Colts Owner Jabs Back at Manning, “He is a Politician”-Things Are Starting to Get Ugly In Indianapolis.

Published: 26^th Jan 12 8:08 pm

by Christopher B. Batchelder
chrisbatchelder

RANT It!

Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

The saga in Indianapolis continues. After Manning’s recent negative comments about the organization, you just knew that owner Jim Irsay was going to fire back at him. He finally did after the press conference introducing the Colts new head coach. Jim Irsay was interviewed and made comments about the 35-year-old franchise quarterback. He called Manning a “politician” and said that “Manning knows how we work around here and he needs to keep it in the family,” referring to the Colts organization.

When Manning thought those strong comments, was it necessary for him to publicly voice them? He is a player coming off a neck injury with massive changes in the organization, and he may be a little concerned for his wellbeing in Indianapolis-who wouldn’t. My question with Jim Irsay saying that he needed to keep things “in house,” is does that apply only for players? What was said in Irsay’s interview was no better than what Manning said in his. What Irsay did was make it into a high school back and forth game of words.

The comments back and forth are only the beginning between the two. With Irsay and Manning scheduled to meet some time in February, that gives a lot of time for media to blow this out of proportion. One thing is for sure with all this talk they are definitely headed for one of the worst break-ups in the NFL in recent years. When these comments came out about Manning, who is well respected by many players and fans, it took everyone off guard.

When you look at all the players and organization that in the past that have gone their separate ways, one thing is common- they all had some kind of a disagreement. You can take a pick at which disagreement will send Peyton packing from Indy, there is already so many things that has not sat well.

Manning came back later today to and said this ”At this point, Mr. Irsay and I owe it to each other and to the fans of the organization to handle this appropriately and professionally, and I think we will. I’ve already reached out to Mr. Irsay.

Either way I believe the damaged has been done and I would be surprised to see Manning in Indianapolis much longer.

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