I’m going to avoid talking about the All-Star game before it happens because, well, it bores the hell out of me. I love baseball as much as the next guy, but I don’t think it lends itself particularly well to an exhibition format – especially one that none of the players really care about. If pitchers were all supposed to only pitch an inning a game then they’d all be called closers, and each team would have 18 of them. If I had to I would bet on the American League, but I would rather bet on cricket.

While I am avoiding that topic I need another, and I want to revisit something I discussed yesterday – my nemesis, Peyton Manning. There are a few more details coming out of Indianapolis about his situation, and it makes for some interesting pondering.

Given how private Manning and the Colts usually are, it struck me as odd that a story appeared in the Indianapolis Star suggesting that Manning might miss the first game of the season. That struck me as the kind of thing that doesn’t appear accidentally. Even though the team has repeatedly said Manning will be ready, the article struck me as potentially a way to at least advance the possibility that he won’t be. It also points out a problem that Indy has had ever since Manning arrived in town – he pretty much has to stay healthy because they have no other options. Let’s play a little game. Which one of these guys isn’t an Indy backup – Jim Sorgi, Ryan Dawson, Josh Betts? It’s Dawson, but you probably had to think about it, didn’t you? Manning has been ridiculously healthy, but that may not last in this league. Brett Favre is obviously a complete fluke, not a guy to model a franchise after.

Sorgi has obviously never had a start, and he has never played meaningful time in a game that matters when it was on the line. Betts replaced Ben Roethlisberger at Miami of Ohio, but he was undrafted when he graduated. He’s never appeared in a regular season game, and he spent his first season on the practice roster. Neither guy is anywhere close to ready to step in and fill in if Manning isn’t ready.

I really don’t understand why the Colts would put themselves in a situation like this. It makes no sense for their team, and it is very frustrating for bettors – at least teams with an adequate backup might present some value if the starter is hurt. The public will immediately bet any value out of a Manning-less Colts game.

Just one final thought. How excited to do think that the Colts organization would be about opening their fancy new stadium against the Bears on national TV with Sorgi under center. No one will be cheering for him to get healthy more than owner Jim Irsay.