[Mud Packer]

I really hope that he can play and play well. Recovery from this type of injury may not be fully known for some time. He might be back and close to 100% now, but he will be 36 years old before the 2012 season starts. How many hits can he absorb and how many passes does that right arm have left? Only time will tell.

He also has been very lucky during his career to avoid serious injury until now. Could this be the beginning of a new era or just a start of more of the same injury.

Also, it should be noted that Peyton has played at least 1/2 of his games in indoor facilities on a yearly basis. The weather in Denver can be and will be much different. Can he prove that he can thrive in that type of climate?

With the kind of numbers they have put up, the Broncos are definitely taking a large risk. Depending on how much of his contract is guaranteed, his number against the cap in future years could very well limit them from adding veteran talent without upsetting the current roster balance. Remember, Indy spent freely on the offensive side of the ball. Will Elway and the Broncos be willing to do the same? Can they afford to?

No question in my mind that the Colts did the right thing. No way could they afford to pay the roster bonus to keep Manning and sign Andrew Luck. If that would have happened, the balance of the roster would have been almost all rookies and free agents. The Colts couldn't have competed in the free agent market and certainly couldn't have afforded re-signing anyone of there current free agents.

The next couple of years will be a true test for the Indianapolis fans. Will they stay the course and cheer for a team that will certainly need all the help they can get. Or will the fans disappear and only hop back on the bandwagon when things get better.

2012 will be a year of interesting situations to say the least. Here is hoping that the Broncos and the Colts made the right decisions for the long haul.