Will Peyton Manning be ready for the season?

We know how important Peyton Manning is to the success of the Indianapolis Colts. We also know that Manning has an incredible games started streak going (2 nd on the list behind Brett Favre). Manning, it has been said by coaches, that it’s like having a head coach on the football field when the offense is out there. He is the definition of a ‘workaholic’ not only does he strive for perfection but he puts forth the effort and works even harder off the field. Playing the position of quarterback in the NFL is a tedious job and you really do get out of it what you put into it. Manning pushes not only himself but his teammates to do more on the field and apply that same mentality off the field. The question is will the field general be ready to lead his troops at the start of the season?

During this offseason with contract negotiations, injuries, and surgeries many players used the time during the lockout to have family time, enjoy other activities but for Manning he used this time to have surgery to cure an ailment in his neck. So can he be ready for the season? We must remember that Manning has not missed a game in years, mostly because his offensive line has been really good and he has avoided injury. As we all know when you play for years in the league if you miss the major injuries it is possible to pick up small injuries along the way. The good thing about the off season and the extended time is that many injuries will be able to heal and with Manning it is no different. I believe that Manning will be ready for the season, he may miss time during training camp and possibly preseason games but no question he will be ready for the season. Fact is the Colts cannot function properly without Manning at the helm, with the only other quarterback on the roster, Curtis Painter; the Colts need a healthy Manning to run the offense and keep them atop of the AFC South. So, sorry other teams in the AFC South, Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts will be ready to defend the South title.

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By Sam Adams
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer