The Sporting News: Peyton Manning is player of the decade
by Brad Wells on Sep 24, 2009 11:48 AM EDT
in Colts Analysis
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PrintIt's nice to see some intelligent insight and analysis come from a mainstream media outlet like The Sporting News. If only Bristol's factory were as good.
And yes, while I am easy to dismiss as a classic homer, I don't think anyone can argue against The Sporting News naming Peyton Manning the player of the decade. Sadly, this past summer, some people did argue that Peyton was not the best, and they looked stupid doing so. Because, seriously, if you don't agree that "The Sheriff" is the best player of the 2000 decade, you're either a homer for another team, a douchebag, or just some combination of the two (often referred to by us as "Patriots fans"*).
Why did SN pick Peyton? For them, and for the rest of the civilized world, the selection is obvious:
The numbers are there, of course: three league MVPs; season passing averages of 4,195 yards and 31 touchdowns; six consecutive years (and counting) of at least 12 wins; and, perhaps most impressive of all, zero missed starts. But Manning will forever be known best for his uncanny, unflappable, unsurpassed field generalship. As iconic quarterbacks go, the palpably bookish Manning has made nerdiness cool. You want to make it in the NFL? Prepare like Peyton Manning.
As we have often stated here, no player in the modern NFL has changed the game more than Peyton Manning. Those no-huddle attacks that Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, and Carson Palmer are running? Peyton brought those back into vogue. 37 career come-from-behind victories? Yep, more than any other active QB who isn't some old guy in Minnesota playing for the Vikings.
Again, the world will always have their fair share of idiots who just like to dump on Peyton Manning because someone who looked like Peyton probably used to kick their ass in high school. But, when it is all said and done, their loud, obnoxious, semi-brain damaged babbling is always drowned out by the simple, obvious fact that Peyton Manning is the best player this league has seen the past ten years.
Hell, at age 33, he's arguably still the best player in football. I remind folks that he is the reigning MVP, thank you very much.
So, props to The Sporting News for stating the obvious. Whether others will accept the obvious is up to them.
* It is the civic duty of all Colts fans to bash Patriots fans whenever possible. And vice versa. The NFL is a very dull place without Pats and Colts fans clawing at each other's faces.
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The Sporting News Magazine,
also has Peyton as the #1 player in the game right now. Their #2 is Brady.
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
Something we all have known for some time now...
good to see the “mainstream media” get it (SN is considered mainstream, yes?)
And you’re right, the NFL would be boring without Colts’ fans and Pats’ fans.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Sep 24, 2009 12:12 PM EDT reply actions
At last! A major media outlet has seen the light.
"Pressure is something you feel if you don't know what the hell you're doing."-Peyton Manning
by P0RKINS2 on Sep 24, 2009 12:17 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
People are..
Stupid….. They look at Championship rings as to who is the best. This is a team sport, so while you can be the BEST at your position, you are not always the BEST team. Dan Marino is a prime example of that. In Marino’s prime, there was not a single QB that could match him, but he never won a ring and only played in one SB.
If championships determine who’s the best, then Brady is a lesser QB than Terry Bradshaw. Actually, even with Bradshaw’s 4 SB rings, he’s still not even in the top 25 QB’s of all time…..so ironically… rings are not the best way to determine the best QB.
Let’s forget about the success of Brady and Manning for a second here….and let’s compare the defenses of the two teams they play for. In the years that Brady won the SB’s, his team was predominantly in the top 5 in total defense, turnovers, scoring defense, and sacks. The Colts? Usually top 5 in sacks, but middle of the field or bottom of the field in the rest.
The Patriots were averaging somewhere to the tune of like 3 turnovers per game on defense in 2003 and 2004. Of course you can throw in the Spygate theories and what have you. What I do know for a fact however is that in 2003, the Patriots were able to pass interfere, hold, and basically not get flagged for anything in the AFC Championship game. Please do not argue that either, because we can go watch the tape. That game forced the league as a whole to start enforcing the rules that WERE ALREADY ON THE BOOKS!!!!!! This wasn’t a new rule. It was already IN the rule book. The refs basically let the Patriots get away with all kinds of crap in that game.
