There's been plenty of speculation about where Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning will play in the 2012 season. But the bigger question is becoming when will Manning be able to play after missing the 2011 campaign?
The biggest concern regarding Manning’s health following a season lost to a neck injury is simple: Can he still throw the ball effectively?
According to NFL Network analyst Michael Lombardi, because of the recovery time needed from multiple surgeries, Manning's arm lacks the necessary zip and strength.
"He can't throw the ball," Lombardi said, as a guest on ESPN's “The B.S. Report with Bill Simmons.” "I've talked to people who've caught the ball for him. He can't throw the ball to his left. He can't throw the ball across his body, because he doesn't feel it. People that catch the ball for him say he doesn't really have velocity on the ball yet."
Peyton Manning can practice signing all he wants, but his throws in workouts are not going to land him a job until he gets stronger. (AP Photo)
What Lombardi heard from his sources is similar to what Indianapolis Star columnist Bob Kravitz has learned about Manning. Kravitz, appearing on ESPN's Tony Kornheiser's radio show on Tuesday, referred to Manning having a "noodle arm" at the moment.
The sentiment is that while Manning's neck itself isn’t a problem, there are several months of arm rehabilitation needed before he can prove he's ready to help a team on the field. There's also no guarantee that he'll be strong enough to make all the throws in time for the 2012 season.
So at this point for the Colts, armed with the No. 1 pick in the draft, there is far less uncertainty in moving on with Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck as their starter. Before potential suitors such as the Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins can consider bringing in Manning, they'll need to make decisions on other available QBs such as Baylor's Robert Griffin III or Green Bay Packers free agent Matt Flynn.
If the Colts decide, as expected, to part ways with Manning rather than pay him a $28 million bonus on March 8, it's becoming likely he will need to wait awhile before another team takes a risk on his services
Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/sto...ing10|dl2|sec1_lnk2&pLid=134542#ixzz1m0icN2x6
The biggest concern regarding Manning’s health following a season lost to a neck injury is simple: Can he still throw the ball effectively?
According to NFL Network analyst Michael Lombardi, because of the recovery time needed from multiple surgeries, Manning's arm lacks the necessary zip and strength.
"He can't throw the ball," Lombardi said, as a guest on ESPN's “The B.S. Report with Bill Simmons.” "I've talked to people who've caught the ball for him. He can't throw the ball to his left. He can't throw the ball across his body, because he doesn't feel it. People that catch the ball for him say he doesn't really have velocity on the ball yet."
What Lombardi heard from his sources is similar to what Indianapolis Star columnist Bob Kravitz has learned about Manning. Kravitz, appearing on ESPN's Tony Kornheiser's radio show on Tuesday, referred to Manning having a "noodle arm" at the moment.
The sentiment is that while Manning's neck itself isn’t a problem, there are several months of arm rehabilitation needed before he can prove he's ready to help a team on the field. There's also no guarantee that he'll be strong enough to make all the throws in time for the 2012 season.
So at this point for the Colts, armed with the No. 1 pick in the draft, there is far less uncertainty in moving on with Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck as their starter. Before potential suitors such as the Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins can consider bringing in Manning, they'll need to make decisions on other available QBs such as Baylor's Robert Griffin III or Green Bay Packers free agent Matt Flynn.
If the Colts decide, as expected, to part ways with Manning rather than pay him a $28 million bonus on March 8, it's becoming likely he will need to wait awhile before another team takes a risk on his services
Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/sto...ing10|dl2|sec1_lnk2&pLid=134542#ixzz1m0icN2x6
