Peyton Manning May Not Be Ready to Start 2011 NFL Season for Indianapolis Colts

News is circulating regarding Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning's possible absence from the field for the beginning of the 2011 NFL season.

Colts' sources are telling ESPN that Manning might not be ready for the Sept. 11 opener at Houston. Manning would be missing the first start of his career, ending his consecutive starts streak at 227. 

During the offseason, Manning underwent surgery on his neck. It was the second such surgery for Manning.

His recovery has been slow but steady, and there is no doubt the franchise's prized leader is being given the best treatment available.

While we can be sure Peyton is in good hands, we can't be as sure about the hands of the backup QBs for the Colts.

Curtis Painter, Mike Hartline, Dan Orlovsky and Nate Davis are names you've probably never heard before, but they make up the final four of the available quarterbacks for the Colts. All of them combined to complete less than 50 percent of their passes with three interceptions and managed one touchdown against St. Louis in Week 1 of the preseason.

Week 2 wasn't any better. Curtis Painter started again and went 5-for-10 for 40 yards with only one first down. The Colts lost, 16-3.

Indianapolis stunned the sports world by signing Kerry Collins, bringing the quarterback out of retirement. Collins is one of only 12 quarterbacks to throw for 40,000 and took the Giants to the Super Bowl in the 2000 season. That was long ago, but you can never count out a veteran football player who has experienced the game at its highest level. 

At the end of the day, no matter what is going on at quarterback in Indianapolis, it isn't right if it isn't Peyton Manning.