In the grand scheme of things, free agency is always a hotly debated issue.  Players come, they go, and as much as there is a 50 percent success rate with a new team and a new head coach, the offseason period is always good for some “water cooler chat.”

This time around the bend, we are in for a wild storm.  Peyton Manning’s contract is about to run out in Indianapolis, Michael Vick’s two-year deal is slowly coming to a halt and somehow Donovan McNabb finds himself in the free agency pool after just one year as a Washington Redskin.

So who’s going and who’s staying?

Predicting the NFL’s free-agency class is almost as hard as picking winning lottery numbers.  Nonetheless, here’s a quick peak at the Top 10 available QBs in 2011, along with where they may or may not wind up come next season.

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The Bills over the Browns?  The Lions over the Packers?  Who would’ve thought.

As astonishing as it may all sound though, Week 14 has painted a picture clearer than a fine day in San Diego.  The Patriots look to be Super Bowl favorites, the Jets continue to struggle, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t dead and buried just yet in the NFC South.

Speaking of dead and buried, the NFL’s MVP race has been blown wide open again.

Who earned themselves some morale points after a big time performance this weekend?

There’s numerous candidates to flick through, so here’s a look at who is in and who is potentially out of the hunt with three important weeks remaining in the regular season.

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Ryan Cook is an Australian Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also an NFL columnist for Real Sports Net and a Green Bay Packers writer for Fan Huddle and PackerChatters, plus a contributing writer for Detroit Lions Talk, Gack Sports and Generation Y Sports.

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Yes, loyal football fans, that time of year is upon us once again.  The New England Patriots are preparing to play host to the rising Indianapolis Colts of 2010, and even though this battle should set the pace for the remainder of the season, all eyes are on Roger Goodell’s golden boys, who engaged in a crucial battle this time last year.

Believe it or not, though, there are other games set to kick off this Sunday.  The Green Bay Packers will head to Minnesota for their annual affair with Brett Favre, meanwhile the San Diego Chargers look to put their woes behind them, and really build for a possible postseason spot with a win over Denver on Monday night.

So to break the NFL’s love affair with Tom Brady and Peyton Manning for one moment, here’s a look at some Week 11 predictions, capped off with a brief summary of what you need to know looking into this weekend’s affairs.

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Aside from the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots, the Indianapolis Colts have been the epitome of a well-rounded football team. 

With the dominance starting during the Tony Dungy era, Peyton Manning and his high-powered offense have set the imaginary bar in the league for expectations, even though the Colts have been known to outdo themselves nearly every season.

When it comes to rewinding and reminiscing about the days of old, the Colts bring forward very fond memories. 

Sure, their 2006 Super Bowl victory was a moment to relish for every fan in blue and white, but simply watching the town’s unofficial sheriff take the field 16 times a year has it’s own memorable luxury.

I guess when the history books are published and the NFL has moved on, the Indianapolis Colts could be considered somewhat of a dynasty, even though their championship trophy case only features the Lombardi Trophy once during their recent dominant patch.

However, as every true fan knows, sooner or later a dynasty must come to an end, and if you were seeking an example of this, the New England Patriots of nowadays are a perfect example of what once was the most impressive team in football, only to take a minor step down from their frequent trips to Disneyland each February.

By looking at the Indianapolis Colts right now, most fans knew this day was coming.  As young as Peyton Manning still is, sooner or later the AFC South division was destined to catch up with Indianapolis, especially since the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans are no longer the cupcake teams they once were some years ago.

But while we’re on the topic of the AFC South, the Indianapolis Colts suffered a wake-up call on Sunday afternoon, one in which Jim Caldwell’s snooze button was well and truly pressed, particularly toward the start of the second half.

For those who have been living under a rock the past 10 hours, the Jacksonville Jaguars officially faced their fears at home in Municipal Stadium, knocking off the favorite Indianapolis Colts, in a shock victory thanks to the right boot of kicker Josh Scobee.

In terms of impressiveness, this tops the list so far this season.  But in terms of disappointment, the loss for Indianapolis already leaves them with the equal amount of losses they endured last season, with two.

So where did it all go wrong for the Colts?

