Can the Colts be ready if Manning is not?

It would be hard for anyone to make a case that in the NFL there is anyone as important to their team as Peyton Manning is to the Indianapolis Colts. Fact is Manning has started every game since the Colts drafted him number 1 overall, through good times and bad the one constant has been Manning. For Indianapolis it has almost become a ‘sure thing’ that behind the center will be #18 and they have not had to worry about changes for a decade but now maybe is the time to start grooming another quarterback to take his place. With the signing of Kerry Collins earlier this week, it shows that the team doesn’t really have the utmost confidence in the quarterbacks that are already on the team. To be honest I don’t see Painter, Orlovsky, or Davis taking over for possibly the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. Collins said of his signing that the biggest draw was to be able to work with a team that he has a lot of history with and a lot of respect for, also to be able to play with one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. The feeling was not mutual as Reggie Wayne expressed his displeasure with not necessarily the signing of Collins but the feeling that Painter was ‘disrespected’ with bringing in another quarterback. No doubt that if Collins will be filling in while Manning is out, he and Wayne will need to mend fences to make sure the Colts will be successful.

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In my opinion, the Colts can be successful but it will only be for a short time. Understand Manning is, as one put it, a coach on the field he does everything and puts it all in place like no other player. With him being out the team loses that leadership and confidence and it is hard to bring someone in and be ready in such a short period of time. If this injury plagues him throughout the season the Colts will not make the playoffs and they will have a hard time even being a .500 team without him on the field. If he only needs to miss the first game, I think the signing of Collins could prove beneficial for the Colts but only time will tell. I know that hopefully for the teams’ sake and for the fans’ sake Manning will be ready to start the season.

By Sam Adams
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer