Peyton Manning at 75% is better than a 100% Kerry Collins or a 100% Curtis Painter. If Manning is able to practice, even for these next two weeks, I could easily see him being the starter on week one.
I'm not exactly sure what possessed the Colts to sign Kerry Collins. Maybe it was the fact that they had some money to play with. Maybe it was because they wanted to have a fall back plan that was better than #7 (could you blame them?). Maybe Polian just really wanted Collins to retire under the same GM that drafted him. Whatever the reason, I hope I never see him, no offense to Kerry Collins, I just don't think he gives us (or any quarterback on our roster) a very good chance to win.
If Peyton Manning can throw a football on September 11th, he will be starting on week one, and aside from the line the offense has an incredible amount of continuity that will hopefully not hinder the Colts from executing their offense. If Indy was a college team, Manning would be the red shirt senior, and Clark, Wayne, and Addai would all be juniors and seniors. I believe that Manning will be able to step in and run the offense that we are pretty much accustomed to seeing. Sure there may be a little bit of rust, can you blame them? If there is any team in the league that can get it together as quickly as the Colts will need to, it is this team, and this offense.
The thing that I selfishly want to see happen is Manning start in order to keep the consecutive start streak intact.
If Manning, for some reason, misses a week one start, and Collins comes in and loses game one in Houston, then we will face Cleveland in Indy the following week, and if Manning can go then, he can hopefully get a "warm-up" game before having to face the Steelers the following week. Then he would be able to get into a groove, and as we all know it is all about how you finish the season that matters, especially considering the Colts ultimate goal.
If Manning misses week one it will not be the end of the world.
However, considering the news that came out today, I believe Manning will give it a go.
Awesome news!
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