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Colts bring Kerry Collins out of retirement

According to sources close to Peyton they don't believe he'll be ready for the opener.

"AdamSchefter Adam Schefter
@mortreport reporting Colts' braintrust does not believe Peyton Manning will be ready for regular-season opener in Houston. Manning hopeful.
"

not buying into it...he'll start. book it.
 
If caution and common sense prevails (on the part of all parties involved............. Manning, coach and training camp, AND ownership), don't expect to see Manning out there before week 7.

I've always thought this was a pretty serious injury, especially if they rush him out there which it seems they want to do.
 
Whether Peyton plays, or doesn't play, is a moot point. We have to beat whichever QB is out there.

The Colts will try to wring everything from Olav, about us, they can before they send him to the discard file. Collins, on the other hand, gave us some pretty good problems while he was with the Tacks. The thing is he is immobile, and if you put a good stiff pass rush on him, he will give it up.

Peyton could get 'em lined up before you could get a substitution in, which I don't think Kerry can do (at least not as well, or as fast).

If they don't play Peyton against us that first game, I think it will be because they are afraid of our new improved pass rush.
 
Who the hell cares if we beat the Colts without Manning. It's not like we haven't had our fair share of injuries before and that the win would go down in the record books with an asterisk beside it.

A win is a win is a win.


Exactly. Nobody ever asked that a win against the Texans be marked with some kind of asterisk because we had hurt players or no depth. A win against the Colts with or without Manning isn't a no-win situation for the Texans. It's absolutely a win.

Having said that I refuse to ever believe that Manning won't play like Robo-QB until I see it happen. Unless the man is in the process of hacking up a spleen he's still probably the single best player on earth at beating the Texans. I think he could do it in his sleep 2 out of 10 tries.
 
Reggie Wayne apparently has a problem with this.

"We don't even know him, we ain't vanilla, man, we ain't no simple offense," receiver Reggie Wayne said. "So for him to can come in here and be the starter, I don't see it. I think that's a step back."

Wayne, a five-time Pro Bowler and one of Manning's favorite targets, has supported backup Curtis Painter. And while he called Collins "a great guy," he said he was worried about the Colts getting better.

"Who says Kerry's going to be the starter?" Wayne said. "Just because we bring him in doesn't mean he's the starter. He's got to learn too, right? Unless they gave him a playbook months ago, he's got to learn to.

"I don't care who you are, I mean I'm not going to let anyone just come in here and just push someone (like Painter) aside like you're that dog now, you know what I mean?" Wayne added.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/6...ry-collins-sources-doubt-peyton-manning-ready
 
hmmm... sounds like Reggie's not too happy
Wayne, a five-time Pro Bowl selection and one of Manning's favorite targets, has supported backup Curtis Painter. And while he called Collins "a great guy," he said he was worried about the Colts getting better.
"Who says Kerry's going to be the starter?" Wayne said. "Just because we bring him in doesn't mean he's the starter. He's got to learn too, right? Unless they gave him a playbook months ago, he's got to learn too.
"I don't care who you are, I mean I'm not going to let anyone just come in here and just push someone [like Painter] aside like you're that dog now, you know what I mean?" Wayne added.
 
it's a no win situation for us. we beat them with manning, they get the he's not 100% excuse. we beat them without manning, we get the he didn't play excuse.

Hehe I'm quite sure the Texans will get a win where it counts. And the beauty of the division, is that we'll get the chance to kick their butts again later in the year with a healthy manning. Sweeping the Colts!!! Sounds good doesn't it!!!
 
Who the hell cares if we beat the Colts without Manning. It's not like we haven't had our fair share of injuries before and that the win would go down in the record books with an asterisk beside it.

A win is a win is a win.

WHOOA. Hold up just one minute here... You mean the Colts got credit for a full W for the Rosencopter??
 
WHOOA. Hold up just one minute here... You mean the Colts got credit for a full W for the Rosencopter??

The Jets made the playoffs instead of us due to Peyton's voluntary absence in week 16 and 17 of 2009. Yeah, I'd say we have a few of these fortunate events coming.
 
WHOOA. Hold up just one minute here... You mean the Colts got credit for a full W for the Rosencopter??

w's are w's and l's are l's. T's are for sissies. Rosencopter cost us just as much as the game 1 debacle against the j-E-T-S.
 
You've got to seriously question Collins' conditioning if he is called to take over Sept 11. There were pieces this past spring saying that Collins had not participated in any conditioning activities since last season. When he was asked to rejoin the Tacks, he initially agreed to do so. After taking time to think about it, he announced his retirement the end of July with this statement:

“After 16 fulfilling years of playing quarterback in the NFL, I am officially announcing my retirement from professional football,” Collins said in a statement released by Athletes First, the agency that represents him. “The past several months have brought much introspection, and I have decided that while my desire to compete on Sundays is still and always will be there, my willingness to commit to the preparation necessary to play another season has waned to a level that I feel is no longer adequate to meet the demands of the position.”

Kerry Collins has been here before, and it didn't go well

By Tom Weir, USA TODAY
Updated 2h 34m ago


Kerry Collins is suddenly a hot topic in the NFL. For perhaps the first time in his career he's getting compared to Brett Favre. But only because he has come out of retirement to be Peyton Manning's backup, or possibly his replacement, if Manning's neck problems linger.

Here are some historical notes to consider about the quarterback who may be handed the keys to one of the NFL's most feared offenses.

Collins has been signed late in the summer before, also on a semi-emergency basis. In 2006 the Titans brought him aboard on Aug. 28 when Billy Volek was struggling and Vince Young was a rookie. The crash course on Tennessee's offense didn't go well, as Collins was 0-3 as a starter before being benched. But, to be fair, his top receivers were Drew Bennett and Bobby Wade, not Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark.

If indeed Collins starts in Week 1 against Houston he will need to throw for only 111 yards to move to No. 10 all-time for career passing yards, supplanting NFL legend Joe Montana.

Collins already is in the NFL's 40,000-yard club with 40,411, but that's hardly a Hall of Fame credential. Just ask Vinny Testaverde (46,233, 7th all-time) and Drew Bledsoe (44,611, No. 8.)

Some fans in Indianapolis no doubt are asking whether the Colts should have made a greater effort to land a backup for Manning earlier, and for good reason. In his last two seasons at Tennessee, Collins was 2-5 as a starter in 2010, and 0-6 in 2009. He's 81-96 all-time as an NFL starter.

So what does Colts president Bill Polian like about Collins? Maybe it's some of Collins' performances against Indianapolis from 2007-2010. Collins quarterbacked the Titans to wins against Indy in 2007 and 2008. And in 2010 Collins kept a mediocre (6-10) Tennessee team surprisingly close to the AFC South champions in two losses (30-28 and 23-20). Or maybe Polian wants to prove he had it right in 1995, when as GM at Carolina he made Collins the first draft choice in Panthers history.

And this isn't the first time a development in the Manning family has led to a roster move involving Collins. In 2004 he was released by the Giants after they drafted Eli Manning.
 
Quit dreaming.

Peyton will play week 1.

If he is not 100% I hope he does. The rhythm is often off in the first week anyway, and is Peyton hasn't been out there taking reps, and s still feelin' it a little, then we've got to fancy our chances!

I'm a little surprised they picked up Collins though - if he suits up the Texans' prep work for him won't be as intense due to the meetings recently.
 
Ditto. This is all smoke and mirrors from the Ponies.

No offense, but that doesn't make any sense at all. And by "at all", I mean at all.

If Peyton Manning, one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history, is healthy enough to play in game 1, why in the hell would it be necessary for the Colts to use smoke and mirror against a team that he is 16-2 against?

Peyton might end up playing, but I think your conspiracy theory is a stretch at best.
 
I fully expect to see Manning out there and in better shape than they're letting on. I think all the Collins signing shows is that they know they have **** for backups and the reality of Manning possibly going down is stronger than it's ever been. I hope Wade brings the house and puts Peyton on his ass early and often. Not saying hurt the guy, but rattle his cage and let's see that Peyton pout. Worrying about his neck will only help get that pout going.

Shoot, I don't care if we have to kill the guy or not, just win the freaking game.
 
No offense, but that doesn't make any sense at all. And by "at all", I mean at all.

If Peyton Manning, one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history, is healthy enough to play in game 1, why in the hell would it be necessary for the Colts to use smoke and mirror against a team that he is 16-2 against?

Peyton might end up playing, but I think your conspiracy theory is a stretch at best.

No offense but I never said the smoke and mirrors was directly solely towards the Texans. I'm just saying anyone who feels like Manning will not start week 1 is delusional. Maybe the Colts ownership is panicking, but if Peyton Manning is upright on 9/11/2011, he will start.

