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Manning and Manning-Can Either Brother Win the Big One?
by: Paul Mrocza It was just over a year ago, after the Colts lost to the Pats in their
post-season contest, that Boomer Esiason said on national television, "I think
maybe Peyton (Manning) is this generation's Dan Marino." Esiason went on to
state that Manning "is a great football player, but he's not going to get to the
Super Bowl, I'm telling you, not with that defense." Marino, who was on the set, took umbrage at the reference and shot back,
"Oh, wait a minute. I got to a Super Bowl." Marino made a good point, but still,
Esiason seemed to be on target by not blaming either quarterback for their
failings but, rather, the guys on the other side of the ball-their weak
defenses. Fast forward to January 15, 2006, almost exactly a year to the date that
Esiason made his comments. What was different this time for Peyton Manning and
the Colts? The Colts seemed to have the full package-a great running and passing
attack, a solid offensive line, and a fine defense. Everything was aligned for
Manning-Mania to take full effect, especially after such a spectacular regular
season. But once again, under the glare of the national spotlight, in a huge
playoff game, and under the kind of pressure he had rarely seen all season,
Peyton Manning crumbled. This latest derailment of the Colt’s Super Bowl
Express drew a barrage of disparaging comments from many writers and
commentators, including the NY Times’ William C. Rhoden. Two days after
the loss, Rhoden dubbed Manning "the king of statistics but the prince of NFL
quarterbacks" in that although he can generate statistics, he may be incapable
of closing the deal and ever bringing a championship to Indianapolis. No matter how much you respect Peyton Manning and his amazing regular
season performances, it’s difficult to argue with the facts. In eight
seasons the Colt QB has led his team to the playoffs six times where he is 3-6.
In those nine games he’s hit for 15 TDs, while throwing 8 INTs and being
sacked 13 times. There are quarterbacks, most recently Tom Brady, who usually
manage to rise to the occasion in the big game, ably dealing with a panoply of
adversity. And then there are those like Manning, usually able to run like
finely tuned, precision machines, which means when everything is copacetic they
hum along but let something like a blitz throw off their rhythm and they
breakdown. Some people point out that maybe he has too much control over the offense,
constantly changing and adjusting plays at the line of scrimmage, and when
things go awry it’s almost impossible for Manning to adapt. Others claim
that he simply can’t handle the pressure of a big game situation. Some
blame others on the team. After losing to the Steelers this post-season, Peyton
Manning did something he’s never done before; point the finger at his
teammates. Then there’s Peyton’s younger brother Eli, who just finished
his second NFL season and his first professional post-season. Against the
Carolina Panthers Eli Manning completed 10 of 18 passes, threw three
interceptions, was sacked four times and lost one fumble as the Giants were
humbled by their opponents 23 to zip. At one point in the game it seemed as if
Eli Manning thought his job was to get the ball to the Panthers as boos echoed
throughout Giants Stadium and fans hustled for the exits. Coolness under pressure-is this a Manning characteristic? Or do Peyton and
Eli share some sort of panic gene? For Eli it’s simply too early to tell
and with Peyton, there’s still time left to turn the tide. Perhaps one should ask, "What would dad and former NFL QB Archie Manning
do?" There’s no answer to that question-in 15 NFL seasons Archie never
came close to making it to the playoffs. Time will tell what the true legacy of the Manning brothers will be. Dan
Marino-Move over?
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doc thanks Jonathan Leger txt
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