Manning up the competition
5 years ago right now I became a legal resident of Indiana, and was planning on going to grad school at Indiana State. So I had to become loyal to a new football team. It was a no-brainer, Indy had just as potent of an offense as the Rams, except that 2 of their 2 stars were much much younger. So I started watching Indy games when I could, and playing as the colts on Madden.
Where am I going with all of this? Manning is the best Quarterback in the league. Ever since the first time I saw him play, I have felt that. A man with one leg could play quarterback in the NFL if they can read defenses. Its all about reading zones and throwing into the gaps of the zones. Or when the other team plays man coverage to run the ball, or get favorable matchups. Manning makes Edgerrin a good runner. Manning follows through with his play fakes, Manning keeps acting like he is hiding the ball and keeps his back to the defense even when he doesn't have the ball. Or he pump fakes when he doesn't even have the ball. This buys his running back and receivers an extra second, which equals an extra 3-5 yards. Manning makes the running game with his fakes. Manning sees and understands the defenses. He appears clumsy, but he is smart. He understand the game of football. Sure Vick is a highlight reel, but he doesn't make the other 10 men on the field better. Manning makes each man on his offense better. (Could Stokely or Wayne get 1000 yards anywhere else as a 2nd or 3 receiver).
You can keep your McNabb, Vick, or whoever, but give me Manning anyday. I want a smart, hard worker, who understands how things work, and how to get things done. Brady fits that mold, and you could easily argue that he is just as good as Manning, but how many points a game does Manning put up compared to Brady. Brady has a defense, so of course he has the Super Bowl rings.
posted by Greg at 2:26 PM
3 Comments:
More than any other position in professional Football, a QB is defined by winning. He has the more control over the outcome of the game than any other position. While your Manning is quite the QB the fact remains that he CHOKES in the big games. He is Dan Marino; which isn't necessarily a bad thing but, look at it this way..who would you rather have, Montana or Marino? Warren Moon or John Elway? (insert statistically over-rated QB here) or (insert a winner's name here)? So, Manning or Brady? I'll take Brady even damn day of the week. What kind of numbers would other top QBs put up if they had the receiving corp than Manning has? Hell, Stokely and Wayne could be first receivers on other teams in the league. Not to mention Manning has The Edge, two very good tight ends, and one of the top 5 receivers (Harrison) in the league. You take away those guys and we'll see how good Manning is. Sorry for the poor grammar but I'm a lazy ass and don't want to correct it. Also, maybe if I get too bored, I'll look up some stats to back up my argument.
From a professional writer (Bill Simmons):
Anyway, here's the bottom line: Manning and the Colts had a chance to beat the Patriots three times over the past 13 months ... and they couldn't do it. After Week 8, they were 4-3 and everyone was saying "same old Colts." They barely held off the Moss-less Vikings at home on a Monday night, then exploded for 182 points against Houston, Chicago, Detroit and Tennessee (four subpar teams by all accounts). Now we're supposed to think they can beat Pittsburgh and New England in January -- on the road, in back-to-back games -- just because they've been rolling up the score against crummy teams? Please.
Is Manning having a remarkable statistical season, even when you throw in the relaxed pass defense rules that have bumped up everyone's stats? No question about it. I'm just more impressed with stats like "Ben Roethlisberger is 10-0 as an NFL starter" and "Tom Brady is 51-13 as a starter and 7-0 in overtime games" than "Manning has thrown 62 TDs in a single season." Let's see him play like this when it truly matters.
manning doesn't play defense. his job is to have his offense score whenever he is out there. he does his job. you can throw records at me all you want, but the bottomline is he is putting up 35+ points a game.
a year ago I was saying that stokely and wayne were good. Everyone laughed at me. Now that manning is having this awesome year, all of a sudden they can be starters anywhere else? (which they are solid 2nds, but not primarys.)
I don't care what Bill SImmons says. he's paid to get people to disagree with him. A critic is a critic is a critic. *hypocritically, I am being critical here.
Manning throws the ball where it needs to be thrown. He carries out his play fakes on every play, which sets up plays later. Who else besides Favre can do that as good as him...(that is why they are good, they don't watch their throws, they carry out their fakes).
Put Manning on the Pats, or Pitsburg. They would have never lost, and then you'd be saying their 2nd and 3rd receivers could start anywhere.
Manning understands the game better than anyone not names Madden. He doesn't miss throws. His receivers and line love him. That's all I want in a QB. He makes everyone around him better....hence a leader.
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