Jim Irsay Tweets That Colts Have Signed Longtime Veteran Quarterback Kerry Collins [UPDATE]

So now Kerry Collins has almost no time to learn our complicated offense—-and this is a guy who’s mediocre even when he DOES have time to learn an offense. Can he maybe win us a game or two more than Orlovsky or Painter? Sure. Does this news still bode very poorly for our season? yes, it does. That’s not pessimistic—-just realistic. Without Peyton—-and a fully healthy Peyton at that—-we’re a below average football team.

I remained optimistic all offseason that Manning would be under center Week1…Even amid the storm of negative reports this past week.

But this may be the final straw. I highly, highly doubt that Peyton can start against the Texans. I find it hard to believe that the Polians wouldn’t have spoke with Manning about the possibility of signing a veteran QB…which means that Peyton probably thought it was a good idea to bring in Collins. I also don’t believe that Collins would un-retire just to hold a clipboard for #18. This is bad news, IMO

On the positive side of things, I like Collins, and he’s about 2,348x better than our current options…I really, really doubt he can step in and beat the Texans, but at least he’ll give us a chance against Cleveland in week 2. Haven’t taken a close look at our 2nd half schedule, but I hope Peyton can get healthy soon, cuz we may need to run the table again.

Not today.

The only pro to this of course, is that this is probably the only guy out there that I actually thought would be a decent signing as an insurance policy for Manning.

I still think Manning will be under center at season start. I think this is a signing that indicates the Colts have no faith in Orlovsky, as Painter is probably sticking around to try an develop for another year.

But I still think Peyton plays Week 1. I see this move as nothing more than a damnation for our current backups. Should it have been done a few weeks ago? Probably. I don’t see this as any indication that Peyton won’t be ready to play against Houston.

We really do not know or fully understand Manning’s condition. As we all know, the Colts say very little about anything. A backup QB is all about risk.

I really believe Manning will start and play week 1. The Colts have signed Collins because the chance of Manning not playing this season is higher than in previous years.

Overall, this is a great pickup for the Colts. Comparing notes with Collins will be a nice change for Manning.

IMO if Colts are spending money on Collins, they must feel Manning wont be ready for 2nd game vs the Browns. You have to figure Colts chances vs Houston at their park with less than 100% Manning would be slim. They would think Browns game pivotal so they wont be 0 2. They also must feel they wont beat Browns with Painter or Orlovsky.
Also game 3 is vs the Steelers, very easy to see Colts at 0 3
I was at the Colts/Lions game a few years ago, when Orlovsky was the qb of Lions. He was quite impressive, had a winless Lions team tied with Colts in 4th quarter. I dont think he got a fair shake with Colts, playing with 2nd team at all times.
Of all the possibilites of QB’s, I think Collins is worst possible choice. While he has load of experience and decent arm, he is immobile and has slowest release in NFL. He was effective at Tenn, cause they had Johnson and an excellent OL. If Colts had a good ground game, then I would believe Collins to be a good backup as he can manage a game well, but anyone who thinks he can be a winning qb on Colts is delusional. Bolger would have been a better choice.

I will be optimistic and say that Peyton is a GO for week 1 but Collins is insurance incase Peyton doesn’t feel right out there. Collins is a step up from Painter and let’s not forget he’s taken the Panthers to the NFC Championship game and the Giants to a SB. His addition makes me feel optimistic that we actually have a fighting chance to win incase Peyton can’t play.

Honestly, anyone who thought Painter was a backup QB was an incompetent. Not going to rip on the timing of this, but just the fact our coaches and front office though Painter was a good fall-back option instills me with no confidence in the way this team is being run. The guy couldn’t even play at Purdue

Watch the PUP list closely. If Manning is on PUP list after the 53 man roster is named, I think he needs to miss the first 6 games. If he is taken off the PUP list, that would mean that he has a chance to play after a game or two.

Maybe it is deja vu, Manning comes back from injury to play his first game vs Steelers like Big Ben did in 2005. Steelers give the Colts a walloping but come playoff time, Manning beats the Steelers as a wild card, the opposite of what happened in 2005. I can speculate and dream, can’t I :-)?

