Irsay Disappointed in Manning Era

We may be getting a clearer picture as to why Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay cut quarterback Peyton Manning last year.

It didn't have anything to do with the salary cap or his injury, but it could have been the fact that Manning won only one Super Bowl while taking snaps with the Colts.

That didn't sit too well with the owner; he was "disappointed" that Indy only won one Super Bowl during the Manning era.

"I think that the disappointment of not winning more than one [Super Bowl] with some of the things we did -- 11 [playoff] chances, seven times out after the first playoff game -- that's really disappointing and we had some great teams," Irsay said, to the Associated Press.

"My goal going into this new era was to have the opportunity to win more than one," Irsay continued. "We love the excitement of offense, we love the 49 touchdown passes [that Manning threw in 2004] and those sorts of things, but in the end, what we love most is Lombardi trophies."

I guess Irsay wasn't as heartbroken as we thought when he let Manning go. 

Irsay must have forgotten most of those Colts teams weren't very good defensively and most of those playoff losses were because of defensive letdowns. Irsay said he hopes all that will change under Andrew Luck.

"There was a conscious effort to make sure we had more balance and tighten the special teams up," Irsay said. "It was really a strong theme that I thought was important as Andrew came in and as we started this new era. When we can add that component [a tough ground game and a tough defense] to the Andrew Lucks of the world, I think you really have a chance to win more than one."

If the Colts defense doesn't improve, Luck's chances in the playoffs will be short lived, too.

Just ask Peyton Manning.