When the Indianapolis Colts signed Peyton Manning to a 5-year deal worth $90 million (all of it guaranteed), most people assumed that was a pretty good sign that his surgically-repaired neck was doing just fine. But when the Colts signed 38-year old retiree Kerry Collins on Wednesday, it appeared that Manning’s neck was an issue. A very serious issue. And now it appears that it was an issue from the moment the lockout ended.
According to ESPN, the Colts contacted Matt Hasselbeck before he signed with Collins’ old team, the Tennessee Titans, because they knew that Manning wasn’t going to be ready for the team’s opener on September 11. But hey, enough with the negativity toward Collins. He’s good enough to get the Colts through a week or two of Manning-less football, right?
“We don’t even know him, we ain’t vanilla, man, we ain’t no simple offence,” [Reggie] Wayne told reporters. “So for him to come in here and be the starter, I don’t see it. I think that’s a step back.” (Via The Toronto Sun)
I have a confession to make – I picked the Canadian article because I liked the funny spelling of offense. I know, I’m an easy man to please. As for the whole “is it desperation or just precaution” argument, Collins’ contract is for $4 million this season. I’m not saying I know what desperation smells like, but I have gone home with a few 2’s in my day.