Bottom line: Brady’s defense carried him more than he ever carried his own team. In fact, the only time that Peyton Manning has had a top 5 defense in any sense of the word, has been the last 2 seasons, that have been marred by serious injuries on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
As a last note, Brady still is the only other ELITE QB in the NFL and is definitely Peyton’s only real challenger to the title. If anything, I’d agree that these guys are evenly matched. However, it’s the fact that as Peyton goes, so goes the Colts, that makes the biggest difference here.
About your last note,
I think Drew Brees is starting to challenge for elite status.
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
Eh..
Indy Lori: To be Elite, you have to win, and win regularly. Peyton makes the Colts who they are, and that’s the facts. Brees is a great QB, but he needs to be in the playoffs, and he needs to win on a regular basis. Just putting up stats isn’t going to help. The guy has done really well the last 3 years in New Orleans, but his career stats arent any better than Donovan McNabbs…
Monkeybusiness: Brady is indeed everything you said, but it’s easy to maneuver your team into field goal range all the time when your defense is getting turnovers. When you have to watch the other team score, get a kickoff, and drive 80 yards with the game on the line, you don’t want a game manager. Perhaps if Brady did that more, I’d be slightly more impressed instead of him just lobbing jump balls to Randy Moss.
Bezekira: I think everyone would rather have the 3 rings, but the discussion isnt about the rings themselves. This isnt the best TEAM all-decade discussion, its the best QB all-decade discussion and ultimately Brady simply is not it. This would be like saying Jim Kelly was a better QB than Marino because he played in 4 consecutive SB’s, regardless of wining or not.
by DevilsReject on Sep 24, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I didn't say he WAS elite,
I said he was starting to challenge for it. I realize he has a long way to go.
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
So..
You say that championships rings are not be the best way to determine how good a player is, and then say that Drew Brees isn’t elite because he doesn’t win regularly? You contradicted your argument by saying that Brees isn’t elite because his team doesn’t win as consistently.
Rings
cannot be the ONLY way to determine who’s elite and who is not. Marino is the very essence of why that debate cannot work. Too many average QB’s have a ring while several elite QB’s do not.
However, Brees is not elite right this minute. He is however the best QB in the league not named P.Manning or Brady. His stats over the last 3 are great, but prior to that, the guy was an average QB playing with LT and Antonio Gates. It’s only been in the 3 yrs that he’s played on losing teams that didnt make the playoffs that he has put up huge numbers. What that says to me is a guy who is throwing the ball alot against prevent defenses that have huge leads.
THAT doesn’t make you an elite QB. It makes you a very good QB. Carrying your team, putting up numbers, and always keeping your team in the game is what ELITE means. Sure the Saints defense isnt great, but how often did Peyton have a great defense? How many times did he work the field score a TD and watch the Colts defense give up a TD 2 min later (ala 2003 and 2004). However, no matter how bad are defense was, there was always Peyton keeping us in the game down to the wire.
Brees is not that kind of QB, but he is definitely getting there.
by DevilsReject on Sep 24, 2009 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
If I could
I would rec this at least 1,000 times.
"Do I believe in aliens?" Stephon Marbury asked. "I don't know, because I've never seen one. But I believe in Jesus because I saw him in the shower the other day."
Did we already forget about Marino?
He was elite, but his teams weren’t great. Brees is definetly making a case for a elite status.
Tom Brady is the prototypical game manager. Don’t turn the ball over, make plays, and be clutch. Peyton Manning is the prototypical QB. He’s the unquestioned leader of the franchise. He makes plays, period. You know, with the game on the line, he’s going to deliver.
