Peyton Manning is likely out for entire year and will miss the entire NFL football season. The Indianapolis Colts are apparently missing their franchise quarterback, as today saw them drop to a disappointing 0-8.
This got me to thinking about the definition of a franchise quarterback. I think that the nomenclature is used quite often, but the truth of the matter is that every quarterback in the NFL is great - some are just better than others.
The true franchise quarterback has the impact that Peyton has on his team when he is in the line-up - they win, they go to the playoffs, and they are considered a contender to beat anyone on any given day. The true franchise quarterback also has the impact that Peyton has on his team when he not in the line-up - they lose, struggle to even get close to winning a game, and are considered the doormat of the league.
Peyton Manning is the heart and soul of his team, and his absence affects both the defense and the offense. Without him, the Colts are lost, making him truly a franchise quarterback. Indianapolis has two options moving forward - they either get back a healthy and well-rested Peyton Manning and return to their winning ways, or they continue losing without Peyton and hope that is works out so they can draft Andrew Luck in the draft. After all, the Colts are nothing without their franchise quarterback.
