Peyton

[ssgaufan]

Do you think he'll retire if the Broncos win? 

1. Manning will retire if he wins
 
This, from Peyton Manning, when asked if this is his last game, sounds logical. It makes sense. It's smart:
 
"I know that there have been a number of players who have walked away as champions," Manning said. "I’m sure that it is a great feeling for those people. John Elway. Ray Lewis did it last year. And Michael Strahan. In talking to Ray Lewis, and talking to John Elway, they couldn’t play anymore. It was all they had to give. They truly left it all out there. I certainly had a career change two years ago with my injury and with changing teams. I’ve been truly on a one-year-at-a-time basis.
 
"So, I really have no plans beyond this game. I had no plans, coming into this season, beyond this year. I think that it is the healthy way to approach your career at this stage. I still enjoy playing football. I feel a little better than I thought I would at this point, coming off that surgery. I still enjoy the preparation part of it, the work part of it. Everybody enjoys the games. Everybody is going to be excited to play in a Super Bowl. When you still enjoy the preparation and the work part of it, I think you ought to be still doing that. I think as soon as I stop enjoying it, if I can’t produce, if I can’t help a team, that’s when I will stop playing. If that’s next year, then maybe it is. I certainly want to continue to keep playing."
 
Typical Manning: smart, measured, on point. It's also bull.
 
I don't believe it for a second, and I can tell you few people around the NFL believe it. Almost everyone thinks Manning is gone if he wins and plays well in the victory. In fact, many believe Manning is gone, win or lose.
 
The belief around football is that Manning is saying he hasn't made up his mind because he doesn't want to be the story of Super Bowl week. Imagine the pressure on the Broncos if Manning came out and said, "Yeah, I'm gone after this, dude. See ya." It would be one of the biggest stories in Super Bowl history. Manning is a lot smarter than that.
 
Manning, maybe more than any other player I've interviewed (with the possible exception of Jim Brown), understands history. He understands the optics of how things look. He knows how hard it is to reach a Super Bowl and that the odds of reaching consecutive Super Bowls are even higher.
 
Optics and history—Manning gets both. If he wins this Super Bowl, it's likely a significant number of media and others will say he's the best ever (I think it's John Elway or Tom Brady, but I digress). He'd go out on a super high. It would be almost impossible to duplicate


I gotta say, I am pulling for Manning and the Broncos.  I like watching Peyton play, and he has never been in any trouble since being in the league.  He's one of the better ones IMO.

[Snaggletiger]

I have man-love for Manning.  Never been a huge fan of the Colts or Broncos but I've never seen a QB that does what he does.  Total control.  Sees everything and literally directs every player on every play. 

Plus, he's done some hilarious commercials and his SNL United Way skit is in my top 10.

[Kaos]

I've got a huge case of the meh with Peyton. Hate Eli completely. But I've never ever thought Peyton belonged in the same category as Elway, Marino, Montana etc. 

He's better in commercials and on SNL but I've never once been awed by his game.

[The Six]

The greatest quarterbacks to ever play the professional game were John Unitas, Joe Montana, and Dan Marino.

 

[dallaswareagle]

The greatest quarterbacks to ever play the professional game were John Unitas, Joe Montana, and Dan Marino.

Troy Aikman
Terry Bradshaw

( 7 combined super bowl rings)

slightly disagree with you.   

[AUJarhead]

The greatest quarterbacks to ever play the professional game were Bobby Herbert, Archie Manning, and Chris Jim Everett.

Fixed for Saints Fans.

[jmar]

Talent level near equal or with slightly less I will take Tom Brady every time in that one game best against best.

*Check out NFL Films' Unitas clip as he walks from the field after having beaten the Giants in the 1958 Championship Game. All he lacks is a lunch pail. 

[JR4AU]

I've got a huge case of the meh with Peyton.

I've never once been awed by his game.

Gotta say, you're a tough critic, and in a small minority as best I can tell at least on the second part.  To each his own. 

[jmar]

Gotta say, you're a tough critic, and in a small minority as best I can tell at least on the second part.  To each his own.

Yeah he might be operating at about 80% of his former arm strength but the sob can get the ball away to a receiver and catch him on a break as good as it's EVER been done in the history of the game.
Marino might have turned it loose as well at full strength. 

[Snaggletiger]

I think Elway always deserves to at least be in the discussion on who is/was the best.  The guy was money in the clutch and had the added dimension of being able to hurt you with the run, something missing from just about all the others named.

[jmar]

I think Elway always deserves to at least be in the discussion on who is/was the best.  The guy was money in the clutch and had the added dimension of being able to hurt you with the run, something missing from just about all the others named.

Yes, he's definitely top five. I've established that upon just now saying it.

[WiregrassTiger]

I've always liked Manning as a person and a QB. I certainly will be pulling for him. Concerning his retirement, I hope he will if he wins.

Depends on what the docs say but I think he's had enough surgeries that we can determine football isn't gonna help his neck. He's done enough.

[jmar]

I've always liked Manning as a person and a QB. I certainly will be pulling for him. Concerning his retirement, I hope he will if he wins.

Depends on what the docs say but I think he's had enough surgeries that we can determine football isn't gonna help his neck. He's done enough.

Yes he will do very well in the booth and give us more commercials we like.

[Godfather]

Gotta say, you're a tough critic, and in a small minority as best I can tell at least on the second part.  To each his own.

He's a 1 percenter.

[Kaos]

Troy Aikman
Terry Bradshaw

( 7 combined super bowl rings)

slightly disagree with you.

This is defined as the AJ McTatthole Defense -- As in 'AJ done got hisself three rangs, ya dumass, thass how come he thu bestest quarterbuck what ever done did play this here cawlledge football game an why come he gonna be a furst pick inna draft'

It is therefore ruled invalid and you have been disbarred by the council on posting.

[jmar]

I've always liked Manning as a person and a QB. I certainly will be pulling for him. Concerning his retirement, I hope he will if he wins.

Depends on what the docs say but I think he's had enough surgeries that we can determine football isn't gonna help his neck. He's done enough.

Will do great in a the booth and give us commercials we like.

[Snaggletiger]

Re-post just because it cracks me up.

[Kaos]

Gotta say, you're a tough critic, and in a small minority as best I can tell at least on the second part.  To each his own.

Peyton has never once put his team on his shoulders and carried them to a win in a critical game the way the true greats have.

More often than not, unfortunately for his legacy, Peyton (and his team) chokes on big stages.

[wesfau2]

This is defined as the AJ McTatthole Defense -- As in 'AJ done got hisself three rangs, ya dumass, thass how come he thu bestest quarterbuck what ever done did play this here cawlledge football game an why come he gonna be a furst pick inna draft'

It is therefore ruled invalid and you have been disbarred by the council on posting.

Agree that neither of those two should be in the discussion.

[The Six]

Troy Aikman
Terry Bradshaw

( 7 combined super bowl rings)

slightly disagree with you.

It's not just about rings or trophies, bud.