2012 NFL Draft: Indianapolis Not Big Enough for Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck

Could Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck coexist on the same team? According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Archie Manning doesn't seem to think so.

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"We know Andrew well. He comes down to our camp every year.  I used to play with his dad [Oliver]...I’m in New York, I heard from him last night. Peyton’s also tried to help Andrew and kind of be a friend. I doubt if either one want to play on the same team."

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This is hardly a surprise. But if Manning is in fact able to play in 2012, it means that one of two things is going to happen. 

The Colts trade the No. 1 pick

There are a lot of teams that will be picking near the top of the first round. This is not a terrible idea, assuming of course that Manning can play. 

While the Colts have had issues at quarterback all year, those issues are far from the only reason they are 0-12. A trade would add to the depth of the team, which they sorely need.

If they do trade the pick, then it would make sense for them to take a quarterback in the later rounds. That would be more of a project pick to be groomed. Then, when Manning is actually done playing, that player would step in. 

I don't hate this move. But considering Luck's status, I understand the reservations that the Colts and their fans would have towards trading his rights away. 

That leads us to option No. 2.

Trade or release Peyton Manning

This one always hurts. As a 49ers' fan, it certainly hurt me to see Joe Montana play his final games with the Chiefs. As an overall fan of the game, I didn't enjoy seeing Brett Favre on the Jets or Vikings. 

I'm sure that fans of previous eras felt the same way when they saw Johnny Unitas in a Chargers' uniform, or Joe Namath with the Rams. That's a part of the game. Even great players get old and their team's look in other directions.

Now, if that happens, Manning will have plenty of logical options. The NFL doesn't lack good teams that could use a new quarterback. 

Of the two options, I would do this one. The Colts owe it to Manning to let him choose where he goes, but they have to look to get younger. 

Their quarterback play has been awful this year. Luck is a young gun that would come in and make an immediate impact. You can't get rid of him and rely on a quarterback that's missed nearly an entire season, even if he's as great as Manning. 

If Archie Manning is indeed right and neither Manning or Luck would want to be teammates, this is the best move for the Colts to make. 

Actually, even if they would have no problem being teammates, this is the best move for the Colts.

A year ago today, I never would have imagined myself saying that the Colts and Peyton Manning need to part ways, but the 2011 season has defied logic. 

Andrew Luck needs to go to the Colts. When Peyton Manning arrived in 1998, the team was dismal. He made them a Super Bowl contender by 1999.

Indianapolis owes it to Luck to give him the same chance. They owe it to Manning to let him finish his career on the field for another team and not on their bench.