END OF AN ERA....

Just watched the press conference from Indianapolis, IN, where iconic QB Peyton Manning and the team officially parted ways.  The four-time MVP, and one-time Super Bowl champion made the announcement that he was leaving the team, along with the owner, Jim Irsay.

Coming off of multiple neck surgeries and missing the whole 2011-12 season, and with a $28 million dollar bonus due to him on Thursday, the team decided not to exercise the option to bring him back.  Now it was interesting to hear the owner say that the move was NOT financially motivated, but I could think of 28 million reasons why it was.  You've got an aging QB coming off of MAJOR neck surgery and you hold the #1 draft pick in this year's draft in which you have at your disposal not ONE, but TWO possible franchise-building QB's to choose from (Andrew Luck & Robert Griffith III)?  You would be nuts not to let Manning walk.  No disrespect to Peyton, but this is a no-brainer business decision.  As much as you appreciate everything he did for your team and the city, nothing lasts forever and this day was going to come sooner or later.

As for Manning.  He's now officially a free agent.  He's free to play anywhere he wants and I'm sure there are more than a few suitors rubbing their hands and lining up at his door, eager to bring him on board.  However, the question that's begging to be asked: Will you get the same Peyton that we're used to seeing before his multiple neck surgeries?  Is he worth the risk?  And if you're Peyton, is it worth your health to get back out on the field?  You've accomplished everything a pro football player would want to accomplish:  Legendary career stats, MVP's, a Super Bowl ring, shoo-in for the NFL Hall of Fame.  What else could you possibly play for?  Is it an ego thing?  To prove to everyone that you still have it?  At what risk?  Especially in light of the recent allegations of teams taking out "bounties" on players?

If it were me, I'd ride off into the sunset with all of my millions and begin my new career as a TV analyst and product pitchman.  That is a no brainer.


PUB TRIVIA TONIGHT (8pm): Free to play and you can win great prizes, including a $45 bar tab!  Catch the Big East Tournament and the NY Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs and enjoy a "LIN-tini" while you're here!

Cheers to you Peyton Manning.