Colts May Consider Trading Andrew Luck For RGIII

(US Presswire) Though it may not be officially listed as a trade, it would be a change of heart to say the very least. This was something I mentioned soon after the Redskins pulled off that monster draft trade with the St. Louis Rams to move into the second position in the 2012 draft, and even something I recommended the Colts do if I were in their position. Instead of making Andrew Luck the #1 overall pick in the draft, choose RG III instead. Don't believe me? This is what Jim Irsay told the USA today about it:

"It's up in the air. We have to look at this thing completely open-minded. You have 2 outstanding athletes, two great pure passers, two guys from families that are incredible ... If we get to the point where we're going to negotiate early, get something done before the draft, you never rule that out. We've talked to both agents. We haven't negotiated yet."

I have stated more than once that I think RG III is the better QB of the two, and though I don't have the pedigree of a Mike Mayock, or Mel Kiper, I do know what my eyes tell me. I believe that RG III is going to be a better long term solution for any team than Andrew Luck is, but like most predictions, only time will tell who's right. The interesting part of of the possibility that Jim Irsay changes his mind is that the Redskins have already put their eggs in the RG III basket, but as I mentioned when they made this trade, they are in a kind of win win type of situation. Andrew Luck is obviously no schlub, so if Irsay and the Colts should happen to change their minds, they still wind up with Luck. Thing is, though they may not say it publicly, it not what they had planned. Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

If Peyton Manning Is Let Go, Blame The Money

Photograph by Taylor Castle

Nobody wants to be in the position that Jim Irsay is
in, so to speak, but if they were, then it's fair to
say that everyone believes they have the right answer
to the Manning situation that will play out this week.
So do I.

I've said it before, and I only changed my view once,
and that was when reports said that Peyton had an arm
like spaghetti, and couldn't grip the ball, but now
that it seems his progress is indeed very good, I will
repeat my initial stance, keep Manning, and find an
alternative plan for Andrew Luck. Though it's clear
that the NFL is a business, even business' show some
loyalty, and the Colts can do that, and still come
out winners in the Wins and Loss column on Sundays
next Fall. If Jim Irsay is really in love with Andrew
Luck as his QB of the future, he can still have that,
and keep Peyton. The new CBA signed this past Fall is
very owner friendly, even if you happen to have the #1
overall pick. It's still very affordable, and really,
who gives a rats a$$ what Andrew Luck wants? He'll
get paid and he'll get over it!

If Jim Irsay just doesn't want to pay Manning or is in
the mood to help Jeff Wilpon pay off his lawsuit, or
wants to save a few million, he should just say so,
because when Manning lands elsewhere and makes a fool
of him and the Colts he won't have a good enough reason
to justify letting the franchise go. He could follow
in the footsteps of M. Donald Grant when he traded away
Tom Seaver for the Mets, or he could look like a genius
and have his cake and eat it too. This could clearly
be the best transition of QB's since Steve Young took
over for Joe Montana in San Francisco. Though that was
not pretty either, at least Young was ready, and you
can't say the same for Andrew Luck.

Like the headline says, blame the $$$. Peyton Manning
will be in another playoff game well before the Colts
and Jim Irsay are if he fouls this one up, and we know
how well the Irsay family came out smelling Roses in
the whole moving the team in the middle of the night
fiasco in Baltimore. Hopefully he can learn from
Irsay Sr.'s boneheaded mistake their and show some
loyalty where it's deserved.

Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

For Manning Family Eli Provides A Little Payback For Peyton

Courtesy BSO
It was never Eli Manning vs Tom Brady, just like it
was never Tom Brady vs Peyton Manning, but you can't
help but see the connection in latest defeat of Brady
that Eli and the NY Giants provided on Super Bowl
Sunday to the "Dynasty" that once was the Patriots.
As I mention in a previous radio show, this isn't like
Mike Piazza facing off against Roger Clemens, there is
no head to head encounter, football is quite different.

