Peyton Manning: “You Have To” Draft Andrew Luck, “You’re Crazy If You Don’t”
Peyton Manning showed just how well he knows the game of football by apparently naming his successor. In an article from USA Today, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay revealed even Manning advised Indy to draft Andrew Luck.
“He said, ‘You’ve got to take Andrew,'” Irsay recalled Manning saying. “‘You have to. You’re crazy if you don’t.'”
The Colts did draft Luck in 2012 after cutting Peyton Manning due to concerns about Manning’s recovery from neck surgery. Luck was the only immediate contributor to a quarterback draft class that also included Robert Griffin III, Russell Wilson, Ryan Tannehill and Brandon Weedon, all now starters.
Peyton Manning was signed by the Denver Broncos. Manning led Denver to a 13-3 season in 2012 with a first-round playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
The Peyton Manning-led Broncos are off to a 6-0 start in 2013, crushing Baltimore in Week One and never looking back. Peyton has already thrown for 2,179 yards, putting him on pace for 5,810 on the season, which would smash Drew Brees’ record by 300+ yards. Peyton Manning’s brother, Eli Manning, is already in the top 10 for single season passing yards. Peyton currently sits at No. 20.
“I think it’s perfect,” Irsay says of Manning’s return. “What’s happened is what Peyton and I hoped would happen. The desire was for him to get well and get to a team that has a chance to win another Super Bowl before his career ended.”
Irsay may not think everything’s perfect when Peyton Manning brings his undefeated Broncos to Indy’s Lucas Oil Stadium this Sunday night to face the 4-2 Colts. Luck failed to complete a touchdown pass in Monday night’s loss to the San Diego Chargers, something that will have to change when Peyton Manning comes to town.
“We stunk on third down today,” Luck said. “A lot of credit to their defense.”
The Colts plan a Peyton Manning celebration for the Broncos game; we’ll see Sunday night who’s still celebrating. Peyton Manning plans on celebrating in February.
What do you think of Peyton Manning’s recovery? Will the Colts retire Peyton Manning’s number on Sunday? Can Peyton Manning lead the Broncos all the way?
