Verrrrryyy Interesting Interview With Pm/changes Sadden Manning (Merge)

[willysp]

Tell me that's not alarming?

Not to me. I've been through numerous transitions, mergers, etc. What Peyton is saying matches my experiences. It's the real world - we all have to deal with this stuff. And, the next day, we put our big boy shoes on and go at it. I have no doubt that Peyton doesn't like it, is uncomfortable, but will deal with it just fine. And, remember, Peyton has something that very very few people who have to go through this has -- 'blank you' money; he has the luxury of being able to just walk away - he is a very fortunate man indeed.

[willysp]

One thing that jumps out to me:

The guy is throwing to his equipment guys? seriously? He has no strength and conditioning coaches, someone with rehabing knowledge? I don't know if that worries me or just tells me he is doing so well he doesn't need them...

Maybe he is just in a phase where he is just trying to regain his throwing power and that's it, because I would guess an injured guy like this, would have to be working with someone very close to him everyday with a very strong rehab regime..

who knows

I'll bet my next paycheck that Peyton has all the strength, conditioning and rehab people he needs. No doubt whatsoever. Even if he has to pay for them himself, his last commercial paid the bills.

[Coffeedrinker]

Without reading any responses, I am guessing that people who believe Manning will be back in 2012 will talk about all this shows is that Manning doesn't like change because he has not had to deal with wholesale changes before and it will be further evidence that Manning will be the starting QB for the Colts in 2012

And the people who think the Colts are going to cut ties with Manning will talk about how Grigson hasn't talked to him so this is a sure sign the Colts are going in a new direction and that Manning is not in the plans for the Colts in 2012.

[mouthofsouth]

Look at it like it was your own situation. You are the "golden" boy at your company. Everything revolves around you, you are protected, catered to and listened to.

All of a sudden everything is changed. People running the company are fired and replaced by a whole new crew. Assertions abound that a total revamp is coming and the organization is going to rebuild from the ground up -- meaning you may be next to get fired. At the very least you may be playing with a new bunch of guys even if you remain.

Would you feel bad? Feel insecure? Sad that all your friends and supporters are gone and you do not yet know how the new people even feel about you? You have got to feel like your world has been turned upside down.

Now, I know that Peyton is tough enough to handle it. He also has a future with another team if he is healthy and wants it. Nevertheless it is not easy to give up what you have built for years. You may be asked to give up the home you have come to love, the city, the people.

I feel for him. But pro football is a business, and money is, in the end, more important than individuals, no matter how great they may be.

[Cohesion]

Just watched one on ESPN, the reporter thought Peyton was on his way out. Sad.

[Peyton and Eli fan]

Just watched one on ESPN, the reporter thought Peyton was on his way out. Sad.

90% of analysts that I've heard think he'll be playing for another team next year.

[LUVTHESHOE]

Without reading any responses, I am guessing that people who believe Manning will be back in 2012 will talk about all this shows is that Manning doesn't like change because he has not had to deal with wholesale changes before and it will be further evidence that Manning will be the starting QB for the Colts in 2012

And the people who think the Colts are going to cut ties with Manning will talk about how Grigson hasn't talked to him so this is a sure sign the Colts are going in a new direction and that Manning is not in the plans for the Colts in 2012.

I have said from the start of the Luck coming here talk, that if that happens Peyton would not be here. I have heard him say it himself, Luck needs to play right away. This is not on Grigson either in my opinion, this train was rolling before he got here.I would also be willing to bet upon his arrival here and speaking to Mr Irsay he was told by Jim that he would handle the Manning situation.There is no chance that any new GM would come here and not contact PM asap unless he was told different. If by some chance Grigson just didn't feel it was important, then that is a whole different story.

[JColts72]

If on way out, at least get some draft picks in return

[The Fish]

If on way out, at least get some draft picks in return

You wana pay 28 mill for a first round pick?

[WSO]

If on way out, at least get some draft picks in return

In order to do that the Colts would have to pay him his bonus (28Mill). The Colts would take a 16mill cap hit. To trade a QB after taking a 16Mill cap hit is cap suicide. Either Manning is retained or he is cut.

[GrizzColt]

If I am Irsay and Peyton is really that lonely at the complex and I have plans for him to be my starting QB if he's healthy, I would be talking to him everyday. I would eat lunch with him. I would give him the heads up of veterans I am going to have to cut. I would give him HOPE. I wouldn't leave him hanging to the point that he has to have a sitdown with Kravitz.

[PolkHigh33]

and money is, in the end, more important than individuals

My English is not good enough (and I think it is prohibited here) to write what I think about sentences like this. If it's all about money then I don't have to watch the games anymore but check the result on nfl.com the next day.

