Peyton One of the Greats? Not Quite

[spookyturtle 9,465]

MIAMI -- The great ones thrive in this situation. Everything has gone against you for the longest time. The whole world is watching. Your opponents have admitted often that they are scared to death of your skills. You're trailing by a touchdown within the final six minutes of the Super Bowl, and you're driving, driving, driving.

You're Peyton Manning, seeking to prove without a doubt that you're more than just a bunch of pretty numbers on your NFL resume.

Oh, well.

He'll never live this down.

While this otherwise extraordinary quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts will reach the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday, he just moved closer to the city limits of the Chokers Hall of Fame.

I mean, you're Peyton Manning, and you're so close Sunday against the New Orleans Saints to becoming Joe Montana, a truly great one, who produced magic 21 years ago down the stretch of a Super Bowl on this same field. Near the end of that one, Montana hit John Taylor in the end zone to push the San Francisco 49ers past the Cincinnati Bengals.

Near the end of this one, Manning hit Tracy Porter for a touchdown. It's just that Porter plays cornerback for the Saints. Worse for the Colts, with the Saints providing little or no pressure at the time, Manning fired into the hands of Porter who jumped Reggie Wayne's route and sprinted 74 yards with the interception for a touchdown.

Just like that, the Colts went from a possible game-tying drive to a 31-17 deficit that became the game's final score.

What happened? Nobody is saying, at least not the truth.

"He made a great play. He made a great play," said Manning, pausing later, before adding, "Uh, that's all I can say about it. Porter made a heck of a play."

Added Wayne, who clearly didn't help matters by running a less-than-crisp route, "We ran that play quite a few times earlier in the game, and Peyton went backside with it, so I think [Porter] kind of had a feeling it was coming, because it was the same formation. He did a good job or recognizing it, and, like I said, he made a good play."

Colts coach Jim Caldwell said something similar, along with Manning's other teammates, but here's the deal: the great ones don't care about cornerbacks jumping routes. And even if their receivers are less than precise, they don't care about that, either. They still find a way to get the job done, and Manning didn't. Not only on that play, but throughout the game -- well, at least after he teased folks by roaring through the first quarter.

There was the Colts' opening drive, for instance, when Manning pushed his team downfield in a hurry while doing all of those Manning things before the snap of the ball -- the slaps to his helmet, the feet stomping, the code words to his teammates that meant something but also nothing. Only a dropped pass by Pierre Garcon prevented the Colts from getting more than a field goal.

Even so, Manning took the Colts 96 yards on their next drive for a 10-0 lead -- a drive that ended when he nicely lofted a throw over Garcon's left shoulder to complete a 19-yard touchdown play.

That's when you thought Manning understood the deal here. And here's the deal: he had to continue along the lines of using his arm, his mind and his guts to win a second Super Bowl -- and then, eventually, a third one. Then a fourth. Oh, and Manning definitely would need a fifth world championship, but only if he wished to leave no doubt for future generations that he is the greatest quarterback of all time.

The wonderful likes of Bart Starr, Roger Staubach, Bob Griese, John Elway, Jim Plunkett and Ben Roethlisberger all have two Super Bowl rings to sit one behind Troy Aikman and Tom Brady. Terry Bradshaw and Montana have four.

Manning still has only the one that he managed three years ago against the Chicago Bears, and without a second Super Bowl victory, that one looks like a fluke.

This won't help Manning's cause, reputation or whatever you want to call what he didn't enhance against the Saints. Consider, too, that the mentor was outplayed by his pupil during the game's final three quarters when it counted most. After a slow start, the Saints' Drew Brees, who befriended Manning while playing at Purdue, completed 32 of 39 passes for 288 yards, two touchdowns and a 114.5 passer rating. He also didn't throw an interception.

Not only did Manning have that one, he finished with a passer rating of 88.5 after sitting at 105.7 following the first quarter.

Somebody asked Manning about his legacy right now. He formed a crooked smile, then he said, "I don't know. I'll let ya'll decide that."

We've decided: He's not Montana, not even close.

He's maybe even the antithesis thereof.

http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/02/08/peyton-...ace-in-history/

[MissStacey 1]

Who Dat!

[_Simpson_ 250]

In my opinion he is not only going to be one of the greats but I think he could be the greatest QB. He is going to shatter almost every record in the book.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

In my opinion he is not only going to be one of the greats but I think he could be the greatest QB. He is going to shatter almost every record in the book.

So only the records count? Wasn't Montana much more successful than Peyton has been thus far in his career?

[_Simpson_ 250]

So only the records count? Wasn't Montana much more successful than Peyton has been thus far in his career?

Fundamental difference is that Peyton makes great players and Montana played with great players. Im not saying Montana wasnt a great quarterback but he is no Peyton.

[scandal 951]

Let me put it this way.

Barring unforseen disasters, Peyton Manning will most certainly be my #1 Fantasy Pick next season, hands down.

I'll pick him over any other RB or QB in the NFL for consistent production.

What he did this year with essentially a couple of rookie receivers (Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie) is nothing short of amazing. I'm in awe.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Fundamental difference is that Peyton makes great players and Montana played with great players. Im not saying Montana wasnt a great quarterback but he is no Peyton.

And if you wanted to build a championship team, Montana has it over Manning by a country mile. Montana is a winner, Manning isn't. Marino wasn't a winner either. They hold every record in the game, but if I was starting a team today, I wouldn't take either of them.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

The Saints played one hell of a game. Peyton played a damn good one. I for one can't figure out how anyone does not understand Peyton is a pretty damn great quarterback. He has done more, with less than most quarterbacks throughout the league.

I am hardly a huge fan of his, but the nitpicking BS is getting old.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

The Saints played one hell of a game. Peyton played a damn good one. I for one can't figure out how anyone does not understand Peyton is a pretty damn great quarterback. He has done more, with less than most quarterbacks throughout the league.

I am hardly a huge fan of his, but the nitpicking BS is getting old.

He is a great quarterback. He's just not a winner.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

He is a great quarterback. He's just not a winner.

Lot's of great players never got a Super Bowl ring...

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Lot's of great players never got a Super Bowl ring...

Because they couldn't lead their to team to victory when it counted.

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

Peyton Manning had a great game, it's just that in the 4th quarter he tried to play like Brett Favre. Honestly, if we're talking championships as the measure of greatness, the correct answer is Otto Graham.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Peyton Manning had a great game, it's just that in the 4th quarter he tried to play like Brett Favre. Honestly, if we're talking championships as the measure of greatness, the correct answer is Otto Graham.

Graham certainly was a winner.

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

Graham certainly was a winner.

He still holds the record for the highest winning percentage of any starting quarterback. Three NFL championships, six appearances in the NFL championship game, if you include the AAFC, it becomes even more apparent that he has a strong case to be considered number one. Ten appearances in the championship game (he only played TEN years), 7 championships.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

Because they couldn't lead their to team to victory when it counted.

Manning has a ring and:

Jim Irsay became Owner and Chief Executive Officer in 1997, and Bill Polian was named president on

December 22, 1997, one day after the club finished a 3-13 season. Jim Mora succeeded Infante as head coach on January 12, 1998. The Colts were 3-13 in 1998. RB-Marshall Faulk’s 2,227 scrimmage yards set a club seasonal mark, while QB-Peyton Manning (326-575-3,739, 26 TDs) set NFL rookie records in every passing category.

At 13-3 in 1999, the Colts produced an NFL-record 10-game one-season turnaround. The club won eleven straight games, tying then the franchise record achieved in 1964 and 1975-76. In winning the division title, Manning, RB-Edgerrin James and WR-Marvin Harrison earned Pro Bowl honors, while K-Mike Vanderjagt won the NFL scoring title. The club earned its first playoff game in Indianapolis, but fell to Tennessee, 19-16.

The Colts were 10-6 in 2000, but lost in overtime at Miami, 23-17, in the Wild Card round. The back-to-back 10+-victory seasons were a first for the club since 1976-77. Manning (4,413) and James (1,709, 2,303) won the NFL passing, rushing and scrimmage yards titles.

The Colts were 6-10 in 2001, but Manning (4,131) and Harrison (109) had outstanding yardage and reception seasons.

Tony Dungy succeeded Mora as head coach on January 22, 2002. In 2002, Dungy led the Colts to a 10-6 record before losing in the Wild Card round at the New York Jets, 41-0. Manning became the first NFL player with four consecutive 4,000+ seasons, while Harrison set the NFL seasonal record with 143 receptions and became the only NFL player with 100+ receptions in four consecutive seasons.

In 2003, the Colts were 12-4, won the AFC South and advanced to the AFC Championship Game, falling at New England, 24-14. Manning produced his fifth consecutive 4,000+ season, while Vanderjagt set an NFL record with 41 consecutive field goals, including all 37 attempts in 2003.

Dungy led the Colts to a 12-4 mark and the AFC South title in 2004. Manning set NFL seasonal records with 49 touchdown passes (since broken) and a 121.1 rating, while the club set seasonal-bests with 522 points and 6,475 net yards. The Colts topped Denver, 49-24, in the Wild Card round before losing at New England, 20-3.

In 2005, Dungy directed the Colts to a 14-2 record, the franchise record for seasonal wins. The club became then only the fourth in NFL history to earn a 13-0 start. The club fell in the Divisional Playoffs to Pittsburgh, 21-18. Dungy earned his 100th career and 100th regular season victories in 2005, while the Colts passed 400 wins in franchise history.

In 2006, the Colts posted a 12-4 record and captured the fourth world championship in franchise history with a 29-17 win over Chicago in Super Bowl XLI in Miami Gardens, Fla. The club defeated Chicago after besting three prior playoffs foes, Kansas City (23-8), Baltimore (15-6) and New England (38-34).

In 2007, the Colts finished 13-3, winning a club-record fifth straight division title and becoming the first NFL team with five consecutive seasons with 12+ victories. The club fell in the Divisional Playoffs to San Diego, 28-24.

In 2008, the Colts were 12-4, extending their league mark with six consecutive 12+-victory seasons. The club became the first in NFL history to win at least seven consecutive games in five consecutive seasons. Manning won his third AP NFL MVP award. Indianapolis fell in the Wild Card Playoffs in overtime at San Diego, 23-17.

Jim Caldwell succeeded Dungy as head coach on January 12, 2009. Dungy finished as the only coach in Colts history to post 10+ wins and earn playoff appearances in seven straight seasons.

In 56 years of National Football League competition, the Colts have achieved a 444-406-7 record, including four World Championships and 17 Conference or Divisional titles.

http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=football...amic&id=174

Hardly a loser...