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Peyton Manning Is At '85-90%' And Improving

Yesterday, we got some positive news from Colts running back Joseph Addai regarding the improving health of quarterback Peyton Manning. From Paul Kuharsky:

"He's not throwing deep-level passes, but the short stuff is really good enough to play," Addai said.

"He's coming along good," Addai said. "He's looking good and he throws a good ball."

Today, we get even better news, this time from Sports Illustrated's Will Carroll. Will is a well-connected expert on player injuries, and he is based in Indianapolis:

Peyton Manning is throwing at 85-90% and showing signs that the rest is conditioning, not nerve. Very positive.

Because of the spinal fusion surgery and the recovery time afterwards, it's been no secret that Peyton has looked out of shape when we've seen glimpses of him on the sidelines of games he's attended. This is understandable. The man was only recently cleared to begin running a month ago.

Aside from conditioning, Will's tweet is the first real news we've gotten that the nerve in Peyton's neck is regenerating. Likely, he can feel his triceps muscle again, and he is able to deliver the football with some zip.

Now, can he still throw the ball deep? Can he still zing it in there between multiple defenders? Is he still 'Peyton Manning?' We don't really know. What we do know is he is closer to the field general we all knew (and that the rest of the NFL feared) than he was in September.

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GOOD NEWS!

Whenever you get stressed, always remember: RDWHAHB

by danorocks17 on Dec 22, 2011 11:13 AM EST reply actions  

It would make things alot less complicated if...

The Colts won the next two and had the #3 position in the draft.

by NW_Colts_Fan on Dec 22, 2011 11:14 AM EST reply actions  

i kinda agree

most fans (and one rabid fan omahacolt) want Luck so bad they will probably throw tantrums if we don’t get him. Me… I just love the first pick for leverage to help the OVERALL team but at #3 you don’t worry about the Luck sitting behind Manning if he is in fact healthy. You get what some would say is a drop off QB below Luck but no pressure as a back-up, even though something about Luck makes me nervous about drafting him. But at #1 you can trade down a couple picks, get your QB of the future and get extra picks for what is quickly becoming an aging very mediocre team.

Quickly name me the last superstar QB who lead his team to the SB? Some might say Rogers but he has never been classified as a “superstar”. Even this year Tebow is beating him out as a star! Even Peyton played horrible (minus NE game) and it was the running game and defense… luck? (no pun intended) No the Colts need a TEAM and getting Luck is another Manning situation where you put $28/M into one position and the other positions with spare parts and then us fans complain about our CB’s, DT, and OL…. again.

by Straight Out The Burbs on Dec 22, 2011 12:57 PM EST up reply actions  

That pun...

Was most assuredly intended. };0)

I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game. It will take our people out-of-doors, fill them with oxygen, give them a larger physical stoicism. Tend to relieve us from being a nervous, dyspeptic set. Repair these losses, and be a blessing to us. ~Walt Whitman

by Chopaholic on Dec 22, 2011 4:42 PM EST up reply actions  

Looks like he’ll definitely be a Colt next year then.

by burc on Dec 22, 2011 11:23 AM EST reply actions  

No

He won’t.

Think about it: why would a 36-year-old Peyton Manning want to be part of a rebuilding franchise?

SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue and editor of SB Nation Indiana.

by Brad Wells on Dec 22, 2011 11:28 AM EST up reply actions  

If Peyton is healthy there is no way Irsay lets him leave, he’s said as much before. I don’t blame him, I wouldn’t want the greatest QB ever to skip town either.

by burc on Dec 22, 2011 11:37 AM EST up reply actions  

Peyton

He will ask Irsay to let him go. Peyton wants to win. Colts are 2-3 years away from contending again.

SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue and editor of SB Nation Indiana.

by Brad Wells on Dec 22, 2011 11:45 AM EST up reply actions  

So Peyton will write a check to the Colts for all that money they just paid him then?

by burc on Dec 22, 2011 11:52 AM EST up reply actions  

He wont ask to be let go

He believes he can win with these guys. Regardless of the record, he has a relationship with these players. You just dont quit on a teams chances. Before the injury, they were looked at as a SB Team. Now all a sudden not? The team competed well early in the season, coulda woulda shoulda been Pittsburgh. They thought they still had a chance early on. With Peyton back, no one would lose motivation and with normal yearly improvements, we’ll be back again next year.

by gmitch23 on Dec 22, 2011 12:26 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

i think he'll ask to be let go

if they draft andrew luck… It is too complicated with both on the bench and we know they are friends and Peyton wants Andrew to be able to play like he did.

by coltsfanbeforemanning on Dec 22, 2011 12:45 PM EST up reply actions  

True enough.

With Manning playing, any team he plays on is a potential super bowl winning team. The question is, will Manning really come back as the Manning we have seen in the past?

by Ayrshire on Dec 22, 2011 12:32 PM EST up reply actions  

i think that's the $28 million questions

can he physically do the things the way he use to do them. We know his mind is sharp, but can he perform at a level that is acceptable to him.

Whenever you get stressed, always remember: RDWHAHB

by danorocks17 on Dec 22, 2011 12:47 PM EST up reply actions  

Time will tell.

I’m pulling for him. My biggest worry is that he starts playing well….and then one day ..he takes one hit and his career is over, and possibly worse, if he’s damaged further. I don’t even want to think about that.

by Ayrshire on Dec 22, 2011 1:16 PM EST up reply actions  

Agree totally.

I’d love to see him go out with one last hurrah, like a super bowl win. But, even more importantly, I want him to be able to live a normal, healthy life with his family after his football career is over.

by Ayrshire on Dec 22, 2011 1:22 PM EST up reply actions  

exactly

there is life after football. don’t risk your long-term health for a few years of playing a game

Whenever you get stressed, always remember: RDWHAHB

by danorocks17 on Dec 22, 2011 1:46 PM EST up reply actions  

What if Irsay says no?

If Irsay wants Peyton, Peyton stays a Colt. Irsay loves him and knows what he has meant to the franchise, so just letting a healthy Manning with 3-5 years of elite football ahead of him walk is crazy and won’t happen.

What’s the difference between the Colts and the Pats-Saints-Packers. 95% of it is QB, since all 4 have weak defenses (the Patriots might even be a tad worse than Indy). A healthy 2011 Manning has the Colts 10-4 and all we’re talking about now is the showdown with the Texans tonight for the division title.

And, if the Colts somehow win their last 2, this means no Luck, so keeping Peyton is more imperative.

by JTBLA on Dec 22, 2011 4:14 PM EST up reply actions  

nah, Colts are 2-3 players on offense and 2-3 players on defense away from contending

And maybe 2-3 coaches. See, fixable!
Every year, at least 24 teams are in rebuilding mode (everyone that didn’t win their division).
No need trying to guess what Peyton wants. He’s going to get it, whatever it is. We’ll see in time.

Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game and dumb enough to think it's important. -- Eugene J. McCarthy

by zherebyonki on Dec 22, 2011 4:33 PM EST up reply actions  

We finally have an offensive line (when healthy) and Peyton will make our receiving core work even if its one of Wayne/Garcon, Collie, and then a White type slot guy. On defense we have a strong core on the front seven including Angerer, Connor, Nevis, Moala and Freeney and Mathis as the later will be brought back. The only thing we really need to rebuild is our secondary and really just a SS and a #1 corner.

If Peyton comes back and we add 2-3 new starters in the secondary (keeping Powers and Bethea) do you really think we have no shot of a playoff run?

Jason Heyward wins at baseball.

by bbxxj on Dec 22, 2011 11:49 AM EST via mobile up reply actions   1 recs

Because we are the only franchise that is going to pay him 28 mill or whatever he's due.

I doubt he gets close to that on the open market with the injuries.

EVH+DLR=BFFs........ God I Hope So!!

by dmstorm22 on Dec 22, 2011 1:56 PM EST up reply actions  

Because any team he joins will necessarily be rebuilding to take best advantage of Peyton.