While I’m no highlight-tape expert, this game was very close from the get-go.  Most Colts fans realize that the Jaguars have a tendency to play Indianapolis rather tight, and there has been more than just one occasion where this match up has come down to the wire.

From the very beginning the Jaguars seemed to have just as much momentum as Jim Caldwell’s men.  Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard was pumped, and when he decided to go for a drive with Mercedes Lewis toward the end zone for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter, it seemed like the Jaguars had really hit the switch in the “on” position from there on out.

Unfortunately for Indianapolis, this is far from just half of the story.  Instead of a mere upset victory occurring, the Colts costly turnovers made the team sitting ducks for the Jaguars to pick off, and when Peyton Manning did just that, Reggie Wayne’s fumble after a decent catch put the icing on the cake for Jack Del Rio and his side.

Prior to this affair, the Colts went in knowing that the team they were playing was full of confidence. 

What they didn’t know though, was that many people would go on to question whether or not the Colts glory days had finally come to an end, after a fairly unfamiliar start to the 2010 season, and more importantly a 2-2 record that was nowhere near imaginable.

To answer the question of the fans, the Colts golden days are of course slowly dying.  While this team is in no position to hit the panic button, some serious issues have plagued the Colts recently, which have failed to really hurt the team in the past.

The Lack of a Run Game

The first issue that comes to mind is the run game.  In 2009 the Colts ranked dead last in rush yards, a stat that was purely overlooked due to Peyton Manning’s dominance as the starting quarterback.

As of now though, this stat has become an issue.  Since Joseph Addai’s recent collapse in the running game following his 2006 brilliance, the Colts have notably excluded the run game from their overall strategy, something that has perhaps caught up with them more recently.

No matter what anybody says, a run game is vital to an offense.  Mike Shanahan and the Washington Redskins proved that this weekend against Philadelphia, and no matter how brilliant Peyton Manning may be, the luxury of having a suitable rusher would be all that more favorable.

Injury Issues

Secondly, the Colts have been bitten by the injury bug.  For the consecutive week in a row wide receivers Pierre Garcon and Anthony Gonzalez were missing in action, two key players who always offered Peyton Manning that extra option to throw to.

To make matters even worse, standout second year player Austin Collie is now listed as questionable after suffering a heel injury on Sunday, and the man just spoken about, Joseph Addai, has also been struggling with a recent knee injury.

Key losses to talented players will always affect a team.  Given that many standout guys still remain healthy, perhaps Peyton Manning’s fourth-quarter pick wouldn’t have occurred if the likes of Pierre Garcon were on the field.

A Minor Lack of Confidence

Let’s face it, the Colts haven’t been in this position recently, and Peyton Manning’s attitude in a postgame interview pretty much summed up where the team stands right now.

To put it simply, Peyton Manning stated that “We couldn’t seal the deal,” something that was evident from the final two-minute drive in Jacksonville.

Not only has this lowered the Colts’ confidence a little, they also take on the 3-0 Kansas City Chiefs at Lucas Oil Stadium next week, a game that could mean the difference between the top seed in the South, and a wildcard berth.

Confidence has always been high for this team, and realistically it still is.  Still, things have changed for the Colts, both on and off the field.

Is The Colts Golden Era Over?

Not just yet.  Things look down and dull, but there’s no reason to exclude the talent on this team.  Keep in mind that Indianapolis do rank second in points scored and second in total yardage on offense. 

This stat may be symbolic of Peyton Manning’s efforts, but it also says a lot for the receiver corps.

Perhaps this game will act as a smack in the face for Indianapolis.  A loss to a division foe isn’t ideal, and now that the Colts have as many wins and losses as Jacksonville, it may serve as a kick start for this offense.

Hopefully for Jim Caldwell, he will see a few more players back in action against Kansas City.  A loss next week is definitely not on the cards, and it isn’t something this team needs right now.

The golden era isn’t over right now, but you do get the feeling that anything short of a top seed ranking in the AFC South this year would bring the Colts down a peg. 

With Houston hanging in there, and Tennessee still a threat, Indianapolis have their hands full for the remainder of the season, something that is about as unfamiliar as Peyton Manning throwing an interception in this day and age.

