LightninMax
-
Posts
254 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Gallery
Events
Blogs
Posts posted by LightninMax
-
-
The pat answer from GM Grigson to about every question was, "It's an ongoing process, we've had a lot to do, and there's still a lot to be done". I have no problem with that. They should play it close to the vest. There's no purpose to say anything about anything.
It did seem to me that Grigson was extremely nervous and Pagano had a look on his face like his best friend had just passed.
Again, not a problem, just an observation. Probably just not used to this type of attention.
-
FROM PAGE 1 is entire 2nd page
“He has become one of the icons of our city,” said Scott Miller, president of the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce. “He’s one of the major things that, not just nationally but internationally, our city is known for. He has been a huge benefit to us.”
Lucas Oil Stadium.
How fitting that a 50-foot-tall banner of Manning hangs on the outside of the stadium’s North wall above the American, state and Indianapolitan flags. Manning is pictured signaling to his teammates, but because of the banner’s placement, he’s also overlooking a skyline that city officials will tell you he helped build.
“His arrival was so well-timed in ways that no one could have foreseen,” said Tom Harton, editor of the Indianapolis Business Journal.
In 1999, the Colts went 13-3, starting a 12-year span during which they won at least 10 games in each of 11 seasons.
That challenged the Hoosier State’s longstanding affinity for basketball. Legendary hoops coach Bob Knight was dismissed from Indiana University in 2000, the same year the Indiana Pacers peaked by reaching the NBA Finals. It enabled Manning and a talented supporting cast to push the Colts to the front of Indianapolis’ consciousness during the 2000s.
At the time, the city was pushing forward with developmental and marketing strategies centered on amateur sports and its burgeoning convention business. Manning and the Colts garnered national attention, and the city took advantage.
“When you’re marketing a city and you have that spotlight repeatedly shown on your city through a winning football team and someone like Peyton Manning, it helps grow an overall brand perception of Indianapolis as a winning city,” said Chris Gahl, spokesman for the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association. “We’ve enjoyed more than a decade-long run very deliberately marrying the Indianapolis brand to a winning football team, and certainly Peyton Manning, whose clean, crisp image is exemplary of the type of city Indianapolis is.”
The Colts’ headliner status helped garner in the mid-2000s sufficient public support for a $1 billion proposal to build Lucas Oil Stadium ($725 million) and expand the Indiana Convention Center ($275 million). The stadium opened in 2008, and the convention center expansion was completed last year.
Those facilities, which are linked to 12 hotels via a climate-controlled skywalk, are now the centerpieces for Indianapolis’ marketing strategies. Since Manning arrived in 1998, the number of hotel rooms in the city has increased by more than 14,000. The ICVA claims Indianapolis benefits from a $3.4 billion annual economic impact from tourism.
...and with all that they still haven't figured out how to revamp the antiquated sewer system!
-
Read an article yesterday in USA Today that had a list of the top two quarterbacks chosen in the draft since 2002.
Of the 20 players drafted, 1 was a total bust (JaMarcus Russell), 1 is out of football (Joey Harrington), 6 are backup quarterbacks (Carr, Leftwich, Young, Leinert, Quinn, and Locker), and the remaining 12 (Palmer, Manning, Rivers, Smith, Rogers, Ryan, Flacco, Stafford, Sanchez, Bradford, Tebow, and Newton) are starting for their respective teams and of the last 8 quarterbacks chosen only Jake Locker isn't a starter.
What this shows is that while the draft is a crap shoot as to whom to pick, it is an educated one and the odds are heavily slanted in the Colts favor that Luck and Griffin will be playing for years to come, barring injury. Which one is the better fit in the system the Colts have and are developing for the coming years? We can discuss it to death here but the bottom line is that whichever quarterback they choose will be a good one, the Colts will continue to be a force in the NFL, and we'll have bragging rights again when talking about our team.
I sincerely hope you're right, but of those starters Palmer, Smith, Ryan, Flacco, Sanchez, Bradford, & Tebow doesn't start my adrenaline pumping.
-
Marshall Faulk. After all that's why the Colts got rid of him.