Year after year the Brady, Belichick and the Patriots
tortured big brother Peyton Manning in his quest to
win a Championship of his own, but the Patriots always
in some way, shape, or form stood in his way and in the
way of the Indianapolis Colts. By the time Peyton got
his trophy, the Pats had already won three, so though
their was the thrill of victory for Peyton, there were
also far many more tortured nights previous to that.

Now little brother Eli, the lesser talented QB of the
two according to the experts and most of the fans that
follow this great game we call football, had his chance
four years ago at Super Bowl XLII to bring down the well
oiled, undefeated machine that was destined to win once
again, and break a record that had stood nearly four
decades, an undefeated season and a Trophy to go with it.
It was an impossible task, but possible it became.
Now four years later those very same Pats, Brady, and
Belichick had their own chance at redemption just like
all those times Peyton looked for his and finally got it,
except they didn't. Tom, Bill, and even Robert(Kraft)
were once again turned away by Peyton's little brother Eli.
Their would be no redemption on Sunday night for the Pats
with a second chance against the team that ruined perfection
for the them and their fans, but perhaps a little for the
family Manning.

Eli and Tom didn't square off head to head, but Eli did
look like what Brady used to look like and Brady like what
folks thought Eli was, just not quite good enough.
I guarantee you that Eli did not have this in the forefront
of his mind, but in looking back he can, if he wishes to,
consider that he provided Tom Brady and company a little
payback for all the frustration big brother Peyton had to
endure oh so many years ago, and the little brother showed
everyone that even big brothers can use a hand now and then.

Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Peyton Manning Cleared To Play. Now What?

(AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

It's not my money and it's not my team. Heck I
don't even root for the Colts, but as far as I'm
concerned the answer is pretty easy. Keep Peyton
Manning and either draft Andrew Luck and tell him
to sit back, learn and STFU, or trade the pick for
the giant pirates booty it will probably be worth
to every owner and GM who's drooling over it like
their life depends on it.

Manning is the same guy that took a 5 year $90Mil
extension, when Jim Irsay wanted to give him $100Mil
for the same amount of years. Manning is the reason
the Colts even count as an NFL team. He is one of
the biggest contributing factors as to why the city
of Indianapolis is hosting a such a gigantic event
this week. Peyton Manning has been cleared to play
by the top doctor in the area that has ailed Manning
most, and another Doctor just for good measure.
The Colts went from 10-6 in 2010 with Peyton Manning
to 2-14 in 2011 without him, and the team didn't even
change any major parts.

If money is not the issue, and Irsay says it's not,
the answer is beyond clear. Take into account that
this year there will be a rookie salary cap, so
instead of having to pay Manning his $28Mil bonus,
and a rookie another $18Mil or so, to ride the bench,
the hit will be much less, and you can use that $10Mil
that Peyton didn't want to take from you to see how he
does. If he doesn't work out and you are in love with
Andrew Luck and draft him, he will have spent a full
season learning from one of the best QB's the game has
ever seen, be ready to take over. The would show a
little loyalty, and payback someone who deserves it.
Also keep in mind that you can probably trade the pick,
get a huge return, and still draft a QB just in case
there are any further issues, and yes you can probably
trade into a spot to get RG III, who I would much rather
have anyway.

The Andrew Luck media machine is no different than the
next hot quarterback parade that happens EVERY year.
Looking back in retrospect you might think that these
names are bad examples to use here, but I assure you
that at the time these guys were ready to get drafted,
someone had them up on the board as CANNOT MISS picks.
Akili Smith, Tim Couch, JaMarcus Russell, David Carr,
David Klingler, Joey Harrington, Andre Ware, Rick Mirer,
Heath Shuler, Ryan Leaf, sorry couldn't help myself.
Do any of those names ring a bell? Well I'm afraid
the list will only get longer every year, and I'm sorry
to have to throw this out there but, Tom Brady was a
6th round pick, Joe Montana was 3rd round pick, Roger
Staubach was a 10th round pick and Aaron Rodgers was
picked twenty three spots after Alex Smith.

