The countdown begins now...

Sometime between now and March 8th, we'll learn the fate of one of the greatest, if not the greatest, quarterback to every play in the NFL. That's the date that Peyton Manning is set to receive a $28 Million roster bonus from the Colts, and the overwhelming sentiment is that Manning will be let go by Jim Irsay and the Colts. It's clearly the biggest decision Irsay has ever had to make, and quite possibly one of the most difficult decisions in NFL history.

There aren't many other players the caliber of Manning in the history of the NFL that hit the free market, especially after being let go. Reggie White did not go back to the Eagles while in his prime, but he was a free agent, and the franchise tag didn't exist at the time, so White was free to sign with anyone, and he signed with the Packers.

Speaking of the Packers, remember what happened with Brett Favre? The Packers had just gone to Overtime in the NFC Championship game before losing to the Giants with Favre at QB, and they decided to part ways with Favre in favor of Aaron Rodgers. Favre still had a couple years left in him, as he again got a team to Overtime of the NFC Championship before losing once again.

This situation is eerily similar to the one the Colts are facing. A beloved figure that the team would probably keep around if not for a legitimate QB-in-waiting, but turning the page is the correct decision for the franchise, as tough as it may be at the time. A big difference here is that we don't know if Manning has a couple years left in him like Favre did. If he gets his throwing strength back, there's no doubt that he does.

That's a gigantic "if" though.

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‘Black Monday’ turned the NFL world upside down, once again. Offices were vacated, old faces that had grown to be so familiar, solemnly waved goodbye and teams will take on a completely new face as a result.

The glaring difference from this year's version? The Colts are at the forefront of it all.

Jim Caldwell has seemingly been pushed into a waiting game that commenced yesterday. If conventional wisdom has taught us anything, it's that new General Managers want their own guy. Jim Irsay’s choice to fill the newly vacated title will be the deciding factor in the story of everything Caldwell.

The story will likely conclude with Caldwell's exit after three long years.

Irsay made it clear that the future of Indianapolis would revolve around 'one voice' and that 'great unity' is a must. Whether Caldwell will be included in that unity, remains to be seen. It certainly cannot be ruled out. Especially after today's surprise.

In the event that Caldwell is put out of his misery, as expected, I decided that we should begin to take a look at our hypothetical search for a new coach. It hasn’t been easy, to say the least, but still exciting to a degree.

There really isn’t a right or wrong answer and that's the beauty of an opinion. We can preach about who we’d like to see on the sidelines next year, all we'd like. That's our right as fans. However, a coach must ultimately align with the developmental plans of this organization and its envisioned direction. To put it simply, the coach has to fit the Colts new mold. As of today, we have no idea what that mold will entail.

Until that day comes, we can talk about what could be. Brace yourself, as I can assure you that these names won't be the 'sexiest' you've heard.

Let's get to it.

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The Indianapolis Colts, as we have known them over the past decade, have gone away just like 2011 has. Vice Chairman Bill Polian and General Manager Chris Polian have been relieved of their duties with the Colts, announced by owner Jim Irsay Monday afternoon. Irsay said it was time for a "new era" in Colts history.

It was the perfect time for this to happen, and it was really the only choice for Irsay to make.

If you've been around Stampede Blue at all during the season, you know that we've been advocating for these changes to be made most of the past three months. It was clear then that a change in direction was needed, but to see it come true gives us hope that Irsay has what it takes to lead the Colts back to the Super Bowl. We've talked about the numerous reasons throughout the season why it needed to happen, but I think there are three main reasons the move was actually made Monday:

1. Keeping the Polians now means keeping them for at least 3-5 years - With what Irsay is calling a "rebuilding" time for the Colts, it would not be fair to the GM, no matter who it is, to let them go without seeing some of the rebuilding through. If Irsay wanted to stay the course that the Polians were going, it would have to be in multiple years, especially with all the holes the Colts had exposed after this season. The timing is right for a move like this.
   

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Tomorrow morning, as everyone gets ready for the craziness that is 'Black Monday' in the NFL, you're going to see the first of what are to be manymanymanymanymanymanymany mock drafts between now and late April. At the top of all those mocks, you will see the words Indianapolis Colts.

