Tom Cochrun /Light Breezes: Indianapolis Colts

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

A GOOD GOODBYE, AFTERNOON SUN AND HAWK NOTES

DONE WITH GREAT CLASS

Photo by Associated Press

One of the world's premier athletes made one of the classiest exits in sport. After 14 years Peyton Manning, perhaps the game's greatest quarterback, is leaving the Indianapolis Colts.

It was an emotional goodbye but done with goodwill,

sincerity and humility. Those are three qualities terribly lacking in the world today, especially in professional sport.

Photo by WRTV 6/ABC.com

Manning's legacy is 11 playoffs, 11 pro bowl games, 4 times he was the leagues MVP, 2 super bowl games and 1 championship. Manning is responsible for turning Indianapolis into a genuine NFL city. Indianapolis loves him. He is an icon in what used to be exclusively a basket ball town.There are countless young Peytons, both male and female, in the Hoosier state.

Money, negotiations, positions in the draft, medical uncertainty and other at times difficult issues were behind

the departure, but at the farewell news conference, Manning

was, as he was when directing the Colts on the field, eloquent, brilliant and on target.

As a kid I liked Johnny Unitas, the great Baltimore Colt quarterback. In this age of media, super stars and the modern NFL, the great Colts quarterback for the age is

Indianapolis Colts Peyton Manning.

Soon we may see what Andrew Luck brings to the big shoes to be filled. But for now Manning's number 18 has been retired and it will be hard to see him as anything but a Colt, which he says he will remain in his heart.

DAY BOOK

IN THE AFTERNOON SUN

Lana was looking after neighbor's cats when she spotted
the hawk, catching a few afternoon rays.

Photo by Lana E Cochrun

This appears to be a young hawk, of which there are many in this area of the highlands and forest. I spoke with a man last evening who has trained a young red tailed hawk to hunt rabbits. Now that rabbit season is about over, he will begin a kind of reverse training process to release the young raptor

back into the wild.

A QUESTION FOR YOU CINEMA BUFFS

My friend Neal Moore, a fellow Churchillian and one of

technologies earliest adapters, is seeking information.

What Hitchcock film includes a famous no edit, single camera, boom shot? Let us know. Thanks.

See you down the trail.

Monday, January 2, 2012

SOME DIVERSION, HUH?

PRIORITIES

First the Colts

then the Paradise Walkers

My blog mentor, The Catalyst, shot a missive, noting no blog yet, nor on New Years day and wondering as to "too much New Years eve?"

Not the case.

I got sidetracked by the decision of Indianapolis Colts owner Jimmy Irsay to fire vice chairman and football operator

Bill Polian. I know both men and I hate to see the parting, but after winning only 2 games, there is a fever in the bunkhouse. Polian brought football knowledge, and eventually greatness to a then foundering Colts organization.

But things and times change. And not having an

active Peyton Manning makes a difference.

So I was offering my unsolicited advice to Jim and the fans of the Colts.

Make Peyton Manning a player coach, and draft

Andrew Luck. If Peyton is still able to play, allow him to take few snaps, share playing time with the brilliant young quarterback, and gradually assume the position of offensive coordinator. Eventually he can transition to full time coaching, maybe someday to be head coach.

Manning is a brilliant offensive strategist already and

would be the ideal heir to the great offensive coordinator

Tom Moore. I think it would make a great

story line for the franchise, the kind of thing of

legends. I'm confident Colts fans would love it. I hope Jimmy Irsay also sees the "brilliance" of the idea.

Jimmy, I'll be in town in a few days, if you want to talk.

NOW TO THINGS CALIFORNIA

The first day of the new year gave the new

Paradise Walkers a chance to

do their thing.