing Polians, but What's Next for Peyton Manning?

After a 2-14 season the Indianapolis Colts started the house cleaning early today by firing vice chairman Bill Polian and general manager Chris Polian. As of now, the status of head coach Jim Caldwell is unknown. 

While Caldwell may yet be saved from the chopping block, we should know his status shortly. Meanwhile, quarterback Peyton Manning's future is also up in the air. With the Polians gone, a new regime may be less inclined to retain the four-time MVP and instead may choose to keep and use the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NFL draft on Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck.

Whoever takes the place of the Polians in charge of the franchise should seriously consider keeping Manning and trading what may be the most valuable draft pick in NFL history. The chance to select Luck at the top of the draft will be a chance certain quarterback-hungry teams can't pass up. 

The new regime should first try to create a bidding war for Luck—even if it goes as long as draft day and the Colts have to select Luck and basically hold him for ransom.

Let's face it, the reason the Polians are out in Indianapolis is that they didn't build a deep roster that could sustain a hit like the loss of Manning. Selling that top pick could bring back a haul of picks and players that might be able to solve a lot of the holes on the team's roster.

Keeping Manning would be the smart move, but don't be surprised if whoever joins the organization decides to move in a different direction.