Peyton Manning: Predicting Colts' Fortunes If Manning Can't Play

The Indianapolis Colts are about to play their opening 2011 contest without Peyton Manning, something that has not occurred 227 consecutive games. Rumors are circulating that this will not be the last game he misses, making the 2011 NFL season a potential disaster. 

The Colts were playing the usual game of smoke and mirrors with Peyton Manning recently. While they spurned a perfectly fine backup quarterback in Curtis Painter for an aged vet in Kerry Collins, the club insisted that Manning may be a week away from playing. 

I just couldn't see how signing Kerry Collins signaled a band-aid when it had all the makings of a serious bandage to a gaping wound.

Colts fans' worst fears may soon be realized. Manning is assured to miss week one, yet a hot rumor insinuates the neck injury keeping him from opening day may be far worse. 

Jake Query, host of 1260 WNDE, tweeted some very revealing posts on Wednesday. Query wrote the following. 

"

What I said: A source I consider reliable told me he (Peyton Manning) is out for the season. I do believe that the actual diagnosis is still being determined

I was also told the 3rd procedure has taken place, either Sun or Monday.

to emphasize: not backing off what I said, but Manning obviously didnt tell me info. Two people I trust did. Just tellin u what I was told

"

Query's revelations, along with the manner in which the Colts have shored up another quarterback, leaves me to believe that if Manning is not done for the season, he is surely going to miss a bulk of the games. 

So, what now?

The burning question is how many wins does Manning warrant? It is no coincidence that Manning has not missed a game in the Colts current streak of nine consecutive seasons without missing the playoffs. 

Let me take a foolish guess at how many wins Manning is worth: five. With that gross estimation, you figure in that Manning's leadership, guile and precision have the Colts winning five hard fought games they could possibly lose. 

A 10-win team is now a 5-win bust. You only have to look at the three game spell the Colts suffered when Manning was not himself in 2010.  

Starting with the Patriots game in November, and ending with the Cowboys in December, Manning was forced to human efforts with a porous offensive line. 

His 11 interceptions saw the Colts drop three straight games, and nearly lose their bid on the playoffs. Manning then resurrected the offense, and the season was saved, winning the final four games of the season. 

I am not about to say that Kerry Collins will be as dreadful as throwing three picks a game, but he will hardly be the player that can turn the corner and breath life into the team, as Manning did in December. 

The Colts have always relied on the one fact that makes other NFL teams jealous. They have the best quarterback in the league, one that could deliver them the playoffs no matter what kind of squad they had on the field. 

The Colts will now head into the season with a far less-talented quarterback. There is simply no way they will be the same team without Manning for the bulk of the season. 

Forget stats and numbers, Manning is the Indianapolis Colts. No other arm on the roster can fill the void he will leave.