Peyton Manning, Colts Owner Have Had 'Upbeat And Positive' Conversations

Read More: Peyton Manning (QB - DEN), Indianapolis Colts

The top story in the NFL at the moment continues to be where Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning will land at the beginning of the 2012 season. For the time being, it appears that things have not completely soured between the QB and his current team.

According to Dave Calabro at WTHR in Indianapolis, Colts owner Jim Irsay confirmed on Thursday that he has been speaking with Manning, both in person and via text message. Irsay states that the talks have been "upbeat and positive."

I've never looked at it as a divorce no matter what happens, along those lines. It's really not. It's just wrong to paint it that we're not close because we always will be and we always have been.

Our desire to keep him as a Colt and his desire to be a Colt is strong, and at the same time, the realities that exist, the circumstances that exist that neither one of us control exist as well.

Although no one knows what the final decision will be by the time the March 8 deadline to release Manning arrives, Irsay stated his desire to reach a "unified decision" that would benefit both Manning and the Colts. That decision could very well be a release that makes room for Andrew Luck.

For more on the Colts, head over to the SB Nation blog Stampede Blue. For more on the Manning situation, stay tuned to this StoryStream.