Peyton Manning = 2011-2012 NFL MVP

[Moranis]

Of course I'm half joking, but seriously the Colts are so bad without him this year you almost have to consider it. 

[Donoghus]

Of course I'm half joking, but seriously the Colts are so bad without him this year you almost have to consider it. 

Interesting question would be what would their record look like with Manning there right now?  That team seemed to be headed on a slight decline before Manning went out anyways.  Would they immediately be catapulted back to being a playoff team or is this the year they would finally go on the decline and finish out of the playoffs with a 7-9 or 8-8 record.  Of course, with the way things are currently unfolding in the AFC South, 8-8 might actually garner the division title and a playoff berth.

IMO, right now the NFL MVP race is a two dog fight between Rodgers & Brady.  Rodgers getting the nod right now.

[Moranis]

Of course I'm half joking, but seriously the Colts are so bad without him this year you almost have to consider it. 

Interesting question would be what would their record look like with Manning there right now?  That team seemed to be headed on a slight decline before Manning went out anyways.  Would they immediately be catapulted back to being a playoff team or is this the year they would finally go on the decline and finish out of the playoffs with a 7-9 or 8-8 record.  Of course, with the way things are currently unfolding in the AFC South, 8-8 might actually garner the division title and a playoff berth.

IMO, right now the NFL MVP race is a two dog fight between Rodgers & Brady.  Rodgers getting the nod right now.

I think the Colts would probably be 5-1 or 4-2 if they had Manning.  The Texans game was the only game they weren't in down the stretch and the defense is pretty similar to last year (just 3 more points a game, but on the field more).  Their offense is 10 points worse a game this year and I think almost all of that is because Manning isn't there.  He does after all call virtually every play from the line of scrimmage and is one of the most accurate passers in NFL history.  The rest of the offense has also been relatively healthy. 

I'd vote for Rodgers if the season ended tomorrow as that guy has been unbelievable and I can't vote for someone that doesn't play, but the negative turnaround of the Colts would give me pause.

[jambr380]

You can tell that to my fantasy team with Peyton as my 2nd round pick and Wayne as my 3rd rounder...I've never had Peyton before and thought it was a guarantee, even if I was sort of turning my back on the Pats. I guess this is what I get...

[Roy H.]

Looks like the Colts are strongly in the lead for the #1 pick in the draft.  What are the chances they win at least two of their next six?  I'd say slim and none.

So, what do the Colts do?  Take a QB (Luck) with that pick?  Keep Manning?  Trade him?

And yes, this season has done as much to confirm Manning's greatness in my mind as any year he's had on the field.

[PosImpos]

Looks like the Colts are strongly in the lead for the #1 pick in the draft.  What are the chances they win at least two of their next six?  I'd say slim and none.

So, what do the Colts do?  Take a QB (Luck) with that pick?  Keep Manning?  Trade him?

And yes, this season has done as much to confirm Manning's greatness in my mind as any year he's had on the field.

Take the best player available.  During the offseason they can assess the chances of Manning actually coming back.  If there's a chance of Manning continuing his career, then maybe you look into trading Luck, or using him as an understudy. 

Otherwise, you go forward with Luck as your starter.  From what I've been reading there's a really strong chance Manning is done.

[Donoghus]

Draft Luck and move Manning for a package of players/draft picks.  There are going to be teams out there who feel like Manning is the guy that can put them over the top so they'll pay up if his health checks out. 

A big thing to keep in mind is the $28 million due Manning's way next spring.  That's a lot of money to tie up in one guy.  Especially one coming off a serious injury.

Colts rebuild around Luck and can use the Manning compensation to speed up the process. 

[Fan from VT]

Warning: total snap judgment based on no good information and just 3 seconds of footage viewed one time, BUT: I saw that short clip of Manning signing autographs at the Colts game, and just from that short clip I thought I saw a guy who was still very very uncomfortable moving his shoulders/arms independent of moving his entire torso and neck as a whole unit. Take Luck, and either groom him under one year of Manning or trade Manning to the Niners/Vikings/Dolphins/Redskins for picks.