Last week I posed the question “Is Peyton Manning’s career as a football player finished?” It seemed to me that with the health issues he faced and the disappointment that the 2015 season has been for him that he might want to move on to the next phase of his life. He has passed for more yards and more touchdowns than anybody else. He is tied for most career wins as a starter. There is not a lot more for him to accomplish statistically.
As I said, however, there is that single Super Bowl victory that is stuck in his crawl. And his statistics this year are the worst of his career. The offense the Bronco coach Gary Kubiak installed this year doesn’t play to Peyton Manning’s strengths. Under John Fox, Peyton was able to thrive. Look at Jay Cutler to see how the old offense works. The current Bronco system requires a much more mobile quarterback than the 39-year-old Peyton Manning now is. I am of the opinion that the Bronco starter is now permanently Brock Osweiler. Osweiler is listed as the starter for Sunday’s game against the Patriots. If that’s the case, then the annual Manning/Brady tussle has finally ended.
Peyton most likely wants to end his career on a higher note than his dismal performance this year. He wants to go out a champion. His comment is telling ”I will play next year. If not for the Broncos then someone else.” I am assuming that he is seeing his time as a Bronco is at an end. I do not see him taking a backup role anywhere. That just will not happen. So where to? The Jets, the Eagles, the Rams? Perhaps the Browns? Just kidding on that last one. Peyton will want to go with a potential winner. But what team is going to want to put their eggs in Peyton’s basket?
It’s nearly impossible for a professional athlete of Peyton Manning’s stature to just walk away from his playing career. He will be successful in all his future endeavors of course, and he will still receive public acclaim. But it will never be like actually playing — with the thrill of victory and the glory of accomplishment. He will be leaving behind something he has done every day of his life. That day does come to all the greats and it is coming soon for Peyton.
The Colts are Even in the Standings
Matt Hasselbeck held the Horseshoe to a 24-21 victory over the Atlanta Falcons Sunday coming off their bye week. The Colts offense avoided big mistakes but it was the defense who covered for the team. Hasselbeck threw two touchdown passes, but he also tossed two interceptions. Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan threw three touchdowns, but added three interceptions including one returned for a 6 yard touchdown by Colts linebacker D’Qwell Jackson. Runningback Ahmed Bradshaw caught both Hasselbeck touchdown passes and has been a valuable pickup for the team since resigning three weeks ago. He and Frank Gore give the Big Blue a dependable runningback tandem, something they have not had for a while. The Colts are now 5-5 and tied for first place with the Houston Texans for first place in the AFC South.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers come to Lucas Oil Stadium this Sunday and are coming off of a 45-17 beat-down of the Philadelphia Eagles in which the Bucs rookie quarterback sensation James Winston tied an NFL rookie record by throwing five touchdown passes. Winston was the Heismann Trophy winner at Florida State in 2014 and was the NFL Drafts top pick for Tampa Bay last April. Buc runningback Doug Martin had a career day running the ball with a team record 234 yards gained on 27 attempts. Buc defensive lineman Gerald McCoy and Jacquies Smith have 11.5 sacks between them so the Colt offensive line will have it’s hands full. Tampa Bay has a 5-5 record like the Colts and are no pushover. Let’s hope that Matt Hasselbeck can make it 4-0 as a Colts starter.
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