From Peter Schrager on Fox

by peytonsthebest on Dec 3, 2008 4:20 PM EST Comment 9 comments

Of course, if there's any man in Eli's way for the MVP award, it's that Peyton guy. The elder Manning's Colts, 3-4 to the start the season, have now rattled off five straight victories, including road wins against Pittsburgh, San Diego and Cleveland. In the driver's seat for an AFC wildcard spot, Indianapolis has started to thrive despite injuries sidelining key players like Jeff Saturday and Bob Sanders for the bulk of the season.

And though his stats might not be in the same stratosphere as years past, Peyton's doing more with less this year than he's done in any campaign prior. This hasn't been a Picasso-like season for Manning and the Colts. No touchdown records are being broken. It's been an ugly one; a splatter-paint piece marked by a babyfaced offensive line, last- second comebacks and hard-earned low-scoring wins.

Coming off offseason knee-injury and a horrendous start to the season, Manning's put the Colts in position to make another run deep into the postseason. We've come to expect such heroics from No. 18, but just a month ago wasn't everyone writing the Colts off? With his back against the wall and a playoff berth way off in the distance, Peyton Manning led an undermanned team back to prominence. If 2004 was his most glamorous season and 2006 his most successful, 2008 might very well be his most impressive.

Is there a single quarterback in the league you'd rather have under center other than Eli or Peyton right now? Try to find one, I dare you.

Kurt Warner? Well, sure, if you're a fantasy league owner who doesn't care about winning games on the East Coast. Drew Brees? Yes, if you're OK with a team that can't win division games on the road. Brett Favre? Nope. Matt Ryan or Joe Flacco? A little early to put them in the discussion, no? Jay Cutler? Too inconsistent. Jake Delhomme? He's been mediocre since the midway point. Tony Romo? Not until he wins one in the playoffs.

I'm all out of names. It's Eli, Peyton and a bunch of other guys.

Read the entire article for Eli's pros and cons.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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Really Like This Article

That’s pretty much what I would say.

http://naptownsfinest.com

by Colts Homer on Dec 3, 2008 5:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

After our discussions re MVP over the past week

I thought this article pretty much nailed it.

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Dec 3, 2008 5:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I swear he's been hanging around Stampede Blue

http://naptownsfinest.com

by Colts Homer on Dec 3, 2008 5:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

eli? really?

he’s played very solid football this year, but the most impressive parts of that team are running game, pass rush, and run defense, none of which he has anything to do with.
i would say jacobs and tuck are more valuable on his own team.
don’t get me wrong, he has played really well, but would anyone claim they are winning because of eli? hell no.
people need to look to the defensive side of the ball this year. there are a lot of defenders playing out of their minds this season, and not so much on offense. tuck, haynesworth, polamalu, harrison, porter, ware, jenkins all have consistently dominated games for playoff contenders (porter is a stretch).
personally, if the vikings make the playoffs it’s a toss up between AP and peyton

by hal41605 on Dec 3, 2008 5:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I agree.

And if the Vikings don’t cave in after losing the Williams for four weeks, I may lean toward Peterson. Amazing athlete.

by coltsfanawalt on Dec 3, 2008 11:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It's hard to pick an MVP on the Giants

They seem to keep winning no matter who is hurt. I honestly think Eli could miss a game and they’d just run the football all over some team. People are more afraid of the run game than they are of Eli. Nobody is afraid of our run game. That’s a big difference.

by hoosierdore on Dec 3, 2008 10:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Sometimes I wish we had a big, bruising back that could run all over another team. It would also make Down and 1 yd a virtual lock for a 1st.

by TouchdownMonkey on Dec 4, 2008 10:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Need a good offensive line too. The Colts run blocking has been mediocre at best this season.

The King of Anti-Fail and Unofficial Moderator of Stupid People

by KingRichard on Dec 4, 2008 10:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

timing of this article

Interesting that it was written before SD caught fire and Rivers won the last 4 by abusing inferior competition and piling on the stats. I doubt Schrager would change his tune (nor should he) but Rivers and Pennington did not even come up in that last graf…. Looks a bit odd today.

Bobman

by Bobman on Jan 3, 2009 2:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs