Will Peyton Manning Play In Another Super Bowl?

[newton_tom_cat]

I say no. He's 32 so he only has about 4 more years at peak form and his team is in a downturn with his best WR Harrison is past his prime at 36. Also look for coaching turmoil with Dungy likely stepping down.

And oh yeah, Pats don't look to be going away any time soon.

For all that I say Peyton is a one n' done kind of guy.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

Indy certainly looks to be on the decline at this point (if Dungy leaves anyway). It's entirely likely that, little bro Eli might get the opportunity to "play" (perhaps not win though) for more titles. How ironic is that.

I say that cuz, long term, I think the Jints are a healthier orginization at this point.

 

[alamo]

Saying "Indy is in decline" is just wishful thinking.

OMG, the Pat's best receiver and their best DB are free agents after this season, the Pats are in decline!!!!

Same addled thinking.

 

[wizwor]

Indy certainly looks to be on the decline at this point (if Dungy leaves anyway).

It's not just the coach. Harrison could have lingering problems. Maybe Freeney does not come back 100%. The Colts could use a couple franchise tags -- Competition Committee can't help with that. Peyton isn't too old to win again, but the AFC South is getting stronger and the Pats and Chargers aren't going anywhere.

 

[chrisfx811]

I think he may get to another one, as much as I don't want to see it.
Marvin will retire, and the Colts will get another big time receiver in there.
Their offense is good enough to get there.

Their defense, if Dungy retires, might be another story. How many coaches really like the light in the arse, fast but undersized setup Dungy has.

Their money on defense is heavily invested in Freeney & Sanders, 2 guys that can miss games in chunks. With success comes the vultures of free agency, and I'm not so sure Dungy's system is good enough to continue to overcome consistent losses.
Their #1 ranked defense this season was either overrated due to their schedule, or just really poor playoff performers.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I think there are too many factors that go into winning it all to predict what any team will do going forward. Indy did seem to peak performance wise over the last 3 seasons but only manage to escape one and done in the playoffs once. As long as Manning is there they will be competitive, and he should be there for another 6-7 seasons. Some of those will likely fall victim to us and could also fall victim to Jacksonville if they get just a little bit better over the next 2-3 seasons. Opportunities are cyclical, and the AFCS looks to be getting more competitive while the AFCE may still not be for the next year or two. After that though it's anyone's guess.

I do think next season could be a struggle for them whether Dungy remains as something of a lame duck or retires and the transition is on. The system will obviously remain, which is why they are not seeking an outside candidate to replace Dungy. But if that doesn't result in success, all bets could be off and they could be in the HC market for real in two years.

Next year transition or not a lot will depend on how well Freeney does returning from his injury. Absent his pass rushing capacity that D was less effective down the stretch. And then there is the question of Harrison, who will apparently be trying to rehab from problems in both knees at 36. Will also be interesting to see how Wayne and Addai rebound from a season in which they each took somewhat of a beating holding that offense together.

If you look at the NFC Dallas totally blew a season in which they appeared to be dominant only to see two teams no one gave much of a shot 6 weeks ago locking up tonight for a shot to play what after today will be the only game that matters. And look no farther than Pittsburgh for a team that seems to be backpedaling after snagging one for the thumb. And all any of this does is underscore how really incredible the last several seasons of this team has truly been. It's hard not to flaunt it, but what we really should be doing is appreciating it as it happens, 'cause it won't be this way here forever...

 

[Rob0729]

He has a shot, but I doubt it. Age is going to claim Harrison. Salary cap is going to force them to lose players. We will find out very quickly how much Tony Dungy was responsible for the Colts' success.

 

[Pats Fan in Indy]

I wouldn't be shocked if the Colts were to somehow reload like the Patriots did this offseason. Last year, we knew that we needed to do something, or we were going to lose in the AFC playoffs every year until Brady retired. I think the Colts are feeling the same way right now. I wouldn't be shocked if they got some major acquisitions.

 

[stinkypete]

Indy certainly looks to be on the decline at this point (if Dungy leaves anyway). It's entirely likely that, little bro Eli might get the opportunity to "play" (perhaps not win though) for more titles. How ironic is that.

I say that cuz, long term, I think the Jints are a healthier orginization at this point.

We've been predicting the decline of the Colts for 5 years now, it's not going to happen until Peyton begins to decline. The Colts have their core locked up long term and they are the youngest they've been in years. Nobody west of Foxboro builds a football team better than Bill Polian.

I give Peyton 3-4 more years in his prime. While I don't expect them to return to the Super Bowl, I expect they'll be contenders and advance deep into the playoffs a few more years.

 

[Rob0729]

I wouldn't be shocked if the Colts were to somehow reload like the Patriots did this offseason. Last year, we knew that we needed to do something, or we were going to lose in the AFC playoffs every year until Brady retired. I think the Colts are feeling the same way right now. I wouldn't be shocked if they got some major acquisitions.

I don't see the Colts restocking this year. They used a lot of money resigning Sanders and a little more resigning Hagler. They have to franchise or sign Dallas Clark probably to the most money ever paid to a TE. They don't have a first round pick. They are never active players in free agency.

