The Ultimate Sacrifice!

"We Want You, Andrew Luck!"

The world of professional sports is an unusual business and it requires a huge sacrifice not only from it players and coaches but also it’s fans. However, on so many levels the fans don't understand what it takes to win and to do it consistently. General Manager's and coaches are constantly making moves that will ultimately put the franchise into a better situation in order to keep winning.
Sometimes they have to get rid of players to accommodate cap space etc. Then there are times when they have to spend a ton of money to get the personnel needed to help them along. Always keep in mind that some of those moves won't be very popular with the fans.

I live in Indianapolis and I've been watching this whole Peyton Manning fiasco develop right before my eyes. After having neck surgery in May the question has been, “when will he be ready to play?” Die hard fans are typically delusional at the minimum. So around here they are convinced that he'll be ready to play regardless of what the training staff says. The team went out and got Kerry Collins a few weeks ago, which in my opinion, was a complete waste of time and money.

Without Peyton, that team at best wins 3 to 4 games because for the past 14 years the entire team has been built around Peyton's strengths. He's one of those guys that is a complete difference maker. So every move that they’ve made offensively in free agency as well as in the draft has been centered around his brain. You can’t simply replace him because everything the Colts do is based on what Peyton brings to the table. It’s like going out and getting a new lead singer for the Jackson 5 bruh! It’s impossible to do.
Let's keep it all the way 100! With the exception of Reggie Wayne, the Colts haven't had a legitimate receiver but they've been lethal because of Peyton. If Marvin Harrison hadn't played with Manning we wouldn't even know his name. After the catch he brought nothing to the table.  Peyton pretty much hand delivered him to the Hall of Famer just like Jordan did for Pippen! Chicago fans look at the film post MJ if you don't believe me.

So Indy went out and picked up Collins, who’s 41 years old mind you, because Curtis Painter gives them no shot at winning. I say, let Painter drive the car into the ditch and total it. Here's why! From 1984 to 1997 the Indianapolis Colts were one of the worse teams in the league with the exception of 1995 when they went to the AFC Championship. That's how they ended up falling into Peyton Manning and over the years he’s taken them to the promise land and they've become a perennial winner. I give all of the credit to Tony Dungy and his ability to recognize Peyton’s ability to control every aspect of the offense. It’s like having a coach on the field.

Why go out and get Collins when he'll only help them win maybe 2 more games. Why not ride with Painter and sacrifice this season and win the Andrew Luck sweepstakes in the 2012 NFL Draft. If they are the worse team for one year they’ll get the best quarterback in college football that already runs a pro-style offense. That means he won’t be a project out of the gate like so many guys are.

Let's face it people, Peyton isn't going to play this year and his career is on the decline because a neck injury like that has the potential to end his career. Why not get Luck and pull a Green Bay(Favre/Rogers) on them and have him sit behind Peyton for a year or so and learn how to drive the Bentley. So when it's over for Peyton all he has to do is get out of the driver's seat and let the young boy take over.

Curtis Painter was driving!

It's a perfect situation and it only comes around every 15 to 20 years. It's like the Cleveland Cavaliers getting Lebron with the first pick of the NBA draft. Getting a player that will make an immediate impact doesn't always happen. Peyton was that player for the Colts 14 years ago.

However, the delusional Colts fans are screaming blasphemy right now because I’m suggesting that they take the “L” now rather than later. I never said to intentially lose the games. I said not to waste money bringing a guy in that will help you win 6 ball games because you still don't make the playoffs. That takes you out of position to pick up probably the best quarterback prospect to come out since Aaron Rogers. It’s all business people!

Make the ultimate sacrifice now or become a perennial loser for the next 14 years or so. Everybody around here thought I was crazy when I said, cut Bob Sanders 5 years ago because he was a waste of money. All I kept hearing was, "he's the best safety in the game!" Not if he's on the sideline he isn't. Now I look like a genius!

Holla At Ya Boy!
Jay Graves
Twitter: @jaygravesreport