-
Barkley is not as good as Luck.
I understand what you're saying, but isn't the true reality: "That's yet to be determined".
-
Luck is getting ready to learn and experience it. Peyton Manning already has. With 100% arm strength Manning is by far the best QB of the two.
-
I was just wondering this. There are people who are saying that Tannehill resembles Favre and Rodgers. If he shows that much talent then if Peyton gets to 100% before next season wouldn't it be nice to have a backup that could learn from him?
I'm not saying this should happen, but what if it did?
A similar thought would be to trade the pick and make the move next year to get Barkley.
-
What is the benefit to the Colts if Luck doesn't throw? The only reason I can see to the Colts not wanting him to throw would be so that his stock isn't hurt by a bad combine. To me that is interesting because the only way you don't want his stock to fall is if you are planning to trade that pick! Hmmmmmmm!
Once Manning restructures his contract and comes back is when the Luck camp will start asking to be traded, not before. Right now there just waiting to see how the Manning thing plays out as are a lot of Colts fans.
I don't think Luck would ask to be traded. The Colts would probably trade him anyway for some kings ransom from somewhere.
-
No need to send our next 4 year starter to Miami. He'll do just fine winning super bowls here in Indy.
-
No need to sign him, take time to find out what someone else will give for him.
-
I wouldn't rule out getting an experienced QB from another team. The draft isn't the only way to get a solid performing back up.
-
Given the scenario of the OP:
Irsay has front office and coaches tell him who do we need to put around Peyton to take next years Super Bowl, and how big of a PM contract will the cap allow and accomplish that task.
Based on the facts from the front office either pay the 28 mil or redo(if CBA allowable) or release and sign new 4 yr contract.
-
Opinion writers have a place. I find it helpful to explore topics from all different perspectives.
Kravitz doesn't even provide this. His opinions are always so predictable. They always smell like dead fish and/or garbage. He will always take the low road and demonstate a knack for bottom feeding. He seems to think this creates the most exposure.
I meet more and more people that sever their ties to the INdy Star because of his type of exposure. He's an embarrassment to the city.
-
This is the year to fix the wr's that we've been attempting to do since Marvin left. We need speed on the outside. If we can resign Garcon fine. It makes no sense to let Reggie go. He's the best available to work opposite a deep threat speed receiver. He's durable, his talent is route running, and he has the best of hands. Very remeniscent of Cris Carter.
Collie is an excellent slot receiver. Gonzo hasn't been able to stay on the field. Garcon would be a nice keep. Especially, with the addition of an outside receiver. However, if there were options to be considered with Clark, Gonzo, White, and/or Garcon, I'd think the Colts would have to look hard at it.
-
I don't mean to be a downer, but let me ask you this:
Do you expect anyone who's allowed to watch or participate to say anything negative about how he's throwing?
I would expect them to tell the truth or say nothing. But, that's just me.
-
In 1963, I watched the last 3 quarters of a Cleveland Browns football game with my Grandpa. I don't remember who else was playing, but I wanted Cleveland to win because they were behind when I started watching. It was exciting to watch them come back and win the game. I had a million questions about football and how to play.
My dad had been a Cleveland fan when Otto Graham played. My Uncle was a die hard Packers fan. So, even though I liked watching Lombardi, Starr, Dowler & Carrol, I couldn't root for the same team as my Uncle! My favorite position was quarterback. I didn't want to be a Dallas fan 'cause it was wrong for any QB to be called "Dandy". I really liked the "fearsome foursome" and my first favorite #18 was Roman Gabriel. I liked the scrambling Fran in NY and didn't have much use for the funny Sonny in Washington. Then I watched a Colts game.
I liked the horse shoe logo and was facinated by the way Johnny Unitas just controlled the whole game. Everything a team did to beat the Colts offensively and defensively was directed at Johnny U! For the next decade it was going for the championship every year. A few runs at undefeated seasons and trying to get into that new bowl that was called Super. Finally, won in Super Bowl V.