And wasn't it this particular "individual" who brought tons of money to Indy?

[Larry Horseman]

My concern is not that they aren't holding business meetings with Peyton. My concern is that this man is the face of our franchise, he recently had a very serious series of surgeries, yet Peyton himself eluded that they are leaving him somewhat to his own devices. It seems to me that if they wanted Peyton back, they'd bring in specialists and temporary training personnel and they would be on top of this situation.

I feel like they're burning down the house to get rid of the mice.

Just because the strength and conditioning coach was fired doesn't mean the whole training staff was let go as well. There are other rehabbing Colts (Pat McAfee) who are in the training room too. Do you really think there is no personnel in the training room and Irsay/Grigson are just letting the injured players under contract run their own rehab?

Peyton is upset, I would be too if I were in his situation; it is human nature. How upset we don't know. He isn't going to say, man, I'm glad some of those coaches were let go. Plus, you can't read tone/body language into his printed comments. We will never know how he actually feels, but I do think he is rattled by the recent events. I also think the fact that Clyde Christensen is still on the staff must be comforting for him and leads me to believe no decisions have been made about PM's future. If PM is back, Clyde stays, if PM is gone, so is Clyde.

I don't know what to think about the fact Grigson hasn't been meeting a lot with PM other than he has no emotional, long term ties and wants to treat every player equal. Either he takes the time to talk to Dallas, Gary, Freeney, and other vets who are on the short list for being released, as well as Peyton, or he just doesn't begin talking to the players until the coaching search is over. I would imagine that personnel will take a front seat once the HC and DC are in place.

[FireJimCaldwell]

In order to do that the Colts would have to pay him his bonus (28Mill). The Colts would take a 16mill cap hit. To trade a QB after taking a 16Mill cap hit is cap suicide. Either Manning is retained or he is cut.

If he's paid the 28 million & traded that 16 million cap you mentioned is an understatement. The accurate figure would be 38.4 million.

[BOONE]

_{It doesnt matter if you like Manning or not.....want him gone or wish Jim would keep him .....The bottom line is Manning deserves much better than this mess, I dont feel like Jim owes him the world or the money for that matter but you cant read the rehab comments and not see that THE MAN that has made the Colts the "COLTS" has been put on the back burner and is being treated like some nobody. Thats not even getting into the fact that Grigson only finds a min to say HI while bumping into Manning ........If we have to part ways with Manning IT NEEDS TO BE WITH CLASS and there seems to be a big lack of respect for the Man that has put Indy on the map. I just dont like what Im starting to see here and thats as positive as I can be.}

[MSColtsFan]

Anyone else find it interesting that during this "new era" and house cleaning, the one huge exception is Clyde Christensen? Manning, and everyone else, can portray the situation as completely different at the complex, bleak, people walking on eggshells, yet right now the Colts have decided to keep the OC. Peyton's OC. The one who allows Peyton to do as he pleases offensively. If the Colts, Irsay, had already made up their mind about the future of Manning, why would Christensen remain? The offense without Manning was horrid last year - as bad statistically as the defense and special teams, functionally. Those position coaches were all shown the door. Wouldn't the move to keep the OC suggest Manning's health is more crucial than money, a QB in the draft, free agents, etc.? I think keeping CC as OC for now, speaks volumes about what Irsay hopes happens. Which is if Manning is healthy enough to play next year, he will as a Colt. I am not sold that Irsay isn't doing everything he can to have his cake, and eat it too - have Manning finish his career as a Colt, draft the future QB, and deal with salary cap and ego issues which will come. I think balancing those issues is far more attractive to Irsay than cutting Manning, an icon, or passing up the highest graded QB in 30 years in the draft and dealing with those potential ramifications for the next 15 years. Had Christensen been let go, or if he is let go in the coming days as a HC is selected, I believe that would be the final sign Manning is gone. But keeping CC is an odd thing to me.... and I think needs to rank somewhere fairly high on the speculation consideration list.

[Coffeedrinker]

If I am Irsay and Peyton is really that lonely at the complex and I have plans for him to be my starting QB if he's healthy, I would be talking to him everyday. I would eat lunch with him. I would give him the heads up of veterans I am going to have to cut. I would give him HOPE. I wouldn't leave him hanging to the point that he has to have a sitdown with Kravitz.

