Storyline: Peyton Manning has his ring. He has his records. It’s time for him to take a final bow and walk away. Written by Tyler Dittmer, Gore, VA.
This NFL season has been a showcase for dominating quarterback play. Cam Newton seems to have wrapped up the MVP race. Tom Brady is having his best season since 2007. And Carson Palmer has lead the Arizona Cardinals to a dominating 13-2 record.
But greatness isn’t the same for all of the League’s quarterbacks. Colin Kaepernick has fallen off the face of the Earth. Johnny Manziel is busy partying his career away. Aaron Rodgers is feeling pain without Jordy Nelson. And, well … then, there’s Peyton Manning.
Courtesy: NY Post
This was supposed to be a statement year for Denver after their heartbreaking loss to the Indianopolis Colts in last year’s Divisional Round of the Playoffs. Denver looked the part early-on, going undefeated. But something was amiss. They had the most dominant defense to start the year, but the defense was outscoring the offense. Manning struggled. But it didn’t affect the record … at least not until the Kansas City game.
It all fell apart in one of the worst games, if not the worst game, of Peyton’s career. Last season Kansas City dismantled the New England Patriots in Week 4. That loss launched talk about Tom Brady: it was time for him to hang it up. But Brady proved everyone wrong: he went on to win his 4th Super Bowl title with help, of course, from undrafted rookie, Malcolm Butler.
With Manning it was different. He went 5 of 20 against the Chiefs with 4 interceptions. Manning was benched just before the half, replaced by 4th-year backup, Brock Osweiler.
Manning ended up on the injury list, and he has been sitting out since then (plantar fascia). The Broncos are currently the #2-seed in the AFC with a chance for home field advantage. Brock Osweiler has proven to be more efficient than Manning; and he has lead the Broncos to overtime victories against the Patriots and Bengals.
Courtesy: thebiglead.com
Manning has been recovering and is likely to return in the Playoffs. The dilemma? Osweiler has been playing better than Manning. And now Manning is facing allegations that he took HGH to speed up recovery from his 2011 neck surgeries.
I think Osweiler should play the rest of the season–even if Manning is cleared to play. If Denver makes the Super Bowl Osweiler should still play. And if the Broncos win the Super Bowl, Manning should accept his ring, take his last bow, and walk away. Even if Denver goes out in the Divisional Round, Manning should retire.
Peyton Manning has his ring. He has his records. It’s time for him to take a final bow and walk away.
