Marvin Harrison's knees

If you listen to the quotes from Dungy and Irsay from this article, you have to be positive about Harrison coming back and having an impact as a #2 receiver.  However, still a lot of questions but I found the article interesting.  How Harrison and Freeney come back will be things that weigh on Colts fans minds the most for the coming the season.  At least they do for me as a Colts fan. 

http://www.rototimes.com/article.php?article_id=4669

I'm not pushing Marvin in front of or under a bus, but.....

You certainly don't want to bet against a great receiver like Marvin Harrison. However, taking his age and type of injury he sustained, along with the reports that he is not yet participating in ANY drills, etc., the scenario takes on a a high risk and low reward tone. There is absolutely NO WAY that Harrison becomes the Harrison of old. The sure fire #1 receiver we all know him as, is gone. The real problem is that he makes 12 million this year and 14 million next year as a #2 receiver who may not even have the tools to be a good #2 any longer. From a business standpoint the Colts need to release Harrison and resign him to a team friendly contract. In the 25 years that the Colts have called Indy home, and for the first time in Jimmy Irsay's tenure, the Colts will have a very hard decision to make. This is not like letting players such as Cato June, Dominic Rhodes, Mike Peterson or the Edge leave via free agency. This is about how to handle a true Colts HOF in the twilight stages of his career (and injured to boot). It's a two way street though like Irsay and Dungy have already alluded to. Marvin needs to recognize his limitations and possible contributions as well. And for those of you who can't or don't want to recognize the posibility that Harrison might be a liability instead of an asset, what would you REALLY do if you had to pay him 12m this year alone to be a #2 receiver? What could you do with the savings in the form of talent being brought in? To give you an idea of just how much money Harrison takes from the cap, you could have another 10 Anthony Gonzalez's for 12 million.

Man, I sure hope I'm just misinformed and that Marvin (fully healed) will be streaking down the sideline, catching Peyton Manning's bombs for touchdowns and handing the ball ever so gently to the out-of breath referee.

And by the way IndianaJim, this is an outstanding thread because you hit the nail on the head. The injuries to Marvin Harrison and Dwight Freeney are going to make or break the Colts draft stragedy. And perhaps, have the biggest influence on this year's team performance. Both of the injuries are extremely serious and are sometimes career threatening. Replacing Harrison last year was hard enough, but replacing Freeney was something the Colts just could not do. With most of the cap money spent on the starters, including Dwight and Marvin, Indy is strapped in free agency and MUST rely on immediate help via the draft or undrafted free agents. Unfortunately, these players are young and inexperienced at the NFL level and can in no way replace the production lost. So, you better believe that Indy fans better be watching the progress of Freeney and Harrison. And Sanders too!

REGARDLESS OF FREENEY & HARRISONS AVAILIBILITY AT THE START OF 2008

THE Colts NEED TO ADDRESS THESE TWO POSITIONS VIA THE DRAFT ANYWAY

ITS NOT GOOD PRATICE TO LEAVE THE TEAM SHORT ON KEY POSITION PLAYERS

I WOULD SAY FREENEYS POSITION IS A MORE GLARING NEED AFTER WATCHING SD PLAYOFF GAME LOSS!

Hey Jim

Wow, that article was very interesting and raised a lot of  " what if " questions.  I am a big Marvin Harrison fan and I hope that he is back & healthy.  If he can't return healthy, I am willing to bet that Harrison will work with the Colts on his salary. Marvin's one of the classiest guys in the NFL.  The Colts are not going to tip their hand untill at least after the draft, if then.