That doesn't make much sense. Irsay is a busy man; not just flying around the country looking for coaches but also with everything going on for the SB and maintaining his daily allotment of tweets. I'm sure it's hard to fit an employee into the schedule

[Restored]

Anyone else find it interesting that during this "new era" and house cleaning, the one huge exception is Clyde Christensen? Manning, and everyone else, can portray the situation as completely different at the complex, bleak, people walking on eggshells, yet right now the Colts have decided to keep the OC. Peyton's OC. The one who allows Peyton to do as he pleases offensively. If the Colts, Irsay, had already made up their mind about the future of Manning, why would Christensen remain? The offense without Manning was horrid last year - as bad statistically as the defense and special teams, functionally. Those position coaches were all shown the door. Wouldn't the move to keep the OC suggest Manning's health is more crucial than money, a QB in the draft, free agents, etc.? I think keeping CC as OC for now, speaks volumes about what Irsay hopes happens. Which is if Manning is healthy enough to play next year, he will as a Colt. I am not sold that Irsay isn't doing everything he can to have his cake, and eat it too - have Manning finish his career as a Colt, draft the future QB, and deal with salary cap and ego issues which will come. I think balancing those issues is far more attractive to Irsay than cutting Manning, an icon, or passing up the highest graded QB in 30 years in the draft and dealing with those potential ramifications for the next 15 years. Had Christensen been let go, or if he is let go in the coming days as a HC is selected, I believe that would be the final sign Manning is gone. But keeping CC is an odd thing to me.... and I think needs to rank somewhere fairly high on the speculation consideration list.

This makes the most sense here. CC stays=Manning Stays.

[Horse Shoe Heaven]

I believe Peyton is just a little shell shocked by ll that has transpired, Pollian, Caldwell, all the coaches, even the trainer. If anyone has rehabbed an injury before, you know you form a bond & comfort level with your trainer!. All that coupled with his injury & I know the uncertainty along with his health is probably driving him crazy. All that said I think personally Irsay, emotionally wants to keep Peyton if he is healthy. I think Peyton if not healthy yet by the March date, Peyton would extend the date, IF HE FEELS WANTED. If you don't feel wanted why would you? Right now Irsay it sounds like, isn't talking to Peyton, I know he is probably busy, with hiring a new GM, Looking for a coach, firing coaches, & Super Bowl preparations etc. My feeling is If Irsay stays away an doesn't talk to Peyton he is then IGNORING HIM, by doing so I believe you ignore him, or are indifferent to him if you are going in a different direction, & you postpone a difficult conversion. I also find the Grisson conversation interesting as it seemed awkward & that Grissom doesn't want to get close to Peyton. If I was the owner I would want to have a HAPPY PEYTON & would be talking to him letting him know IF HEALTHY, I WANT YOU AS MY QB! That there are changes being made & that we will get threw it together! That does not at this point seem to be happening. It seems Peyton was closer to Pollian, than Irsay! One thing is for sure If healthy he wants to play here & If healthy I want him here, with the Colts drafting Luck for the near future. In baseball I am a Red Sox fan it was incredible hard watching Roger Clemons wearing another uniform. My hope it doesn't come to that but there is a business side to this game! One thing that is in Peyton's favor is our OC is still there. I think he is there to keep the same offense if Peyton is healthy. Just my take!

[Larry Horseman]

Here is a little Kravitz commentary on the interview: http://www.indystar.com/videonetwork/1411911699001/Bob-Kravitz-recounts-exclusive-Peyton-Manning-interview?BCNextUpID=51730421001_2

[mammo]

well it depends how you read it doesnt it, alot different to how its being said in a video

[Dtman513]

Saw this segment of ESPN today....

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7496925/peyton-manning-talks-indianapolis-colts-changes-uncertain-future?eleven=twelve

Understandable that Peyton is somewhat upset with the off season changes, but that's the nature of the business.

I really hope Irsay can work something out with Peyton to put his mind at ease.

[Nadine]

Look at it like it was your own situation. You are the "golden" boy at your company. Everything revolves around you, you are protected, catered to and listened to.

All of a sudden everything is changed. People running the company are fired and replaced by a whole new crew. Assertions abound that a total revamp is coming and the organization is going to rebuild from the ground up -- meaning you may be next to get fired. At the very least you may be playing with a new bunch of guys even if you remain.

Would you feel bad? Feel insecure? Sad that all your friends and supporters are gone and you do not yet know how the new people even feel about you? You have got to feel like your world has been turned upside down.

Now, I know that Peyton is tough enough to handle it. He also has a future with another team if he is healthy and wants it. Nevertheless it is not easy to give up what you have built for years. You may be asked to give up the home you have come to love, the city, the people.

I feel for him. But pro football is a business, and money is, in the end, more important than individuals, no matter how great they may be.