I can't see how this is an issue, I just can't

Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Mad Stork Sports with Nick Rizzo Replay 12-23-11

The Podcast is ready for download, so if you missed our
show on Wednesday night you can catch up to the still
fresh items right hear. The talk for this show involves
the upcoming NFL week as well as the past week. Another
scandal with ties to the sports world, and a little bit
of everything else as we gear up for the Holidays.




Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Colts Win Again, and The Andrew Luck Plot Thickens

Colts Owner Jim Irsay (Nam Y. Huh, AP)

So the Indianapolis Colts last night won their second
game of the season and after starting off 0-13 did
almost the same thing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did in
1977 when they started 0-12 and won their last 2 games
off the season (16 game schedule began in 1978).
Difference here is that the Buccaneers were dying for
victories, and these Colts, or at least their ownership
would rather not win again, so that they could be in the
drivers seat in the April draft and either draft Andrew
Luck, or at least be able to command a Kings ransom for
him if they decide they don't want him after all.

Though I don't have all the tiebreaker scenarios ready to
shoot at you, should this remain a three way tie at the
end of the season like it is now, between the Vikings,
Rams, and Colts, ESPN'S Adam Schefter did Tweet that as
of right now the Colts still pick first if they are all
at 2 wins after 15 games.

Like the Colts, unless the Rams have given up on Sam
Bradford like Jim Irsay may be ready to cut ties with
Peyton Manning, the Rams have their QB of the future.
Yet since it has not been as rosy in St. Louis as many
thought it would be by now with the Rams, Spagnuolo,
and Bradford, myself included, it is possible that the
Rams move on from Bradford and take Luck if they are in
a position to do so. If this is indeed the case, the
Rams can get quite a bit for Bradford, as the Colts might
hope to get for Manning, if indeed they are in a position
to do so. Then of course there's the Vikings. They too
may be able to pass, if they truly believe in Christian
Ponder that is. Confused yet? The NFL hopes so. All of
this intrigue is what drives the league to an unbridled by
it's fans.

The Vikings still have two games left, at Washington on
12/24, which is a winnable game, depending on which Skins
team shows up, and home to the Bears on 1/1, also winnable,
but not as much if Cutler plays, and the Bears are still
alive. Of course with the new rookie friendly salary cap
numbers that came with the new CBA that was just signed,
ownership of these teams don't necessarily want to win
these games, but don't tell the players that. They have
Christian Ponder, did they see enough this year to make
them believe he is the quarterback of the future for
them?

The Rams are at Pittsburgh on 12/24, so ownership doesn't
have to wish to hard for a loss their, and the finish at
home against the 49er's, but since the 49er's may not
have too much to play for at that point, the Rams may just
fall into a victory in that one.

The Colts are in the best position of all, unless they win
that is. They currently hold the tiebreaker as of right
now, and are on the road for the final game of the season
against a Jacksonville team that will want it more than
they do for various reasons, so they may not have a choice
but lose.

At the end of the day, this is over and done with yet, and
until all the games are played, the plot will remain thick.



Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

If Colts Fire Jim Caldwell It Would Make Me 4 For 4

Back on October 17th I wrote a piece detailing which NFL
coaches were on the "HOT Seat", and as of yesterday the
first three on that list were gone, not in order, but
gone. Now comes word from Jason LaConfora at NFL.com
that if the Colts finish 0-16, Jim Caldwell is likely
gone. Well punch his ticket, he's done. The Colts next
three opponents are at home against Houston & Tennessee,
games both those teams will need, and at Jacksonville.
The last game is the only real game they have a shot at,
but I don't think the Jags are going to roll over as was
evidenced this past Sunday when they fell behind 14-0,
and came back to win 41-14 by scoring the next 41.

The next few on that list are not very likely to go, but
Leslie Frazier, and Steve Spagnuolo deserve to be looked
at for dismissal, while Ken Whizenhunt, Lovie Smith,
Tom Coughlin, and Rex Ryan should be safe. So who is
going to be the lucky referee in the war of the Roses
between Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning?


Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Ranting With Rizzo Replay 12-5-11

Last weeks show spoke about whether Peyton Manning
should be considered an MVP candidate this year,
how the Pats and Colts matchup this year is so much
different, and we took a look at the Syracuse Penn
State differences amongst other things.
Enjoy the Podcast!



