The "Colt" Treatment

Indianapolis Colts' QB Peyton Manning.

Peyton Manning was drafted with the #1 overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts, after many they should've went with Ryan Leaf, who displayed a stronger arm at Washington State. The San Diego Chargers proceeded to take Leaf with the very next pick, and the rest became history. While Leaf was always fighting with the media and sometimes himself, Manning established himself as a franchise savior and a sure Hall-of-Famer.

So why is Jim Irsay all of a sudden treating Manning like he hasn't meant anything to the franchise? Manning missed the entire 2011 season after getting a third neck surgical procedure in a 19-month span. No one knows for sure whether Manning will be able to return and continue his NFL career, but the way Irsay is running his mouth shows utter and complete disrespect to the guy who literally saved his franchise.

The Irsay family moved the Colts from Baltimore to Indianapolis in 1984 in the middle of the night, not giving anyone warning. Anytime the Colts play the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore, they are constantly reminded of the organization that turned their back on the city that night. Since the Colts moved the team to Indianapolis, there wasn't much buzz from the people in the state of Indiana either.

Events like the Indy's 500, and Bob Knight's Indiana Hoosiers were the talk of the city of Indianapolis and the state of Indiana. In 1987, the Indiana Pacers drafted Reggie Miller, and he was able to lift the Pacers to prominence as well. The Colts were not talked about at all. A lot of poor seasons and high draft picks without any good results in return left the Colts as a doormat franchise.

Bill Polian once said that he visited Manning for a private workout, and Manning told him if he didn't draft him with the first overall pick, he would make the Colts pay for the next 15 years. That was enough for Polian to choose Manning over Leaf, and it turned out to be the best decision an NFL executive has ever made. Manning led the Colts to a 3-13 record in his first season, and it appeared there wasn't going to be much change for the franchise.

The very next season, Manning threw for 4,000 yards for the first of many tremendous seasons, and the Colts won the AFC East division with a 13-3 record, and earned a first-round bye. Other than the 2001 season, in which coach Jim Mora infamously made his playoff rant, Manning led the Colts to the playoffs in every season, gaining 4,000 yards in each season as well.

Overall, Manning has won four MVP awards and has thrown for over 54,000 yards in his career. In 2006, Manning led the Colts to a Super Bowl victory, winning the Divisional Round in Baltimore and overcoming a Patriots team that has beaten them in the playoffs twice before. Manning took them to another Super Bowl in 2009 and was favored in that Super Bowl when they were upset by the New Orleans Saints.

As we saw with the Colts this year, they were atrocious without Manning. Manning had a consecutive starts streak that went over 200 games before it was ruined the first game of the 2011 season. It was clear that Manning meant everything to that franchise, as they were embarrassed in a 2-14 season without him. Manning probably should've won his fifth MVP award just for showing his value in his absence.

With all of this being said, how can Irsay talk about Manning injury situation in the media and on Twitter as if Manning hasn't done much for the franchise? Irsay says the Colts' brand is bigger than anyone, but the fact is Manning is way bigger than the Colts. He made the Colts. There wouldn't be a new stadium in Indianapolis without Manning. There wouldn't be a Super Bowl in a city like Indianapolis without Manning. The Colts were able to vault past the Indiana Hoosiers, Indiana Pacers and the Indy 500 race only because of Manning. Before Irsay's opens his mouth even more, he should think about all of that.