This is the
worst subject of all time to look at from a GM’s perspective. Now, that is not
really true, it is an incredibly relevant discussion, I just hate that it
involves my favorite player, and the best athlete to ever play a professional sport in Indiana, Peyton Manning.
The
official announcement that Peyton Manning was cut was yesterday came at a news
conference in Indianapolis. Lets look at the thought process of Jim Irsay, who
had to make this tough decision. There are many points that he had to
consider, and we would be doing him a disservice if we didn’t consider each
one.
1.
Money
Manning was due a 28 Million dollar salary bonus this month
if he wasn’t cut by the team. If the Colts draf Andrew Luck, and he plays at a
spectacularly high level, he will still make less than that in his first 5
years in the league. There is no way around it, the Colt’s saved a humongous
amount of money by cutting Manning today.
2.
Injury History
It would make any 35 year old nervous to have 4 surgeries in
under 2 years. It is downright nightmarish for it to happen to a professional
athlete. One of the only other athletes that we know to have that many
surgeries on a recurring area in his body is Greg Oden, and he is probably
going to be out of the NBA unless he can somehow show that he can stay healthy for an entire season. Peyton
hasn’t proven anything this offseason, except that he has a really good mind
for public relations. As far as health goes, I believe that Manning will be
healthy, but rusty. For Irsay, it is a huge gamble to put the future 2-5 years
of your franchise in the hands of someone who may never play effective football again.
3.
Team Future
Don’t know if you have heard of this guy, Andrew Luck? He is
only the best QB prospect to come out of college since the guy who is being cut
for him. That’s right, Mel Kiper, Mr. Hair himself, has Luck rated as one of
the best prospects of all time, and THE best since Manning was drafted 1st
overall out of Tennessee in 1998. For Irsay, would you rather have 15 years of
Manning, or 3 years of Manning? Because, if Luck fulfills his potential, he
really could be a franchise-cornerstone kind of quarterback for the next decade
or so. It is tough to not give that kid the reigns to the franchise
immediately.
4.
Team History
When people think of the Indianapolis Colts, the first thing that pops into their heads isn’t Dwight Freeney. It isn’t Reggie Wayne, and it
isn’t Marvin Harrison (unless it is a cop doing the thinking). Peyton Manning
is synonymous with Indiana sports as a whole, and even more so for the Colts.
He is an icon and a legend, The greatest Indiana athlete since Larry Legend.
Irsay is going to hear it from Colt’s fans. Even people who know that this is
for the good of the team will be upset in the short term, because it feels like
we just betrayed out best friend. We can only hope that Luck makes just as many
hilarious phone and Oreo commercials, hosts SNL wonderfully, and works just as
hard to be the best at his trade.
For me, it was hugely upsetting when I heard that Manning
would be cut. It had seemed inevitable, but it feels like, as I said before, we
are losing the best thing we ever had. Manning was always a shining example of
class and work ethic. No one was smarter, and no one worked harder to be the
best at his sports. Here’s hoping that Manning plays amazing football in
Arizona, or Houston, or Miami, or wherever he ends up. I can only hope for a
great end to an amazing career.
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