After starting 0-13 and then winning two games in a row, Indy has finally completed their quest to 'Suck For Luck' after the Jags and Maurice Jones-Drew ran all over them en route to a 19-16 win today. A 2-14 record for Indy means they draft No. 1 overall in 2012. The last time they had that high a pick, they took some goofy-looking dude with a big forehead and a laser rocket arm named 'Manning.'

The Rams lost to the 49ers today as well. They are slotted in at No. 2. The Vikings are locked in at No. 3 with the Buccaneers the before-mentioned Jaguars likely at 4 and 5, respectively.

Note: The No. 4 and 5 positions could change by this evening.

Amazingly, the Rams, Vikings, Bucs, and Jags all have young quarterbacks that were taken high in the last three drafts. This is rather unusual because, normally, teams at the top of the draft order are there because they don't have a young, 'franchise QB.' But, with these teams, we have:

• Sam Bradford (No. 1 overall in 2010 to the Rams)
• Christian Ponder (No. 12 overall in 2011 to the Vikings)
• Josh Freeman (No. 17 overall in 2009 to the Bucs)
• Blaine Gabbert (No. 10 overall in 2011 to the Jags)

For the Colts, the age and health uncertainly of Peyton Manning virtually guarantees they will select Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck No. 1 overall. News coming out of Baylor is that in seems likely Heisman Trophy winner Robert 'RG3' Griffin III will forgo his senior year enter the NFL Draft.

Griffin, like Luck, is a major talent. Teams desperate for a playmakers at quarterback might be strongly inclined to move up into the Top Five and take RG3 to be their 'franchise' QB.

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Simple question: Are you happy the Colts lost today and secured the No. 1 overall pick? I tweeted earlier that it feels as if the Colts won a playoff game. Is that wrong? Personally, I don't think so. This season has been utter sh*t, and earning the No. 1 pick is the only thing I've really cheered for all year.

How do you feel? Vote away.

2011 mostly sucked if you are a Colts fan. Thus, we look forward to 2012, because looking back in 2011 just makes me want to drink and play with firearms.

Today's game at Jacksonville marks of the end of the 2011 season for Indianapolis. It also marks the end of an era seeing as it is unlikely stars like Reggie Wayne, Robert Mathis, and Gary Brackett will return in 2012. Hell, we don't even know if Peyton Manning will play again with the Colts regardless of his health.

Thus, for today, there's a few guys I've singled out that, just for purely sentimental reasons, I'd like to see them play well today. Likely, these guys won't be back in 2012.

Robert Mathis

He and I had words in 2010, but we kissed and made up in 2011. All year long, I've watched a frustrated Robert play his butt off. Aside from having to deal with his defensive coordinator getting axed because the team's general manager is an incompetent boob, Robert choose not to hunker down and hide away from people. Instead, he actively engaged fans on Twitter all season long. He's been a consistent cheerleader for his teammates despite this terrible season. I hope he does well today. He's been on a roll all month.

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As we all know, this week's game in Jacksonville will determine which team is on the clock and has "won" the Andrew Luck sweepstakes. Colts lose and the first pick is ours, Colts win and it depends on the Rams. This is all old news.

The players will not roll over. We have seen that the last two weeks. This team has fight. These players have heart. The question is, what would you like the Colts to do. Should the front office force the loss? What will that look like on the field? Is that a way to start a new calendar year?

Attached you will find a poll. Vote and leave your comments. Personally, I want the Colts to win. If you jump with me, I'll tell you why. I'll go even farther; I will actually be happier if the Colts DON'T get the first overall pick.

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Man was I excited watching that game on Thursday night. It was exhilarating to see a team fight and claw and want to win so much. It was a great Christmas present to feel like these were the Colts of old. I'll address ramifications and draft strategy later, but something more pressing hit me during this game.

The Colts' (read Polian's) strategy has been to build nearly exclusively through the draft and Undrafted Free Agents since he arrived in Indy back in 1998. It has worked for him as the list Undrafted Free Agents that have played major roles on this team is impressive. The drafts in recent years continue to be debated, but I'd like to not focus on that.

Until this year, the Colts have been the class of the AFC South. No matter what our rivals tried, it never seemed to work. Ball control offenses, stud pass rushers from the draft and former Colts lured with more money. It all saw very little success. Houston was the first to try something a little different this year.

As I watched this game, I saw a blueprint for whoever is in the front office next year. Follow after the jump to see what I saw.

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