Like the old saying goes, “What goes up, must come down.”  Indianapolis are far from down, but a deflating 59-yard field goal thanks to Josh Scobee certainly bursts the Colts’ bubble a little.

Ryan Cook is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also an NFL columnist for Real Sports Net and a Green Bay Packers writer for Fan Huddle and PackerChatters. Ryan is also a contributing writer for Detroit Lions Talk, Gack Sports and Generation Y Sports.  Don’t forget to follow him on Twitter.

Read more Indianapolis Colts news on BleacherReport.com

To give a brief recap, this week’s play has given every fan a taste of what is possibly to come in the future.  The Chiefs are 3-0, the Falcons are now tied with the New Orleans Saints atop the NFC South, the 49ers continue to struggle, and, most surprisingly, Michael Vick is lighting it up in Philadelphia like it was 2004.

But aside from the weeks big time storylines, some surprising players stood up in Week 3, in the likes of the leagues talented and explosive young guns.

For those that witnessed the Indianapolis vs. Denver game, you would be pleasantly aware of Austin Collie’s on field brilliance, along with Mark Sanchez’s consistency down south in Miami.

So who were the Top 10 most impressive young stars of the week? 

Roll over and find out, they promise not to disappoint.

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When it comes to football, contracts are far and few between.  While just about every star player is payed a considerably “high” amount of money these days, there are the obvious select few that raise the bar in terms of Ben Franklins taken home at the end of February.

Historically speaking, the quarterback position has always been the most wealthy in the NFL.  If it wasn’t John Elway collecting a large sum of money by past standards, it was Brett Favre, who signed a $1.4 million deal in his rookie season with the Atlanta Falcons.

However, in comparison to today’s standards achieved by quarterbacks, these past numbers are weak. 

In case you are somehow unaware or simply haven’t been tuning into the latest episodes of PTI on ESPN, both Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have now become talking points in the media due to their contracts.

As of now both Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are earning quite satisfying deals. Peyton Manning himself is earning $14 million a year, making him the highest paid player in the history of the game, with Tom Brady earning a small portion lower.

So what is the argument and debate that both players have had to endure recently?

Well it is one that both men are quite accustomed to.  For you see, many fans, analysts and writers have all come together to try and decide which player is worthy of earning the extra dollars.

Realistically, this is a debate that won’t be solved easily.  And at the end of the day, everybody will have their own opinion.  But as long as we are talking about it, there’s no reason we can’t discuss it, right? 

Exactly.

Peyton Manning

What Peyton Manning brings to the table is simple—consistency and work ethic like no other.

I don’t think I have to sit here and rattle on about just how great this man really is.  When he’s on the field, he is his own offensive coordinator, and when he’s off the field, he’s more than likely studying the playbook and getting his team ready for the next game.

The beauty of Peyton Manning is that he is also reliable.  When the Colts are down by a touchdown or two, his persistence shows, and perhaps that is the reason for not only the Colts’ winning ways, but the incredibly large pay slip that Peyton Manning takes home each season.

However, what Peyton Manning also brings to the Colts is a legendary status.  Some may argue that he is above or below Johnny Unitas at the present time, but there is no arguing that he is perhaps the greatest Indianapolis Colts player to ever put on the blue and white.

So what has really earned Peyton Manning the highest paycheck in all of football?

Well besides the factors mentioned above, it is also his performance on the field that accounts for the green bills.  A four-time MVP, 10-time Pro Bowl selection, and more importantly, Super Bowl XLI champion, Peyton Manning’s on-field accomplishments set the standard for elite quarterback status.

And what does Peyton Manning have over Tom Brady?

It’s a tough call, but personally I believe he does have a strong record of consistency to his name. 

Given Brady’s 2008 knee injury, his recent performances haven’t been as “glitz and glamour” as they were in years prior.

In Manning’s career, he always been there for the Colts.

Stand up and applaud this man if you haven’t already. He’s earned every cent of that $98 million contract.

Tom Brady

Ah Tom Brady, the NFL’s golden boy who has achieved just about everything in life right now.

If it isn’t having a totally smoking hot wife, it is achieving his own brand label, along with numerous other marketing campaigns.

