Clock is ticking on Peyton Manning
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Clock is ticking on Peyton Manning
By Ashley Fox
The Philadelphia Inquirer
(MCT)
PHILADELPHIA - Peyton Manning knows. Fair or not, Manning must beat the New England Patriots in the American Football Conference title game on Sunday in order to shed his reputation as this generation's Dan Marino.
"Awesome quarterback, sick career statistics, impressive regular-season won-loss record, but can't win the big game.
There's no shame in being compared to a Hall of Fame quarterback, but it's a comparison of which Manning would rather not be a part.
Beating the Patriots would help.
Winning the Super Bowl would end the discussion.
Manning is lethal with the football, as smart a quarterback as has ever played, flawlessly durable, owner of an obscene amount of statistical records and the NFL's leader with 60 victories since 2002. He is well on his way to Canton, Ohio, where he will one day don a yellow blazer as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
But - and there is this lingering, nasty, unwanted but - he hasn't won a Super Bowl, much less played in one.
Last week, Colts coach Tony Dungy said that, ultimately, quarterbacks are judged on whether they win a Super Bowl. John Elway had a stellar career in Denver, but didn't cement his legendary status until ending his run with back-to-back Super Bowl titles. Donovan McNabb led the Eagles to four straight NFC title games and played in one Super Bowl, but he won't be beloved here unless, or until, he delivers the city a title.
The same is true of Manning, although he doesn't necessarily see it that way.
"I don't know if that definition is the tell-all definition or the lone definition of a quarterback," Manning said during a news conference on Friday. "Hey, I can't change what's happened in the past. The facts are what they are. But we have a tremendous opportunity this year in this playoff run, and it's a run we would like to continue."
Despite winning 63.9 percent of the 144 regular-season games in which he has never missed a start, Manning is 5-6 in the playoffs. In those six playoff losses, Indianapolis has averaged just 11.8 points per game.
Twice during Manning's tenure, the Colts have lost in the playoffs after having a first-round bye. In 1999, Manning's second season in the league, Indianapolis lost to Tennessee, 19-16, at home. Last year, after finishing the regular season 14-2 and earning home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, the Colts lost to Pittsburgh, 21-18.
Before that heartbreaking loss to the eventual Super Bowl champions, Indianapolis was eliminated by none other than the Patriots - 24-14 in 2003, and 20-3 in 2004. Both games were in New England.
The Colts' playoff failures aren't solely Manning's responsibility - Mike Vanderjagt's potential game-tying field goal against the Steelers last year would have forced overtime but was no good - but every elite quarterback knows the truth. When the team wins, the quarterback gets the glory; when it loses, the quarterback gets the blame.
Sunday might be Manning's best opportunity to reverse his playoff reputation. The Colts are at home, where they have not lost all season. After statistically ranking among the league's worst defensive teams throughout the regular season, the defense has delivered two suffocating playoff performances. They shut down Kansas City's running game in the first round, then held Baltimore to two field goals last week.
While the defense has allowed an average of seven points a game in the postseason, Manning has thrown only one touchdown and five interceptions.
Manning is due for a monster game. The Colts entered the playoffs ranked first in several key statistical categories - third-down conversion percentage (56.1), total first downs (376) and sacks allowed (14). Manning led the league with a 101.0 passer rating, and had a league-high 31 touchdown passes with just nine interceptions.
Despite losing Edgerrin James to free agency last off-season, the Colts are as balanced offensively as they have ever been. Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne each totaled more than 1,300 yards receiving, and rookie running back Joseph Addai topped the 1,000-yard rushing mark, becoming just the seventh rookie since 1970 to do so and reach the conference title game.
It is only fitting that Manning's best shot at the Super Bowl comes against the Patriots. He is 4-10 lifetime against New England, but has won the last two regular-season games, throwing for 683 yards and five touchdowns.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is the antithesis of Manning when it comes to the playoffs. He is 12-1 as a starter, has won three Super Bowls, and has earned the reputation as perhaps the most clutch quarterback of all time. Of Brady's 24 career fourth-quarter comebacks, two came in Super Bowl games. A third happened last week against San Diego.
For Manning to be the best, he should have to beat the best.
Manning knows this, just as, at 30 years old and nine years into his career, he knows the clock is ticking. Opportunities such as these are precious.
"You're definitely living in the moment," Manning said. "The more you play, the longer you play, you realize you probably won't get many more opportunities, so when you have one, you want to take advantage of it."
By Ashley Fox
The Philadelphia Inquirer
(MCT)
PHILADELPHIA - Peyton Manning knows. Fair or not, Manning must beat the New England Patriots in the American Football Conference title game on Sunday in order to shed his reputation as this generation's Dan Marino.
"Awesome quarterback, sick career statistics, impressive regular-season won-loss record, but can't win the big game.
There's no shame in being compared to a Hall of Fame quarterback, but it's a comparison of which Manning would rather not be a part.
Beating the Patriots would help.
Winning the Super Bowl would end the discussion.
