The Indianapolis Colts have basically committed to rebuilding. They have, for all intents and purposes, decided that they will not strive for Super Bowl contention in the next couple of years. However, their rebuilding project is missing one key component – the franchise quarterback that will lead the team to success in the future. Here’s a novel idea to shake up the draft, change the fortunes of a number of teams, and begin to build a Super Champion in Indianapolis.No football analyst, no prognosticator, no coach, no executive, not even a casual fan will entertain any ridiculous notion that the Indianapolis Colts will be a better football team without Edgerrin James. The Colts are farther than ever from the Super Bowl after losing the best all-around running back in the NFL. Not only is Edgerrin James a phenomenal runner, he’s Peyton Manning’s safety valve in the passing game (50+ receptions per year), and possibly the best blocking running back in the game.
Even more, Edge is a team player and an excellent teammate. Not once have we heard Edge take the podium after another Manning-led playoff loss and ask “why is a guy who is number one on the career yards per game list, ahead of even Jim Brown, the greatest running back of all time, a guy who has more 1,500 yard rushing seasons than Emmitt Smith and is one short of tying Barry Sanders league record of 5, can somebody tell me why a back of this caliber is relegated to 13 carries this year, and 14 carries last year, in the biggest games of the season? Can somebody tell me why a quarterback who essentially calls his own plays can’t seem to call the number of the best back in the game? And then management tells me I’m the last contract priority, as if I’ve been the one blowing these playoff games?” If anyone has had a right to pull a T.O. it’s been Edgerrin James.
So, since the Colts have already taken one step backwards, they may as well commit fully to rebuilding the franchise. It should be no secret, after six postseasons, that Peyton Manning does not possess the intangibles to play well, or lead his team to victory, in big games. He doesn’t have the poise or intestinal fortitude to play well under pressure. He didn’t have it in college, and has doesn’t have it in the pros. And, if he couldn’t perform well in a big playoff game at home, with a stellar defense, and the best back in the game, then he won’t be able to do it without those advantages.
And, before it’s too late, the Colts need to dump Manning, while his trade value is still high, and pursue a quarterback who has proven to have the intangibles and intestinal fortitude to play well and win big games. The Colts should approach the New Orleans Saints with the trade offer of Peyton Manning for the 2nd overall pick in this years draft, a second round pick in next years draft, and Aaron Brooks. This will allow the Colts to draft Vince Young with the second overall pick, and let him sit for a year before he takes the reins of the offense and begins leading them to the playoffs and the Super Bowl. Aaron Brooks, along with that defense, allows the Colts to stay competitive until Vince Young assumes the starting position.
The Colts have virtually no chance to reach the Super Bowl with Manning, so why keep wasting his time and theirs. A trade to New Orleans will turn that franchise around. Not only is Manning a better quarterback than Drew Brees (who N.O. is pursuing via free agency), but he’s a beloved hometown boy who would ensure sellouts, and optimism, for the remainder of his career. Manning going home to the Saints would be just the boost that the franchise needs as it tries to transition back into the hurricane ravaged area.
Big game, fourth quarter heroics don’t just happen. Special players make them happen. Montana did it college. Elway did it in college. Vince Young did it in college. Not only did Vince Young show he was special that January night, but he did it against one of the greatest college teams of all time, on their `home field’, and on the biggest stage in college football, nonetheless. That’s special. Young may not have scored what Manning scored on the `Wonderlic’ test, but he’s already shown that he can do things on the football field that Manning can’t do. He can lead his team to win the big game.
Before Edge signed with the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent, the only thing the Colts were missing was a game winner at the quarterback position. Now, the Colts are deficient at running back and quarterback. They may as well completely commit to a rebuild because this team is going nowhere. The first step for their rebuilding is to change the quarterback.
4 replies on “Here’s A Novel Idea- or Is It?”
very novel idea…but… I gave it a vote because you are definitely suggesting something most sports fans would disagree with (I’m one of them), and it’s well written.
However I think you are one of those Colt’s fans who take everything out on Manning without realizing what he gives you every year. Yes he has choked in big games and has yet to win it all, but he is only in his 7th season! He makes the Colts a playoff contender every year and with the right team around him could definitly win the Super Bowl. They had to make a choice on EJ or other needs. Only time will tell if they made the right choice, but getting rid of Manning is not the answer.
What’s the ‘right’ team around him? I’m taking this out on Manning because it has been Mannings ineptitude that has led to the postseason debacles. Regular season stats do not get you to the Super Bowl. The league has been full of quarterbacks who put up stats in the regular season but can’t perform in the playoffs. Manning is one of them.
The Colts have to make a decision. Are they just satisfied with making the playoffs? And, who else can you put around Peyton Manning to get the team over the hump? He had the best running back in the league. He had a defense who held the last two Super Bowl champs to 20 and 21 points. In the past 4 regular seasons his offense averages 30 per game. Yet, in the playoffs, a guy who lights up the scoreboard in the regular season can’t lead his team to more than 3, 14, and 18 points!
If the Colts are just happy to be contenders and not champs, then they may as well keep Manning. They will not get a back as good as James. Manning’s weaknesses have been thoroughly exposed. And, nothing can be added to the team to prevent MANNING from choking. If you’re saying that the team has to be built to compensate for Manning’s choking, then I say it makes more sense to just get a qb that won’t choke! The team can’t be built to win ‘in spite’ of Manning’s choking.
The only thing the Colts have going for them next season is that their strongest rivals have also all gotten weaker. San Diego, Pittsburgh, New England, Cincy, are all dealing with key losses or injuries. Jacksonville may still be another year away, and Denver has Jake Plummer at qb. But, it still doesn’t matter. Manning will won’t play well in the playoffs, and some folks will still make excuses for him. (It was the defense. They were on the road. It was outside. It was cold.) The only other quarterback in the history of the NFL with more apologists is Brett Favre!
What? Why would a team ever trade a player that leads them to a division title almost every year? Just because a quarterback doesn’t do well in the playoffs doesn’t mean you dump him. The Colts getting rid of Manning would be like the Cavaliers dumping LeBron James, just because he hasn’t performed in the playoffs yet. Manning is the only reason the Colts ever get to the playoffs. He is the most feared offensive player in the league, and plays the position with the fewest star players. There would be no way to replace him, and the team wouldn’t even have a winning record. And i don’t think the Colts have to rebuilt despite the loss of James. They are still by far the best team in their division. They can pick up another running back and still have a top 5 offense.
Is that right? Manning’s the only reason the Colts get to the playoffs? The Colts have made the playoffs in 6 of Manning’s 8 years. The only two years they didn’t go – the year before Edge got there, and the year Edge got hurt in game 6. You can call it a coincidence if you want.
Next, you are comparing apples and oranges with Peyton and LeBron. LeBron is in his 3rd year and is 21 years old. His best playing days are ahead of him and he’s never had an outstanding supporting cast. Peyton Manning is going into year NINE, and is 30 years old. His best days are behind him.
As a matter of fact, we will see a slippage in his stats, and possibly his health this year. Since teams are no longer afraid to blitz Manning, he will take more hits this year than ever before. I’ll go on the record right now as saying that the Colts will not make the playoffs following the 2006 season. The loss of Edge will be that impactful.
Obviously, the Super Bowl is not your goal, or the goal of the Colts, if you’re satisfied with Manning getting to the playoffs but then playing horribly. I’ll be awaiting the excuses when the Colts fail to make the playoffs, Manning has a bad year, or is injured, and his trade value has declined.