Then the owner Carrol Rosenbloom traded franchises with Bob Irsay of the LA Rams and the world ended until the reins were handed over to Jim Irsay. The one brief exception was the Bert Jones years and Bob even botched that opportunily.
A fan I still am.
-
I agree Maureen. Accepting the reallity of the situation is in no way a slight on Peyton, but the 'Manning First - Colts Second' brigade refuse to see that. Or most of them anyway.
I'm not sure what the current "reality" of the situation is beyond the fact that Peyton hasn't thrown a pass in combat in a long time.
Until that situation goes one way or the other, I see two dominant thoughts being posted on the forum.
1) When Peyton gets back to form, he's the best bet to pick up the winning where we left off two seasons ago.
2) Peyton's done and wont't be back to form, so move on now.
Until there is a definitive statement on Peyton's arm strength, these two thoughts will clash.
-
Thanks! I looked last night and again this morning. It turned out to be what I figured. The snippet that was aired seemed confusing and I figured he wasn't saying a whole lot.
What I do get from the interview is the following. The arm ain't healed yet. When it is, we'll know it. While the boys are stayin' close talkin' 'bout Tiger and the great weather, ah gotta think at some point in every tweet, text, and call, this thought phrased in some kind of fashion, "How's the arm"? Hows rehabbin' goin'? Still lookin' good? Need anything?
Irsay said "there is no divorce"(whadda ya mean git rid of the GOAT Qb?), "we're too close and always will be"(whether we're playin' football together or not , "but there are issues that must be worked through"(Is Peyton going to be able to play at his previous level? How good is Luck? Need to see combine and pro day. Just what would other teams be willing to part with to get #1 pick? How good is Luck? Sure you're not a 100% yet Peyton? Reggie, Robert, how much you guys wantin'? Found a house yet coach? You're sure the arms going to be ready by training camp? We can't afford 28mil now, wonder if just a dollar amount change constitutes a re-negotiated contract? and here's the projected cap numbers based on signings to date and here's what we can pay you Peyton, which btw how's the arm doin'?)
The issues are many. These are the best men to deal with them and we can rest assured they will do the best for all.
Thanks again for the link! It's pretty obvioius it's going to take some time to work through these issues.
-
11:00PM WTHR sports caster Dave Calabro showed snippets of what he described as an 8 minute interview with Jim Irsay regarding Peyton and current talks/text between them. He said it would be posted on their web site within a few minutes.
Can anybody find it? I keep coming up empty.
-
Mr. Irsay..because of his family heritage and his long history...
....is very protective of the 'horseshoe'...the teams image...and stature with its fans and the city
Would cutting a healthy Manning damage that brand name....to gamble on a debatably premature rebuild ? Is he worried about getting carried away with his own genius?
We'll all follow the team if they win but how many fans will pay for a 2-14 (or 6-10) without their icon QB
...if he's playing someplace else...
But team fandom is like a love affair and once the girl cheats on you or walks out on you...someone else may like her but you dont care about her no matter how good she looks..
Young kids will follow the local team if they win because that's all they know..
A new generation of fans will eventually come ....
But since the core of this team is still in place...despite last year's record....
Would cutting a healthy Manning break the bond that old Colts fans (the ones who buy tickets) have with the team that had them filling the building during a 13-game losing streak last season...??
Like it did when the Chicago Bulls prematurely broke up Michael Jordan's last championship team...
Took them maybe 15 years to recover...
It certainly beyond a shadow of a doubt does, if Peyton can play at 100%. If he can't then it doesn't. The "face" of the franchise, the "mark" of the city, and the "builder" of Lucas Oil Stadium is what he's accomplished in the past. What he does in the future and its impact on the Colts depends on the strength of his right arm and his desire to continue working at the level he does.
-
Realistically, it is wise to plan for 15 years from now.
That may be the realism, but for the fans the NFL is entertainment. The most important is to plan for the next year. Modern free agency and salary caps just doesn't allow the long term planning it once did. Likewise, it opens avenues for strengthening weakness much quicker and winning now not with some promise down the road.
