Indianapolis Colts

Punching the Ticket: Peyton and Polian 2017 for Colts Front Office

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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With the Indianapolis Colts playoff hopes essentially destroyed following a disappointing 22-17 loss to the Houston Texans in what was a must-win game on Sunday, it’s time for this longtime Horseshoe fan to effectively dream the dream of all dreams.

That’s right, I’m punching the ticket: Peyton & Polian, 2017.

Some things, simply have to be said–or rather, dreamed of.

With a recent report by CBS Sports Insider Jason La Canfora that former longtime Colts general manager Bill Polian is interested in returning to the NFL in an advisory position, why not kick the tires on bringing the Hall of Fame general manager back to Indianapolis–only this time with his apprentice… the future Hall of Fame quarterback he drafted with the 1st overall pick of the 1998 NFL Draft with him.

Dec 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (L) talks with network analysts Bill Polian (R) on the field before the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Broncos at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

No, I’m not talking about Ryan Leaf.

I’m talking about Peyton Manning.

You may know him by his initials: G.O.A.T.

There has been speculation that the two all-time greats could tag-team a league’s front office in recent seasons before.

At age 74, Polian may not want to do all of the heavy-lifting of a league front office by himself anymore (and he is 5 years removed from a front office after a cushy job analyzing with ESPN).

However, he could groom Manning (a willing successor) into a lead role over time with the greatest player in Colts franchise history sharing some of the day-to-day responsibilities before eventually taking over the ropes for good full-time in a pre-arranged agreement.

It just worked with Super Bowl winning general manager John Elway with the Denver Broncos, who had none other than Manning as his quarterback at the helm.

Mar 7, 2016; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning hugs executive vice president of football operations and general manager John Elway during his retirement announcement press conference at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Hall of Fame Denver Broncos quarterback was able to smoothly transition into a successful front office executive.

I’m thinking Manning may have learned a few things about a league’s front office from being around Elway, but then again, this article already makes me the king of wishful thinking.

Polian has a 229-138 (.624) winning percentage as a lead league executive. On his Hall of Fame resume, he has built a Super Bowl winning team with the Indianapolis Colts in 2006, taken the Buffalo Bills to four straight Super Bowls in the early 1990’s, and had a Carolina Panthers expansion franchise that narrowly missed the Super Bowl in only its 2nd year of existence.

From 1997-2009, Polian’s Colts teams went 134-74 (.644), failing to make the playoffs in just 3 of his 13 seasons heading the Colts football operations

With the Colts, he drafted Hall of Fame caliber players such as Manning, running back Edgerrin James, wide receiver Reggie Wayne, defensive end Dwight Freeney, tight end Dallas Clark, and even later offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo (who while not a Hall of Famer has been a solid left tackle for the franchise).

Additionally, he also selected 2007 Defensive Player of the Year, safety Bob Sanders in the 2nd round of the 2004 NFL Draft.

Nov 2, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; ESPN NFL analyst Bill Polian speaks on the set prior to the game between the Carolina Panthers and the Indianapolis Colts at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Not to mention, Polian discovered late round sleepers like defensive end Robert Mathis, safety Antoine Bethea, and wide receiver Pierre Garcon, while finding undrafted free agent gems such as center Jeff Saturday, linebacker Gary Brackett, and running back Dominic Rhodes.

Some of those players are clearly more important in Colts franchise history than others, but the fact remains the same that Polian had the “Midas touch” for an extended period of time as the Colts lead executive.

However, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Polian, who was fired along with his son Chris Polian (who had taken over the lead role of the Colts football operations from 2010-11) by team owner Jim Irsay following the 2011 NFL season in which Indianapolis went a dismal 2-14.

Not to mention, four of the Polians’ last five first round picks consisted of busts: wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez (way more hurt, than healthy), offensive tackle Tony Ugoh (who the team traded their 2008 first round pick for. Wait, what?), running back Donald Brown (more known for god d*mnit, Donald), and defensive end Jerry Hughes (who’s went on to become a productive pass rusher for Buffalo. Go figure).

The good news in this pipe dream is that the younger Polian–whose football acumen was highly questionable with the Colts wouldn’t be coming along with his Hall of Fame father again.

Just Peyton in a package deal.

There’s also a lot of assumptions admittedly here.

One that the elder Polian would even want to run the Colts, as there could still be some frosty feelings between him and his old boss Irsay over their past falling out. Not to mention, a lot of big time egos for just one building at W. 56th Street.

Irsay eventually fired Polian not just because of his recent first round draft failures and a horrendous final season (along with his son), but also because he wanted “control of his company” back–as Polian had built an authoritarian atmosphere within the Colts complex and there were growing concerns over how qualified his son actually was to lead the team’s football operations long-term (and rightfully so).

Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning leaves the stadium after the game with his son Marshall Manning after the game against the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 at Levi

Two, that Manning would want to give up playing golf, making commercials with the Papa, and attending brother Eli’s games (and the SEC), as well as spending time with his adorable twins and wife, to embark on a stressful and time consuming job as a front office lead executive.

No one worked harder than Manning on the field, in practice, and in the film room, so anyone knows the competitor in him isn’t going to do anything at less than 110% and for a full-time commitment. That puts a serious wrench in the work-life balance of a 40 year old father of young twins.

Still, no one would know how to develop a quarterback more than Manning, and the Colts are running out of time to take 27 year old phenom, Andrew Luck, and his team to the next level.

Manning knows a thing or two about being a former #1 overall pick and achieving a great deal of success in Indianapolis himself after all.

No one’s more cerebral about the game of football than Manning was.

He understands better than anyone the complexities and nuances of running the quarterback position, opposing defenses, and overall what a quarterback needs to be highly successful in this league.

Nov 20, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts former quarterback Peyton Manning holds the Lombardi Trophy at halftime of a game against the Tennessee Titans to honor the 10th anniversary of the 2006 Super Bowl championship team at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

After all, he’s just one year removed from being a Super Bowl winning quarterback in it.

Think Manning wouldn’t significantly value protecting the Colts franchise player?

#18 was never one to enjoy taking a big hit by a big defensive lineman, and he not only values offensive lineman, but always knew how to get rid of the football fast out of the pocket.

While Manning likely doesn’t know a whole lot about running an NFL team’s front office at this time, under Polian’s short-term tutelage, he could come back to Indianapolis and build the Colts franchise’s next Super Bowl Champion.

Peyton & Polian, 2017. I’m punching the ticket.

Now who’s with me?

Let’s dare to dream.