The Indianapolis Colts have always been a great team both offensively and defensively, but who knew that without their star quarterback, Peyton Manning, the team would collapse. Manning is sitting out this year due to a neck injury and the team is suffering heavy damage. The Colts are playing at their worst this season and it doesn’t look like they will be having a comeback anytime soon.
Even with a 53 active man roster, the Colts are having a dreadful season with a record of 0-10. You would think that in those 53 players, 11 or so could play well or at least better than they are now. After the shocking loss against Jacksonville Jaguars, the Colts look like they have given up all hope of winning.
The importance of Manning being with the Colts is apparent during the season. Without this four time MVP quarterback, the Colts are being slaughtered every game. He is the reason why the Colts have been doing so well in the past years, but now that Manning is out the Colts are being pummeled to the bottom of the NFL. "I hate it for Peyton," said Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday, one of Manning's closest friends. "You want him to be healthy, you want him to be back, but you want him to take care of it, too. It's sad when players face tough times, but I know he's strong enough to get through it."
Perhaps it isn’t just Manning’s skill on offensive or defensive, but his ability to be a leader. The team relies on Manning to carry them to victory, which is a lot of pressure, but Manning always seems to deliver. He gives the Colts the spirit to continue fighting even when they are at a loss. Just as an army without its general is unorganized and scattered, a team without its leader is hesitant and inefficient.
The team hopes that Manning will be able to play next year, for without him, they can’t even win. It is surprising how the absence of a single player can affect a team this much. The Colts are still playing their games, but it seems like they aren’t putting much effort into it. Maybe they don't have their star quarterback, but their wide receivers and defenders can't be that bad and they should be able to play offense and defense well even without Manning. The team has to learn to play without relying on him , because he isn't going to be on the Colts forever. The only productive thing they can do now is train a younger quarterback to fill Manning’s position.
Manning is the Colts' ultimate weapon, and the team needs him more than anything, but for now the team just needs to survive this season. The Colts will most likely have a winless season this year and they can’t do much about it. They just have to get past this season and hope that Manning will return strong next year. “Hopefully Peyton will be back, but if he's not maybe I can be one of the guys that can help this ball club," Collins said. "The biggest draw for me coming here was just being with a team that I have a lot of respect for and a lot of history with, and really to be with a great team and play with one of greatest quarterbacks of all time."
