Reversal of Fortune
If I had asked you after the Indianapolis Colts when the Super Bowl over the Chicago Bears in 2007 who would be the better quarterback, Eli or Peyton, the answer would be easy. Peyton had just had a historic season for Indy, Eli Manning was struggling to adjust to the city lights in New York and the Colts looked like they might be headed towards dynasty status.
Now let me ask you that same question right now. Who is the better quarterback? Eli or Peyton? Well now the answer is not as simple. Sure, on paper Peyton is clearly a hall of famer with the kind of credentials that only few QBs in the NFL have ever achieved. But success in sports, particularly in the NFL, is almost always marked by recent success. Based on those terms, the better quarterback would have to be Eli, wouldn't it? Eli has a chance on February 5th to do something his brother has never been able to do and perhaps something he will never do considering his current status.
Now, to be clear, when I ask who the better QB is, I'm not asking who has the better track record or who has put up better stats over the course of their career. Clearly, that honor belongs to Peyton given his longevity in the league and Eli's lack of such longevity to this point. The real question is who would you rather have behind your center come next season, Eli or Peyton? Again, consider the ramifications and the sheer ludicrousness of this question. We're talking about Peyton f-ing Manning. Not some shlub who got lucky one year and magically pulled a Super Bowl victory out of his ass. But believe it or not, Peyton is no longer the QB he once was. After undergoing 3 neck surgeries in the last 19 months, his playing ability must be questioned. He did not take a single snap this season and could even be out of a job come next month if Colts owner Jim Irsay decides that Andrew Luck is indeed the future of the Colts.
Do I blame Irsay for the decision if he chooses to drop Peyton? Well, yes and no. We all know that there are certain players who every now and then come along and do something special for the sport. Peyton is indeed one of those players. He has emphasized the importance of elite QBs in the NFL and set the stage for what has now become an offensive-heavy league. But players age and with time, they are no longer the same kind of players they once were. Does anyone want to believe that such is the case with Peyton Manning? Of course not. But the NFL like any other sport is a business and the Colts don't want to be on the hook for a player who may have passed his prime even despite his incredible history with the team.
Is it fair? No. Is it legitimate? Yes. Just 5 years ago, asking which QB you'd rather have was a no-brainer. But come 2012, times change, fortunes change and the same question is no longer such an easy one to ask. Eli has a chance of February 5th to become just the 11th QB in NFL history to win multiple Super Bowl titles. Let's just say his company on that list would be pretty legit. One glaring omission on the list? Peyton Manning. So I'll ask again, which QB would you rather have, Eli or Peyton?
Now let me ask you that same question right now. Who is the better quarterback? Eli or Peyton? Well now the answer is not as simple. Sure, on paper Peyton is clearly a hall of famer with the kind of credentials that only few QBs in the NFL have ever achieved. But success in sports, particularly in the NFL, is almost always marked by recent success. Based on those terms, the better quarterback would have to be Eli, wouldn't it? Eli has a chance on February 5th to do something his brother has never been able to do and perhaps something he will never do considering his current status.
Now, to be clear, when I ask who the better QB is, I'm not asking who has the better track record or who has put up better stats over the course of their career. Clearly, that honor belongs to Peyton given his longevity in the league and Eli's lack of such longevity to this point. The real question is who would you rather have behind your center come next season, Eli or Peyton? Again, consider the ramifications and the sheer ludicrousness of this question. We're talking about Peyton f-ing Manning. Not some shlub who got lucky one year and magically pulled a Super Bowl victory out of his ass. But believe it or not, Peyton is no longer the QB he once was. After undergoing 3 neck surgeries in the last 19 months, his playing ability must be questioned. He did not take a single snap this season and could even be out of a job come next month if Colts owner Jim Irsay decides that Andrew Luck is indeed the future of the Colts.
Do I blame Irsay for the decision if he chooses to drop Peyton? Well, yes and no. We all know that there are certain players who every now and then come along and do something special for the sport. Peyton is indeed one of those players. He has emphasized the importance of elite QBs in the NFL and set the stage for what has now become an offensive-heavy league. But players age and with time, they are no longer the same kind of players they once were. Does anyone want to believe that such is the case with Peyton Manning? Of course not. But the NFL like any other sport is a business and the Colts don't want to be on the hook for a player who may have passed his prime even despite his incredible history with the team.
Is it fair? No. Is it legitimate? Yes. Just 5 years ago, asking which QB you'd rather have was a no-brainer. But come 2012, times change, fortunes change and the same question is no longer such an easy one to ask. Eli has a chance of February 5th to become just the 11th QB in NFL history to win multiple Super Bowl titles. Let's just say his company on that list would be pretty legit. One glaring omission on the list? Peyton Manning. So I'll ask again, which QB would you rather have, Eli or Peyton?
posted by Jared Dubro | 10:44 PM
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