Let's safely assume the Colts get the #1 pick

[redtodd 7]

This could be a HUGE story in the off season if the Colts get the #1 pick and nothing happens to Luck in the meantime. I think this would bigger than the old Favrah crap a few years ago.

 

I also think it is an interesting choice.

[effective 0]

I voted 1

 

I think Payton is done for his career and the Colts know it.

[R8RMick 242]

Even if Manning is not done, and I don't think he is, it's a no brainer they take Luck and groom him under Manning for a couple seasons. It's a perfect scenario really. If he doesn't return you go get a veteran to hold the fort down. Either way, Polian should draft Luck.

[shovelheadt 72]

Even if Manning doesn't recover, you've got a team that has massive holes in multiple positions. With what some of the teams behind the Colts would be willing to pay for Luck, you could accelerate a rebuilding process into 1 or 2 drafts and be done with it. You wouldn't have to worry about finances either with the rookie salary cap in place. So why not take a Matt Barkley or someone of that ilk, along with multiple other 1st, 2nd and 3rd round talent. I actually think the Colts are gonna get real lucky here, gaining multiple high draft picks while still having Manning for another 3 years.

[420allstars 13]

Even if Manning is not done, and I don't think he is, it's a no brainer they take Luck and groom him under Manning for a couple seasons. It's a perfect scenario really. If he doesn't return you go get a veteran to hold the fort down. Either way, Polian should draft Luck.

 

exactally!

[JT 137]

Even if Manning is not done, and I don't think he is, it's a no brainer they take Luck and groom him under Manning for a couple seasons. It's a perfect scenario really. If he doesn't return you go get a veteran to hold the fort down. Either way, Polian should draft Luck.

 

When presented with the opportunity in the past, the Irsay's have drafted the big time QB prospect, even if it seems like a questionable move (Elway). They'll do it again.

 

everyone agrees the team has plenty of holes to fill, but you start with your franchise QB for the next decade anytime you get the chance.

[Cruzer 1,996]

Even if Manning is not done, and I don't think he is, it's a no brainer they take Luck and groom him under Manning for a couple seasons. It's a perfect scenario really. If he doesn't return you go get a veteran to hold the fort down. Either way, Polian should draft Luck.

No question. Hell, if I were Luck - I don't even bother going to the combine.

[mzf5c5 0]

I think a lot depends on Manning.

 

1. If Manning can return, I think they entertain offers for that pick. It would make sense. If they don't get that many good offers, they take Luck, but what if Miami will give them the 2nd pick and a few others for Luck, they have to consider it.

2. If manning can't return, I think they take Luck. At lot of us like our draft from last year. I believe both OL, DT and RB are future starters for the Colts. Jury is still out on Rucker. 3 of the 4 future starters are hurt atm, but I still see them as possible good players. They can always fill in holes with other players in the draft, you don't have to do it in the first round. Even though the Polians are getting heat, Chris being the big one, he has shown that he is willing to play in the FA, where Bill was not that often willing. So some holes could be filled in FA, if Manning isn't taking up that much cap room.

 

 

Personally, there isn't a Colts fan that doesn't want Manning to come back for a few more years and let him show Luck the NFL. And Luck to replace him. Not many would want him traded and I personally just don't see Irsay trading Manning.

 

If we don't take Luck, we need the top DT or OT int he draft, straight up. Draft a QB in the second round to replace Painter and move on.

[Captain Goomy Noomy Roo 53]

Should for best long term results: Draft Luck and Trade Manning for some new toys for young Andy.

 

More likely to happen in reality: Keep Manning, Draft Luck and make some trades to build a second SB for Manning.

[edjr 7,097]

All you that are saying draft Luck and keep Peyton around.

 

Manning is due 35 million commitment in February

 

No team can afford to have 2 QBs making that kind of money and compete.

 

This is Aaron Rodgers who was drafted 24, this is the 1st pick overall.

 

 

The only choice really if Manning doesn't want to play for peanuts and we know he won't. Draft Luck and trade Manning.

 

The NFL is as cutthroat as ever now and sometimes you have to make the touch choice. The 49ers did it with Montana

[Maroon Bells 18]

No matter what, they take Luck.

[RicemanX 20]

You know some team will give up a 2nd or 3rd rounder for Peyton.

 

Vikings, Dolphins, Titans, Broncos, Redskins, Seahawks.

 

OR I would run it by the Raiders and see if they would give up 3 1st round picks for him.

[redtodd 7]

You know some team will give up a 2nd or 3rd rounder for Peyton.

 

Vikings, Dolphins, Titans, Broncos, Redskins, Seahawks.

 

OR I would run it by the Raiders and see if they would give up 3 1st round picks for him.

 

I would think they would still get a 1st rounder at his age (assuming his neck checks out).

[Ray_T 798]

I would think they would still get a 1st rounder at his age (assuming his neck checks out).

If Manning can play, there are definitely teams that would pay a 1st for him. At this point, we dont know the state of his health and it would be foolish to speculate.

 

The colts likely have a better idea of where he is at.

 

here are my thoughts:

 

If Manning is out for life, or expected to return and expected to play at a high level for less than 2 years, they will draft Luck.

 

If they feel manning can come back and play at a high level for longer than 2 years, I'd expect them to trade the rights to him.

 

 

My rationale: they can easily justify sitting Luck on a bench behind manning for up to a season and a half. Beyond that it gets tough to justify sitting such a huge talent, and the team would likely try to win another championship before Manning fades into the sunset (so to speak).

[Cruzer 1,996]

Forget about what you might be able to get in return for a Manning trade, the real concern is the $$. The list of teams with $30 million in cap space to absorb Payton's contract is short, tiny, tiny, short.......... You can forget about trading him - not doable.

