The Indianapolis Colts haven’t started a season 0-2 since Peyton Manning’s rookie season, 1998. After losses to the Texans and Browns, the Colts are now 0-2; however, Peyton Manning has been hurt. So Saturday when the question of Andrew Luck came up as it always does, the host on NBC was asking could the Colts tank their season and draft Stanford QB Andrew Luck in April.
To even ask the question was shocking, but it drew some interesting chitter-chatter from panelists, including Sports Illustrated’s Peter King who said Colts GM Bill Pollian would not hesitate to draft Luck if given the chance. No matter the opinion of the currently-worthless Peyton Manning, he said Pollian would do it in a heart beat.
Well that makes sense because any team would. Many have called Luck the most guaranteed No. 1 draft pick since John Elway… and we’re talking about the Colts, who have probably the guy on the list that comes right after Elway in terms of drafting quarterbacks.
However, consider this: even if the Colts got the chance to draft Luck, they shouldn’t. As this 0-2 start has shown, the Colts are too reliant on Manning, forcing him to make everyone around him better instead of the other way around – forcing him to make all the plays instead of having some help. Without Manning the Colts are grounded – they’re dirt.
So why draft Andrew Luck (if they even have the No. 1 pick, remember it looks as though Manning will come back) when you need so much more? That whole team is getting old. Consider trading that No. 1 pick for a slew on No. 1 picks. Also consider Ricky Williams NFL Draft history. Mike Ditka, then the New Orleans Saints’ head coach traded an entire draft to get the pick that would secure Ricky Williams as the pick. Then Williams dropped off the NFL scene after achieving superstardom.
I’m not saying Luck would do the same thing, but I am saying that a GM would be willing to give a right hip for a chance at Luck. While I say this I also remember what I originally said: Pollian is one of these hip-giving GMs.
But the Colts just need to get younger. They need to build around a QB. Manning just signed a huge extension not to long ago, so you can’t just kick him to the curb quite yet. Unless of course this neck injury turns into something much more serious than we can imagine right now.
I don’t think the Colts will get the No. 1 pick, but although Peter King said Pollian would pull the trigger on Luck, I don’t think it’s a smart idea for an aging franchise who needs a lot of new faces.
