Irsay Intends To Make Manning A "Colt For Life."

NFL News - February 3rd, 2010 - Written by Bryan

With the Super Bowl still to be played, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is already talking about a new contract for quarterback Peyton Manning, that would make him the highest paid player in the NFL. Of course, these talks will not take place until the off-season, hopefully after a Super Bowl championship for Irsay.

"You know it's going to get done," Irsay said on media day in Miami. "I think it's clear, and we'll start on it this summer. That's been the way we do things. And it'll be the biggest [contract] in history; there's not much doubt about that."

Irsay has always said that he intends to make Manning a "Colt for life." His position was reiterated after his question and answer session on Wednesday. Irsay said that the decision to make Manning the highest paid player in NFL history was not a difficult one.

"It simply comes to one question, and that's replaceability," Irsay remarked. "Everything is based on the replaceability factor. You make decisions based on who you can afford to target and keep. ... Other guys you really want to [re-sign] you might have trouble doing it, because of what it costs you, and how much attention they're getting [from other teams in free agency]. We don't have that luxury and we've had to work hard."

This season for the Colts, Manning threw for 4,500 yards and 33 touchdowns. He had a season-long quarterback rating of 100. He became just the fourth player in NFL history to throw for over 50,000 yards in his career, joining Brett Favre, Dan Marino and John Elway.

The Pro Bowl quarterback also led the Colts to their seventh consecutive season with 12 or more wins. This set a new NFL record, and a new standard for winning around the league. Manning has turned winning at Indianapolis into commonplace.

Bill Polian, Colts President, stated that during this season, the team has had to begin making difficult decisions as to which high profile players the team will be able to afford. Polian said how the organization had to decipher "how fungible" players at various positions were.

Along with Manning, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady concludes his contract in 2010, and Irsay says that he will keep a close eye on the happenings of that deal.

For now however, the sole focus of the organization is on the New Orleans Saints, and winning Super Bowl XLIV. The Colts defeated the Chicago Bears in 2006 in Miami to claim their last NFL championship, which was Manning's first.

Kickoff for the Super Bowl XLIV will be this Sunday, February 7th, at 6:30 and will be broadcast by CBS. NFL Betting Lines have installed the Colts as a six-point favorite to defeat the Saints, according to Bodog Sportsbook.