You are looking at the four media created potential new teams for Peyton Manning. You can add the Seahawks as a 5th candidate. At this time it is not known what Manning will do. What we do know is that the Colts, as we knew them, are a thing of the past.
Most of the faces of the prior regime in Indy are gone. The front office, Tony Dungy and now Peyton. Sure, the defense has several of the same characters, and the offense a few others. But this is no longer the Colts of the 2000′s. It was never about them, really.
NBC News anchor Brian Williams took the air tonight, “A tearful farewell for a legend who lost his job today,” he said. From the local Boston media has called this an end of an era, and rightfully so. However, that same media contingent has said the Patriots and Colts rivalry will “take a hit.” No, no. It’s over, my friend.
The rivalry was Brady versus Manning. It wasn’t geographical; like Boston versus New York.
My take, as a Bostonian, might be unique. I am much more ready to root for Manning to have success than the Colts organization to have success. And that’s due to who owns the Indianapolis Colts.
The Colts owners, Jim Irsay, inherited the team from his father Robert. If you recall, Robert Irsay is the man that in 1984 appeared, while apparently intoxicated, before the Baltimore media and exclaimed, “This is my goddamn team!” He had moved the team from Baltimore to Indianapolis in the middle of the night. He literally snuck out the back down in the dark.
Just after that move Jim Irsay was promoted to GM of the now Indy based franchise.
Jim Irsay took over ownership of the team in 1997. He stumbled upon Manning just one year later. As if Jim wasn’t lucky enough to be born into a wealthy family, he was given the greatest business partner the NFL has seen in a decade plus.
Manning increased the value of the Colts by over $230M. It was a great run for both parties.
Now Irsay will be without Manning. As interesting as what Manning will do post-Indy, is what Irsay can do with the Colts post-Manning.