After all, this is the team that is one of the worst offenders of lying on injury reports.
 
No offense but I never said the smoke and mirrors was directly solely towards the Texans. I'm just saying anyone who feels like Manning will not start week 1 is delusional. Maybe the Colts ownership is panicking, but if Peyton Manning is upright on 9/11/2011, he will start.

After all, this is the team that is one of the worst offenders of lying on injury reports.


You might not have said that it was directed at the Texans, but IMO, it is inherent in your statement that the Texans are really the logical team that any such smoke and mirrors would be directed toward.
It wouldn't be directed toward any of their remaining preseason opponents, and it doesn't make sense that it would be directed toward their week two, three of four opponents, so the Texans are the logical conclusion.

I think it's much more likely that their management is overreacting than a matter of smoke and mirrors, but at any rate, you could end up being correct that he will play.
 
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Personally, I think Manning will be playing. However, the Colts paying Collins $4 million has me thinkin there's a real possibility Jughead won't play
 
Whether its Peyton or Collins, expect the timing to me way off on their offense. Some inaccurate throws, miscommunication between QB/WR.... I see some tipped and deflected balls falling into our defenses' hands.
 
it's a no win situation for us. we beat them with manning, they get the he's not 100% excuse. we beat them without manning, we get the he didn't play excuse.

Don't really care what Colts fans say if we win. Especially if we continue to win after that.
 
Don't really care what Colts fans say if we win. Especially if we continue to win after that.

^^^^^^ This!! It's our record at the end of the year that counts, not game one!

All the media hypes are gonna rag on us regardless, so who cares if PM plays or not. Personally, I think he will play. He has a HUGE ego that sits on top of that sore neck, and this is a division game. NO way will he let losing the division to us be blamed on him not being able to play that first game. His pride can't take that type of hit, and you can bet your butt he's worried about the Texans this year. The pieces are falling together for us, and PM is well aware of that. He also knows that when we face them the second time this season, we will be much better, if we survive the injury bug. He'll play!! Bet on it!!
 
^^^^^^ This!! It's our record at the end of the year that counts, not game one!

All the media hypes are gonna rag on us regardless, so who cares if PM plays or not. Personally, I think he will play. He has a HUGE ego that sits on top of that sore neck, and this is a division game. NO way will he let losing the division to us be blamed on him not being able to play that first game. His pride can't take that type of hit, and you can bet your butt he's worried about the Texans this year. The pieces are falling together for us, and PM is well aware of that. He also knows that when we face them the second time this season, we will be much better, if we survive the injury bug. He'll play!! Bet on it!!

Not aimed at you, but a general response to whether or not he will play.

I know it's easy for people to overlook the true human side of a story like this. They see Peyton Manning, who for all intents and purposes is larger than life, and ascribe traits to him that are somewhat more than human.
On the purely human side, we're talking about a guy who had surgery on his neck twice.
That's a scary thing.
I don't care how tough he is, or how much he thinks is on the line by missing one game, the guy is facing a decision that could have a major impact on his health and well being if he chooses wrong.

Yes, the game is important, but I think the nature of his injury is an exponentially larger factor in his decision than something like a torn ligament, or broken bone.
I think we can all agree that Manning is a smart guy. I just don't see him allowing his pride, or competitiveness to over ride common sense in this scenario. Not with that type of injury.

Having said that, sure he might end up playing... but I don't think it will be a "damn the torpedos, victory at all costs" decision. He will only play if he is confident that his injury will allow it.
 
Not aimed at you, but a general response to whether or not he will play.

I know it's easy for people to overlook the true human side of a story like this. They see Peyton Manning, who for all intents and purposes is larger than life, and ascribe traits to him that are somewhat more than human.
On the purely human side, we're talking about a guy who had surgery on his neck twice.
That's a scary thing.
I don't care how tough he is, or how much he thinks is on the line by missing one game, the guy is facing a decision that could have a major impact on his health and well being if he chooses wrong.

Yes, the game is important, but I think the nature of his injury is an exponentially larger factor in his decision than something like a torn ligament, or broken bone.
I think we can all agree that Manning is a smart guy. I just don't see him allowing his pride, or competitiveness to over ride common sense in this scenario. Not with that type of injury.

Having said that, sure he might end up playing... but I don't think it will be a "damn the torpedos, victory at all costs" decision. He will only play if he is confident that his injury will allow it.

