My positive take from the difficult game.

Obviously this was a crushing loss to take. I was praying we would win and that after this season, whatever happens would mean nothing to me anymore. More specifically I mean that two titles in the salary cap era would validate us and put us on a rare level (Broncos, Pats, Steelers). If we had won this year and Lost Superbowl 46/etc., I wouldn't mind too much. I know our organization is clean and that we have the best player, another title would cement our place forever.

We do not have best collection of players but we're stacked  heavy at the top certainly. I actually prefer titles that validate statistics over a more powerful dynasty with good but not amazing talent at the top. There is just something meaningless about a player that relies solely on intangibles to cement his legacy. Or a player that has a few good years and becomes an accumulator (I have a little beef with players from the NFC, they have it easier when it comes to defenses as well). An ideal mix would have a little of everything, I see Indy as the only team capable of accomplishing that. I think the Steelers have a great core and could win more titles (maybe two more?), but in a parallel world where the Colts don't exist, I still wouldn't be a fan though.  I just don't think they have any all-time top 5 players. I gravitate towards the lone warrior trying to validate his elite regular-season numbers.  Some people care about just seeing their teams win titles, that is fine as well there's nothing wrong with that. I'm just more intrigued by watching possibly the all-time best at his position.

It didn't happen that way but I know that our guys will be motivated in the next 2 years when the Superbowl goes to Dallas and then Indy. If we have a Superbowl hangover next season, I still expect our guys to make one last run when the title goes through Indiana. I think Peyton can prove to be elite for a couple more seasons at the very least, QBs like Warner and Favre have excelled at 37+ years old in multiple seasons with less talent. Peyton will still be 35 by the time Indy hosts the Bowl and have a more developed receiving core.

I don't think our organization has had great direction in some seasons. 2005 comes to mind, although most  losses in the past came down to our personnel. Kenton Keith, Marvin struggling, or dropped passes in 2010 hurt us. I do think there are other teams with better supporting casts, but our elite players are still special and if healthy, and with enough depth from the draft or whatever, we'll still make another run easily. 

 I've always been more of an 18 admirer than 88 fan, I just didn't like force feeding the ball to one guy (unless his name was Rice/Moss) or having lack of depth at the WR position. Growing up I thought Randy Moss was more talented, and that we would be better off with him which the Pats almost proved (with Peyton at the helm, I think they would have done it of course; Peyton's been more productive in the playoffs). When Marvin left people said we would not be elite anymore, but we proved them wrong.  The Colts always had to prove someone wrong (early in his career Peyton was a production of Edge and Harrison, who couldn't win a playoff game), there is no shame in going to three Superbowls and losing just one, and that can still be accomplished. Personal struggles can make the right kind of people stronger.

If it is meant to be I truly believe we will be victorious again. It was a great ride, ultimately losing a Superbowl before winning that second one hurts more, but if we still end up with two championships I'll sleep very well. I'll stack our significance in the salary-cap era with anyone. The future hasn't been settled yet.