I know you're going to get sick of this, but...

I read this tonight, and I just had to share: http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/7660415/thanks-memories-peyton-manning  If you have a few minutes, it really does express what a lot of Colts fans have thought. 

It says a lot of things that I have just been unable to put to words.  Peyton Manning did more than play football for Indianapolis; he was a part of the community.  

This is my favorite part:

I have no idea how much time and money you have to give to a hospital to have it renamed in your honor, but they did that for you in Indianapolis. Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St. Vincent. Says a lot.

How many times can one man change an entire city? Well, without you there's probably no Lucas Oil Stadium. Without Lucas Oil Stadium, there's no Super Bowl this year in Indy. Without the Super Bowl, there's no brand-new, drop-dead gorgeous JW Marriott downtown. Forbes figures you improved the Colts' value by $233 million. Compared to that, $28 million to keep you doesn't seem like much, does it?

That says it all for me.  So, yes, thank you, Peyton Manning.

Will we recognize anyone?

The Colts announced today that they were cutting several other players, including Joseph Addai, Dallas Clark, Melvin Bullitt, and Gary Bracket.  It seems that Colts fans won't see any familiar faces on the field this year. 

It started with office staff.  Gone.  Then coaching staff.  Gone.  Then our hero, Peyton Manning.  Gone.  Then the rest of the team starts dropping like flies. 

I know that the Colts want to start fresh and young, but all these changes in the matter of 2 months is just depressing.  These people have played great football AND been active in the community.  They've been a team of players that fans could be proud of.  No sex scandals or poor sportsmanship.  They've been good role models for young Colts fans.  

So, the fact that they've been let go with a simple, "Hopefully the fans understand that to achieve the success again that we have had before, we have to make some tough decisions," is hard to swallow.  True Colts fans are not fair weather fans.  We stuck by our guys through 2011's downs and hoped for the best for this year. 

I know the Colts should want to win, but shouldn't we also show some gratitude and allegiance to the players who have helped be the awesome team we've been? 

I guess only time will tell what will happen with the Colts.  I continue to be a depressed and angry Colts fan.

The End of an Era...

(Source)

Today is an incredibly sad day for Colts fans everywhere.  Today, Jim Irsay released Peyton Manning, one of the greatest quarterbacks in all football history.  He was our team (as evidenced by the fact that we went 2-14 this year without him).  I've been in denial for months about the fact that they'd most likely dump him.  And it's not pretty. 

I know it may seem ridiculous to some, but I cried.  Peyton Manning was an awesome player and a fantastic person.  He did so much for the team.  He brought us up from nothing and was absolutely devoted to us.  

For Irsay to say, "There will be no other Peyton Manning," but still to release him when Manning has made it clear that he was willing to work with the Colts to make it work really stings.  We know there will be no one better, but let's get rid of him anyway?  

I am a Colts fan, and I always will be.  However, I've never been more pissed off at the organization.  To just throw away the man who has made us who we are really does hurt.  I mean, our stadium is called "Peyton's Place" for goodness sake!

And through all of this, Manning has stayed classy:  "Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. I have truly enjoyed being your quarterback."  And even: "I'll always be a Colt."  Damn straight you will be, Manning.  Even if the Colts organization wasn't good enough for you.  

And on top of all this, whoever we draft (most likely Andrew Luck), has to come into all this drama.  And the rest of our team is still in shambles (Manning is what held us together after all!).  He's got some enormous shoes to fill.  I will support him through all of this.  After all, he didn't choose for this to happen.  However, I highly doubt that he will ever be anywhere close to Peyton Manning.  I wish him the best of luck.  

In the meantime, it will kill me to see Manning wearing anything other than the horseshoe.  I wish he would just retire.  However, I know that it's not fair to him if he still does have good years left in him.  Despite my allegiance to the Colts, if Manning continues to play, I hope he continues to be a stellar athlete.  He deserves to show the Jim Irsay exactly what he let go of.  No matter what team he plays for (unless it were the Patriots, then just f*ck him!), I will continue to be a fan of Manning.  

However, I am REALLY not looking forward to this football season.  

Who Needs Luck?

I'm actually referring to Andrew Luck, the quarterback who will likely be the first round NFL draft pick.  The Colts have been absolutely atrocious this year without Peyton Manning.  It's still up in the air whether or not Manning will be able to play at all next year or ever again.  It's been said that he is healing well, but is he going to be the same quarterback even if he does play again?

I don't know.  What I do know is that I freakin' love Peyton Manning.  He's the best.  Had he not had to have these surgeries, there is no doubt in my mind that he would have shattered all records.  

But, it did happen.  And after all that he's done for the Colts, I think he deserves a chance.  My boss keeps telling me that the Colts just need to drop Manning and suck for Luck.  However, I am happy that we've won our last 2 games.  We're still at the bottom and will get the first round draft pick if we lose next week.  But, I don't care.  I always want my Colts to win.  

I'm going to hold out hope that we can hold on to Peyton Manning and that he will continue to be who he's always been!  Even the Colts owner is with me on this.  He has said that if Manning can play next year, he will definitely be with the Colts.  

"I think there is a lot of speculation about the draft pick and all those sorts of things, but I think what people have to realize is this: Is the likes of Peyton Manning to be seen again?  It is not coming, if ever, for a very, very long time. You’re not going to go in this draft or the next draft and get another Peyton Manning."

Damn straight.  I know a lot of people think we should go out and lose next week so that we can draft Luck, but I just want to go back to our Manning glory days!  Luck might be a good prospect, but I highly doubt that he will ever be a Peyton Manning.  

Noooooooooooooooooo!

It's a sad day.  Today, it was announced that Peyton Manning won't be starting with the Colts in their first game.  I've been in denial for weeks now; just hoping for the best.  It's a heartbreaking announcement.  Hopefully he'll be back on the field soon.  

In the mean time, at least my Yankees are doing fantastically well.  They've won the last 9 out of 10 games.  They're first in the AL and second overall (AL and NL) to only the Phillies.  We're playing a day game today against the Orioles and hopefully A.J. Burnett can hold it together to pull out a win today.  ** Fingers Crossed **   :)

Colts vs. Patriots

I'm sure most people know that I'm an Indianapolis Colts fan. This means that I seriously despise the New England Patriots. Last weekend, the Colts played the Patriots. The game was incredibly intense. And AWESOME. The Colts won. That win extended their streak to 9-0 this year (they're undefeated... they played and won again yesterday and are now 10-0).

Peyton Manning, the Colts quarterback, is an awesome player. He's also an all around good person. He's easy-going and is known for his charitable contributions.

He even cleans up pretty well. He looks like a clean-cut, all American guy:










The Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady, is known for leaving his pregnant girlfriend to date a supermodel. And he plays for he Patriots. So, he's clearly pure EVIL.

That is why it is completely outrageous that he is so completely gorgeous:








It just doesn't seem right. He is hot. But, he is evil. So, Manning > Brady.