Over the weekend, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported that the next contract the Colts plan to give quarterback Peyton Manning in the offseason will include $50 million or more in guaranteed money.
Last night, that number moved to $60 million.
Through a storm of offseason changes, including a new head coach, new defensive coordinator, new special-teams coordinator, new offensive coordinator, the retirement and return of Tom Moore and Howard Mudd, and the departure of receiver Marvin Harrison, the primary constant is Peyton Manning.
And as long as he’s around, the Colts will be highly competitive.
Monday night’s win over the Dolphins proved it. Miami developed and executed the perfect game plan: They kept Manning on the sidelines for most of the game. Even then, with limited opportunities to get something done, Manning got it done.
$60 million.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, need to develop more of a killer instinct. They can move the ball well in small chunks, but they need to find a way to do so in large ones. Most glaringly, Ted Ginn’s inability to haul in the game-winning touchdown pass, though he had a defender close by, reveals a lack of body control and/or ability to get it done in the clutch, his 100-yard night notwithstanding.
Meanwhile, the Colts still have some pretty good supporting members of the cast. Tight end Dallas Clark has seven catches for 183 yards and a touchdown. Receiver Pierre Garcon contributed one reception -- but it was a 48-yard catch-and-run that delivered the victory with three minutes and change remaining.
So the Colts could have been 0-2, and they’re now 2-0, and two games ahead of the Titans.
$60 million.