-
I agree. That's been my assessment. Which needs rank higher than others probably depends on evaluation of current roster by those that see the performance daily and which of our own FA's are kept.
-
I'm to the point now where I don't even want Peyton back on this team next year. The biggest reason I say that is because I want us as a franchise to prove we are more than just one man. I want us to succeed beyond Peyton to SHUT all these ESPN analysts up when they continue to keep bashing the Colts as of late. I want us to start anew with Luck and have the money we save from not signing Peyton to go out and get very good players in FA to help turn this team around soon.
Your thoughts on my take on this?
I certainly understand your frustrations. I want last year to just be a bump in the road to ongoing wins and super bowls. I want to beat the Patriots, Steelers, Chargers, and Jets like a set of bongo drums! We couldn't do it too much for my tastes.
I really don't have any preferences who's on the team while we do it. It would be sweet to see certain players enjoy the payback they've worked for and deserve.
Until Peyton is declared unable to play football, I think he is so special that with a middle of the pack defense and run game makes that team a super bowl contender!
He's the best I"ve seen in 48 years. Can he or can't he play? That is the question. Smart men in the Colts organization can figure out everything else.
Give Peyton time to prepare. Give Irsay the room to do his thing. Let the rest of the organization dig deep into the combine, draft, and FA's. I hope some of the solutions are there, but there are no guarantees.
THe worst of all world's. Peyton never recovers and is forced to retire. Luck is lost early due to injury or shortcomings that seem to crop up in so many young careers and weren't foreseen prior to draft.
I certainly do share your frustration.
-
I found nothing out of line with the content of Mr. Irsays message. Many seem to have been taken back by him releasing the statement to the media and not to Peyton. That is what has lead to hypocrisy accusations.
I personally don't know what to think. I quit trying to get into other peoples heads along time ago, especially celebrities. I take what they say as the truth unless there is clear evidence they are lying. Even then I just don't believe what they say.
This may be a stretch, but is it possible that maybe Irsay had already had this conversation with Peyton and was just repeating it for the media without telling them just to watch them get all in an uproar such as Mike & Mike did.
It's possible. I just find it difficult to discount the fact that both Peyton and Jim have been on the same page for so many years.
I still see them sitting back and chuckling at the rest of us for getting upset and beside ourselves over what they have under control.
I'm sure the biggest concern is still dealing with a case of the "nerve"!
Why Do People Doubt Peyton
in Colts Football
Posted
Rebuilding doesn't mean starting over from scratch. Every year is rebuilding to some extent. The core of this team is good. Say what you want about due to last seasons record, but the fact remains, there are good veterans on this team and there are good young players. The linebackers and defensive line are good points to build on. Add some veteran help to the secondary and the defense could easily be expected to be a top 16 rated defense.
The offensive line made big progress last year. No reason not to expect further improvement. Running game was adequate last year. Receivers are the biggest question. It makes no sense to go after a replacement for Reggie. Resign him. The other FA WR's would cost as much and most are not as good. Besides we need a deep threat in addition to a route runner like Reggie. Get rid of the drops and Pierre could be that wideout. Collie, White, and Gonzo are solid when healthy. In any case, these are the areas to work with cap restrictions and resign/shift players to meet the needs. Keep Addai, running is decent but his blocking and pass catching are big pluses.
The Colts have the best situation at QB of probably about any team in history. If Manning can play, then that allows the Colts to march on. Drafting Luck solves the problem of what to do post Manning. Luck would only lengthen and strengthen his career given the opportunity to develop at a controlled pace.
As for the cap. Based on the numbers presented by those here, I don't see how the 28 mil could fit in, but then maybe those that actually deal with it know how to make it work. If money is not Manning's issue then a new contract would easily fit within cap requirements. Pre new CBA you wouldn't have been able to sign Luck and keep a starter, but with new CBA it is possible.
18-22% of cap for an experienced starter and a new franchise man is not unreasonable to find a way to make it work. Likewise, Freeney's contract needs revisited, or see what it would take to bring in Mario Williams and trade Dwight.
In any case, there's no reason the Colts have to accept mediocre seasons while Luck gets up to speed.