The Pats last year put themselves in position the year before to make a huge run in free agency. The Pats have always been active in free agency even if they rarely went after the marquee free agents. The Colts build primarily through the draft.

 

[nabwong]

A lot of people said Brett Favre was done. Look at him now. You never know.

 

[stevedogc]

I don't see the Colts restocking this year. They used a lot of money resigning Sanders and a little more resigning Hagler. They have to franchise or sign Dallas Clark probably to the most money ever paid to a TE. They don't have a first round pick. They are never active players in free agency.

The Pats last year put themselves in position the year before to make a huge run in free agency. The Pats have always been active in free agency even if they rarely went after the marquee free agents. The Colts build primarily through the draft.

I agree and I'll take it a bit further. The problem with the Colts, like you say is their cap. They have spent alot of money on their key players, which leaves them very little depth. The Colts will still be competitive, and Manning has a good chance at getting to a superbowl in the next few years, but alot of it depends on injuries. In 2006, they were relatively healthy, and they won the superbowl. This year they had a few key injuries and did not have the depth to replace them. They lost Freeney and had to go sign Simeon Rice of the scrap heap. The Pats lost Seymour for the first half of the season and had Green, who would start for about 1/2 the teams in the nfl, to step in. When they Colts had injuries at WR, they filled the holes with guys no one ever heard of. If the Pats had injuries at WR, they would have Gaffney, Washington, Brown and Jackson to fill in. Its all about cap managment, and I think the Colts dont do a good jab at it. Just my opinion.

 

[aluminum seats]

The goal each season is to get into a position to succeed, and the Colts have obviously done that. If their new coach is a good one--and he probably will be, I see no reason they won't continue to be in the mix. After the Pats, they are obviously one of the top teams in the league, and the early playoff exits don't really change that.

Having said that, gun to my head forced to choose, I'd say no, they won't be back.

 

[newton_tom_cat]

A lot of people said Brett Favre was done. Look at him now. You never know.

thats true, but as of now packers arent in super bowl. gmen might have something to say about that. also packers dont have to go thru pats to get to super bowl. and afc competition in general is just that much better than nfc.

 

[italian pat patriot]

i do not know for sure but i think Indy and Peyton will surely be our contenders too in the next future

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I wouldn't be shocked if the Colts were to somehow reload like the Patriots did this offseason. Last year, we knew that we needed to do something, or we were going to lose in the AFC playoffs every year until Brady retired. I think the Colts are feeling the same way right now. I wouldn't be shocked if they got some major acquisitions.

Not going to happen because it's just not Polian's MO. He's been burned every time he tried to utilize the FA market. They're still paying off Simon. And even been burned somewhat in trades (Booger cost them a 2nd and he was likely one and done).

Adding another big time WR would be complicated by Marvin's cap. He's scheduled to cap cost over $12M in 2008, and if he's gone his dead cap is $12M split roughly $4M/$8M over 2008-2009. They definitely need to upgrade their depth at WR, TE and RB though. Problem at WR/TE is Manning's depth has a hard time getting up to speed for the precision he requires from them to run that offense.

They also are without a first round pick this year. They pick 60-ith and 90-ith I believe in the first three rounds. Polian says it's a deep draft though... He's gonna hafta earn his keep in 2008 for sure. Plus there will be all the hoopla of opening a new stadium and adjusting to it.

I really think Dungy was a HUGE difference maker over the first 5 seasons both on developing a workable inexpensive defense (that isn't as inexpensive any more) and balancing an offense that was too pass/Manning dependent. But quiet strength's weakness was always the potential to get too conservative (which cost him in Tampa too). Including in his handling of this team down the stretch. The bye is/was his undoing because he overdid it - again. That said, he was the glue that held all the factions in that organization together. They were a mess under the emotional Mora Sr. Will be interesting to see if Caldwell has the Dungyesque level of persona necessary to maintain a cohesive team mantra in Indy - with a little more competitive kick down the stretch.

 

[BelichickFan]

I voted NO, but I do respect all the winning they've done. I just think it's going to get hard with Harrison going, going, gone, the OL not quite what it was and Jacksonville on their tails - Jax is good now and is $30M under the cap. The Colts are the class of the division until proven otherwise but I wouldn't be at all surprised to see them as a WC team next year.

 

[Truck]

maybe Napolian can put in a rule that says the team with the most consecutive 12+ win seasons automatically advances to the superbowl and there is no afc playoffs.

Thats about the only way they make it back.

I believe Pittsburg and SD has a solid chance of improving as they have young qbs who will get better; and don't have any star players who are heading into retirement.
Also I dont think the Patriots will regress too much next season.

I think next few years, you'll see the Patriots stay on top, followed by SD and Pittsburg, while Indy fails into 4-6 place territory.

 

[FrontSeven]

That team has lots of window left. Harrison is not exactly their number one anyway. Losing Dungy could hurt but there will not be total flight of all coaches like when a HC takes another position.

I think their biggest obstacle is the Patriots. Other than the Patriots I'd expect them to get back there a couple more times.

 

[chrisfx811]

Jax is good now and is $30M under the cap.

Wow, they really only need a go to receiver, and some help in the secondary based on this season's team.