For The Indianapolis Colts, “Luck” May Be On Their Side

Last Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts finally had reason to celebrate – their ninth straight loss to open the 2011 season officially pushed the Colts ahead in the Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck sweepstakes. And if the Colts continue their winless ways, they will find themselves in a familiar position with, yet again, one simple decision: drafting college football’s best quarterback.

1997 was a unique year for the Colts. They entered the season following consecutive playoff appearances in 1995 and 1996, but a 0-10 start showed that the team was in dire need to start anew.

As the Colts failed on the field, Manning excelled during his senior (and unnecessary) season at the University of Tennessee – a senior season in which Manning showed why he had been the consensus number one draft choice for over a year.

The Colts finished 1997 with a league-worst 3-13 record, enabling them to draft Manning, and the rest is history.  

Manning captured a record four NFL MVP awards and led the Colts to 10 wins in each of their last nine seasons, making the playoffs each year.

But Manning’s likely season- and possibly career-ending neck surgery this year has recreated a 1997 season for the Colts. His absence has proven how valuable (and dependent upon) he is to the Colts, and the franchise is witnessing what the next several years will be if Manning doesn’t return to his superstar form or if they don’t obtain another superstar quarterback.

Enter Luck.

Despite being the consensus number one draft pick in 2011, Luck, like Manning, decided to return to Stanford for his senior season.

To date: Luck’s decision has only boosted his promise as the next great NFL quarterback.

In nine games, he has thrown for over 2,400 yards, 26 touchdowns, and his undefeated Stanford Cardinals are ranked third nationally. Moreover: Luck conducts himself on and off the field like a young Manning – with savvy leadership and poise.

Ironically, though, the biggest hurdle standing between the Colts and Luck is Manning.

What to do with not just your veteran quarterback, but also one of the game’s all-time best quarterbacks and the face of your franchise for the past 13 years? Especially since the Colts in July inked him to a new five-year, $90-million contract.

However, as Michael Corleone said to his brother, Sonny, in The Godfather: “It’s not personal, Sonny, It’s strictly business.”

The Colts’ best business interest is to start preparing for life after their 35-year-old quarterback – whether that is now or in a few years.

The good news is Manning will make $69 million of his new contract in its first three years (including this season) – meaning if he gets healthy soon, the Colts can still get somewhat of a return investment. By drafting and grooming Luck for a few seasons, they could then trade an even older Manning while owing him the smaller remnants of his current contract.

Of course Manning’s recovery will be the determining factor as to whether the Colts enjoy such an ideal outcome. Regardless, they could well have both a proven superstar quarterback and a potential superstar quarterback on their team in 2012.

It would be a situation that’s too fortunate to pass up. 

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