(Image source: CBS Sports)

BY JOSH LANDER

ANCHOR JIM FLINK

Colts super-star quarterback Peyton Manning and team owner Jim Irsay (Uhr-say) have always been chummy -- but after a couple of very public jabs -- the sports media is wondering if the relationship has gone sour.

It started when Manning described the environment in Indy as “everybody’s walking on egg-shells.”

Irsay quickly had something to say about that. Here’s his response from The News Sentinel.

“The horse-shoe always comes first and I think one thing that he’s always known because he’s been around it so long is you keep it in the family.  If you got a problem, you talk to each other.”
http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120126/SPORTS/120129591/1007

Simple enough.  Or not? The Indianapolis Star’s Bob Kravitz tells ESPN -- there’s more to this than just a couple of quotes.

“Whats sad about this is, that things have sort of deteriorated in a very public way.  It’s been a beautiful marriage here for the last 14 years here and things are starting to get a little bit testy.”

Many have wondered, is Manning on his way out of Indy?  Lots of analysts believe the Colts are ready to draft Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the first overall pick in upcoming the NFL draft. Add to that -- it would cost the team 28 million bucks to keep Manning. Throw in the public dispute between QB and owner -- and Larry Brown Sports blogger Steve DelVecchio says Manning’s tenure in Indy is all but over.

“From a financial standpoint, it makes no sense for the Colts to bring Manning back next season.  They are more than a quarterback away from being a Super Bowl contender, and they would not have enough funds to bring in other players with Manning on the roster.”

Andrew Luck and money aside, Mark Ross of Athlon Sports says Manning’s uncertain health status is the biggest factor which could end his career.

“If he doesn’t pass his physical, cutting him probably comes into play even more as the Colts will have to weigh the risks of keeping him on the roster in hopes that he will eventually become healthy. Failing his physical would also greatly impact his chances of signing with another team should he become a free agent.”

According to CBSSports.com -- Irsay and the Colts have until March 8 to decide whether or not to pay Manning that extra 28 million dollars, or cut him from the roster.