The only concern is with the Ravens and Jets hogging wild card berths the last 2 years, will there be a wild card from the AFC South or AFC West, there has not been one in 2 years, ever since Rex Ryan took over the Jets.

Now that we have a servicable back-up, lets fix the rest of the roster problems. Cut Painter, Hartline, A. Gonzalez(he’s made of glass) and give their money (and the rest of the money left under the cap) to the best vet wide receiver and DT available.

That Lombardi guy on NFL Network, he called the Sanders being asked to re-negotiate or will be cut, before it happened.

He also said Manning will very likely miss the opener. Next time he says something, I will take him seriously, that is for sure.

I trust a Kerry Collins that doesn’t know the whole offense better than a Curtis Painter that knows the system. If push comes to shove, and none of this works out, the Colts could end up with the first pick in next years draft and come away with Andrew Luck. Next season we would have Peyton back and we would have his successor once he decides to move on.

He’ll play for a series or maybe just the first snap to keep the streak alive, and then take a seat to Collins. There is still plenty of time for Peyton to get healthy, so we’ll see. He could magically be better next week for all the Colts know. Collins is both insurance and a great backup to have in case the worst possible scenario happens.

than a knee or ankle. It’s either healed or it’s not. My understanding is that his nerves have not regenerated. You can’t go out and play with a neck at 75% like you can with a knee. If he’s not ready, Peyton would be risking his long term health to play.

If collins starts in the first few games, there is no doubt in my mind that the colts will trim the playbook down considerably. If they’re commiting more snaps to the run game this may be a good chance to solidify the o-line and get the rookies more confidence “under the lights”. Obviously, collins is no peyton manning but his track record speaks for itself and his veteran savvy might be enough to keep us at .500 until 18 is on the field.

Manning actually starts week 1? Are all you goofballs going to come back and eat your crow or just hide under your rocks?

I find it hilarious that anyone can read anything other than Painter and Orlovsky SUCK into this signing. Even the media has been all over it this year. Partially thanks to Irsay.
Yeah Manning isnt 100%. So what? When has that EVER kept him from starting a game? Or finishing one for that matter…never.

I guess you all have to have something to be excited about besides your own teams, but to bet against the Iron Man that is Manning is fairly stupid and incredibly naive.

Kinda funny too that you rate how the Colts will play based on the preseason games…again, unless you just dont pay any attention at ALL, they always do horrible in the preseason.
I really hope none of you actually think the Colts will be a mess this season based on whats happening in preseason games with horrible QBs and players that wont make the roster….if you are, thats just sad.

Idiot. By this logic, if Collins starts the season, Peyton will have quit on the team.

I think this is a great signing. Collins knows how to manage a game and will be licking his chops at having the chance to throw to our receivers and tight ends.

It doesn’t matter whether we start with Collins or Manning against Texas’ second team we need our D to step up in order to win.

I have to say, being a Texans fan and dreaming of the playoffs must be like being offered the chance to sleep with Sarah Palin; it’d be a great honour but it ain’t going to happen in this lifetime!!

Like it or not, something had to be done. Yes, it should have been done sooner than later, but its been done. Keep in mind, Collins is a professional. Its not going to take him half as long as it took Sorgi and its taken Painter to learn the playbook. Orlovsky gets a temporary hall pass because he’s still learning on the job. C’mon, you have to root for the guy a little after having endured an 0-16 season. Yes, he’s a little challenged when it comes to scrambling around in his own backfield, preferring to run out the back of his own endzone, but HEY…..he’s NOT Curtis Painter.

Painter’s a great guy, I’m sure; kind of like our oft-maligned Coach Caldwell. Both are in way over their heads and its not apparent that either will work their way out of the respective craters they’re digging, but that saga is still unfolding. Meanwhile, Collins is a welcome addition. I’ll bet that in the limited time he gets on Friday, he’ll at least show talent and poise that we’re still waiting for Painter to reveal.

Er, ummmm…..do yourself a favor and don’t hold your breath.

not a Colts fan but I feel sorry for you if Payton is out any amnount of time.