First off I would like to congratulate Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks on a great season! This was one of those rare occasions where the better team actually won the game. No flukes, luck, or conspiracy theories to end this one. Just some good old fashion hard fought football playing, by a group of guys who did it their way from day one.
Courtesy: NJ. com
When the smoke cleared I knew that the questions would follow concerning Peyton Manning. Is this the end of an era for Archie’s second oldest? Would the fact that he stunk it up on the biggest stage in the world add to his wavering on retirement? Even if his physical in March shows no signs of deterioration in his neck, would Peyton decide to have that fateful talk with Broncos Director of Operations John Elway? So many questions and the only one to have the answers are Manning himself.
The days after the Super Bowl saw so much written about the Broncos quarterback. I took the time to shut myself off from the public scrutiny, as well as the public praise for Manning, and just looked back on his entire career starting with the Colts. Statistics aside, what had Peyton Manning meant to the game of Football. I came up with so many answers and so many excuses to accompany my theory.
When you sit back and really think about it, it really tells the worth of a player. In my opinion I would have to say that if Manning and the Broncos would have been victorious in the Super Bowl this past Sunday, he would’ve gone down as the greatest signal caller of all time. Especially when you look at the history of the league and would’ve been the only starting quarterback to win a championship with two different teams. That’s a feat that’s impressive all on its own.
When you add his stats to this equation, hands down you have the greatest to ever play the game. With that being said, Peyton looked horrible in defeat and really didn’t look like the best player in the NFL anymore. A title he held just a few weeks ago and probably throughout the season. Granted Manny Ramirez botched the snap at the beginning of the game, but Manning didn’t help matters after that mishap. Aside from the interceptions, Peyton also overthrew receivers on more than three occasions. I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing.
The Legion of Boom really had an impact on Peyton Manning from the beginning; he was indecisive, had jumpy feet, and really couldn’t work the way he’s accustomed to. He had no control over the pocket and as a result, he was way off target and either led his receivers too far or turned the ball over. Not to take anything away from the Seahawks defense, because they were absolutely DOMINANT! It’s just that we’ve witnessed Peyton under pressure for 15 plus seasons and each time he made something magical happen. Not this time. He just looked average.
Please understand that in Football although there’s more than one phase to a game, the quarterback is looked at like a coach on the field. He’s asked to make quick decisions and lead his team. Normally this isn’t a problem for Manning, but on Super Sunday, he couldn’t put together a consistent drive to get his team going.
Courtesy: Bleacher Report
Peyton Manning will go down as one of the top five quarterbacks of all time. His five MVP awards, gaudy stats, and the fact that he’s been to the Super Bowl on three different occasions with two different teams, should not be argued against. It’s just that a victory on Sunday would’ve cemented his place as the G.O.A.T.(Greatest of all time).
People in Hell want ice water, short people want to be tall. Sometimes we can’t get what we want and I guess the Football gods aren’t going to give me this one. Whichever way the situation turns out for Peyton Williams Manning, it was a great ride while it lasted, and he steered the ship like no one else during his era.
The Seahawks are a better team; perhaps the best in football. I wasn’t surprised that the Broncos lost or that Peyton struggled. I’ve seen him perform at this level before when facing a superior team. Notice I said “team.” Most of the critics I’ve read have pointed to Peyton and his lackluster game, with not many words spent on the lackluster performance of the other 21 or so folks wearing the orange and blue who were also out on the same playing field at various times. The Broncos lost, not just Peyton Manning. When we get to the point where we can say “the team lost,” instead of “Peyton stunk,” we know we’ve finally matured beyond out adolescence in sport years.