From what has come out of the Colts and Manning himself, Manning evidently has been trying to avoid surgery since 4 years ago when he first started having problems with his neck. He again waited until near the end of May to have his 2nd surgery after trying to rehab his neck himself. He could have opted to have this last surgery right after the 2010 season had ended. The longer you wait to decompress a cervical nerve which is under pressure, the greater the extent of the damage. When taken care of quickly, many times there is instant relief of the preoperatively noted problems. At one point in time though, the damage from chronic pressure can be such that the return of function is extremely slow (up to 2 years) and, unfortunately, sometimes ultimately incomplete. The other thing that needs to be kept in mind is that the "minimally-invasive" surgeries still may not have entirely eliminated the pressure on the nerve, and that he will soon require the more major "open" fusion surgery to do so. Again, if this is the case, the longer he waits, the less predictable the return of function, despite adequate decompression of the nerve. Likewise, if he continues to traumatize the nerve through the decision to return to play, the situation certainly cannot become any lesser.

You can rehab a muscle with concentrated effort. But there is very little that can be done to hasten the rehab of a nerve. And, after all, it is the nerve that gives the muscle the signal to function. Poor nerve function will therefore, always result in poor muscle function.
 
Don't really care what Colts fans say if we win. Especially if we continue to win after that.

Don't care either, but I was referring to the talking heads on national tv/radio.

To me a win is a win but people will always try to have excuses for it.
 
From a personal standpoint, I hope PM takes care of himself. I had a 12 yr "career" riding roughstock at county fairs and the such, and I can tell you, from 1st hand experience, that the physical toll just isn't worth it. I've had 6 arthroscopic surgeries on joints, 1 abdominal surgery, declined surgery on my jaw, cheekbone and eye socket, and need several more surgeries on various joints. That's not even considering the concussions I've suffered. Between the need to make some $$ and the need to "prove" I was tough, I never thought twice.
Now I'm 41, have trouble getting out of bed some mornings, can't walk half a mile without stopping, memory problems, blah, blah, blah.
The competiveness that makes a pro athlete also breaks them. I would gladly trade the buckles, saddles and cash I won for a somewhat healthy body. The desire to win and compete clouds the ability to reason. I hope everyone involved with PM councils him wisely and I hope he listens. I have buried a few friends that didn't listen and visit a few that are in wheelchairs because they didn't.
 
Not aimed at you, but a general response to whether or not he will play.

I know it's easy for people to overlook the true human side of a story like this. They see Peyton Manning, who for all intents and purposes is larger than life, and ascribe traits to him that are somewhat more than human.
On the purely human side, we're talking about a guy who had surgery on his neck twice.
That's a scary thing.
I don't care how tough he is, or how much he thinks is on the line by missing one game, the guy is facing a decision that could have a major impact on his health and well being if he chooses wrong.

Yes, the game is important, but I think the nature of his injury is an exponentially larger factor in his decision than something like a torn ligament, or broken bone.
I think we can all agree that Manning is a smart guy. I just don't see him allowing his pride, or competitiveness to over ride common sense in this scenario. Not with that type of injury.

Having said that, sure he might end up playing... but I don't think it will be a "damn the torpedos, victory at all costs" decision. He will only play if he is confident that his injury will allow it.

Peyton Manning is human like everyone else. His ego is a different story. He wants Favre's iron man record. After all this is the guy that threw his team mates under the bus after a first round playoff loss. Blaming everyone but himself.
 
Don't care either, but I was referring to the talking heads on national tv/radio.

To me a win is a win but people will always try to have excuses for it.

I don't really care what the talking heads say either. Honestly, I do not know why fans pine for respect from those clowns. Just win and take care of business. Screw those guys.
 
GreenBay had the 1s in for a pretty short period of time........no one looked sharp.

Curtis Painter shows signs of life

Colts President Bill Polian has already said that Kerry Collins will start Indy’s season opener if Peyton Manning isn’t ready.

While it’s probably too late, Curtis Painter is doing his best on Friday night to change Polian’s mind. Painter struggled as usual in his first couple drives, starting 1-of-5 for seven yards. He has difficulty recognizing blitzes.

Painter turned it around after that, completing 9-of-15 for 159 yards and two touchdowns to give the Colts a 14-10 lead over the Packers at halftime.

