Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning

Most football fans are familiar with the current state of the Indianapolis Colts, and what they have accomplished since 1998. That was the year they made the decision to draft Peyton Manning, using their first selection in the draft to do so. Since that point, Indianapolis has gone on to evolve into what can easily be considered a modern football dynasty. With seven straight seasons that have resulted in at least twelve wins each year, the team has also won its first Super Bowl in more than three and a half decades while placing themselves in position for the sport’s top trophy in almost every season.

Building through the draft

Prior to Peyton’s draft selection, the Colts’ leadership decided that they would utilize the draft to rebuild their team – a team that won only three games in the season before Manning’s arrival. At the time, this was considered a bold move. Other teams had grown accustomed to using free agency to load up on talent from one year to the next. Few teams still adhered to the old system that relied on the draft for a team’s future. Bill Polian, however, persevered in the decision, even when the criticism began over his choice of Manning. There were few Indianapolis fans that were not familiar with the one stigma that seemed permanently attached to Peyton from his time at the University of Tennessee: he was incapable of winning the big games that produced championships.

Peyton adapts quickly

As the initial season progressed, the worries about Manning and the team seemed justified. Indianapolis finished with another season of only three wins. Any worries were unfounded. Indeed, the next season saw the team complete a reversal of their previous record, with thirteen wins. Though they were beaten in the playoffs by Tennessee, it was the start of their winning dynasty. Only 2001’s 6-10 record marred the Colts’ performance over the next decade-plus of NFL play. Other than that season’s results, the Colts managed ten wins each season from 1999 until 2009. That stretch also included an amazing 2007 win in the Super Bowl.

Manning’s Super Bowl

The Colts ran off nine straight victories at the beginning of the 2006 season, before losing their final three matchups and finishing with a twelve and four record. As an AFC third seed, they made it all the way to the Championship of the AFC – only to fall behind rival New England by eighteen in the first half. Manning led them back to victory and then led the team through an entertaining Super Bowl game that was marred by rain. Manning’s Colts won the contest against the Bears in a game of firsts in many areas.

As the first team to play under a dome and win a Super Bowl in an outdoor arena, the Colts had made history. They are also the only team in Super Bowl history to win the title despite having the most porous defense in the League during the regular season. Most importantly, the victory settled the question of whether Peyton Manning had what it took to finally win a major contest and a championship.

Author Bio: Ivan Jamison is a big sports fan. You can check out his Indianapolis Colts Watch or his Seattle Mariners Watch or his Tampa Bay Devil Rays Watch

Category: Sports
Keywords: Indianapolis Colts