Luck to the Colts? a Fan's Take

If anyone has paid attention to the Indianapolis Colts this season, they know the situation the team is in. The Colts have started the season 0-7, and have not looked like the team that has been in the playoffs nine straight years going into this season. Their start is the worst start by the team since Peyton Manning's rookie season, when they finished 3-13.

The loss of Manning going into this season can account for the team's start, but that's not to say they can't win games without him. This is the first time the team has been without their captain since before he was drafted, but they have capable players that are more than capable to string together wins.

This start, however, could be beneficial to the team. If they keep up this pace, they will finish 0-16, or 1-15, and receive the first pick in next year's draft, which will no doubt be Stanford standout QB Andrew Luck.

This brings up quite a situation, since Manning is expected back from injury next season. Many believe if the team has the first overall pick, Manning will voice his opinion, and ask the team not to draft Luck. This should not be the case if the situation arises. Manning is a veteran player, and has been around long enough to know how the game goes. He knows his career is winding down, but he also realizes he can still go out and play for another 2-3 seasons. If he was to veto such a move, this is where the front office would have to step in.

It is the front office's job to make sure the team has a future beyond their veteran players, and the Colts are no exception. If you have a situation where you can draft one of the best QB prospects, since your very own QB, you have to take it. Manning will be 36 years old at the start of next season, and has been dealing with a neck injury that has received numerous surgeries. There is cause for concern on that factor alone, but there is concern on what would happen to Luck.

The common fear of drafting Luck is what would they do with him? Manning will be the team's starting QB for at least two more seasons, which causes a lack of playing time for Luck. The case for this can be traced back to Green Bay, and how the Brett Favre/Aaron Rodgers situation played out. There were winners and losers in their case, but ultimately the decision came through for all sides. It pokes fun at the question, if Rodgers didn't sit behind Favre, would he have developed as well as he did? This case can be applied to the Colts, and a decision would have to be made on whether or not it would be beneficial for Luck to sit behind a future HOF like Manning for a few seasons.

There are numerous situations that will present themselves between now and draft day next year. The Colts may not receive the first pick, and if they do, could drafting Luck cause a controversy with Manning? Decisions like this are what the front office gets paid for, but before any decisions can be made, we have to see how this season plays out first.