A few caveats apply. Some of Green Bay’s starters weren’t in for the second touchdown drive. Painter’s 57-yard throw to Reggie Wayne came in what amounted to a blown coverage.

We doubt this will be enough for Painter to challenge Collins, but it may be enough to win a roster spot and kick Dan Orlovsky off the roster eventually.[/QUOTE]
 
I'm leaning toward Kerry starting with all probability watching Manning on the sidelines for a few weeks...

If they thought PM would be good to go by week 1 or 2, there is little reason to bring in a retired Collins. Painter or Dan O isn't who you would want to hang your hat on for a season, but certainly, if you felt confident Manning would be throwing by week 2 or 3, they'd like their chances for a full season run. You don't pay 4 million dollars for a retired QB to come into camp if you are questioning the certainty of Manning for just 1 or 2 weeks. This smells longer.

The only person saying Manning will be ready for week 1 is Manning. Even if he thought otherwise, there is no reason but to keep on saying what he's saying. It keeps everyone else speculating. Why would he say otherwise?

At 90mil for 5, if they never see the playoffs again, Manning is paid 1.1mil per game. To bring Collins in for 1 or 2 games at 4mil just seems STEEP. I doubt they feel Collins to be worthy of that kind of 2 game paycheck.

What do I know.. I just thinking out loud.

Either way, Collins vs. Manning with a week's throwing... It's all good for this Texans fan!


One additional thought... "IF" Manning's streak ends, and "IF" the colts are mathematically out of it by the end of week 15... Does Manning sit the final two games of the season? Based on recent history of Colts "playing it safe" with such decisions, I could see it where we are facing a Painter project in week 16...

Man, I can't wait for week 1!
 
ESPN story on espn.com says Colts likely to activate Manning before Sept. 3.

The word "likely" was used by Polian, IIRC, in a direct quote.

Too lazy to post the article and quote and link. Go hunt it down if you want it.

:eatinglunchnow:
 
ESPN story on espn.com says Colts likely to activate Manning before Sept. 3.

The word "likely" was used by Polian, IIRC, in a direct quote.

Too lazy to post the article and quote and link. Go hunt it down if you want it.

:eatinglunchnow:

That's really a non-story because all "Activating" him means is he's on the roster and eligible to play - not that he's healthy. Not activating means he is forced to miss the first six games of the regular season.
 
ESPN story on espn.com says Colts likely to activate Manning before Sept. 3.

The word "likely" was used by Polian, IIRC, in a direct quote.

Too lazy to post the article and quote and link. Go hunt it down if you want it.

:eatinglunchnow:

It was Caldwell that said that. http://espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp11/story/_/id/6900658/peyton-manning-indianapolis-colts-come-pup-list-shortly

But today, it's like a take-me-back:

But Caldwell was more vague today.

“I’m not certain of that at this point in time,” Caldwell said regarding the question of when Peyton will be able to practice, according to quotes issued by the team. “The doctors, at some point in time, will take a look and make a determination. When they say Peyton’s ready to go, he’s certainly going (to). We’ll adapt and adjust and he’ll take part in some form of practice, whenever that is. It could be today, it could be tomorrow or it could be a week from now. I’m not real sure. Whenever that is we’ll adjust, and he’ll certainly participate.”
link
 
Dolts are just trying to play head games and keeping folks guessing. MOST of the Dolts management likely has major doubts Payton will play, but Payton thinks he will, so they play along, but are still trying to cover their backsides without just coming out and saying he isn't playing. I bet he DOES start, but the first time it looks like we are going to be able to get to him, he will be out of the game so fast it will make your head spin. Keeps his record in tact and protects them for the future. As long as we plan for the Payton quality of QB play, anything else will be easier.
 
Dolts are just trying to play head games and keeping folks guessing. MOST of the Dolts management likely has major doubts Payton will play, but Payton thinks he will, so they play along, but are still trying to cover their backsides without just coming out and saying he isn't playing. I bet he DOES start, but the first time it looks like we are going to be able to get to him, he will be out of the game so fast it will make your head spin. Keeps his record in tact and protects them for the future. As long as we plan for the Payton quality of QB play, anything else will be easier.

Peyton has to watching the Texans D...........then watching his Oline in preseason. If he is foolish enough to and allowed to play game 1 regular season, even for a short while, that will likely be when his consecutive game streak ends.........if not his season.
 
Wow, they paid this old man a lot of money AND it is potentially for 2 years.

If the Indianapolis Colts need Kerry Collins past the 2011 season, it will cost them.

The contract between the Colts and Collins originally was reported to be a one-year deal, but the team actually has signed the 17-year veteran quarterback to a two-year, $14 million pact, The Indianapolis Star reported Saturday.

Collins is guaranteed $4 million this season, thanks to a $1.5 million base salary and $2.5 million signing bonus. He would receive $10 million in base salary in 2012.

The Star reported that Collins will count just $2.75 million against the NFL salary cap this season because he received a two-year deal.

Although rehabilitating quarterback Peyton Manning is determined to start the Sept. 11 season opener, Collins is tasked with being ready to go against the Houston Texans.

"Hopefully, Peyton will be back, but if he's not, maybe I can be one of the guys that can help this ballclub," Collins said Wednesday after joining the team.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000...-for-two-years-14m?module=HP11_headline_stack
 
Lol, $14 million for a backup. Kerry Collins will be starting week 1 and for a while it looks like to me.
 
From the IndyStar

New Colts backup
QB Kerry Collins will
'play a lot' in final
preseason game



1:00 PM, Aug. 30, 2011|


Peyton Manning won’t be playing, but
Indianapolis Colts fans can expect to see a
whole lot of Kerry Collins at quarterback in
Thursday’s NFL preseason finale at
Cincinnati.

How much Collins will play, just a week
after he was signed to be Manning’s
backup, the Colts aren’t saying. But suffice
to say the 17th-year veteran will need
quality time at Paul Brown Stadium to
advance his quick study of the playbook.

“He’s going to play a lot,” Colts coach Jim
Caldwell said in today’s news conference at
the team’s West 56th Street complex.
“Obviously we’ll kind of determine that
here in the next couple days or so.”

Caldwell didn’t say Collins would start, as is
presumed. Asked if reserve quarterback
Curtis Painter will play, the coach said, “We’
re not real sure of exactly what we’re going
to do, what our rotation is as of yet.”

Collins was signed to back up Manning,
who on Monday was taken off the
physically-unable-to-perform (PUP) list in
the next step of the four-time NFL MVP’s
rehabilitation from neck surgery May 23.

Manning has been cleared to practice on a
limited basis but confirmed he won’t play
against the Bengals.

Collins was retired when the Colts,
concerned about Manning being ready for
the Sept. 11 season opener at Houston,
called his Nashville, Tenn., home.

Colts vice chairman Bill Polian drafted
Collins out of Penn State with the fifth
overall pick in 1995. While with the Nittany
Lions, Collins had Caldwell as his position
coach for two years.

“Really, I’m looking at getting him the
experience of operating the offense in a
game-type situation,” Caldwell said. “There
are only so many things you can simulate in
practice, but it’s a little bit different in the
ballgame.



“But the nice thing is the fact that he’s been
in ‘em, he understands concepts, he
understands the basic philosophy of what
we’re trying to do. He’s way ahead in that
regard.”

That also goes for Manning, should he be foolish enough to play.
 
http://www.nflgridirongab.com/2011/09/02/week-1-quarterback-situations/

Colts: Likely starting Peyton Manning. Kerry Collins looked pretty good with the vanilla offense against the second-team Cincinnati D and Painter will push him for the second string. However, Peyton Manning asked the front office to let him decide whether or not he plays. Manning is such a competitor that – unless his career would be endangered by him playing -, he’ll make his 228th consecutive start. He’s off the PUP list and knows this week 1, against AFC South challengers Houston, is a big game in which he – even with limited practice – gives the Colts the best chance to win. Kerry Collins is 2nd only to Peyton Manning among active players in yards in the air. McNabb is 3rd, replacing the former #1 Brett Favre as the starting Viking quarterback.
 
With the way our 1st team D has developed, the Colts indeed should worry about their OL.
Kravitz is the IndyStar's Colts sports writer.
Kravitz: Offensive line offers reason to worry

CINCINNATI -- We're worrying about the wrong people. We're worrying about the quarterbacks, worrying specifically whether Kerry Collins can get up to speed in time for the Indianapolis Colts' Sept. 11 opener in Houston.

Quit worrying.

And focus your concern on the people in front of the quarterback, whether it's Peyton Manning, Collins, Curtis Painter or Jim Harbaugh taking the snaps.

Houston, they have a problem, and now that the preseason is done after the Colts' 17-13 victory over the Bengals, the problem continues to be the Indianapolis offensive line. Maybe over time, this group will come together, but 10 days before the opener in Houston, this group scares me silly.

After the game, center Jeff Saturday said he's comfortable with the way his group has progressed. But, then, what else would you expect him to say?

"We're still working,'' he said. "(Ryan) Diem moving inside, he wasn't doing it two weeks ago. (Anthony) Castonzo starting, (Joe) Reitz changing (positions), we're still working, but I am comfortable with where we are . . . We're clicking, we're talking and we're getting better every week.''

The preseason results, though, suggest otherwise.

One week after Jeff Linkenbach struggled against Green Bay, Castonzo had his problems with Cincinnati defensive end Michael Johnson.

And the running game . . . blecch.

During a first half in which the Colts played their front-line offensive linemen, they ran for 2 yards on six carries.

As for Kerry Collins . . . no worries.

The guy came off his couch, had just four practices, played with backups at the skill positions, and showed just about everything the Colts needed to see.

Namely, he still has an arm.

His first play from scrimmage, he aired out a nice ball to receiver David Gilreath, who drew the pass interference call.

"I guess they wanted to see how far I could throw it still, I guess,'' he said, smiling.

The next series, he found Taj Smith on a nice slant that led to a first down. (WTHR's Rich Nye ripped off the line of the game: "Taj is having a Drew Haddad kind of night.'')

There was another nice throw on a pass bobbled and dropped by Chris Brooks.

Collins had a chance to play with the starting offensive line, which made a ton of sense, but didn't get any time with the starting skill-position people, which didn't. If there's any chance Collins starts Sept. 11 in Houston, don't you want to see him take a few snaps now with Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon and Dallas Clark?

(Jim Caldwell said he considered playing the starters, but with Austin Collie and Anthony Gonzalez injured, he chose to take the cautious route and sit them.)

"I felt comfortable,'' Collins said. "I saw the field well, made some good throws, and there was a lot to learn from. All in all, I thought there were a lot of positive things.''

It's abundantly clear that if Collins has to play, this offensive line is going to have to be better -- a lot better -- than it has been this preseason. Collins makes Manning look like Michael Vick in the pocket. Manning is brilliant at feeling and sidestepping the rush. Collins will be a sitting duck.
 
http://www.nflgridirongab.com/2011/09/02/week-1-quarterback-situations/

Colts: Likely starting Peyton Manning. Kerry Collins looked pretty good with the vanilla offense against the second-team Cincinnati D and Painter will push him for the second string. However, Peyton Manning asked the front office to let him decide whether or not he plays. Manning is such a competitor that – unless his career would be endangered by him playing -, he’ll make his 228th consecutive start. He’s off the PUP list and knows this week 1, against AFC South challengers Houston, is a big game in which he – even with limited practice – gives the Colts the best chance to win. Kerry Collins is 2nd only to Peyton Manning among active players in yards in the air. McNabb is 3rd, replacing the former #1 Brett Favre as the starting Viking quarterback.
A differing opinion:

ESPN's Adam Schefter predicted on Sportcenter Friday that Kerry Collins would be the starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1.

"They're going as if Kerry Collins is going to be the starter," said Schefter. "That's the feeling in the organization." Schefter appears to be referring the early season only; the Colts wouldn't have removed Peyton Manning from the PUP list if they expected him to sit out the entire year. We'll know more when the Colts begin Week 1 preparations next week, but for now it looks like Collins is in the driver's seat to start against the Texans. It would be a major early-season blow to all of Indianapolis' pass catchers.

http://theredzone.org/BlogDescription/tabid/61/EntryId/19776/Schefter--Kerry-Collins-will-start-Week-1-for-Colts/Default.aspx
 
Is it really weird that I think the Texans will win against the Colts in Houston no matter who starts, be it 18 or Vodka Collins?
 
Is it really weird that I think the Texans will win against the Colts in Houston no matter who starts, be it 18 or Vodka Collins?

I tend to agree with you.

BTW, also as an aside, a great deal of credit should be extended to Collins for having not having taken a drink since 2000........turning his life totally around.
 
No clue as to the credibility of this guy, but from some Indianapolis radio talk show host...

JMV1070 JMV1070
Been told by multi sources that QB P Manning needs a 2nd neck procedure. Will remain out indefinitely.Called #colts and waiting on response.
 
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