But aside from all of that unimportant stuff, it is what Tom Brady has done in his oh so young career that has earned him a status like no other.  When you hear the words “three-time Super Bowl Champion” many names come to mind.

But none more so than Tom Brady, who has managed to guide the Patriots to the promised land on more than one occasion.

Now, while some fans choose to say that Brady had the help of his teammates, and that he was more or less gifted the Lombardi Trophy due to either some so-called “bad officiating,” or that Randy Moss and numerous others carried him most of the way, a three-time Super Bowl Champion simply doesn’t get that lucky.

Yes, Tom Brady is the ultimate winner of the past decade.  Along with his team and championships, I guess you could say that he more or less outmatches Peyton Manning in the ring department.

But what about skill, does Tom Brady possess anything that Peyton Manning doesn’t?

It’s an arguable question, but one that has no real answer. For you see, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are totally different quarterbacks. Peyton is an offensive genius, while Tom Brady is simple-minded, but also very clever with wide receivers.

Therefore, when it comes to skill, it would be a hard task to place a stick between the two, let alone draw a line down the middle.

As for Tom Brady, he should continue to excel, despite his “lesser” ways in the past 12 months.  If your looking back at the past though, you should have very fond memories of the Brady bunch.

So Who is More Deserving?

To me this question comes down to what kind of fan you are.  If you are a championship style fan, then you’d say Tom Brady.  But if you are a more of an old-school skill guy, then Peyton Manning would be your favorite.

For me, I’ll stick with No. 18, but only just.  What it all comes down to is the future, and while Tom Brady is surely set for the Hall of Fame, it is what Peyton Manning is yet to deliver that scares the socks off of me.

One Super Bowl, and many more to come?  I’d say so, as looking at the Colts on paper I would declare them competitive favorites.

When it comes to Tom Brady, I don’t feel we’ve seen the whole show, but we’ve seen a lot of it.  Peyton Manning has delivered in many ways possible, and is still capable of outdoing himself like Michael Jordan in the 1990s.

Don’t get me wrong, the two are about as close as The Three Stooges, but when it comes to money, Peyton may have a small dollar or two advantage.

Ryan Cook is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report . He is also an NFL columnist for Real Sports Net and a Green Bay Packers writer for Fan Huddle and PackerChatters . Don’t forget to follow him on Twitter .

Read more Indianapolis Colts news on BleacherReport.com

So far we’ve seen many players either scrutinized for their lack of performance, or praised for the exceptional 2009 campaign.

However, here we are facing a new season, and more importantly a new decade in the NFL, and as much as I love to reminisce old 2009 memories, it is time to move on and focus on the future.

So what players will get better this season, and what players will disappoint more than a few people in 2010?

It’s a tough call, but it is one that I am willing to make.

Therefore, without further ado I present to you not only the Top 50 NFL Players, but also a little prediction on how their 2010 campaign will go this year.

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It seems that when it comes time to criticize Peyton Manning, no one seems to be able to dig up much of an argument in regards to what No. 18 can improve on.

As a fan of the game, watching Peyton Manning is like watching a magician perform a delightful array of eye-dazzling tricks. 

You know he is capable of just about everything, but you never know exactly what Peyton Manning is going to pull out of the bag until you hear his booming voice take over your TV’s speakers.

During the 16-20 times a year I am privileged to witness Peyton Manning play, I treasure every moment.  I wasn’t a fan of the NBA when Michael Jordan was in his prime, so I feel that I must soak up every moment that Peyton Manning has under centre, and witness every play of brilliance with which this man gifts us.

In recent years, it’s always been the same style of football from Peyton Manning.  Accurate passes to decide games, along with well-timed deep balls to the likes of Marvin Harrison, or nowadays Reggie Wayne, that results in yet another Indianapolis touchdown.

No, change in game style simply hasn’t featured in Peyton Manning’s vocabulary. That is, until now.

In case you have been living under a rock recently, or have been swept up in the LeBron James free agency debate, Indianapolis has hired a new offensive coordinator.

To Colts fans, this is old news, as newly appointed offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen is now in his fourth month of coaching the Colts offense, after serving a lengthy period as Indiapolis’ wide receiver coach.

