Feb 24, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Stanford Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck speaks at a press conference during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

The debate is over, the Indianapolis Colts will select Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Yesterday Ryan Grigson, the Colts general manager, informed reporters that the team had locked in on who they would select with the top pick. He however did not say who that pick would be, until today.

Grigson’s statement led to increasing speculation that the Colts migh have been looking at Robert Griffin III as the top pick, the “1-A” of quarterback prospects in this years draft.

Griffin is touted by many to be the better quarterback than Luck — given his exceptional athleticism and lightning fast speed — but the Colts don’t see it that way and believe Luck to be the man that can take over for the great Peyton Manning.

The Washington Redskins will now certainly take Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III with the number two pick in the draft, after trading multiple picks to the Rams to get into the second slot.

Luck has big shoes to fill, perhaps the biggest of all time, stepping into Manning’s old role with a Colts team that crumbled to a 2-14 record in 2011 after Peyton was forced to the sideline with a neck injury.

That mediocrity of course sparked wide spread change in Indianapolis. Long time VP Bill Polian was fired, as was his son and general manager, Grigson was then brought in, Manning was released, and the entire team was gutted.

It’s a new day for the Colts, who are hoping Luck can bring the same magic Manning did when he was drafted number one overall in 1998.

Washington will get their man too, and now head coach Mike Shanahan can finally distance himself from the Rex Grossman and John Beck quarterback experiment.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning (18) poses for a photo with president Bill Polian and owner Jim Irsay. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

We can make it work if he wants to be here,’ Irsay said. We’d be excited to have him back and finish his career with us. I want him to be able to make the choice. We would love to have him back here if he can get healthy and we can look at doing a contract that reflects the uncertainty of the healing process with the regeneration of the nerve. — Irsay on Manning

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Rick Reiprish (Source: coalregionvoice.com)

A key member of the Saints’ player personnel department, Director of College Scouting Rick Reiprish, has been targeted as a potential candidate by the Indianapolis Colts to interview for their vacant GM position.

Reiprish has been with the Saints since 2004, and is the man responsible for bringing in most all of the Saints talent, whether drafted or not.

Over recent years the Saints have become known as one of the NFL’s healthiest franchises as well as garnering a reputation for not only drafting well, but digging up the late round “gems” and undrafted rookies.

Players such as running backs Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory, quarterback Chase Daniel, wide receiver Lance Moore, and linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar all stand as shining examples of undrafted talent on the roster that Reiprish and his staff helped uncover. (more…)