What is the ‘Manning Factor’ and how will his injury affect the Colts?

For years Peyton Manning has been the orchestrator to a symphony called the Indianapolis Colts offense. He has quite possibly been the most reliable quarterback in the NFL since coming out of Tennessee in the late 90’s. Let’s understand how remarkable Manning’s starting status has been, he has not missed a game since his freshman year with the Vols, including playoffs or regular season. The Colts after drafting Manning relied on him to run the offense and now after years of that training and determination on his part, he has become the master of that Colts offense. In the beginning of this offseason Manning opted to have neck surgery to relive some pain he had been having, but with the lockout in place he was not able to get with the Colts training staff to help him rehabilitate after his surgery. This became a problem, as the process of healing was moving along it was slowed for some reason moving him to have a second surgery (fusion) the week before the start of the NFL regular season. Many wonder if the lockout were not in place would he have the appropriate help he needed to make his start this Sunday. Would the trainers help allowed him to know he needed a second surgery sooner? No one really knows all that is sure is that Manning will not be behind center on Sunday for the Colts (possibly for 2 or 3 months, maybe even the season).

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In my opinion everyone is already writing off the Colts, everyone is saying they are finished and have no chance of making the playoffs this season. As a famed commentator says “Not so fast my friend”, with Indianapolis everyone must understand that Manning was a huge part of that offense but there are still weapons on this team. No doubt that Manning will be missed by the Colts (more than any other player on any other team possibly) but ‘you play to win the game’ and the Colts by no means will be rolling over and taking a loss. The Manning Factor is a huge one but if they can stem the tide and pull out key wins, step up on defense, and press on like never before the Indianapolis Colts can make others….believe. This season that should be the motto for the 2011 Colts ‘believe’ that there is talent on the field and its time for the next man to step up, question is who will be man enough to fill the shoes of the great #18?

By Sam Adams
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer