Bill Polian: Peyton Manning Remaining On Active Roster To Practice, Not Play UPDATE

by Brad Wells on Nov 1, 2011 9:21 AM EDT in 2011 Colts News

Last night on his weekly call-in radio show, Colts vice chairman Bill Polian was asked a question by a fan about Peyton Manning and why, despite his neck ailments, he was still on the active roster. Polian answered by saying that the Colts want to keep Peyton on the active roster so that, perhaps, towards the end of the regular season, Peyton can start practicing again. Polian then went on to say that end-of-the-season practice was the team's goal for Peyton, not necessarily to have him play in games.

Polian said the fear of playing Peyton in games mostly revolves around the current state of the Colts offensive line. Apparently, the Colts don't want to just throw Peyton out there and have him play behind a patchwork of nobodys blocking in front of him. The team has lost three starters along the line already this season, and has been shuffling linemen around week-to-week. First round pick Anthony Castonzo has been nursing a foot injury since early October, and second round pick Ben Ijalana is out for the year with a knee injury. Starting guard Joe Reitz has a knee injury as well, and is likely done for 2011.

Polian also stated that the Colts almost placed Manning on Injured Reserve last week because of injuries to the o-line, in particular Seth Olsen. However, Colts coach Jim Caldwell and team general manager Chris Polian were able to work out the roster in such a way as to allow Manning to stay active.

Should the Colts be forced to place Manning on I.R., he would not be able to practice with the team in 2011.

Later today, Stampede Blue will post the rest of the highlights from last night's 'The Bill Polian Show.'

[UPDATE]: Well, it seems Jim Irsay's Twitter account might not be down with the company talking points regarding Peyton. This is from this morning, and I'm not sure what to make of it:

Irsaytwitter111_medium

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Caldwell

However, Colts coach Jim Caldwell and team general manager Chris Polian were able to work out the roster in such a way as to allow Manning to stay active.

I tell ya, that Jim Caldwell is doing a Terrific! job.

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by coldy4goldy on Nov 1, 2011 8:42 AM EDT reply actions 5 recs

Interesting...

I don’t have a qualm with this, but due to our constant injuries, its going to hurt!

I’m glad that he has said that he isn’t planning on playing this year because I will be PEEVED if he is out there at all this year.

by coltsfanbeforemanning on Nov 1, 2011 8:44 AM EDT reply actions

Front office

This might be the only good idea this front office has come up with over the past 6 years. The season is obviously lost so who cares about the roster spot. I think most people forgot or just didn’t know that if a player is on IR, he can’t practice at all. They should know how healthy he is by evaluating him in practice later on in December.

by Can't Wait!! on Nov 1, 2011 8:55 AM EDT reply actions

And yet Irsay tweets

This

Conflicting messages?

"We make all the right moves…as long as we have a time machine!"
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by 18forPrez on Nov 1, 2011 9:10 AM EDT reply actions

Maybe it’s just to appease the fans and it won’t happen. Why risk Manning’s health for this season?

"We make all the right moves…as long as we have a time machine!"
- PMoney's suggestion for shirts here

by 18forPrez on Nov 1, 2011 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions

I am certainly not fluent in Irsay....

but it sounds like he’s saying that he would rather win some games this season (thus losing the Luck Lottery) and then carry on with P. Money at QB next year.

New Math: 2011-18 = 0-16

by EVLGNUS on Nov 1, 2011 9:29 AM EDT reply actions

Irsay's tweet

makes no sense. Surprise surprise. He says best-case scenario is to win again with Manning in 2012, but then says he wants to get some wins now.

by FatDT on Nov 1, 2011 10:02 AM EDT reply actions

At this point, who cares?

The O-line? This O-line is a bigger disaster than last year’s. To be honest, other than Jeff Saturday, the rest of the o-line are a bunch of scrubs. I never thought I’d say this, but we need Mike Pollak and Ryan Diem back immediately. Seth Olsen and Jamey Richard…really? That’s who we’ve got left? To be honest, Ojinaka has been ok at RT, but Jeff Linkenbach at LT, wow. WOW. I feel bad for Curtis Painter, or any QB for that matter that has to be behind this o-line. Jerry Hughes could probably bust through our o-line and get a few sacks.

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by KBUnitz on Nov 1, 2011 10:38 AM EDT reply actions

Value of practicing?

The Colts need to make a huge decision by Feb 2012 regarding Manning. I understand he can be a FA that month if Colts do not make a payment. I cannot understand the value of merely having him practice with the team. His arm strength and accuracy could be evaluated by having him throw to practice squad players or local college players. What needs to be evaluated is how Manning performs in a regular game and if he is able to absorb hits. I can imagine some of the posts on Stampede next year, if Colts remain with Manning, bypassing Luck, then Manning needs to retire or performs below quality NFL standards. How would you all accept Polians explanation: “He looked good in practice last December”
The final game is Jan 1, 2012 at home. That is well outside the “2-3 month” recovery period. If he is not healthy enough to play even at a mediocre level, how can anyone expect 3-4 years of Manning quality football?

by oldnjcoltsfan on Nov 1, 2011 11:00 AM EDT reply actions

I'm going on record now in saying

NO WAY does Manning get that 28 million dollar balloon payment.

He might come back and play for the Colts in 2012. However it will be on a reworked contract.

" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "

by aaronb on Nov 1, 2011 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions

letting Peyton practice is far more important than a roster spot

The season is over, to hell with a freakin roster spot. Whats that extra active player gonna do to help us?? Maybe we’ll lose 55-7 instead of 62-7??

Huge decision coming up before next years draft, they need to see if Peyton can be ready to go or not…and by “they” Im hoping its anyone besides the Polian’s and Caldwell! Get em out!!

by bigpony on Nov 1, 2011 11:31 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs