Colts owner can’t wait to give Manning contract extension

Unlike other players’ requests for extension to be considered, negotiated or delayed, Peyton Manning’s contract extension could be what the Indianapolis Colts are eager to do now to keep the four-time MVP in his No. 18 Colts jersey.

With Manning’s contract to expire after the 2010 season, the Colts owner Jim Irsay made it clear that he wants to extend the deal as soon as possible.

“With one year to go, even having the franchise tag and all that sort of thing, we’d like to get something done, sooner than later,” Irsay said. “So once the season ends, we’re going to be talking about that and hopefully getting something done before next season begins. It’s something that’s going to get done; so honestly, those aren’t the ones you worry about.”

Just think about the records 34-year-old Manning has set and Irsay would like to keep the quarterback in Indianapolis for the rest of his career. Manning has won a record number of MVPs and one Super Bowl MVP. He is one of four quarterbacks to throw for more than 50,000 yards, and has third all-time in career TD passes with 366 and started 209 consecutive games including the playoffs.

I guess any owner of any team would like to keep a player like Manning by offering him the league-highest pay.

Saints DE Smith is to put pressure on Manning

Although the New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith was kept out of practice last week because of a groin injury, he is still counted on to give necessary consistent pressure to Peyton Manning when the Saints are playing against the Indianapolis Colts for Super Bowl championship this Sunday.

Smith doesn’t get the same recognition as Colts DE Dwight Freeney, whose availability related to his ankle injury for the Super Bowl has caused a lot of speculations, but he is just as important to the Saints. Having 13 sacks in the regular season and four forced fumbles and two interceptions in the regular season and playoffs combined, Smith, in his sixth year playing football in Saints jersey, has had his best season and been lighter and faster than he was in rookie season.

As a nice combination of power and quickness, Smith is just the very defensive player the Saints need to put consistent pressure on Manning, who who’s hard to attack because of his quick decisions and quick throws. If unable to get sacks, he could at least do his best to disrupt Manning’s timing and rhythm. So what the Saints are doing now is giving Smith enough rest before he gets fully healthy for the game.

Peyton Manning has record-season again

Peyton Manning is the key to keep the Indianapolis Colts jersey hot on sale. Never failing his fans, he just keeps breaking records just as an excellent quarterback should achieve in his 12th season of NFL career. New York Jets Coach Rex Ryan’s wish to Santa Claus of making Manning not to play Sunday’s game shows how much threaten the star quarterback means to rivals.

Breaking John Unitas’ franchise record for wins, passing Fran Tarkenton for third on the all-time touchdown list, moving past Warren Moon and John Elway for third on the career completions chart, Manning now needs to throw only 159 yards on Sunday’s game to be become the fourth member of the NFL’s 50,000-yard club. Very likely he will achieve that for sure, if he plays enough time.

With the Indianapolis Colts wrapping up the AFC’s top seed two weeks ago, the team may feel it necessary to keep their starters healthy for the playoffs, so it remains unsure how long Manning will play this Sunday and whether it will be long enough for him to throw as many as 159 yards.

Now who is the best quarterback?

After led the Minnesota Vikings to the second loss of the season, quarterback Brett Favre failed to move up to be the most valuable player of the league. Instead, the starting quarterbacks of the two unbeaten teams are now much more competitive than the quarterback wearing No.4 Vikings jersey.

Leading the New Orleans Saints to the season’s 12th win by throwing for 419 yards, Drew Brees received the most votes for Meter MVP. Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts helped the team to win their 21st regular-season game and he is the No.2 choice for the MVP.

With still four games left for the season, Favre may still have the chance to show he is the best. But it is the same with Drew Brees and Peyton Manning, let alone quarterbacks ranking behind Favre. Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers and Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers surely would not like to stay out of the top 3 candidates.

Where is your favorite player in Pro Bowl votes rank?

With three weeks to go and 2010 Pro Bowl voting still continuing on NFL.com/probowl, are you aware where is your favorite player in the votes rank now? If you are a fan of Peyton Manning, you will be glad to know that the quarterback wearing No. 18 Indianapolis Colts jersey is now ranking No.1 with 853,565 votes.

The top three are all quarterbacks, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is ranking second with 848,624 votes and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre is ranking the third with 840,498 votes.

The other players ranking top 10 are: the fourth Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, the fifth Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, the sixth New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, the seventh Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson, the eighth Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark, the ninth Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson and the tenth Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne.

Fans can buy tickets to the 2010 Pro Bowl at www.NFL.com/probowl and www.TICKETMASTER.com or by calling 800-745-3000.