With the popularity of NFL football in America at an all-time high, the expectations to win at any cost are huge. Just ask the Indianapolis Colts, who lost “Mr. Everything†Peyton Manning to neck surgery. The Colts have started out 0-5, and Manning is likely out for the remainder of the season. For an NFL franchise to be so devastated from just one injured player is unheard of. Football is such a team sport, but for the Colts this season is a nightmare their fans want to go away. This is going to be a wasted season, but there is one good thing that could come out of this season and it isn’t Andrew Luck.
If the Colts receive the 1st pick in the upcoming draft the Colts WILL select Andrew Luck. I am writing this article to tell Colts fans why it wouldn’t be so bad if the team didn’t get the number one pick. College quarterbacks Landry Jones and Kellen Moore are the two reasons why Colts fans should be optimistic about a ruined season.
If the Colts don’t receive Luck, it’s not the end of the world. All Landry Jones and Kellen Moore have done their whole careers is win and win in style. Alongside Andrew Luck, Jones and Moore are the two of the smartest quarterbacks in college football today. Landry has taken over a powerhouse in Oklahoma and has not skipped a beat. Most people thought Sam Bradford was going to be the best quarterback to come from Oklahoma in past years, but maybe not, because all Jones does is win.
Kellen Moore is a different story. He was coached  in high school by his father. He was just a 3-star player coming to Boise State and wasn’t highly recruited. Now he is in the running for the Heisman trophy and he is likely to take his Boise team to another BCS bowl game this year. Watching Kellen play is like watching Manning pick apart defenses — with complete and total control. For the last three years, I don’t know if there has been a more dominant quarterback then Kellen. He has meant so much to his team and university and he could fit right in to what the Colts do.
Imagine Jones or Moore sitting behind Manning for the next three to four years and soaking up every little detail that the veteran could share. Picking either one of these players would give the Colts a chance to be a relevant franchise long after Manning retires. It wouldn’t just be the “Indianapolis Peyton Manning’s†anymore.
At Oklahoma, Landry has thrown 69 touchdowns to only 30 interceptions and has basically started since his freshman season a freshman at a top college program. He runs their offense and is no doubt the leader of their team.. If Indianapolis were able to make it through this tough season and get a chance to land Jones, the Colts could be a team to watch for years to come.
Nobody wants to see Peyton gone but he can’t play forever and the Colts need a backup plan. Either Jones or Moore can be that guy. Moore gets criticized for being short, but then on Saturdays goes out and hangs 40 points on opposing teams. He makes the quarterback position look easy, and when you have players like this you have to do whatever it takes to get those players. It doesn’t take a smart person to realize the Colts and their fans are hurting and would like something good to come of this season.
Getting Jones or Moore would help the Colts have a back-up plan for when Manning retires. If Indy had a backup quarterback behind Manning that could get the job done when called on, it would give a chance for the Colts to win even when Manning is gone.
To think that Peyton Manning could ever be replaced as a Colt is unheard of, but if the Colts have a chance to get either Jones or Moore they need to jump on it.
