ivanvamp

It has been amazing for me to watch the Colts' implosion this year. Look at their past 9 seasons:

10-6
12-4
12-4
14-2
12-4
13-3
12-4
14-2
10-6

Now this year, they're 0-6, and have looked very bad in the process. Their scores:

at Hou: L, 34-7
vs Cle: L, 27-19
vs Pit: L, 23-20
at TB: L, 24-17
vs KC: L, 28-24
at Cin: L, 27-17

Average score: Opp: 27.2, Ind 17.3

That's a -10 points per game. Their offense is ranked #28 in points, and #31 in yards. Their defense is ranked #28 in points allowed and #26 in yards allowed.

I realize those rankings are obviously going to result in a pretty bad team. But this team went from a 10-win team last year (and averaging over 12 wins a year over the past 9 seasons) to a horrible, horrible team. And, really, the only difference is that they don't have Peyton Manning.

So it makes me wonder: Is he really that good? It would seem like it, if he can make that big a difference.

NEPatriot

I think you answered your own question. While there are other contributing factors, yes he's that good.

Boston Boxer

yes he is that good...but i also think they (Colts) are smart enough to tank the season for the #1 pick (Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford).

MoLewisrocks

He is really that good, but what ails the Colts now is also a compilation of things that were creeping up on them despite the record the last couple of seasons. Bad drafts, especially in the first round, aversion to FA, top heavy payroll structure that limited depth to late round draft picks and UDFA's, gradual effect of the loss of coaching from Dungy to Moore and Mudd with nothing but weak disciples to fill their roles...and possibly complacency creeping in on the heels of finally winning ONE and getting the stadium deal done. Ownership and the FO kind of lost their drive once their core goals had been achieved.

What will be interesting to watch now is whether they clean house - from players to coaches, begin to transition to the post Manning era or hang on and try to win one more with Manning...

NG Pats Fan

No, It's the Colts front office fault for not getting a competent backup QB. If Matt Cassel were QB of the Colts they would be 3-3

Jangles

Yes he is that good, but don't think the gap between him and other good QBs is that large.

The Colts are terrible because they didn't have a legitimate backup. If you truly think only Peyton Manning could have success playing for the Colts then LOL.

Uncle Rico

I think Manning is *that* good, yeah, but I also have to wonder how good a team the Colts would have been this year with him. 10-6 last year, I'm thinking 8-8 this year. What's happening without Manning is a condemnation of the top-heavy way the franchise has been run. (And this is the franchise that some were holding up as personnel/draft geniuses compared to the Patriots before last season).

Of course, this is also the franchise that literally quit on a 16-0 season (the football gods made them pay for that). My question for the salary cap-adept on the board: How could they possibly pay the salaries of both Manning and a top five or even number one pick next year, and still build a competitive team for the rest of Manning's career?

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PatsGirl2011

Although I do think they would've been at best 4-2 with him, the Colts were not going to be a serious SB contender regardless.They were slowly but surely becoming average.

cavtroop

I think its somewhere in the middle. Yes, Manning is hella-good. But Im PISSED that he's out for the year - I think that the team sucks except for him for the most part, and I REALLY wanted to see Peyton Manning go to an 8-8 or 9-7 season, which I think he'd have struggled to do with this team.

The Colts FO has made a mess of that team - the only thing holding it together was Petyon. Even if they do end up with Luck, they have so many needs, it's going to be a while before they compete again I think.

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Bella*chick

Absolutely. The record show not only how good Peyton is but how important the QB position is overall. The Colts have no one. No one even remotely prepared. Their FO is absolutely pathetic if they just hoped Peyton would stick around forever, uninjured and in his prime.

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