Tweet Thank You Al Davis !

NFL Stone Cold Locks Week 13

Last week I made the mistake of laying the "Stone
Cold Lock" eggs in the Seahawks nest, and they
promptly ate them so instead of going 3-0 in week
12, I went 2-1. Lime I said that was the first
and last time you would see me pick the Seahawks
this year. Now on to more reliable picks for what
I hope will turn into a 3-0 week in a 30-6 season.

1. New England - It's called a no brainer

2. Chicago - They have the better backup QB

3. San Francisco - A frequent flier Stone Cold Locks


Tweet Thank You Al Davis !

Mad Stork Sports with Nick Rizzo Replay 12-2-11

Find out out you can still win some cash from Mad Stork
Sports, and listen in as we discuss the Peyton Manning
trade talk, going 0-16, Bernie Fine, Ndamukong Suh's
suspension, coaching changes and everything else that's
happening in the sports world.




Tweet Thank You Al Davis !

Andrew Luck Or Peyton Manning?

Back in September I wrote a piece on how if the Colts
are in a position to draft first in the 2012 draft
and select Andrew Luck, they should pass. I said
trade the pick, get Manning a new weapon, and win now.
Now comes news that the Colts are in a bit of a bind,
in that they have to choose to either trade or release
Peyton by pre agreed to date March, or the Colts will
be on the hook for over 30 million dollars, and
Mannings health is not really getting much better.
It's possible that he may get a snap or two in December,
but is that really a good idea?

I stil think that sticking with Manning is the way to go,
if he's as healthy as he needs to be, but to play him in
order to make sure is a bad idea as far as I'm concerned.
He could get further injured, and just as bad, the Colts
might win a game or two. Why risk losing the top spot?
Whether you decide to pick Andrew Luck or not is pretty
much irrelevant here, what matters is that your season
stinks, and your fans deserve a reward. Choose Luck,
and he either gets to be an understudy to one of the
NFL's greatest or he has the same type of first season
Manning did his fist season, a stinker. Don't choose
Luck and trade down, get value, you have to go far,
team s like the Dolphins, and Broncos will be chomping
at the bit to get a shot at colleges golden boy,
either way you can take a team that wasn't so bad just
a year ago and put your team in a spot to compete again.

It's not an easy situation it's true, but there is a sea
of can't miss qb's in the NFL's past that missed, and
Missed pretty bad. Akili Smith, Tim Couch, David Carr,
JaMarcus Russell, Alex Smith, heck Ryan Leaf almost got
chosen ahead of Peyton Manning, do I need to go on?
You can draft a qb later in the first or second round,
pay less, and still wind up with a franchise qb.
Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Brett Farve, when were
those guys drafted? Not number 1! I say let Manning
heal, put him on IR , and don' t go out of your way to
win. I'm not saying lose, but why jeapordize a spot
at truy stregthening your team for a long time?
"Don't SUCK for Luck", make your own luck!


Tweet Thank You Al Davis !

Who Could "Suck For Luck" And Go Winless?

DenverPost.Com

For the purpose of this article, and the fact
that this is only the end of week seven of the
2011 NFL season, I will answer that question,
but, only including the Colts and Dolphins as
real suitors to get the number one overall pick
in the 2012 NFL Draft. Keep in mind that this
could all be for nothing, in that Andrew Luck,
the "Luck" in the "Suck for Luck" campaign, is
a Junior at Stanford and could, won't, but could
go back to school for another year if he chooses
to do so. Also keep in mind that the Vikings and
Rams knocked themselves back by winning today,
but they should have won weeks ago, so that was
no surprise.

