Colt's Conundrum

The Indianapolis Colts will have to face a rather large conundrum in the coming weeks. That's when Peyton Manning, their franchise quarterback, may be let go before the Colts have to pay him a whopping $28 million dollar bonus which in theory they would use to pay new franchise quarterback Andrew Luck. (Assuming they take him with the first overall pick.) Now, on a personal note I am a big Peyton Manning fan, I think the guy has earned the right to do what he wants and I think that he is still capable of playing in the NFL. That said, this situation is almost tailor made as a succession plan. You have a young promising quarterback that you can use as you move forward as, lets face it, Manning won't be playing much longer even if healthy, and this would set the franchise up for the long term. The  Colts spiral into mediocrity was unexpected to say the least and cost several people including coach Jim Caldwell their jobs. Several veterans like Jeff Saturday and Reggie Wayne may also be on their way out as Jim Irsay cleans the house the Peyton built. Manning has been a good solider and meant a great deal to this franchise leading them to a Super Bowl Title, but with his uncertain future and potential successor awaiting, is this not the ideal time to part ways? It has been less then amicable in the newspapers and twitter between Manning and Irsay, neither seeming willing to admit that this may in fact be for the best. Irsay owes it to the franchise and its fans to think long term and if Andrew Luck can come in and successfully lead the Colts for the next number of years, isn't that what's for the best? Now, if there was some way to keep Peyton to mentor Andrew this would be ideal, but it seems like that is financial suicide as I'm fairly certain the other players on the team won't work for free. Manning for his part has the opportunity to move on and go to a team that could be a contender instantly if he is playing well. Why is this a bad thing? I know it's difficult to move on, and I can't personally imagine the attachment he has to the city and its fans, but this is what happens in the world of professional sport. The Colts are moving forward and like they say father time is undefeated and so may be the case for Peyton Manning's career waring the horseshoe.