I'll say it again: I would not be at all surprised if the Colts decide to trade Manning and hit the reset switch.
They have some guys who have been solid players and are looking for that big payday, and it won't happen if they have to hand over everything that Peyton wants. Their coach doesn't inspire anyone and certainly doesn't light up the sidelines. What does it say about his status when Peyton can overrule him and call his own plays as we've all seen him do this last year?
Everyone on that sideline knows that Prince Peyton won't hesitate to blame everyone else but him for any problems, and hasn't any qualms about throwing teammates or staff under the bus.
Of Peyton raids the treasury and others don't get a taste of the money they were expecting, then that locker room is going to have some serious issues.
All of that isn't even getting into the issue of whether the Colts would feel comfortable with a sub-standard O-line trying to protect a QB who is coming off of neck surgery. If he goes down for the count, and they've given him all that cash, then the team is scr3wed 6 ways from Friday.
I can certainly see them saying "Thanks, Peyton!" and trading him and using their cash to start rebuilding for the long haul. That, to me, would be a MUCH better investment, long-term, than risking it all on one player and hoping for the best.
Others, I am sure, will have differing views, but that's what I see at the moment.
respects,
