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ANDERSON, Ind. (July 23, 1998) -- The Indianapolis Colts' training camp opened here Thursday without the No. 1 pick in the 1998 draft, the projected starting quarterback, the anointed leader and Indy's football future. Of course, those people would be one in the same. And if Peyton Manning gets his contract signed and reports sometime in the next couple of days, then it's more or less a no blood/no foul situation for the Colts. Missing a couple of practices isn't detrimental to grasping the big picture. Or getting comfortable with your playbook and playmakers. But the very fact Manning isn't here yet is alarming for a number of reasons. First and foremost, this is a rookie quarterback, albeit a special one, who's being thrown into the fire with gasoline cans strapped to his back. He's taking over a 3-13 team that needs direction as much as pass protection. His offensive line is still trying to learn each other's names. He's got only a couple of proven receivers. And his backups at quarterback can't exactly be classified as wise old teachers. He needs to bond -- quickly -- because he'll be shaken and stirred plenty in the upcoming months. Secondly, what does it say about a franchise that's gone out of its way to promote a new spirit and a fresh start when its central character isn't on the payroll? A lot of people either renewed or purchased tickets because they're excited about Manning's potential. If he's the major part of your advertising campaign, it's always nice to include him in the team photo. Waiting until the last minute to cut a deal with the top picks may be a way of life and leverage in the NFL, but it's pretty obvious Archie Manning's kid isn't some glamour boy/prima donna who thinks the sun sets in his back yard. Quite the contrary, he's been great with the local media, very cooperative with the Colts and already won over a lot of veterans with his respectful nature. He may not be worth his weight in gold yet, but if Indy's management believes what it said about him last April, then ante up. Thirdly, the most obvious reason this impasse can't continue? Tarik Glenn. Because of former football director Bill Tobin's hard line with Indy's No. 1 selection in 1997, Glenn's first year was everything it shouldn't have been. The Colts' left tackle of the future missed three weeks of camp and played guard instead of his normal position. But, in essence, he missed last season since he's now the starting left tackle. "I wish I could have gotten here on time because it's so important," said Glenn while unpacking Thursday. "It would have been ideal for me to be at left tackle, but experience is experience and I think it made me a better player. "At least Peyton has a little edge because he had two weeks of mini-camp and he knows he's going to be the starter." Bill Polian, president and god of football on West 56th Street, has a reputation for making good decisions and judging talent. His only detriment may be that he makes Tobin look like a greeter at Wal-Mart. In other words, he's a tad on the intense side. It's obvious you play on his terms, which is no problem if he constructs a winner like he did at Buffalo and Carolina. But playing a game of chicken with your immediate future is dangerous, if not arrogant. Still, Polian's got to have enough savvy and smarts to realize Manning's situation is urgent. Or he'd better. Glenn understands what Manning is going through. "I wanted to be here on time and I know Peyton wants to be. All I can say is that there are two sides to football ... the business side and the enjoyment of the game. "He (Manning) needs to be here and I think the Colts will get him in here." The clock is ticking ... or is that someting else? |