What you want to see is for him to keep making progress, to get back to the point where you can say he's making all the throws and doing the things he needs to do," Irsay said. "The truth is it's a slow progression and to say that he would hit a ceiling on Dec. 15 or Jan. 1 and he's not going to get any better, that's really uncertain."
Manning's health and finding a successor are only part of the equation.
Some outsiders want a complete overhaul -- getting rid of Caldwell, vice chairman Bill Polian or general manager Chris Polian.
Irsay told reporters he wouldn't give up on the Polians, who turned the franchise from an also-ran into a perennial Super Bowl contender, because of eight losses. He also voiced support for Caldwell, saying "not just any guy" could have led the Colts to the AFC title two years ago or four straight wins to clinch the AFC South last year.
Manning hopes to have more answers next month.
"If I'm at a level where I'm cleared to practice, then the greatest venue to see where you are is on the practice field," Manning said.
Until then, Irsay is pleading for patience.
"We have not had this much uncertainty in a long, long time, but I think it's exciting," Irsay said. "I'm more interested in getting back to greatness and having a chance to sustain it. I'm not interested in middling around at 8-8 or 9-7 and sneaking into the playoffs for the next decade."
Manning's health and finding a successor are only part of the equation.
Some outsiders want a complete overhaul -- getting rid of Caldwell, vice chairman Bill Polian or general manager Chris Polian.
Irsay told reporters he wouldn't give up on the Polians, who turned the franchise from an also-ran into a perennial Super Bowl contender, because of eight losses. He also voiced support for Caldwell, saying "not just any guy" could have led the Colts to the AFC title two years ago or four straight wins to clinch the AFC South last year.
Manning hopes to have more answers next month.
"If I'm at a level where I'm cleared to practice, then the greatest venue to see where you are is on the practice field," Manning said.
Until then, Irsay is pleading for patience.
"We have not had this much uncertainty in a long, long time, but I think it's exciting," Irsay said. "I'm more interested in getting back to greatness and having a chance to sustain it. I'm not interested in middling around at 8-8 or 9-7 and sneaking into the playoffs for the next decade."