Bob Sanders eats a forest on Friday so he can lay the wood on Sunday.
http://monkeybiziu.deviantart.com
by MonkeyBusiness on Sep 24, 2009 12:34 PM EDT reply actions
Let's be fair here
That was true back during the early years when the Pats won their first Super Bowl. But it’s obvious watching him play that he has every tool. He also delivers with games on the line. Game managers don’t throw 50 touchdown passes.
He sure does look like crap right now though (even though he somehow won AFC offensive POTW in week 1). But that’ll pass in a few weeks.
something tells me Brady would rather have three rings
but I guess that makes him “loud, obnoxious and semi-brain damaged.”
Seriously I understand being a homer and having a seriously slanted bias towards your guys but why is anyone who slightly disagrees with you instantly a candidate for the short bus? Is there no room for differing opinions at all?
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
- You are on a Colts’ fan site.
- Do you expect me to believe that if Warner had more than 2-3 great seasons, you all wouldn’t be saying the same thing about him that we are about Peyton?
Of course everyone is allowed their opinion. However, we are enjoying the fact that the mainstream media (who are usually so far up Brady’s @ss they could brush his teeth) agree with us – for once. That’s all.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Sep 24, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Classic!
the mainstream media (who are usually so far up Brady’s @ss they could brush his teeth)
One of your best, ptb!
I’m really glad the media is showing Big P some love, heck Peyton has to started to grow on my dad. You should’ve seen him Monday night cheering for Dallas on that touchdown, hilarious!
However the media still talk about Brady and what’s wrong with him. Um, the man just came back from major knee surgery and they’re asking what’s wrong with him? Un-freakin’-belivable! The media (especially BSPN) always talk about how the NFL doesn’t wait for any player, so why should that change for Brady? The NFL has moved on and now he has to catch up.
"Do I believe in aliens?" Stephon Marbury asked. "I don't know, because I've never seen one. But I believe in Jesus because I saw him in the shower the other day."
Yeah...
the “what’s wrong with Brady deal?” Its ridicules (heh heh), cut the guy some slack. The problem was that they were proclaiming his being back to 2007 form, more or less, and he has just shown that he’s human. I have no doubt that he’ll get back to form (not 2007) soon enough. I just hope that its after November 15th.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Sep 24, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions
As for Brady getting to 2007 form
he will never be that good again. I’m not sure anyone will, until the next Manning comes along.
EVH+DLR=BFFr........ God I Hope So!!
I understand what site I’m on but what I’m talking about is the way that the point is presented in this case. I fully understand and agree with the fact that this is basically a two horse race between Brady and Manning but what’s the point of calling anyone who disagrees with you a douche bag, stupid or brain damaged?
I guess what I’m saying is that I don’t necessarily disagree with Peyton being the player of the decade but I know that if this exact same story were presented on many other sites on this network it wouldn’t include personal insults. Maybe it’s just the different styles between blogs but I guess I was sort of thrown off by the aggressive nature of Stampede Blue this week.
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
It can get pretty ugly around here from time to time...
and that’s between us Colts’ fans.
I meant no offense, by the way.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Sep 24, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions
She's right
We fight are own on this blog. You should’ve been here for the pro-Addai, anti-Addai discussions…it was U-G-L-Y!
"Do I believe in aliens?" Stephon Marbury asked. "I don't know, because I've never seen one. But I believe in Jesus because I saw him in the shower the other day."
I'm pretty sure it's in the Constitution...
That it’s your right as an American to call people who disagree with you brain-damaged douche-bags. Come on guys help me out, what amendment was that again?
"Flying blind on a rocket cycle?" -Vultan, from the movie "Flash Gordon", for no particular reason...
by peytonsurdaddy on Sep 24, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Umm...
the first?
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Sep 24, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions
You got it..
"Flying blind on a rocket cycle?" -Vultan, from the movie "Flash Gordon", for no particular reason...
by peytonsurdaddy on Sep 24, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Finally!
I get the recognition I deserve as a the Colts fan!
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Sep 24, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
"peytons" the best? No... you're the best!
"Flying blind on a rocket cycle?" -Vultan, from the movie "Flash Gordon", for no particular reason...
by peytonsurdaddy on Sep 24, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions
If you're number 1, then I want to be 1-B!