Because the QB is the most important question on an NFL team. Teams with that question already answered can “rebuild” in a single year.

Because no other team will commit to Peyton so completely.

Because nobody else will pay him as much.

Next year Peyton will be a Colt or he will be retired. I’ll bet on it.

Never approach a vast undertaking with a half-vast plan.

by szquirrel on Dec 22, 2011 2:40 PM EST up reply actions  

But consider teams like the Jets, 49ers, or dolphins

All teams that are a good quarter back away from being unstoppable. Particularly the 49ers.

by icedude on Dec 22, 2011 3:13 PM EST up reply actions  

how about a little wager?

If Manning’s healthy, and is still a Colt next year, you resign.

by ColtsFanInTexas on Dec 22, 2011 6:37 PM EST up reply actions  

Yes

He will

Go Blue!

Revenue - Expenses = Profit

by dezznutz1001 on Dec 28, 2011 4:47 PM EST up reply actions  

Peyton Should Play

Hear me out… Say for instance this report is accurate and Peyton is 100% for start of next season. You trade the 1st overall pick and go all in with Peyton. In the first game Peyton gets hit and someone lands on his neck. Then what? You go through the same season we are experiencing right now. Quarterbacks don’t get hit in practice. The major issue from the beginning was if Peyton would be back to his old self not of the spinal fusion would work. A major aspect of being a great QB is being able to withstand hits. I would rather play Peyton and see where we stand with him. Unless the Polians are seeking to trade him, in that it would wise to not play him.

by BleedBluenWhite on Dec 22, 2011 11:51 AM EST via mobile reply actions  

Peyton's Injury

There is a misconception out there that even after he heals, Peyton’s neck will still be unstable. This is not true. Manning’s neck will just as strong as yours or mine. There is just as much of a chance has Andrew Luck injuring his neck as Peyton Manning injuring his.

by ColtsPensacola on Dec 22, 2011 12:19 PM EST up reply actions   2 recs

Not true!

Do as much research about spinal fusion as I
have and then I’ll see if you come to that conclusion. Spinal fusion makes the virtabre less flexible, therefore increasing the chances of a break.

by BleedBluenWhite on Dec 22, 2011 2:26 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

That's all well and good.

However, Manning used his own bone, not hardware in the fusion. Also, I’ll go with Dr. Wellington K. Hsu who actually does these surgeries, over ESPN sports science. But that’s just me.

by ColtsPensacola on Dec 22, 2011 3:30 PM EST up reply actions  

Just to clarify...

Nobody wants to see Peyton come back healthy and resume his legendary career more than me. However we have to face realities, Peyton will be 36 in March coming off three neck surgeries. Think about that three neck surgeries, you don’t have to be a doctor to realize he has a chronic condition.

by BleedBluenWhite on Dec 22, 2011 4:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Knee Surgeries

He has also had three knee surgeries. Does he have chronic knee issues?

by ColtsPensacola on Dec 22, 2011 4:21 PM EST up reply actions  

He had some bursa sac removed in 2008. Nothing more

by BleedBluenWhite on Dec 22, 2011 5:18 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Just Remember

All the hype surrounding Ryan Leaf, Jamarcus Russell, Akili Smith, Joey Harrington, Ander Ware, David Kingler, Brady Quinn, Danny Wuerrfel, Charlie Ward, Tee Martin, and so many others who were “Cant Miss” QB’s. Those experts talking about how great Andrew Luck and RG3 and many others will be are the same mouthpieces who raved about the listed QB’s above. Just because you can play college ball means nothing in the NFL. Colts are better off keeping Peyton if healthy, trade down to with Cleveland and build the defense to get the Colts back to the Super Bowl. Overhaul the Front Office totally, bring a defensive minded coach to town and hire an executive who will build the franchise the correct way.

by finallysaved on Dec 22, 2011 12:26 PM EST reply actions  

Ok, Jamarcus was a lazy idiot, Andre Ware was more of a pure athlete, Ryan Leaf was immature, Charlie Ward? Seriously..?