I peeked ahead and looked and the remaining nine
games for both teams, and no they do not play
each other. Keep in mind that going 0-16 is just
about as tough as going 16-0, only one team has
done it on either side, the 0-16 Detroit Lions,
and the 16-0 New England Patriots. Detroit has
Matthew Stafford to show for it, and the Patriots
nothing, so it may very well be true that going
0-16 is more profitable. Keeping that in mind,
I believe that both the Colts and the Dolphins
are better than that winless Lions team, and are
more likely of winning at least one game.
Winning a game won't knock you out of contention
to draft Luck, but it will hurt your chances,
because bottom is bottom, and the only thing that
could be worse than 0-16 and not getting a chance
to draft Luck, especially in this new rookie cap
friendly era that is the NFL, but tying for it,
and losing the tiebreaker for worst, Ouch !

The Dolphins best chance at winning a game will
be one of their next three matches. The Chiefs
will be fly to Miami, coming off a short week after
playing on Monday night, and are not really that
good, they just aren't. Washington is really a
shell of the team that was 3-1, but is now 3-4,
and believe it or not were doing better with "Sexy"
Rex Grossman at QB, double Ouch! Finally comes
Buffalo, a good team, and best of the three, but
division games are always tough, and in Miami
anything can happen, after that their schedule is
too tough, but could win their last game at home
vs the Jets if NY doesn't need the game, but they
will, oh yeah, they will.

Next up is Indy, and the Colts are in a spot where
they could actually have Peyton Manning back for a
game or two, I doubt it, but they could. Problem is
that unlike Miami who has played hard, and lost close
ones, as well as "only" being outscored by 59 points,
or 8.375 points per game, the Colts have looked
miserable at times and have been outscored by 131
points, or 18.73 points per game, WOW. To me, the
Colts only shot at winning a game barring the return
of Manning is going to be in two weeks, when they are
home to the Jaguars, and honestly I had to use my
imagination for that one after seeing the type of
effort the Jags are putting forth these days.
They could get lucky, no pun intended, in week 16
against Houston if the Texans don't need the game,
but I doubt that too, Houston won't put it away that
early. No other match up they have leads me to
believe that they could secure a victory, let alone
two, not without Manning, and not unless he is so well
rested that he wants to pull a little Arena Football
double duty and play defense as well.

I'm sure we will revisit the Andrew Luck sweepstakes
once again, the further we get to the finish line,
but right now Miami and Indy are your top ranked
contenders so they are the teams to beat so to speak.

And by the way, I wrote a few weeks ago that the Colts
should trade away the pick if they get it and get a
shiny brand new toy for Peyton if it's determined that
he will be able to play and be healthy once again.
Just Sayin'

Thank You Al Davis ! Tweet

Forget Andrew Luck, How About..............

Offensive Lineman Matt Kalil, Running Back Trent
Richardson, or maybe even a nice Wide Receiver
like Justin Blackmon. You see these are just a
few names I plucked off the board that may still
be available when the Colts make their pick in
the 2012 NFL Draft, and since it's become more
and more likely that Indy will be in no real
position to compete for anything if Manning comes
back at any point this year, why rush him back?
Heck, the Colts offered him $20Mil per year and
he insisted on 18Mil, so they are already ahead
of the game there. A year off could totally do
a guy like Peyton a ton of could and probably even
rejuvenate him. So why not give him a nice shiny
new stud offensive weapon to use to win you another
Championship. It's why he took less to begin with,
he wanted the Colts to stay competitive.

Let's face it, Manning has four more years left on
his deal after this, and unless things go radically
wrong with his health and he can't return, Peyton
will finish out this deal. So do you want Andrew
Luck to sit on the bench for FOUR years? I mean
One, Two, maybe, but Four? And don't give me the
Aaron Rodgers scenario either, that wasn't planned.
If he falls in your lap, trade the pick for a gold
mine. If he's off the board, get Payton a toy,
and watch him bring Indy another trophy, because
there have been plenty of can't miss players like
Luck that miss, and at least you know what you have
in Manning.



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AFC South: Setup Just Right For Schaub

With Manning OUT, and Garrard gone, it's
fair to say that it would take a bit of an
upset for the Titans to win this division
this year. So this is how I believe it's
will look in the end:

1. Houston Texans (Pretty Much By Default)
2. Tennessee Titans (Too Much Chris Johnson)
3. Indianapolis Colts (Still Got Talent)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (What's Next For Del Rio?)

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