"The first thought is you say a prayer that everything works out OK, " said Bill Polian, former general manager of the Bills.

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My sense, however, is that Bill Polian must know one thing about whatever new agreement is forged: that there will continue to be a Franchise player designation.

FORBES: Will Peyton's Place Still Be Indianapolis?

Former Colts general manager Bill Polian, whose team lost that ugly game to the Patriots, acknowledged that during the 2004 meeting, which he attended, the competition committee agreed that illegal contact needed to be called more often.

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Although the Patriots and Brady were able to find a way, Colts President Bill Polian has long found shelter in the labor uncertainty for the future and the lack of a CBA by which to structure a deal.

FORBES: Will Peyton's Place Still Be Indianapolis?

News came this week that the agent for Peyton Manning, Tom Condon, drove to Indianapolis to deliver the message to Colts general manager Bill Polian that there would be no further negotiations on a new contract for Manning, whose existing contract expires after this season.

FORBES: Will Peyton's Place Still Be Indianapolis?