Point is, Luck clearly does not have the flaws that the other QB’s you listed do.

Not that I am either pro/con drafting Luck, but at least rationalize your thought process

by harbaughmyhero on Dec 22, 2011 7:13 PM EST up reply actions  

Exactly.

You can’t say Luck will bust because other QB’s busted. P$ was highly regarded, and he turned out okay.

How does he do it?

by It's Magc on Dec 22, 2011 10:16 PM EST up reply actions  

i don't give autographs

by muncie_in_this on Dec 22, 2011 12:30 PM EST reply actions   2 recs

Don't trade the #1 pick

Take Claiborne from LSU. Get a serviceable safety w/ round 2 pick 1, and go for a center/guard in round 3. Fill in the D-line, WR, and TE with later picks.

Suddenly, with a new D coordinator, the Colts actually have a defense.

With Peyton at the helm, they’ll always have an offense. But now they have an O-line and a bit of a running game.

We know the offense with Peyton does their part, maybe such a defense wouldn’t give away playoff games…

by _-*JUICE*-_ on Dec 22, 2011 12:41 PM EST reply actions  

Claiborne over Luck

Are you suggesting the team drafts Claiborne #1 over Luck? That’s ridiculous. Claiborne shouldn’t the the first overall selection.

by ColtsPensacola on Dec 22, 2011 12:45 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Yeah, at that point, trade down and actually get additional picks!

And it's now my sig
by Bronn on May 17, 2011 4:56 PM EDT

by Sparhawk on Dec 22, 2011 12:49 PM EST up reply actions  

What about the other kid from LSU, Tyrane Mathieu

by harbaughmyhero on Dec 22, 2011 3:05 PM EST up reply actions  

He's an underclassmen

A freshman, I think. He can’t come out this year. But I would take him over Luck.

There are more playmaking QBs in the league these days than playmaking DBs.

Think about it:
Rodgers, Manning, Brady, Brees, Rivers, Schaub, Romo, Vick, EManning, Cutler, Stafford, Ryan, Dalton?, Roethlisberger, and Flacco
vs.
Polamalu, Reed, Revis, Asomugha, Peterson, Flowers, Joesph, Woodson, Bailey?

by _-*JUICE*-_ on Dec 22, 2011 3:14 PM EST up reply actions  

I'm ahead of my time, sir

Quarterbacks and high-powered passing offenses are now ubiquitous in the NFL.

DBs who can STOP passing offenses are not.

Simple equation.

LSU has a special set of DBs right now…. Peterson from last year included.

by _-*JUICE*-_ on Dec 22, 2011 3:49 PM EST up reply actions  

Peyton will never

wear a Pro helmet without a horseshoe on it. I don’t think he wants to, I don’t think Irsay wants him to. He’s talked countless times about the ability to play his entire career with one team. His father toiled forever with a bad team and never complained. He understands that his legacy as a player is now and forever will be tied to Indy. I’ll be completely shocked if he isn’t the starting QB for the Colts next year. And IMHO he should be.

Yeah, I'm Shure.

by Music Man on Dec 22, 2011 12:52 PM EST reply actions   2 recs

I have the same opinion

It’s all I’ve ever seen from Manning, selflessness (you can argue about salaries elsewhere). He seems to have more dedication to his team than many others. Think about how much he must feel he’s invested in Indy. Just to pack up and find a better team? I doubt it.

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

by 18forPrez on Dec 22, 2011 2:44 PM EST up reply actions  

Me too.

Loyalty from team to player, and player to team is something you don’t see much, if any more. When the Colts traded Unitas away to San Diego, I felt like crying. But, in this day and age, money can ruin everything.

by tim55 on Dec 22, 2011 4:12 PM EST up reply actions  

It's Ironic

Asking Addai on the condition of Manning. The guy who’s never played a full season since his rookie season. It’s like asking Bob Sanders what it’s like to play a full season.