[sirensong 111]

they have to plan for the future, period. that means drafting luck whether or not peyton can go next season. in fact, the ideal situation would be for luck to sit a year and watch peyton run that offense.

[jgcrawfish 232]

There was talk that if Carson Palmer could get basically two 1st rounders in a trade, the rights to Luck my be worth three 1st rounders. Manning has already said he would be willing to refund some of the money for this season to the team (although I'll believe that when I see it). If I'm Indy, even as high as I am on Luck, I seriously consider moving him for more picks on a team that is severely in need of play makers. All that being said, nothing will happen unless Peyton says it can happen.

[Pavlov 0]

You cannot draft someone first overall and have him sit on the bench for a few years. Outside of this issue, I hope Manning retires simply because the damage done to his neck makes me nervous that he would be at substantial risk if he ever played again. If Manning comes back, the Colts need to trade Manning and draft Luck as the QB for the next 10 years. It's cutthroat and Manning deserves better, but it's what would be best for the team in the long term.

[nobody 2,970]

My guess is that if Manning can come back and play a few games this year, he does. If he's effective, they don't get the first pick. If he's ineffective or he doesn't come back, they take Luck. Then they won't pick up the option on his contract, and he'll be a free agent.

[mobb_deep 921]

The smart move would be to trade Manning and draft Luck.

 

Who knows what Indy will do though. Manning is basically the QB, coach and GM...

[IronCity Steel 0]

The smart move would be to trade Manning and draft Luck.

 

Who knows what Indy will do though. Manning is basically the QB, coach and GM...

 

Even if Manning doesn't come back as a player, they may as well officially name him head coach, QB coach, OC, and GM.

[redtodd 7]

Personally, I think the best move is to draft Luck and try and trade Manning. I say this because I have no faith in his health going forward. The three neck surgeries in the two years would be enough to make me nervous (but then again, it might make other teams nervous as well).

 

Trade him, get another 1st rounder (and then some) and try and build around Luck.

 

I kind of struggle to see them both existing on the same team. Manning does a good job of seeming like a great guy, but in the end he is still a HOFer QB who has never NOT been the man (even in his own family). I think the vast majority of QB's like him hate sharing the team and the spotlight. Their ego will not allow them to train their replacement. He will be smart and not whine publicly, but I bet he will not be a happy camper behind closed doors.

[Boilermaker04 11]

All you that are saying draft Luck and keep Peyton around.

 

Manning is due 35 million commitment in February

 

No team can afford to have 2 QBs making that kind of money and compete.

 

This is Aaron Rodgers who was drafted 24, this is the 1st pick overall.

 

 

The only choice really if Manning doesn't want to play for peanuts and we know he won't. Draft Luck and trade Manning.

 

The NFL is as cutthroat as ever now and sometimes you have to make the touch choice. The 49ers did it with Montana

 

Rookie contracts were re-structured under the new labor agreement. They could swing it. Cam's only getting about 4.5/year.

[R8RMick 242]

You cannot draft someone first overall and have him sit on the bench for a few years. Outside of this issue, I hope Manning retires simply because the damage done to his neck makes me nervous that he would be at substantial risk if he ever played again. If Manning comes back, the Colts need to trade Manning and draft Luck as the QB for the next 10 years. It's cutthroat and Manning deserves better, but it's what would be best for the team in the long term.

 

 

I remember a time when Joe Montana had serious back/disc/nerve issues, and the questions were asked if he would ever play again. The talk was sober enough where I thought he was done. Montana not only came back, but won two more Super Bowls. I'm no Marcus Welby, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Manning come back.

 

As for not being able to afford having a number one overall sit... Can you afford to put him in there and have his teeth kicked in? And Manning would have to know he was close to the end, why wouldn't he mentor the kid?

[mzf5c5 0]

As for not being able to afford having a number one overall sit... Can you afford to put him in there and have his teeth kicked in? And Manning would have to know he was close to the end, why wouldn't he mentor the kid?

 

He would, that is the type of person that Manning is. Painter just sucks, if Manning didn't care, he would not be on the sideline trying to help the team right now. He is down there helping Painter.

[Laurence Maroney's Nuts 2]

You know some team will give up a 2nd or 3rd rounder for Peyton.

 

Vikings, Dolphins, Titans, Broncos, Redskins, Seahawks.

 

OR I would run it by the Raiders and see if they would give up 3 1st round picks for him.

 

[IGotWorms 4,063]

I don't think Peyton comes back. I think he wants to because he's a competitor, but the neck issue is obviously pretty serious and he isn't getting any younger. So my guess is he retires and goes immediately in to coaching.

[IGotWorms 4,063]

There was talk that if Carson Palmer could get basically two 1st rounders in a trade, the rights to Luck my be worth three 1st rounders.

 

Carson Palmer only fetched two first rounders because the Raiders are fockin' morons. You can't compare other trades to that one because it was a total outlier.

[mzf5c5 0]

I don't think Peyton comes back. I think he wants to because he's a competitor, but the neck issue is obviously pretty serious and he isn't getting any younger. So my guess is he retires and goes immediately in to coaching.

 

So, for your comments, lets ask...

 

Is Manning a better:

 

Head Coach?

QB Coach?

Offensive Coor?

Defensive Coor?

 

I think Offensive personally.

[redtodd 7]

So, for your comments, lets ask...

 

Is Manning a better:

 

Head Coach?

QB Coach?

Offensive Coor?

Defensive Coor?

 

I think Offensive personally.

 

Right now, just a QB coach but on the fast track for an offensive coordinator position. No matter how great a player is, I don't think they can walk right into a coordinator position (either side of the ball).