Go for four, Brady

I just read an article by a local Indianapolis writer, Bob Kravitz, in which he talked about Tom Brady possibly putting himself up there with Montana and Bradshaw as the only quarterbacks with four Super Bowl wins. Even though I'm a devoted Colts fan, there's a part of me that would take perverse pleasure in Brady getting that 4th Super Bowl and cementing himself in the upper, upper echelons of NFL QB-dom, and here's why... It has to do with where the Colts are in their progression from a Manning-led team to a Luck-led team.

For whatever reason, regardless of all the regular season success the Colts have had with Manning (and it's been historic), Manning's post-season performance and record doesn't match his regular season efforts. His QB rating goes down (97.4 to 88.3), he throws more interceptions, they lose more games. When it was time for him to step it up (or at least keep it level), more times than not he would get rattled and fall short of his regular season excellence. He'd end up walking off the field sporting the "Manning Face" as his team lost yet again to a team they should not have lost to (damn you Chargers!).

Meanwhile, Tom Brady was winning. He wasn't choking in the playoffs, he was advancing and winning multiple Super Bowls...not eeking out one Super Bowl victory and being given the Super Bowl MVP trophy when every knows it should have been shared by Rhodes and Addai, if not Rhodes by himself, because Manning had an average game...247 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT.

So, here we are at this crossroads. Do we move on from the Manning era and embrace the new reign of Luck? Well, for me, if Brady wins his 4th Super Bowl, it will make it just a tad bit easier to finally shut the door on Manning and move on. Kinda like ripping a band aide off with one quick yank. I've held on to the hope that Manning would one day at least tie Brady for Super Bowl wins, but if Brady gets four that dream will be effectively shattered and strewn across the turf at Lucas Oil Stadium.

It will hurt, but it will be final.

Manning has had more than his fair share of chances to win multiple Super Bowls, but he didn't get it done. If he couldn't do it at 27 or 29 or 31, why should I believe he's going to do it at 36 coming off three neck surgeries?

No, let's just move on. Say our goodbyes, appreciate this glorious (though ultimately not fully satisfying) run, and start afresh. Brady has had his chances and has, for the most part, taken advantage of them. Manning has had those same chances, if not more, and has not.

My hat is off to you Tom Brady. As for the Colts... Next!