But none the less, great news to hear that his rehab is going well and he’ll most likely be back next season whether in a Colts jersey or not.

Pat McAfee 2012 Pro Bowl bound!
Anthony Calvillo - 72,382 passing yards - pro football's all-time leader
Jon Stewart for President 2016
OCCUPY BILL POLIAN'S OFFICE

by KBUnitz on Dec 22, 2011 1:25 PM EST reply actions  

So this is what i want for the First pick (in case we not lose it)...

Let me start by saying that I’m on the minor group of people who would like to see Manning (for a couples years) and also draft Luck next year. But I can understand the Trade the pick and go all in with PM formula, but I want it this way;

I Don’t Want future picks!!!, the window would be open only for a couple years, so a first or second pick on 2013 would not help for next season, perhaps not even help on the 2013 season. Remember that not all first round rookies produce right away.

I want NFL proven players too, not just the friggin picks!!!

So having said that, here is my idea;

Lets trade with good Browns people!!!

I want their 2 first rounds of 2012 , will be like one of them on the top ten (take best WR or CB available) and another one on the mid 20s (take best WR or CB available)

I want their second round pick of 2012. With our second we can put a package and trade up to get another playmaker on the first round or we can take 2 good players on the second round (SS and DT)

I also want one really good player from the Browns who still is under his rookie contract so this way he can fit under our “tight” cap. I don’t know really well the Cleveland roster, but I think they may have someone who can fit the above description.

Vamos Colts!!!

by COLTS_CR9 on Dec 22, 2011 1:50 PM EST reply actions  

TJ Ward a promising safety.

Or Alex Mac a good young center to replace Saturday.

by BleedBluenWhite on Dec 22, 2011 3:11 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

The real question that Brad should be addressing...

Is, how is this Bill Polian’s fault, and why he should be fired.

I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game. It will take our people out-of-doors, fill them with oxygen, give them a larger physical stoicism. Tend to relieve us from being a nervous, dyspeptic set. Repair these losses, and be a blessing to us. ~Walt Whitman

by Chopaholic on Dec 22, 2011 5:03 PM EST reply actions   2 recs

As a huge Peyton Manning fan above all

I would really like to see him go to the 49ers during the offseason. Watching them play, they are one elite QB away from being unstoppable. He could win 2 or 3 super bowls over the next 5 or 6 years with that coach and that defense. Having Crabtree and Davis to throw to would not be such a bad thing either. Wishful thinking on my part, though.

by boothman11 on Dec 22, 2011 5:28 PM EST reply actions  

Don't forget, this offense has been crafted into Manning's image

Don’t think he can go cold into another team’s offense and replicate his success. From the players picked, the way the line blocks, to the team knowing his barking and his lineman knowing the “silent” signals; it’s all a particular type of offense. An offense that PM and the coaches and players have crafted into THEIR own. The receivers KNOW where the ball should be; PM knows where the ball should be, it’s our 4th strong QB who CAN’T put it there.

So even if this team is THAT crappy. They are ALL on the same page. With another team, would he have to learn their offense? Surely he could, but then the players on that team would have to learn PM’s nuances.

At least on this team, everyone is on the same page. Even if we get a brand new QB, he will have to LEARN OUR offense and the players will have to adjust to HIS nuances.

So even as “shitty” as this team is, all it will take is a little more conditioning and timing practices to get everyone back to the same page. It won’t require learning a new playbook or new players learning a new system. It’s already there. PM and Saturday have a decade of experience with the same offense facing the same defenses.

That HAS to factor into any decision you make. Does PM have the luxury of taking another two years to hone his skill again? Look how long it took this last time. There isn’t time.

Dear Diary, Kevin is so hot. Today he was raking the yard. God I wish he'd throw me into that pile of leaves.

by GotDebt on Dec 22, 2011 6:38 PM EST reply actions  

'They are ALL on the same page.'

So, they’re all on the same page with their crappiness? lol Actually, you make some valid points.

by Ayrshire on Dec 22, 2011 6:42 PM EST up reply actions  

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