Why you can't blame Colts, Irsay

The Colts and Peyton Manning have finally parted ways after months of speculation and rumors. My opinion? It's about time. While Manning has been one of, if not the, premier passer in the NFL for majority of his career, I believe this is the best move the Colts could have made. Consider their current position, you are about to pay a large sum of money to a guy who is getting up there in age (35) and whose best years are behind him and who has undergone four neck surgeries and missed the season directly after he signed a $90 million extension. Yes, he will go down as one of the best passers in history, as he currently ranks no lower than 5th in all major passing categories, but the Colts already got a tremendous value from him. Two super bowl, four MVPs, and a new stadium. Their commitment to him is over. It is about the future of the franchise. That future will either be Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III. If whoever the Colts pick pans out as well as they are expecting (and by all projections, they will) the colts will have a competitive team for at least the next decade. I have great respect for the business acumen and foresight that Jim Irsay shows with this move. His ability to act only on the smartest move without any personal feeling is what will guide his team to another Super Bowl in no more than 3 to 4 years. I'm calling it now. As for Peyton, he will get another huge payday soon enough because there are plenty of good teams that are ready to make the next leap that are only missing a quarterback (Jets, anyone?). This decision was easily the best for everyone involved, and everyone knows it will make for some compelling story lines for the 2012-13 NFL season.