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
I actually kind of agree with you about the vernacular BBS uses.
I wish we wouldn’t use the words douche bag around here as much as we do. But… It seems like the youth these days don’t have any qualms about talk like that. Times change, and so must I.
But I love his enthusiasm. And I love the way he likes to rile up the pats fans, it’s fun.
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
I think
it’s mostly just a reaction to years and years of having to listen to stupid logic.
The only argument anyone ever makes for Brady over Manning is a retarded and irrelevant one: he has more rings. That’s great, but it’s a goddamn team sport. The Pats teams that won championships were exceptional TEAMS.
Otherwise, there is no argument. I’ve never heard one person defend Brady with any other logic. Nothing about his footwork, his pocket presence, his reads, his preparation, his statistics, or any of that. Sure, for a little while he may have been cooler under pressure than Peyton, but that hasn’t been true in over 5 years. Obviously Peyton has better statistics. Those other traits are all things both do better than everyone else, which is why they’re the elite, but noone has ever argued that Brady was demonstrably better than Peyton at anything. The only argument they use is playoff and super bowl wins. And when you hear such a dumb argument over and over and over for most of a decade, your reaction to hearing it again can end up being a bit harsh.
As a further annoyance to Pats fans...
Whilst trolling about the Pats Pulpit earler I ran across this fanpost called “19-0 Curse of the Perfect Season”. It’s pretty much a bunch of cheap-shots taken at the Pats thinly veiled in questions about karma and curses and other such nonsense. It’s a real piece of crap, but it has the Pats fans in an absolute uproar. So as to further poke the bear, so to speak, I suggest that everyone who reads this post head over there and rec the crap out of it and turn it into a recommended fanpost. I know it’s petty, but, what the hell, it’s the Pats and we hate them. So rec away!
Here’s the link.
http://www.patspulpit.com/2009/9/22/1050617/19-0-curse-of-the-perfect-season
"Flying blind on a rocket cycle?" -Vultan, from the movie "Flash Gordon", for no particular reason...
that's not nice
It's not just your perceptions that can be wrong. Even your memory is often incomplete or possibly flat out wrong.
by shake n bake on Sep 24, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Does that mean you're not going to rec it, shake?
"Flying blind on a rocket cycle?" -Vultan, from the movie "Flash Gordon", for no particular reason...
by peytonsurdaddy on Sep 24, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions
no
that’s a carpet bombing of the site when there’s just a poster or two over there that needs a smart bomb dropped directly on their head.
It's not just your perceptions that can be wrong. Even your memory is often incomplete or possibly flat out wrong.
by shake n bake on Sep 24, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I didn't suggest "bombing" them...
Just annoying them…
I’m sure MaPatsFan will catch on eventually and pull it anyway, but I’ve been neglecting my inner troll and feel the need to get back in touch with it.
Just a little fun. C’mon robo-shake don’t go all (’50’s robot voice)“THIS METHOD OF COMMUNICAAA-TION IS HIGHLY ILLLL-LOGICAL!” on me now. ;)
"Flying blind on a rocket cycle?" -Vultan, from the movie "Flash Gordon", for no particular reason...
by peytonsurdaddy on Sep 24, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL
busted.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Sep 24, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
They never...
Should have taught you Pats-lovers to read…;)
"Flying blind on a rocket cycle?" -Vultan, from the movie "Flash Gordon", for no particular reason...
by peytonsurdaddy on Sep 24, 2009 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Aha!
Victory!
"Flying blind on a rocket cycle?" -Vultan, from the movie "Flash Gordon", for no particular reason...
by peytonsurdaddy on Sep 24, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Muahahaha!
"Flying blind on a rocket cycle?" -Vultan, from the movie "Flash Gordon", for no particular reason...
by peytonsurdaddy on Sep 24, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I hate how its always either or with most people
They are both all time greats. Manning is just better. That’s not a knock on Brady. I enjoyed watching the real Tom Brady (2001-2004), and looking back I admire the dynastic Pats (2001-2004), except for Spygate. Their resiliance and clutch play was great.
