Some Colts fans have seen this before
A reader sent Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star an interesting piece of advice:
QUESTION: Not a question, but a comment. I’ve been Colts fan since John Unitas was at the helm. When that era sadly ended and Johnny U was shipped to San Diego, I was appalled and embarrassed for the Colts and the NFL. That’s when the business end of the NFL rang true. So my advice to the nouveau Colts fans is to let this new scheme play out, because you can’t go backward, only forward. So many variables with young players. Let’s give the new regime a chance to prove itself.
– from Bob, Milwaukee, Wis.
ANSWER: No comment on your comment, other than “well said.’’ We’ll see if everyone else is as patient. It’s going to be a trying time if Andrew Luck and the Colts struggle this season, and Peyton Manning leads the Denver Broncos deep into the playoffs. Also, everyone will be comparing Luck’s progress to that of Robert Griffin III. But all of that is what makes things so intriguing.
Well said indeed.
Actually Jimfix it is the same despite you wandering through the Marty Domres/Bert Jones eras. In typical Irsay ownership fashion, loyalty only goes one way. Johnny U was the colts franchise in the late 50's, the 60's and early 70's. Peyton has been the franchise since the he was drafted. as proven last season.16 years for Johnny U, Peyton 14 years.
Like father, like son. History does repeat itself. What Little Irsay has shown is he did not learn from his father's mistakes(the fallout from trading Johnny U). Hope Luck is paying attention, don't plan on retiring as a Colt, the owner won't keep you around that long. Have a couple good seasons and then get out before you are thrown out.
Peyton got his injury as a Colt, he should have been given at least the option to come back as a Colt.
Been a colt fan since 1963, sometimes it's easy, sometimes it's hard. Looks like hard times ahead.
Really? No comment? You aren't going to point out that Bob from Milwaukee doesn't really know what he's talking about? The two situations aren't really similar at all. Unitas hadn't started a full season in two years, and had already lost his starting job to Earl Morrall in Baltimore when he left. He really hadn't been that good for about five years. And when he went to San Diego he was a shell of himself. The guy who replaced him was Marty Domres (who? exactly). They would get Bert Jones a few years later and have some good years. Other than that they were both legendary Colts QBs, the situations aren't realy similar at all...
Peyton was an MVP candidate two years ago! And Andrew Luck isn't Marty Domres!
@jimfix Quite true. Curtis Painter was Marty Domres in this scenario. Luck is more akin Bert Jones in the reader's example. The fans of course want the second coming of Peyton Manning, but the point is that this needs to play out before we crucify management.
With good fortune Andrew Luck exceeds all expectations and the Colts find themselves back in control of the AFC South by the end of his second year. In three years many fans expect a deep run in the playoffs.
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oh, and needless to say but I'll say it anyway... Curtis Painter isn't Earl Morrall...!
