Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck: Which QB Will Fare Better in the Short Term?

With all the buzz about where Peyton Manning might land and all the house cleaning that has gone on in Indy, has anyone thought about how Andrew Luck might feel about going to the Indianapolis Colts?

No more Polians, terrible defense, no running game and so-so receivers.  Does not sound like the ideal place to start a career does it?

If we are talking short term, after the emotions are detached from the situation, maybe Andrew Luck doesn't have as much to look forward to as his predecessor.

Luck is headed to a place where the weight of all the team's problems will promptly be placed on his shoulders.  He will be replacing No. 18, and fans will not be real patient.

Manning was a "god" in Indianapolis, so even with Luck and all the talent and potential that he brings to Indy, he has a lot of work to do if he wants to make fans forget about Peyton.

It can happen—look no further than the Green Bay Packers with Aaron Rodgers making No. 4 a distant memory.  It took a while though.  Rodgers was in the system for years before Brett Favre stepped down.  After that, it still took a few more years for Rodgers to become the elite quarterback he is today.

I don't see a Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco or a Mark Sanchez situation happening in Indianapolis.  There is just too much work to be done for the Colts to return to where they once where.

On the other hand you have Peyton Manning.  Manning will be able to write his own ticket and essentially pick his next destination with the confidence that he can run the show as usual.

The team that lands Manning will know the score.  It will be his offense, and rest assured he will bring his audible-heavy scheme to the table.

There is, of course, a health issue surrounding Manning, but for the purposes of this article, let's believe the legend when he says he's ready to go.  I think the fans owe him at least that much.

Wherever Peyton Manning ends up, it will be a team that is in position to compete immediately.  Manning will make mediocre receivers look like Pro Bowlers and add two to three more wins to the respective team's 2011 record.

Can we say the same about Andrew Luck and his new team?