First, it was very good to hear from Peyton Manning. I cannot really recall the last time he was available to the press

Second, for me, this illustrates why there has been such a focus on stability and continuity......it is better for the team

Third, I've been through a reorganization...........and this is how it feels. Not great at all

[LUCK TO THE COLTS]

We all know the NFL is strictly business. It's all about what have you done for me lately? Having Peyton on the roster beyond March 8 is a huge gamble at best. The odds of Peyton actually being worth paying him $28 million on march 13th are slim to none.. Consider this, if he is on the roster on March 8 and he doesn't play this year the Colts will have payed him over $50 million for NOTHING!!!! I love Peyton Manning. He is my favorite player by far, but I am looking at this without my Blue & White shades on... Hire Chuck Pagano, release Peyton, draft Luck. In that order.

[LUCK TO THE COLTS]

nt

[buccolts]

We all know the NFL is strictly business. It's all about what have you done for me lately? Having Peyton on the roster beyond March 8 is a huge gamble at best. The odds of Peyton actually being worth paying him $28 million on march 13th are slim to none.. Consider this, if he is on the roster on March 8 and he doesn't play this year the Colts will have payed him over $50 million for NOTHING!!!! I love Peyton Manning. He is my favorite player by far, but I am looking at this without my Blue & White shades on... HireChuck Pagano, release Peyton, draft Luck. In that order.

Actually, what we all should know is that businesses are run by people, and when people are involved, so are emotions. Though it's fun to say 'it's strictly business', it's really not always about that.

Some business decisions are made for money reasons, some for pride, some to save face, one-upsmanship. Heck, some are made from the groinal region.

But, it's Mr. Irsay's decision, and he can base it on whatever he sees fit.

[deedub75]

Watching Kravitz on "Pardon the Interruption" now. Sounds very depressing and unlikely that Peyton will return. Kravitz says that he got the feeling from interviewing Peyton that Peyton has resigned to the real possibility that he will not be a Colt or even play at all next season. Kravitz also stated that Peyton is nowhere near ready to play pro football right now and that he still has muscle conditioning and triceps issues even though Peyton is rehabbing daily and throwing to equipment managers.

I'm going to prepare for the worst and hope for the best with Peyton's situation. At least we have the #1 pick instead of let's say the #20 pick in the draft.

Kravitz also says that his sources tell him that Tressel is NOT the frontrunner for HC at this time and he doesn't believe that Tressel will get the job.

[vitoaf27]

One thing that I think people are overlooking is the fact that Manning emphasized that this is the city he lives in and raises a family, not just a city to play football. Manning talked about in the interview how much he has tried to help the community and how invested he is in the city. Not only that, but it is well known that Manning is a well-liked, simple, humble man and the community loves him.

When Irsay fired the Polians, he talked a lot about the community and fans. I don't see any way in the world that Irsay can try to tell us one thing (community and fans) and do another (disregard the community and cut a fan favorite) unless he is not healthy enough to come back.

It literally all depends on his health. Disregard everything else, including the money issue, the rebuilding stage the Colts are in, and Luck. Disregard the politics involving whether or not Manning wants to come back to this team (although he clearly stated today that he does) or the fact that Grigson hasn't sat down and talked to him yet, which, IMO, is completely irrelevent if you, as a Colts fan, want the best coaching staff and roster possible for the Colts.

If Peyton is healthy by March 8th, he will play as an Indianapolis Colt in 2012, no questions asked.

[WSO]

A lot of analysts are saying Manning won't be back.

[LUCK TO THE COLTS]

A lot of analysts are saying Manning won't be back.

They are right too.Colts fans need to look at this from a realistic point of view. The odds are much greater that he will never play in a Colts uniform or any other uniform again... I wonder if Vegas has put odds on it yet

[JWF]

My concern is not that they aren't holding business meetings with Peyton. My concern is that this man is the face of our franchise, he recently had a very serious series of surgeries, yet Peyton himself eluded that they are leaving him somewhat to his own devices. It seems to me that if they wanted Peyton back, they'd bring in specialists and temporary training personnel and they would be on top of this situation.

I feel like they're burning down the house to get rid of the mice.

I get what youre saying. Could be the case. I certainly hope not.

