The Peyton Manning dance continued all day yesterday.   First, various sources told us that Manning would likely never play football again.    Then, we learned from ESPN that Manning himself feels that everything is right on track in his rehab from neck surgery, and he and Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay may be able to hash out this whole mess after the season.

If I had to guess, I’d say there is an element of truth to both sides of this story.   That is, Manning and Irsay may be able to kiss and make up, but probably only if Number 18 retires.   Then, maybe he could stick around Indy as some sort of consultant or figurehead.

I don’t think there is anyway in frozen-over, Dallas-locked Super Bowl XLV Hell that Manning plays for the Colts again, though.

Is Peyton Manning going to retire? Maybe the shadow knows.

Is Colts quarterback Peyton Manning ready to join father Archie in retirement?

Lots of Internet chatter to the effect that, not only will Peyton Manning not return to the Indianapolis Colts for the 2012 season, but that he will retire.  Imminently.  What do you think?   Have we seen the last of Number 18, or just the last of him in a Colts’ uniform?  Or do you think he’ll be under center in Indy come September?   Let us know below.

Jorge Posada couldn't see himself in anything but pinstripes. Will Peyton Manning be as resistant to a uniform change?

Former New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada, who was with the team through most of their glorious run during the 1990s and 2000s, officially retired today.   I was struck by the epiphany that Posada claims to have experienced while watching some talking heads posit likely destinations for the man who could have been a free agent.   Posada said that seeing his head photoshopped atop different uniforms just didn’t look right and prompted him to give up the ghost rather than don anything but Yankee pinstripes.   Might Colts quarterback Peyton Manning experience the same sort of sentimentality if and when he is released and becomes available for hire?

On the one hand, it’s certainly appealing to Indy fans to think that Manning would walk off into the sunset rather than suit up in a non-Horseshoe helmet, especially if his health is still in question.   On the other hand, I’d lay dollars to doughnuts that Manning will, indeed, keep going if he can find a green enough jersey.    Although his demise has been largely predicted, the man still will be just 36 this spring, which is still near primetime for many elite passers.    Even if that neck balks again in a month or two, Manning has five or ten years to ponder whether he has anything left.

Were Manning to walk away from the NFL today, I think there is a better than even chance that he’d slip into Brett Favre mode somewhere down the line when some of the aches and pains have subsided and some would-be contender need that final push.