How not to conduct yourself

Indianapolis is the host of the Super Bowl this year, and much like St. Paul when the Republican National Convention was in town, they are proud to have a national and narrow international spotlight aimed at their town. Fortunately, residents of St. Paul and the owners of the Xcel Energy Center didn't make the trip about themselves. In fact, I would say St. Paul came off looking well, with the anarchist protesters and the Republicans being the only ones that embarrassed themselves in any way (depending upon your political affiliation). The point is, St. Paul played the gracious hosts.
It's been slightly different in Indianapolis. The city is equally excited to represent itself to the world, and is generally a gracious host during other major events, like Big Ten Tournaments or Championships and the Indy 500, but that doesn't quite hold a candle to the Super Bowl, does it? From what I've heard, the city and the residents are having a great time, but the Colts and Peyton Manning are being selfish prigs.
First, there were sources saying that Manning had been cleared to play, perhaps in response to the reports earlier in the week that he was done for his career. Manning didn't come out and say anything, of course, but sources near him heard it, and I'm not foolish enough to think that he didn't have a hand in the process. Of course, doing this while the Super Bowl is in HIS town means that coverage will be on him. While it's a tactless move had this happened anywhere, in any Super Bowl, it's especially tacky in his home town with his brother playing in the game.
Compounding matters is owner Jim Irsay. He could have quickly come out with a statement to the press or on the Colts website. Instead he tweeted a denial at 130AM, local time. Super Bowl aside, that's just boorish behavior. Despite the game being in Indianapolis, and all the kudos before the game for the beautiful stadium and the team that got it built, Irsay and Manning are destroying any kind of good will.
It's to the point that I now believe that the winning years of the past decade were the exception. The Colts are a bad organization that got lucky when they picked Manning. They might get lucky with Andrew Luck as well, but it's increasingly clear it's not something the Irsays deserve.

Indianapolis' answer at quarterback

Yes, I am proposing that the Colts add Colt. Hear me out.
The problem with Indianpolis this season wasn't so much that Peyton Manning was injured, but that Curtis Painter was an absolute embarrassment. I can't see the Colts moving Peyton Manning, or keeping Manning and assumed first pick Andrew Luck, but it's very clear that the team needs an additional QB on the roster. It just so happens that the Browns are likely in the market for an upgrade at quarterback, own two first round picks (including one in the top 5) and have a player on the roster that would be an obvious upgrade for the current Indianapolis QB depth.
The Colts have been respectable with Dan Orlovsky at the helm, which is mind blowing, and goes to show just how terrible Painter is and was. Orlovsky probably played himself into a job elsewhere. The Colts likely realized that a having a quarterback on the roster that wasn't an utter disaster is key. Some people have said the Brown could move their top two picks for the third pick and take Robert Griffin. What if they through in Colt McCoy and nabbed the number 1 overall selection? I think the Browns would jump at the chance, and I, personally, would love the move.
McCoy seems like a smart kid, and has been a starting QB for 6 years when you include his time at Texas. He would be more than capable of stepping in and leading the team to a .500 record (or so) if Manning were injured for a few games again. Then, the Colts would also have two first rounders. Looking at available players at those spots according to Walter Football, the team would be much better if they had, say, corner back Dre Kirkpatrick and defensive tackle Brandon Thompson? Or a better running back? Or a younger wide out? The defense has been a problem for years. The quarterback has been an issue for one. Hear's hoping the Colts (and Colt) can take steps to solve both.

The what's in where now?

I love the Colts probably as much as any guy in the state of Minnesota. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean that I am a fan of Indianapolis. I can't imagine why anyone really would be. Imagine my surprise, then, when the NFL decided that the city of Indianapolis would be hosting the 2012 Super Bowl. Wow.
Sure, the city hosts two huge sporting events a year, in the Indy 500 and the Brickyard 500, both auto racing events, and every once in a while, they have an NCAA Final Four. That being said, NFL fans are a bit more discriminating than NASCAR fans, and more voluminous than college basketball fans.
The downtown entertainment district nearest the stadium is impossibly small, and the next closest real place to have a good time is Broad Ripple on the northside. But don't go too far, because then you're just looking at a lot of corn. Not in February, I suppose, but the point holds true. The Indianapolis metro is small and without a whole lot to entertain the teeming masses for a week. You can only check out the Speedway so many times. And it won't help that everyone there will also be trying to visit the Speedway (which happens to be in a rough side of town. Speaking of, most of Indianapolis can be a rough part of town if the Pacers are around). I've often said that the best thing to do in Indianapolis is go to Chicago.
Then there is the other concern. The Colts are building this new stadium, to be used to host the Super Bowl. I had the opportunity to stay right across the street from the stadium and look into it this past weekend from my hotel room:
I can't tell exactly what that looks like, but I have a few ideas.
Williams Arena
A large indoor swimming pool
Stockyards
A huge F'in barn.
But I'm sure that's the image Indy is looking to project. We're completely rural hicks. Join us as we drink beer in a field and play football in our barn.