Manning is lethal with the football, as smart a quarterback as has ever played, flawlessly durable, owner of an obscene amount of statistical records and the NFL's leader with 60 victories since 2002. He is well on his way to Canton, Ohio, where he will one day don a yellow blazer as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
But - and there is this lingering, nasty, unwanted but - he hasn't won a Super Bowl, much less played in one.
Last week, Colts coach Tony Dungy said that, ultimately, quarterbacks are judged on whether they win a Super Bowl. John Elway had a stellar career in Denver, but didn't cement his legendary status until ending his run with back-to-back Super Bowl titles. Donovan McNabb led the Eagles to four straight NFC title games and played in one Super Bowl, but he won't be beloved here unless, or until, he delivers the city a title.
The same is true of Manning, although he doesn't necessarily see it that way.
"I don't know if that definition is the tell-all definition or the lone definition of a quarterback," Manning said during a news conference on Friday. "Hey, I can't change what's happened in the past. The facts are what they are. But we have a tremendous opportunity this year in this playoff run, and it's a run we would like to continue."
Despite winning 63.9 percent of the 144 regular-season games in which he has never missed a start, Manning is 5-6 in the playoffs. In those six playoff losses, Indianapolis has averaged just 11.8 points per game.
Twice during Manning's tenure, the Colts have lost in the playoffs after having a first-round bye. In 1999, Manning's second season in the league, Indianapolis lost to Tennessee, 19-16, at home. Last year, after finishing the regular season 14-2 and earning home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, the Colts lost to Pittsburgh, 21-18.
Before that heartbreaking loss to the eventual Super Bowl champions, Indianapolis was eliminated by none other than the Patriots - 24-14 in 2003, and 20-3 in 2004. Both games were in New England.
The Colts' playoff failures aren't solely Manning's responsibility - Mike Vanderjagt's potential game-tying field goal against the Steelers last year would have forced overtime but was no good - but every elite quarterback knows the truth. When the team wins, the quarterback gets the glory; when it loses, the quarterback gets the blame.
Sunday might be Manning's best opportunity to reverse his playoff reputation. The Colts are at home, where they have not lost all season. After statistically ranking among the league's worst defensive teams throughout the regular season, the defense has delivered two suffocating playoff performances. They shut down Kansas City's running game in the first round, then held Baltimore to two field goals last week.
While the defense has allowed an average of seven points a game in the postseason, Manning has thrown only one touchdown and five interceptions.
Manning is due for a monster game. The Colts entered the playoffs ranked first in several key statistical categories - third-down conversion percentage (56.1), total first downs (376) and sacks allowed (14). Manning led the league with a 101.0 passer rating, and had a league-high 31 touchdown passes with just nine interceptions.
Despite losing Edgerrin James to free agency last off-season, the Colts are as balanced offensively as they have ever been. Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne each totaled more than 1,300 yards receiving, and rookie running back Joseph Addai topped the 1,000-yard rushing mark, becoming just the seventh rookie since 1970 to do so and reach the conference title game.
It is only fitting that Manning's best shot at the Super Bowl comes against the Patriots. He is 4-10 lifetime against New England, but has won the last two regular-season games, throwing for 683 yards and five touchdowns.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is the antithesis of Manning when it comes to the playoffs. He is 12-1 as a starter, has won three Super Bowls, and has earned the reputation as perhaps the most clutch quarterback of all time. Of Brady's 24 career fourth-quarter comebacks, two came in Super Bowl games. A third happened last week against San Diego.
For Manning to be the best, he should have to beat the best.
Manning knows this, just as, at 30 years old and nine years into his career, he knows the clock is ticking. Opportunities such as these are precious.
"You're definitely living in the moment," Manning said. "The more you play, the longer you play, you realize you probably won't get many more opportunities, so when you have one, you want to take advantage of it."
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Comments
<< <i>The Patriots beat the Colts in that game. The clock will continue ticking. >>
I hope you're wrong, but I have a feeling you're right...
is a notch above that.. LMAO
<< <i>I love the Philly newspaper talking about clocks ticking..they have that one down! What a crappy city for sports...glad the newspaper
is a notch above that.. LMAO >>
The clock is also ticking on your boy Gruden - the most overrated head coach in NFL history.
JS
PS Donut rings don't count!
<< <i>Manning is 5-6 in the playoffs. In those six playoff losses, Indianapolis has averaged just 11.8 points per game. >>
It's all right there, 11.8 points per game.
I'm rooting for him today mostly because I've had enough of Tom Brady.
<< <i>There are only 3 coaches today that have rings in the 21st century..how is that overrated???
JS
PS Donut rings don't count! >>
7 years into the century and we're already throwing in a lame qualifier.
Guess that helps when your best hope is winning a coin toss for the third draft pick.
JS, in all seriousness if you dislike the city so much then stop being a Phillies fan. We won't miss you.
Try the Devil Rays. They fit well with the Sucs at this point.
But then again you don't live in the Tampa area do you, and never did?
Perhaps you could produce a thesis on bandwagon fans, based on personal experience?
How's that other thesis going? You know your "doctoral thesis"?