Peyton Manning: I Can Co-Exist With Any Player

by Brad Wells on Jan 1, 2012 4:29 PM EST in 2011 Colts News

After the Colts 19-16 loss to the Jaguars in the final game of the 2011 regular season, a loss that assured them of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Colts quarterback Peyton Manning spoke to the media. Naturally, the subject of the draft and the likely selection of Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck came up.

Manning told the Indianapolis Star after today's game that he hasn't thought about [the draft] a whole lot.'

'I think I can co-exist with any player I've ever played with,' Manning told the Star.

Manning missed all of 2011 with a neck injury which required (at least) three surgeries to make stable. He is now throwing again, and his health going into the off-season will be THE story in the NFL. The complimentary story is whether or not the Colts will take Luck and have him and Manning on the same roster in 2012.

In terms of the salary cap, it can work. But, realistically, with Luck likely to get drafted by the Colts, it only makes sense that Peyton Manning will not be in their plans for 2012. Indy is 2-14 because their roster is old, talentless, and lacking playmakers. The Colts are in full rebuilding mode. Manning will be 36 when the 2012 season starts. It's unlikely he will want to be part of a rebuilding process. This is assuming he is even healthy enough to play, let alone play at 'The Manning Level' we are used to seeing him play at.

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Comments

The ideal situation would be to trade him and get more picks in order to rebuild. Doubt it will happen, but I hope it does.

I know such statements could have some wishing death upon me, but this team needs far more than a Manning return to be legitimate contenders for the Super Bowl.

by Joseph* on Jan 1, 2012 4:36 PM EST reply actions

Not a death wish for you, but two sticky issues with your proposal . . .@bobbyblitz

First – trading Peyton would be a horrendous cap hit. I am not a cap guru, but have read enough to know that would would not be a good alternative cap-wise.

Second- drafting Luck rather than trading the pick ? So you have both guys on your roster and cap? By NOT trading the pick you minimize the number of elite picks you can garner from trading the #1 overall for a boatload .

Result- hindering the reload of playmakers into the roster.

by oldecoltsfan on Jan 1, 2012 4:51 PM EST up reply actions

They can't trade him!! Unless they paid the option bonus, and even then, it would be cap suicide

Vamos Colts!!!

by COLTS_CR9 on Jan 1, 2012 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

@CR9

Yup ! What you said !

by oldecoltsfan on Jan 1, 2012 4:55 PM EST up reply actions

thanks for someone once again saying the obvious

some fans are living in fantasy with the whole trade manning without thinking of when the $28M is due, right now we either keep him for two years or cut him unless manning helps out BP which is highly doubtful since what would be the leverage for him?

trust me… if the colts want to draft luck he will want to “kick our a**” for the next 4 years for doubting him.

by Straight Out The Burbs on Jan 1, 2012 6:22 PM EST up reply actions

I really hope you aren't talking about trading Peyton.

Peyton isn’t under contract as of now. He signed a 4 year deal with a first year opt-out. In order to be traded he has to be paid his option bonus which is monstrous and, If paid to him will count against next years salary cap which will basically be like having him on the roster without actually having him on the roster. Bottom line the Colts can’t trade Peyton. You either keep him or let him go in free agency. If you are talking about trading the first pick away..I apologize for jumping down your throat.

by pattymac on Jan 1, 2012 4:54 PM EST up reply actions

With him making a killing this year to watch from the sidelines

I imagine a stand-up guy like Manning would be willing to restructure the contract into one that would be much more trade-friendly for both the Colts and another team, should he and Colts management agree to such a deal.

Everyone stresses that Manning’s deal would be cap suicide for the Colts, but everyone fails to acknowledge that THE DEAL CAN BE REWORKED. If Manning wants to play but the Colts want to move forward with Luck, then restructuring the deal so he could be traded to the Fins, Redskins, Seahawks, Jets, or whoever… well, they’ll make it work, and the Colts will get well-compensated for the trade while Manning will earn the dollars he’s worth.

Actually, not the Jets. Fuck the Jets.

by DonkeyBoner on Jan 1, 2012 5:32 PM EST up reply actions

it of course could be reworked but why would he?

he holds all the chips. you think a guy who has a plan for defenses from 3 years ago has not thought about this teams chances with or without him? manning knows he cannot get to the SB with this team why would he rework it just to help out a team that bungled the whole process? manning in front of the camera is saying everything fans want to hear but behind scenes I think he wants to stick it to BP and get with a team that can be competitive.