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The Big “What If”

Lucky Colts Fan
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Lucky Colts Fan

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What if, somehow, Jim Irsay had managed to successfully keep Peyton Manning and draft Andrew Luck?

 

I saw a graphic that compared how long ago every NFL team has started a rookie QB. Colts of course did it last year with Richardson. And with Luck. And with Manning.

 

Packers haven’t started a rookie QB since like the 80s.

 

Imagine if the Colts had let Luck learn from Peyton for at least a year or two, like Rodgers did with Favre.

 

Whether it was Polian, Grigson, or Ballard, let’s assume the staff could put together a team good enough for either QB to win. After all, the Grigson Colts with Luck beat the Manning Broncos. In the Playoffs.

 

But for the sake of argument, let’s say Irsay and whatever staff he chooses re-sign Manning, draft Luck, and then actually build an OLine to protect this thrice-in-a-lifetime QB passing-of-the-torch. Manning-to-Luck joining Favre-to-Rodgers and Montana-to-Young as the top-three greatest runs of QB play in the history of the NFL.

 

The careers of both Manning and Luck might have lasted longer with even more accolades. The 2010s coulda, shoulda, and woulda been the Colts decade.

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RollerColt Ring of Honor

RollerColt

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Believe it or not, but this hypothetical was a pretty real scenario for a while in the spring of 2012 before we let Manning go. Quite a bit of debate happened on this very idea. 
 

In hindsight, I’d still have to say it was for the best for Peyton. I don’t think he would’ve made it to two more Super Bowls, let alone winning another one with us. Denver was stacked and primed. All they needed was a QB to guide them. We were the opposite. We needed a total rebuild.

 

As for Luck? I could see where him sitting would’ve benefited, but would he have learned to take less hits? 
 

His rookie year was phenomenal. We went 11-5 and made the playoffs. At the time, it really felt like everything was working out for both Peyton and the Colts… 

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TheNewGuy Practice Squad

TheNewGuy

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 Considering that Manning's neck issue was an issue, I don't see it.  I believe that the Colts had a genuine concern regarding it. If they didn't why not trade the Luck pick for a boatload of picks, or picks and player(s) to make another Superbowl run, or two, with Manning? In retrospect, and disregarding Luck's early retirement, I believe that the Colts were setting themselves up for the future...it is a shame how it all played out. Happy for PM that he won another SB though.

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Old Colt Practice Squad

Old Colt

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12 hours ago, Lucky Colts Fan said:

What if, somehow, Jim Irsay had managed to successfully keep Peyton Manning and draft Andrew Luck?

 

I saw a graphic that compared how long ago every NFL team has started a rookie QB. Colts of course did it last year with Richardson. And with Luck. And with Manning.

 

Packers haven’t started a rookie QB since like the 80s.

 

Imagine if the Colts had let Luck learn from Peyton for at least a year or two, like Rodgers did with Favre.

 

Whether it was Polian, Grigson, or Ballard, let’s assume the staff could put together a team good enough for either QB to win. After all, the Grigson Colts with Luck beat the Manning Broncos. In the Playoffs.

 

But for the sake of argument, let’s say Irsay and whatever staff he chooses re-sign Manning, draft Luck, and then actually build an OLine to protect this thrice-in-a-lifetime QB passing-of-the-torch. Manning-to-Luck joining Favre-to-Rodgers and Montana-to-Young as the top-three greatest runs of QB play in the history of the NFL.

 

The careers of both Manning and Luck might have lasted longer with even more accolades. The 2010s coulda, shoulda, and woulda been the Colts decade.

Luck would have had more time to go Snowboarding and quit earlier.....   :worms:

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