Should Peyton Manning Retire? Fan Opinion

Ever since joining the NFL in 1998, Peyton Manning has lead the Indianapolis Colts to 11 playoff appearances including nine consecutive berths from 2002-2010. Prior to Peyton's arrival the Colts had gone to the playoffs just three times since 1977 (1987, 1995, 1996). To say that Peyton Manning infused the Colts with something special that allowed them to put themselves consistently into the NFL playoffs would be an absolute understatement. Peyton Manning is the Indianapolis Colts and there is no denying that.

Everybody in the NFL got to see that firsthand in 2011 when the Manning-less Colts went 2-14—which left them tied for the worst record in the entire NFL with the St. Louis Rams. Some analysts had a bad feeling about Peyton Manning's absence even before any games were played and they were absolutely spot-on. After seeing how the AFC South shook-out during the 2011 season, I can't say for certain that if the Colts did have Peyton Manning they would not have automatically won that division. I think at best the Colts may have gone 9-7 and if that was the case they probably would not have made the playoffs.

That being said, the big question that has been looming is whether or not Peyton Manning will return to the Colts in 2012. Surely Manning has done enough in the NFL to command what he's going to do as a player. However, given the Colts' current situation it may come down to the Colts deciding what they want for their future. Do they want to take a chance on Peyton Manning, who underwent three neck surgeries in just a matter of months?

I know there are a lot of factors that will weigh in on both Manning's and the Colts' decisions. There is Andrew Luck waiting to be drafted, an uncertainty on Manning's neck, and I'm not sure even Peyton Manning could fix how bad the Colts were in 2011.

If I were the Colts, I take a chance on Manning but make sure that I draft Andrew Luck with my first pick in the 2012 NFL draft. While it is unknown when the fusion of nerves will be complete in Manning's neck, what I do know is that he can pick apart a secondary and read a defense like nobody else. So even if Manning ends up not being able to perform at a high level because of his neck, he will still be there to help usher Andrew Luck into the NFL.

So to answer the question simply; no, I don't think it's time for Peyton Manning to retire. Besides, he has said he is not retiring and what Peyton wants, Peyton gets—it's just yet to be seen whether his future will be with the Colts or another NFL team.

David is co-founder of wrapupp sports blog where they post fresh content daily and present sports blogs and sports opinions - all with a West Coast bias. Growing up in the Bay Area, David is a huge supporter of all the local sports teams; the Giants, Athletics, Warriors, Sharks, 49ers, and Raiders. His one fault, admittedly, as many of his friends and family would say, is his love for the Los Angeles Lakers. Growing up, Magic Johnson was his favorite basketball player and he fell in love with the team. He chalks it up to, "Not knowing any better". Now his love for sports has turned just as academic as it is intuitive and he follows most all sports all over the nation.

You can follow David on Twitter: @officialwrapupp

Sources:

NFL.com. Peyton Manning Career Stats. NFL 2012.

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