Indianapolis Colts: Jim Irsay's Plan to Manipulate Fans

So now Jim Irsay wants to cut a (much smaller) deal with Peyton Manning. 

Irsay has now let his opinion be known—that he would gladly welcome Peyton back but wants Manning to make the choice on whether to stay in Indianapolis or to find another team in which to apply his talents.

I am calling "shenanigans".

It is blatantly obvious to even a novice fan what is really going on here. Jim Irsay is letting Peyton Manning hang himself.

On the one hand, if Manning calls Irsay's bluff and resigns with the Colts he runs the risk of not truly being back at 100 % and causing a quarterback controversy (silent or in the open) with future franchise draft pick Andrew Luck. Luck has previously stated that he believes that he is ready to start and I do not see Manning holding anyone's clipboard.

However, if Peyton chooses to move elsewhere, he runs the risk of losing a city that holds him dear. I can see the headlines now: "Manning Wants the Money, No Discount for Colts". Manning could be seen as greedy and selfish because he CHOSE to move on.

Jim Irsay wins either way.

The problem with both scenarios is that the fans are not dumb. We see through the Colts owners' smoke and mirrors. By letting Peyton Manning make the decision that he should be making as an owner, Irsay is showing us what kind of man he really is.

A coward.  

If you want to cut Peyton Manning, fine. Be a big boy and make your decision and then stand firm in the wave of emotion that will surely hit from a fanbase that worships the future Hall of Fame quarterback.

If you want to keep him, also fine. Give him the money that you promised him and tell Andrew Luck that he can be content sitting for a couple of seasons behind one of the all time greats (it didn't hurt Aaron Rodgers' game.)

But Irsay make some sort of decision. He should stop with the politics and the "keep it in house" garbage (while working that Twitter account). Make the choice and deal with the consequences.