I still feel like Manning could have won as many super bowls with as great of a defense. The one year Manning had an excellent defense, they went 13-0, and I feel that if not for the James Dungy tradegy, they would have won the Super Bowl.
To me, how many rings is not a factor, its a tiebreker. Had Brady and Manning had equal teams, equal numbers, equal defenses, then you can say the three to one is a big deal. They are not equal otherwise. No one in their right mind would say that Bradshaw is better than Elway, and the difference there is the same 2 Super Bowls. For whatever reason, football seems to be the only sport where rings matter, and quarterback for that matter. I mean Bill Russell won 11 titles, MJ won 6, Jordan is still better.
I think Brady is a great QB. He seems like a complete tool, but nonetheless, I feel like he is easily in the top 10 of the Super Bowl era. Manning is just better.
btw, my list (Super Bowl Era)
1.) Montana
2.) Manning
3.) Marino
4.) Elway
5.) Brady
EVH+DLR=BFFr........ God I Hope So!!
I really believe that Peyton will move up on your list.
Like Sinatra SAID- THE BEST IS YET TO COME, AND BABY WON’T THAT BE FINE!
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
I hope so
but I think. as outlandish as this seems, people underrate Montana. He was a brilliant regular season QB. He got hurt, so he rarely started the 16 games. His numbers on a per16 game basis were very, very good. He had some great years 1986-1989. Then, his postseason numbers, and especially super bowl, numbers are sick. Manning, if he wins a couple more super bowls, can pass him, but it will be hard. Montana made the system, and remember, he was an all-timer before Rice even got there.
EVH+DLR=BFFr........ God I Hope So!!
it's About Damn Time
it’s about time that some media outlet gets it. It drives me crazy that many people think that Peyton sucks Finally he gets some love
by Colts Live Free or Die! on Sep 24, 2009 3:13 PM EDT reply actions
But aren't we here at SB a media outlet as well?
In a smaller way of course. But you’re right. IT’S ABOUT DAMN TIME~ There’s a very cool cover picture of Peyton on Sporting News Magazine. Week of Sept. 14th. So there’s more love there as well.
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
Let WIN another SB
All I have to say lets win another SB so we can finish this debate once and for all.
brady, brady, brady ......
I am thinking that the fact that Peyton has a personality, is humble and a true sportsman is finally sinking in with the MSM who seemed to adore the morally vacuous Brady and his arrogant demeanor. Brady has done very well with a better overall team than Manning and until the SB against the Giants, always had time to order takeout food before releasing a pass. Brady fit into a system. He only got in due to an injury. He got an unbelievable call from the refs to even get to his first SB. There was much less pressure than being drafted number 1, being dubbed the franchise and having to take a toilet team on your shoulders. Bellicheat outcoached Dungy in circles tactically (possibly unethically but the NFL has put the covers over that story) almost every time so brady has always had the advantage in everything but receivers, which he does now. It also took brady more minutes on the field to break mannings TD record and yardage and it was also because brady stayed late in games that were blowouts and running up the score (ever the consumate sportsman – remember him and coach BB not coming out to shake manning’s and dungy’s hands after losing the playoff comeback by the colts) whereas manning was on the sidelines long before that.
Absolutely!
Manning missed almost the equivalent of 2-3 games the year he broke Marino’s TD record. He even took a knee when the Colts were literally on the Ravens 5 yard line to prevent scoring. The following week? He’s in for a few plays and misses the rest of the game to rest up for a first round bye.
Brady is a hack who relied on his defense to win his games. He is a very, very good game manager. It’s no coincidence that he has as many career 30+TD games as Drew Brees and Donovan McNabb….
Shoot, throw out his 1 season of 50 TD’s and the guy isnt even averaging 25+ TD’s a season for his career..
by DevilsReject on Sep 28, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
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