Quote:At first Manning wasn't supposed to be out the entire season (Peyton had a 4th surgery at the start of the regular season, and the recovery time was unknown, as well as the nerve damage), so Polian paid Kerry Collins $4,000,000.00 to play QB until Manning could return. The Colts offensive line nearly got Collins killed. What QB was availabe after that ... that had the capability to absorb a beating, and win?

 

I guess Vince Young? (I can't recall for certain) ... Several of players were upset, and vocal that Collins was brought in to start rather than have Painter be the starting QB (including Reggie Wayne) in the system he had been in for a couple seasons. Orlovsky should have started over Painter, and once the Colts benched Painter, the Colts were more competetive with Dan Orlovsky at QB.

 

I know a lot of people that are not Colts fans see things differently, but the Colts did try to hold down the fort until Manning could come back. There was rumors that Manning tried to play in goal line situations late in the season. I am unsure if he did lobby to play, but the writing was already on the wall by then, and Orlovsky gave the Colts the best chance to win at that point. Not to mention risking Mannings possible chances of ever playing again.

 

 

 

Have you ever seen a Division Champion Banner in real life, or just pictures of Division Champion Banners?