[presto123]

I wish Peyton had more time to heal before that ticking deadline but that's not the case. And being that he didn't come out in the interview that he is making great progress in his recovery I see NO WAY that he will be football ready by March 8.(and maybe not ever) I have a bad feeling the Colts FO is already 90% sure that they will have to release Manning. It is a sad situation and not the way the Manning era here in Indy should have ended. Peyton is a great guy and a loyal one to boot. He has meant everything to this city and franchise but great eras have to end. I know we ALL want him to retire a Colt and that's the way it should be but I think the only way he retires a Colt is if he retires now before coming back. The only silver lining if this ends in retirement. In a perfect world we would keep Manning and Luck and have a couple good seasons before Luck takes over but I just don't see it. It would be a 28 million gamble on the Chance that Manning could eventually make it back to old form.Thank you Peyton for everything you have done and I absolutely hope you come back and make me eat every word I just typed. Wishing Peyton the best no matter what happens. It's been a great ride!

[Tex23]

As a Texans fan I really really hope he stays at least one more season. Bad for the success of my team sure, but I was really looking forward to a game with both teams not crippled by injuries now that the Texans don't suck. If I ignore the homerism Peyton is my favorite player in the NFL- amazing player, great guy, not a California punkass like Tom Brady. I hope he gets another ring, but even for me it just wouldn't seem right if he got it somewhere other than Indy...

Best of luck to your team.

(And I hope Andrew Luck is the new Ryan Leaf and not the new Peyton ;) )

[Peyton and Eli fan]

Article by Jason LaConfora. Basically saying what most else are saying...that the Colts are going to release Peyton. Also says it's not in Peyton's best interest to stay.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8264abc5/article/with-indy-seemingly-turning-the-page-where-will-peyton-end-up

[deedub75]

Article by Jason LaConfora. Basically saying what most else are saying...that the Colts are going to release Peyton. Also says it's not in Peyton's best interest to stay.

http://www.nfl.com/n...l-peyton-end-up

Here's another article that really shows how much money is involved in Peyton's deal. I thought the deal was supposed to be friendly to the Colts and give them a way out if Peyton wasn't healthy but it seems more like the deal heavily favors Peyton.

"Manning and Condon were determined to not allow the Colts a structure that allowed them an exit after Manning reached a certain age of expected decline, a fate experienced by accomplished NFL players every year."

Where there's smoke there's fire and with all of the articles suddenly coming out then there may be something to it. The Super Bowl is coming up and Peyton's health has taken precedent over it.

[kaz]

90% of analysts that I've heard think he'll be playing for another team next year.

This is the reporter that actually did the interview with him. He got the impression that Peyton knew the end is very near. Much different that Trent Dilfer or someone speculating.

[mmcrazylikeafox]

Going and learning a new system isn't as hard with a team that is a QB away from competing and competing at a high level. For example, take Arizona/Miami/Jets or even SF: In this scenario, which would be a certainty if PM leaves (b/c he's not going to a rebuilding outfit), it's a tradeoff and one that for him is well worth it.

I think we've established at this point that the Colts aren't close to competing and have many holes to fill and perhaps an entire shift philisophically on the defensive side which will take 2-3 yrs to attain personnel to achieve the new system.

The Indianapolis Colts have been the most competative team for the past 14 seasons until last season when PM sat out. That was the only thing that held us back. We, for the most part, have the same team (excluding coaches) we've had for those 14 winning seasons and if PM comes back healthy we are once again one of the top teams. We have had these same holes for years and PM took us to the playoffs with them before and can do it again!!! We are able to fill some holes because of our position in the draft and still retain some veteran players. Changing our D will only help the team not hurt it. Irsay and Peyton are class acts and have always taken care of business in a timely fashion but not at all when everyone wants or thinks they should. If PM is not QB next season it will only be because he didn't recover well from his neck surgery, IMO.

[mmcrazylikeafox]

Analysts and sports media are only trying to get Irsay or someone in the Colts organization to spill their guts about what is going on. They think if they can stir up enough of an uproar with the Colts fans and/or players that it will force Irsay, PM, or Grigson to tell all. Hence all the rumors spinning around the league like a whirlwind of misinformation. It's all merely speculation at best.

[GrizzColt]

Kravitz has appeared on several sport's shows tonight and in all of them, he said Manning was at peace and was in a good place. More so than anytime he's ever seen him. You don't get that from the report. I know I pictured him as depressed, but apparently he wasn't.

[shakedownstreet]

Analysts and sports media are only trying to get Irsay or someone in the Colts organization to spill their guts about what is going on. They think if they can stir up enough of an uproar with the Colts fans and/or players that it will force Irsay, PM, or Grigson to tell all. Hence all the rumors spinning around the league like a whirlwind of misinformation. It's all merely speculation at best.

it's not that. they just need something to talk about. what's going on here is a compelling story, especially with all the sports media in town. there will probably be a few more contentless public statements from irsay & manning in the next couple of weeks