Watching MNF and it got me thinking. You think Colts still cut Manning and draft Luck after Manning's injury knowing what they know now? Seeing what he's doing now, the ransom they could have gotten for the #1 overall pick and that Manning is still Manning?

The Colts are setup well for the future, were a playoff team last year and probably a playoff team this season. Only way I'd regret it is if Manning wins another Super Bowl or two, which is a good possibility.

It was a big gamble to basically disown the best player in your franchise's history. However, it's very tough to pass up what was in front of them in Andrew Luck.

Manning is 37, he is a year or two away from being done. I think they made the right decision.

They made the right decision. Luck is a gamer.

I think his point was that they could have been greedy, drafted Luck, given Manning 1 more year to show he is what he currently is, and then probably traded him for a few other top end picks. I mean, Carson Palmer fetched a 1st and 2nd rounder, and I'm guessing if someone knew you would get just 3 years of MVP caliber Manning, you could have grabbed at least that from someone.

Was actually just talking about this with a friend. I still think they did the right thing because with their O line Peyton wouldn't last 3-4 more years like he probably will with Denver. They got a franchise QB that they should have for 15 or so years and were a playoff team with him from day one, so I would say if I were the Colts I'd have still done it.

Terry_Tate;1506250 wrote:Was actually just talking about this with a friend. I still think they did the right thing because with their O line Peyton wouldn't last 3-4 more years like he probably will with Denver. They got a franchise QB that they should have for 15 or so years and were a playoff team with him from day one, so I would say if I were the Colts I'd have still done it.

I think this is the same way I feel. I'm not so sure Peyton would've been able to dominate like he has the last 2 years with Denver if he was still in that situation with Indy in 2011 and 2012.

I think they did the right thing. Luck will be plenty good enough to win a Super Bowl, if they can surround him with the pieces to do it.

Commander of Awesome;1506235 wrote:Watching MNF and it got me thinking. You think Colts still cut Manning and draft Luck after Manning's injury knowing what they know now? Seeing what he's doing now, the ransom they could have gotten for the #1 overall pick and that Manning is still Manning?

yes.

robj55;1506243 wrote:Manning is 37, he is a year or two away from being done. I think they made the right decision.

this.

Give me a SB appearance over a rookie QB maybe being the next thing. Manning retiring as a colts is worth more to me than others I see.

Commander of Awesome;1506974 wrote:Give me a SB appearance over a rookie QB maybe being the next thing. Manning retiring as a colts is worth more to me than others I see.

Peyton is 9-11 in the playoffs, no guarantee he could have taken that bunch to the superbowl.

Manning wouldve really struggled with that Colts team. They needed a TON of help, and Peyton wouldve masked it the way he did for years so the organization wouldnt have gotten the help needed. Moving on sucked for both parties, but it has ended up being the best for both parties given what the Colts were able to get out of the deal.

Laley I have to disagree. They made the playoffs with Luck, pretty sure they could have done that +more with Manning. Manning this year +3(or more 1st round picks) and Trich....yeah I think in a weak AFC they'd be SB favorites.

Commander of Awesome;1506982 wrote:Laley I have to disagree. They made the playoffs with Luck, pretty sure they could have done that +more with Manning. Manning this year +3(or more 1st round picks) and Trich....yeah I think in a weak AFC they'd be SB favorites.

They made the playoffs, but were still a flawed team (though not as much as with Manning and getting better). They were flawed for a long time with Manning. Pretty much since Bob Sanders was done they have been flawed.

Peyton would have made them a better team for sure, but they would have still had issues. The organization completely overhauled the roster and changed the way they do things, which has really helped and pushed them to go in the right direction with Luck currently.

I believe, with Peyton, they are a top team but have a lot of issues. Those issues, imo, dont get fixed because everyone in the organization thinks they are "close" and wont want to risk screwing things up. Thats what I mean. No way do they shift to a power game and not a finesse game...

Not to mention the money issue. Peyton was making so much money and along with aging vets the Colts couldnt sign a whole lot of players. With Luck, they have just completely shifted to a young team (youngest in NFL last year) and started over, without starting over. With Peyton, they wouldnt have done anything and they would have stayed an old team who had major issues. Maybe they overcome them, but they were only able to do that once without Bob Sanders (when they lost in the SB), so the odds say they wouldnt have.

100% right decision.

Manning would not last 2 games behind the Colts offensive line (especially last year).


Luck is going to be very, very good.

Dont forget, if they had kept manning they would most likely be strapped salary cap wise by his contract. Rignt now they have little money, historically speaking for a top pick, invested in Luck and that helps get other players.

I think the new rookie salary structure is going to allow for teams to build faster as they can draft high, and still have $$$ left to sign other guys. It also doesnt kill a team as bad if the pick bombs.

as for a do over....man that is tough. Instant success, MAYBE, if PM is there, or someone who will be able to guide the team for 10 more years?

Was kinda thinking if they had kept him and drafted luck, like a Favre and Rodgers (although no one really was comparing Rodgers to LUck coming out) may have been the best of both worlds...but then you still had PMs salary so they would not be able to build alongside him .

Trueblue23;1506990 wrote:100% right decision.

Manning would not last 2 games behind the Colts offensive line (especially last year).


Luck is going to be very, very good.

That's beyond a dumb remark, considering Manning's current team is without their starting LT and on their 3rd string center. He's doing just fine. IPOTW

Yes.

Even looking back, IMO Indy 100% made the right move.

Luck is the truth.

Automatik;1507105 wrote:Even looking back, IMO Indy 100% made the right move.

Luck is the truth.

He looks like a good young QB (Even though no one is debating that, it's more of have a MVP Manning plus perks from having #1), but given that they could have had Manning, with either a 1st pick, or the ransom they could have gotten for the number 1 pick, hell Cleveland would have given them Joe GOAThomas and the entire draft if they wanted. If I'm Indy, I'd have taken the ransom, kept Manning and competed for SBs. I'll take a SB win over 10 good years.

You don't know Manning and the Colts would be competing and winning SBs with that current roster even with a #1 pick.

Both teams made out. Denver had the right pieces around for a smooth transition and quick success.

Automatik;1507117 wrote:You don't know Manning and the Colts would be competing and winning SBs with that current roster even with a #1 pick.

Both teams made out. Denver had the right pieces around for a smooth transition and quick success.

Yeah, Denver was a team who was good enough that Tebow, a guy no one in the league wants, could win games for them. Kind of a perfect situation for Manning, as he went to a good team that was elevated to potential SB caliber by his presence.

Automatik;1507117 wrote:You don't know Manning and the Colts would be competing and winning SBs with that current roster even with a #1 pick.

Both teams made out. Denver had the right pieces around for a smooth transition and quick success.

What about a trade rape like the Skins got? Get Joe Thomas plus 3 1st or an entire draft. Don't think they'd be better? Def be a better team than they currently are, not sure how you can even argue against that. Manning > Luck, and Joe Thomas > everybody.

Better? Yes. SB caliber? Who knows....way too many variables.