Read Sports Geek’s argument that Big Ben is someone the Steelers cannot lose to injury while Bleacher Fan argues that the Ravens cannot afford to lose Ed Reed.
Most teams have played two pre-season games to this point, with two more following in the next couple of weeks. The third pre-season game traditionally showcases the starters for at least a half, while the fourth and final game is basically a showcase for the reserves and the guys trying to make the team. Excited yet? I’m sure excited! What is not exciting is the thought of a star player going down due to injury. Which NFL team can least afford to lose their superstar? After careful deliberation, I have decided that the Indianapolis Colts can ill afford to lose quarterback Peyton Manning.
Peyton Manning has been a star in the league ever since he was drafted first overall by the Colts back in the 1998 NFL Draft. He is a beloved figure in the league. People in SEC country absolutely love him. You will even hear Gator fans and Bulldog fans say they have the utmost respect for Manning. Loyal Homer’s mother, who was born and raised in Georgia and is an avid Georgia Bulldog fan, will root for Peyton Manning against the Falcons and it drives me crazy!! The truth is you will not find many people who will say a negative comment about Manning.
In the NFL, Manning has been named MVP three times. Since starting as a rookie, Manning has an overall record of 124-68 (which includes a 7-8 record in the playoffs and a 3-13 record his rookie season.) The offense is built around him. Before the beginning of the 2008 season, Manning had surgery to remove an infected bursa sac in his left knee. The injury caused him to miss a good bit of training camp and all of pre-season. Did he struggle? No, not him individually. He actually won his third MVP.
This year could be one of Manning’s biggest challenges. Gone is longtime Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison. That is a big hole to fill, as Harrison has been with Manning since the beginning of the Manning Era. Also gone is former Colts offensive coordinator Tom Moore. He has been Manning’s offensive coordinator for his entire career. Together, Moore and Manning developed the hurry up offense for the Colts. In this offense, the team skips the huddle and goes straight to the line. It is Manning’s responsibility to read the defense and call a play that he sees as a successful play. He audibles the play to the rest of the team through verbal and hand signals.
I am not sure any other quarterback in the NFL could do this. He is the unquestioned leader of the team. Can you honestly see Jim Sorgi running the hurry-up offense? That is exactly what would happen if Manning went down with an injury. Sorgi is to Manning what Jason Garrett was to Troy Aikman for years – nothing but a career backup. If Manning goes down, he takes the team down with him. They go from a Super Bowl contender to a mediocre team. Does another team take that much of a fall in a league built on parity. I think not!
If there is a team that cannot afford to have its star go down, it is the Indianapolis Colts.