However, although this move in staff has gone under the radar a little, some questioning has risen to the surface in regards to whether or not Clyde Christensen may change Peyton Manning’s play significantly this season.

Perhaps it is my old school football beliefs shining through, but for a quarterback who is as precise and consistent as Peyton Manning, isn’t hiring a new offensive coordinator like Clyde Christensen similar to changing a pair of socks for Peyton Manning?

It isn’t a move that happens every day, but realistically hiring a new offensive coordinator only further leaves the Colts offense in Peyton Manning’s trustworthy hands.

Like I mentioned earlier, Peyton Manning’s voice often takes over speakers.  Before every play, the words “Red 82″ or something fairly similar are heard, indicating that Peyton Manning is once again calling an audible and pointing out a severe weakness in an opposing team’s defense.

Does it work?  Well how about we ask Peyton Manning’s 33 touchdowns in 2009 if his strategies pay dividends for the Indianapolis Colts?

Aside from what Peyton Manning does on the field though, he has been rather quiet on this issue.  It is not in his nature to draw attention to an issue, and although this situation has been blown out of proportion a little, head coach Jim Caldwell has been relatively outspoken.

“It’s probably much like my taking over for Tony (Dungy after the 2008 season),” Caldwell said. “Clyde’s been there for eight years, knows the system very well, and really influences what we do.”

So the question must be asked, does this change affect Peyton Manning at all?

Well as Vic Carruci writes, “Manning could work with just about anybody and still be an elite quarterback. Greatness is greatness, and nothing is going to change that.”

This statement I think 90 percent of fans agree with, as a multiple time Pro Bowler, MVP award winner and Super Bowl winner surely won’t be affected by a mere change on the sidelines that results in a different voice being heard under Peyton’s helmet.

For Peyton Manning, the NFL is his world.  He more or less is the face of the NFL, and no coordinator, coach, or player will ever change that.

If one thing is to perhaps come from this situation, it may be the very opposite.  Aside from focusing on the negative that could come from this move, isn’t it more appropriate to focus on the positive?

Sure Peyton Manning is a well-equipped quarterback, but wouldn’t it be more exciting to see him try and reinvent himself this season, rather than going out week after week and playing the same old style of dominating football?

I know I, for one, would be in favor of that.

To relate back to Carruci’s quote from NFL.com, maybe Peyton could fit in just about anywhere, but we have yet to see him suit up for another team and try to deliver in a new town.

However, as long as Peyton is living in a blue-and-white world, things don’t seem to be changing anytime soon.  He is the true master of this business, and no Double Stuf Oreo-eating contest with Eli Manning can change that.

As for Clyde Christensen, he has had more than enough experience with Peyton Manning over the years. 

It is not like Clyde is a young and inexperienced coach who is placing a big “S” on his back and attempting to play Superman and turn Peyton Manning’s career around.

Add new coaches, or take the entire staff away, Peyton Manning would still find a way to win.  It’s predictable, yes, but it’s simply in Peyton Manning’s makeup to dominate, take over, and get the job done.

Some say that Clyde Christensen is along for the ride, while I say that the ride is far from over, and has many destinations ahead of it.

Peyton Manning is great, and it is not a matter of outdoing other quarterbacks.  He is already the epitome of what every quarterback is compared to, so why should Peyton have a negative season?

Exactly, he won’t.

Ryan Cook is a Featured Columnist for the Bleacher Report . He is also an NFL writer for Real Sports Net , and Green Bay Packer writer for Fan Huddle and PackerChatters .  Don’t forget to follow him on Twitter .

Read more Indianapolis Colts news on BleacherReport.com

With the Draft still to go, and April fast approaching, Colts fans are already looking toward the future in hope of another playoff run and more importantly, another Super Bowl spot. 

The question on everybody’s mind though, do the Colts have enough gas left in the tank to get them back over that last hurdle and into the playoffs once again?  Well historically speaking, yes they do.  It seems just when we count the Colts out, Manning defies common sense and re-surges his team into a fit of high emotions and electrifying football.

Jim Caldwell on the other hand, well maybe his collective thoughts and Tony Dungy-like approach, was what cost the Colts the Super Bowl in the first place.  Okay, so realistically it was a team loss, but try telling Indianapolis fans that.

Since the Super Bowl loss, Colts fans have been depressed.  Upset with Manning, upset with the defense, and more or less angry with Jim Caldwell, things aren’t getting any easier in the land of white and blue. 

With a lousy draft spot ahead, and a long offseason of practices and training camps, the Colts, like many other teams, are left playing the head coaching game, as they try and figure out whether or not Jim Caldwell should stay or go.

When speaking with Indianapolis fans about the future of Caldwell, opinions differ.  More long time fans see the point in keeping the rookie head coach, who in all fairness did lead the Colts to the Super Bowl in only his first year.  While at the same time, more “bandwagon” style fans are questioning Caldwell’s decision making in the dire strait times of Super Bowl XLIV.

Whichever approach you take on the situation, you can’t help but sit back and laugh at the very fact that Indianapolis is considering a possible firing, while other teams such as Oakland are flat out even posting a winning season. 

Jokes aside though, a decision needs to be made.  The AFC is a growing conference, and with the New York Jets, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Baltimore Ravens all ready to take the top spot in 2010, the Colts can’t afford to sit back and relax. 

It’s not time for panic stations just yet, and really it’s a decision that doesn’t even need to be made.  Still though, if Colts fans voice their opinion loud and clear, don’t be surprised to see a Caldwell debate pop up on Sportscenter within the next two months.  At the moment though, just take it under consideration.

Read more Indianapolis Colts news on BleacherReport.com

For the loyal fans out there that managed to watch the post game celebrations of the New Orleans Saints last night, would have been eagerly awaiting the hand shake between Peyton Manning and Drew Brees when the clock hit triple zero.  Unfortunately, the time never came, and in a Phillip Rivers type style, Peyton charged off the field like a disobedient cat with his tail between his legs.

They say sportsmanship is everything in sports.  Win or lose, the terms “You played a great game” are a must say at the end of any sporting event.  For some odd reason though, Peyton Manning is an exception to this superstitious rule, and instead of the media blowing it up, the issue has been shovelled aside as to not cause any controversy or distress.

Fans have noticed though, and many are questioning Peyton’s overall integrity and desire to be one of the best in the game.  We didn’t see Joe Montana get to where he is today without shaking a few hands, accepting defeat, and brushing off a loss to move forward, did we?

Criticism aside, I can’t help but speculate whether or not a loss will affect Peyton’s career, more than his body language and manner in which he conducted himself in on Sunday night.

At times during the game, Peyton seemed stressed, worried and out of sync.  Passes were dropped, flags were thrown and false starts began to pile up.  Normally calm and collected, Manning brushes off the mistakes and takes the simple attitude of “It’ll pan out.” 

Something was different about last night though, and I’m not talking about the poor commercials.  No, I’m talking about Manning’s desire, his passion, that seemed to fade away almost as soon as the first quarter had ended.

Jim Caldwell seemed calm, Joseph Addai was rushing well, and remarkably Dwight Freeney seemed to have a miracle moment where his ankle was miraculously a lot better than first thought.  Although this is all well and good, no team is complete without solid quarterback play, something the Colts were lacking.

Given, the defense wasn’t up to par either, Indianapolis really never showed any signs of pulling away and taking a convincing lead.  I guess they did have the top notch New Orleans Saints to overcome, but realistically the game was their’s to take after the first half had ended.

As for the hand shake, yes it is minor, but it could mean so much more.  We’re used to seeing Peyton winning, smiling, happy, and congratulating the other team on a well fought game.  Sunday was different though, and we actually saw the losing side of Peyton Manning.

For those NBA fans out there that would remember Lebron James discussing his Cavaliers early exit out of the NBA Finals last year, would remember his overall attitude about the game being fairly well, poor.  Peyton was much the same.

A handshake is nothing, but it is something in a Super Bowl type game.  It may not hurt his legacy just yet, but sportsmanship goes a long way in a league that has prided itself on manner in dignity in any circumstance.  Peyton just didn’t live up to the task.

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