Peyton Manning, still trying to get healthy after missing the 2011 season because of neck surgery, described the Indianapolis Colts' facilities as "not a real good environment" at the moment and said he has "no idea" if he'll be with the team next season. In an exclusive interview with The Indianapolis Star, Manning said owner Jim Irsay will make the final call on whether the team picks up his $28 million bonus in early March or decides to cut him loose. Manning He also said the firing of Jim Caldwell and resulting upheaval of the staff has affected him as he attempts to return to the field next season. "I'm not in a very good place for healing, let's say that," he told the newspaper. "It's not a real good environment down there right now, to say the least. Everybody's walking around on eggshells. I don't recognize our building right now. There's such complete and total change." Manning said he met with new general manager Ryan Grigson last week and was told that Irsay would determine whether the quarterback will remain a Colt. Manning said a meeting with Irsay "is going to happen at some point, but we haven't had that conversation yet because we really don't need to have that conversation yet." He reiterated to The Star that he wants to remain with the Colts but realizes it's not his call solely to make. He also made it clear that he isn't contemplating retirement right now. "I don't want to get into some kind of fan campaign with the owner, but I think it's well documented that I want to play in the same place my whole career," Manning told the newspaper. "It's been a privilege to play here. I love the fans, the city, the transformation of the fans, how our place has become the toughest stadium to play in, the fact our fans wear more jerseys to games than anybody else. It's been fun to be a part of that. "But I understand how it works. I understand tough decisions have to be made. There's personal and there's business and that's where we've got to separate the two. I've seen other guys leave places and it was personal. I've invested too much into this city for that to happen. We live here, we've given lots of time and money to the community and our church, and that's never going to change. Nothing changes that. "Whatever happens, happens. I can't give you a prediction because Jim and I will sit down at some point and he'll get a feel for where I am and I'll get a sense of what direction he wants to go. Right now, I have no idea." Manning, who says he's at the team's training facility daily for his rehab process, has had a front-row seat for the team's turnover. "I guess it's the reality of the football world, just not something I've had to deal with very often. But I'm in there every day, so I have to sit there and see it. Everybody's being evaluated and I'm no different. It's not the best environment," he told the newspaper. "I just want to pay tribute to all those guys. It's unfortunate because so many of them have been such a big part of so many big wins here, and this is so ... sudden. Their keys didn't work the next day. There's no other way to do it? I don't know. That's hard to see, all these people leaving. "And I may be behind them. Who knows?"
Sigh, more talk about the cap, the last thing in the world that should keep Manning from the Jets. I am bout to let you in on a little secret. Ready.. The Jets can sign Manning to a big deal and still fit him into the cap, and it wont even be because of magic.
He's in an awkward position. He doesn't know if he's healthy enough to play or will be by the time the season starts. He's near the end of his career anyway, although he might be able to play for a few more seasons. He's already got a big chunk of change for doing nothing last year and there's another big chunk on the path in front of him unless he's released. I'm guessing he's quietly asking for his release here. He's probably going to be embarrassed as hell if the Colts pick up the option bonus and then his status drags out next summer and fall the way it did this year.
He won't be here for 15 years if he sucks...and you're the last person who should be calling anyone out for repeating the same message over and over again.
The question isn't could they sign him and get him under the cap? The question is should they sign him and get him under the cap? To give him $15 million (could be %5 mil more or less) they will have to cut or not resign some players that can help our team. They will also have to pass up other free agents that could help our team more than him. This brings us back to my point. Since our team with several bloated contracts has limited flexibility under the cap, signing Manning would lead to big sacrifices elsewhere. If we are going to put ourselves through the hell necessary to clear that much cap space why not get the best pass rusher in the NFL in his prime instead of an over the hill QB who gives us one or two shots at the SB at best.
Mannings comments today sounds like hes gone, ESPN just said. Now just gotta wait till this becomes official in the coming months.
Yeah we were 8 million under this year, take off Sanchez's 16 million, thats 24 million we have to spend on top of getting rid of other guys like Eric Smith etc. The cap is not a problem.
You are right. But a lot of the cap talk is that we cant sign him under the cap. And the answer to that is a blatant, yes, we can fit Manning in under the cap. I think if Manning is here, a lot of the money will be backloaded, and a huge chunk of it is going to be roster bonuses, etc.. Manning's cap hit for 2012 will simply not be 15 million, and we will not have to make sacrifices in 2012 to get Manning. As for Mario, I think he is a great player, but I dont think he is as important as a stud qb. The Jets can find a servicable pass rusher in the draft. But getting a qb who you win because of, not in spite of, is very hard to do in the NFL.
Just keep Sanchez and see if we can win 9 games and lets see if Sanchise can break into the top 20 quarterbacks.
Peyton will make over a billion dollars from comercials if he is a Jet, he should pay us to come here And hes still going to get a poop ton from Indy
Well that's my point. Guess I should have been clear. I have no doubt that tanny could make the room to sign manning. However at what cost? We'd hurt other areas of need on the team. Then in say 3 years when manning retires we're searching for another qb with the same holes or more to fill. Another thing is we'd have to get revis a new contract during this time.
He's already making a ton of money doing commercials. Everyone across the us who knows anything about football knows who Peyton manning is. He doesn't need the ny spotlight. I'm not sure how many more commercials he would be doing.
This. There are not too many brands that he can only sponsor in NY that he cannot in Indy. Peyton already makes more money than he will ever spend. Thats why I dont think money is the issue here. It will come down to who gives him a chance to win another ring or two, and whether that chance will mean him maybe taking 3-5 million less here than he would in Arizona.
The money Manning will command should go to Mario Williams and no one else Mark needs a running game and receivers who can get separation, give him that and if he still bites the dust then we make a move for Matt Barkley next year.......its that simple
Look how many comercials Sanchez gets, and hes not that good. Think of the population of ny/nj/ct vs the tiny ass state indiana Regional comercials are HUGE, indy has no ppl. Not to mention hed get sognificantly more national ones too, probably with elj together
I know little about marketing so I am not going to pretend to have the answers here, but Manning's commercials seem to be national in scope, and many of Sanchez's commercials seem to be national in scope too (Pepsi, Avis, etc..). Might Manning get some local spots? Sure. But based on logic, I would assume those dont pay as well and are not as prestigous. So, I dont know that Manning would automatically do better in New York because of that. As for more national commercials, you might be right. But the national companies (Fortune 1000's) that would want him if he were in NY can afford to pay him now too. Regardless, I dont worry about Manning financially. Of all the the people whose financial status I have thought about today, Manning is right there behind Mitt Romney in terms of being loaded.
We can't use our first rounder on a pass rusher. If we don't draft a lineman Peyton wouldn't last two games.
