Fans optimistic about Peyton Manning's rehabilitation

He is not back, but he is closer.  After three neck surgeries during the past 19 months, Colts Quarterback Peyton Manning has been cleared to step up his rehab process. It is a prognosis Peyton is happy with and as you can imagine, fans are energized too.

"If you do not have Peyton, we need you Peyton, we love you Peyton, we miss you," said Colts fan Beverly Jones.

"Players get hurt all the time, but being Peyton Manning and the way he went out, it just messed up the whole team," Derrick Newson said.

Radio host for ESPN 1070 the Fan, JMV said fans should proceed with caution when it comes to Manning's return.

"I don't know by virtue of what I read and what was said yesterday, I feel any better about Peyton Manning's long-term or short-term situation health wise," said JMV.  "At the very least it gives the Colts fans something to think about.  More importantly it is giving the organization something really long-term to think about and that is going to be the direction of this team."

The question now, if number 18 does return to the field, at what capacity?  Will it be the Manning of old, or an aged all-pro who is one hit away from sitting on the sidelines?

"I can not imagine that the Colts and Jim Irsay, the owner, have a healthy Peyton Manning and he is capable of playing and he is not playing here.  I'd have to believe it to see him playing in someplace else," said JMV

Fans are confident that if the Colts have Manning, Indianapolis is a contender.

Jones: "Wait until next season, put Manning in and we'll be at the Super Bowl."  

Reporter: "You think so?"

Jones: "I know so."