Why the Colts Must Move On From Peyton Manning

In a perfect world (at least if you are a Colts fan), Peyton Manning would have taken care of business in front of the home fans in Super Bowl XLVI.

Obviously Peyton’s body had different plans and Colts fans suffered through a humiliating 2-14 season, which was even worse than the matching 3-13 record the Colts had the year before the selection of Peyton Manning and his 1998 rookie season.

2012 marks the fourth time the Colts landed the first overall pick since they moved to Indianapolis in 1984, a year after No. 1 overall pick John Elway forced a trade to Denver. Two of the three years the Colts selected a quarterback with the first overall pick. Jeff George in 1990 and of course Peyton in 1998.

Here we are 14 years later and the Colts don’t have a choice but to start over with “can’t miss” prospect Andrew Luck.

Obviously there are factors that make the selection of Luck a foregone conclusion. Peyton will turn 36 next month. I know Brett Favre became a grandpa and played six season at 36 or older before he left the game in a ball of flames. Of those six seasons though, Favre only threw more TDs than INTs in two of them.

Favre also didn’t have the injury concerns that Peyton has. Favre didn’t miss a start until he turned 41. Though Peyton never missed a start before this year, he missed an entire season. He has had multiple neck surgeries. That alone would be enough to scare off most teams.

Sure, you could keep Peyton around and develop Andrew Luck. The problem is, you end up risking to have the same scenario that the Packers experienced when they basically had to force Brett Favre out the door. There probably won’t be a better time to move on Peyton.

For starters, the Colts fans got a glimpse of life after Peyton and it wasn’t pretty. We have heard how good Andrew Luck has been for two years. How could even the most loyal Peyton/Colts fans not get excited about possibly landing the next Peyton Manning? Having the Super Bowl in their backyard also helps matters. They got to experience what they were missing firsthand.

There is actually talk in some circles that Eli has become a better QB than Peyton. Maybe at this present time and maybe over the rest of Peyton’s career, but let’s not forget what Peyton has been. Eli has two rings, but it’s a team game. Trent Dilfer is not better than Dan Marino because he won a trophy.

The other reason why it’s time to move on for Peyton is the $28 million roster bonus that is due in March. Jim Irsay simply can’t put the organization at risk by making that payment.

Where he lands is up for debate. To paraphrase Semisonic, he doesn’t have to go home, but he can’t stay here.