Wouldn’t it be nice to be a fly on the wall when Peyton Manning and Jim Irsay finally sit down and come to a resolution as to the future of No. 18 as an Indianapolis Colt?  On Thursday, the news broke that Manning has been medically cleared to resume his NFL career.  That announcement firmly places the ball in the court of the Colts’ owner as to whether or not Manning returns to Indy next season as the starting quarterback.  According to Manning, he expects to have a sit down with Irsay sometime shortly after the Super Bowl.  The majority of the media has already concluded that Manning will not return to the Colts in 2012 based on the situation and previous comments from both parties involved.  Nothing will be made official until after the two sides meet.  Let’s go ahead and cut to the chase.  Here is how the conversation between Peyton Manning and Jim Irsay will unfold.

Irsay:  I’m in one hell of a predicament with this decision.  If I keep you I owe you $28 million dollars but if I let you go it will probably be the biggest mistake of my life.

Manning: Well Jim, you know how I feel.  If you want me as a part of this team I’m here, but if you don’t, I’ll walk away.

(Irsay sighs)

Irsay: We’re going to take the kid out of Stanford with the first pick.  How do you see your relationship unfolding with him if you stay?

Manning: I’d like to think that it’s a win-win situation.  The organization would have its quarterback of the future, I can remain a Colt and mentor him for the next couple of seasons and retire with dignity after that. Andrew Luck could learn a lot by watching from the sidelines over the next couple of seasons.

(Irsay massages his head)

Irsay: Would you be willing to back him up if we decided to take the team in a different direction with you on the roster?

Manning: If I am healthy then I fully expect to start.  If not here, then somewhere else.

Irsay: I was afraid of that. Would you be willing to restructure your deal to a lesser amount?

Manning:  If the money will be used to bring in young talent to help rebuild this roster so that we can compete for a Super Bowl next year then yes with me as the starting quarterback then yes.

Irsay: I’ve changed General Managers and coaches; friendship and emotions aside, why would I bring you back next season?

Manning: 6-5, 230lb quarterback with a laser rocket arm.

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Irsay: Yeah, I remember the commercial but unfortunately that was then and this is now.  The fact of the matter is that I’m a businessman and the NFL is a multibillion dollar business.  Now in this multibillion dollar business, it’s my job to take the biggest piece of the pie that I can and to do that I’ve got to make moves that are in the best interest of the Colts.  What you did for our organization will likely never be duplicated in the league again, and for that, I’m grateful.  But the fact of the matter is that you’re a good hit away from being knocked out of the game forever and that’s a risk I can’t take no matter what the cost, but especially at $28 million. From a business perspective it just doesn’t make sense.  Besides, given our current state of affairs we have a long road ahead of us before we are ready to contend again.  So the question becomes whether I want to begin that journey in a 77 Cutlass Supreme or a 2012 Cadillac CTS?

Manning:  Well Jim it seems as if your mind is already made up so why don’t we go ahead and call a spade a spade.

Irsay stands up and extends his hand to Manning. Manning grips Irsay’s hand firmly and looks him dead in the eye.

Irsay: No hard feelings?

Manning: Nope. It is what it is but just know that this was a mistake because there’s a lot of football and fight left in me.

Irsay: Fair enough.

The two part ways leaving the biggest question of the offseason as, “Where does Peyton Manning go next?”  Only time will tell…

You can follow Aaron on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ @Da_Bear_Truth or email him directly at amoon@thepenaltyflagblog.com.

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Jim Irsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts, has been called one of the most entertaining people on Twitter. He waxes philosophical, he gives away prizes and he speaks frankly about his team, usually in a language normally reserved for middle school girls’ texts.

But part of the reason owner big-time sports team owners are not as likely to talk on Twitter is the fact that they can put their feet in their mouths. And Irsay appears to have done just that. Perhaps twice.

When it comes to the search for a new GM, Irsay mentioned that he had interviewed seven candidates. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Irsay’s first pick, New England director of personnel and de facto GM Nick Caserio, had turned down the offer for an interview. Irsay then tweeted: “I haven’t interviewed [anyone] . . . Adam, don’t say I wanted to hire someone I never talked to or met . . . MISLEADING.” To which Schefter replied: “Excuse me @JimIrsay. NFL told me your general counsel Daniel Emerson emailed request for Nick Cesario on Tues before he opted to stay in NE.” Schefter was right, although he did spell Caserio’s name wrong. Caserio apparently decided he’d rather maintain his current team than rebuild a different one. Irsay replied: “Adam S,not true about “1rst candidate we wanted 2hire..” There is not any candidate we “wanted to hire” I haven’t interviewed,” but it didn’t address the fact that the Colts extended an offer of an interview to Caserio and he turned it down.

For the record, the seven candidates have been incumbent Colts director of player personnel Tom Telesco, Atlanta Falcons director of player personnel Les Snead, Falcons director of college scouting David Caldwell, Dallas Cowboys director of scouting Tom Ciskowski, New York Giants director of college scouting Marc Ross, Philadelphia Eagles director of player personnel Ryan Grigson and Jim Popp, general manager of the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. Don’t discount Popp; his teams have made the playoffs each the last 19 consecutive years.

The second time this week that Irsay responded to the media via Twitter occurred after it was widely reported that the team had already decided to draft Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the first pick in the draft, despite not having a GM yet. Irsay responded: “There has been no discussion of a deadline push,n just like ’98 with Manning/Leaf..u have 2 go thru a long,disciplined process of evaluation.”

I believe him, but that tweet could be interpreted at least a couple of ways. The obvious assumption – based on the Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf reference – is that Irsay has not conclusively decided Luck is a better overall prospect than Heisman winner, Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III. But it could also mean that Irsay is considering trading the pick away.

Of course, like everything else this offseason for the Colts, everything revolves around Manning; his health, his contract and his legacy. And, on that, irsay has had less to say.

Jerry Langton is a Featured Journalist for The Penalty Flag and can be contacted at JLangton@ThePenaltyFlagBlog.com