OT: Have Manning/the Colts lost popularity?

[ManningOverratedHick]

I remember the days when the Colts were getting as much attention as Brett Favre's bowel movements.

It seems ever since they won the SB, the media has stopped caring about them. Sure, Manning won the MVP last year, but that was more due to a lack of any competition on a winning team.

The media wasn't rooting for a Colts SB like previous years.

And Manning seems to have lost his edge as being the "Media Darling." He's more known for making annoying commercials than anything he does on the football field.

It also seems the media is finally in a consensus that Brady is the better quarterback, even if for stupid reasons (Him out-Manning Manning stat-wise instead of Manning's consistently quick playoff exits and lack of performance in the clutch.)

It also seems as if the media is pre-maturely predicting the downfall of the Colts. They want the Jaguars or Titans to take the division.

Any reason for this backlash? Is this like spending years going after the hot blonde, only to find out when you date her that she stinks up the bathroom and has nothing to talk about?

 

[RobertWeathers]

I remember the days when the Colts were getting as much attention as Brett Favre's bowel movements.

It seems ever since they won the SB, the media has stopped caring about them. Sure, Manning won the MVP last year, but that was more due to a lack of any competition on a winning team.

The media wasn't rooting for a Colts SB like previous years.

And Manning seems to have lost his edge as being the "Media Darling." He's more known for making annoying commercials than anything he does on the football field.

It also seems the media is finally in a consensus that Brady is the better quarterback, even if for stupid reasons (Him out-Manning Manning stat-wise instead of Manning's consistently quick playoff exits and lack of performance in the clutch.)

It also seems as if the media is pre-maturely predicting the downfall of the Colts. They want the Jaguars or Titans to take the division.

Any reason for this backlash? Is this like spending years going after the hot blonde, only to find out when you date her that she stinks up the bathroom and has nothing to talk about?

Maybe. They are the Atlanta Braves of the NFL anyway. The don't make a lot of off-field noise, a couple of superstars, are always good, but their brand in bland.

 

[Bill B.]

I've always felt that Manning is a "One and done" QB. Same thing with Favre. They struggle for a few years and then when they finally win the SB, it is like a big relief that they won the big one. Then they are satisfied and sit on their laurels for the rest of their careers.

That is what I like about Brady. Even though he has won 3 SBs, he still has a hunger and desire for more.

 

[Gwedd]

I've always felt that Manning is a "One and done" QB. Same thing with Favre. They struggle for a few years and then when they finally win the SB, it is like a big relief that they won the big one. Then they are satisfied and sit on their laurels for the rest of their careers.

That is what I like about Brady. Even though he has won 3 SBs, he still has a hunger and desire for more.

Concur. TB still has the fire. Manning & Favre took their steaks off the grill and are enjoying a beer on the back porch, waiting for the crowd to leave.

 

[PatsDparty]

Concur. TB still has the fire. Manning & Favre took their steaks off the grill and are enjoying a beer on the back porch, waiting for the crowd to leave.

I have to disagree with this statement. As much as I don't care for Manning and the Colts, he basically carried that team to the playoffs last year. That was not a great Colts team that he had surrounding him.

Also seems pretty ridiculous for some posters on a messageboard to question the fire of some of the top athletes in the world.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I have to disagree with this statement. As much as I don't care for Manning and the Colts, he basically carried that team to the playoffs last year. That was not a great Colts team that he had surrounding him.

Also seems pretty ridiculous for some posters on a messageboard to question the fire of some of the top athletes in the world.

Why is it ridiculous? Even world-class athletes cam become complacent. It can certainly happen. I don't think it has happened with Manning, but it could.

 

[ManningOverratedHick]

I think Manning cares more about putting up a few more 4,000, 25 TD seasons than winning another Super Bowl. The playoffs have never been his time and I think he's just relieved he was lucky enough to get by one year. I'm not saying he's trying to lose games. I'm just saying if he makes the playoffs this year, I'm expecting another one and done, but I'm hoping he makes it far enough for the Pats to beat his ***** in Foxboro and have some Manning-face highlights for the Super Bowl 44 DVD.

 

[Rob0729]

The reason why the Colts aren't media darlings is because their offense isn't an unstoppable juggernaut anymore making them the odds on favorite to win the Super Bowl. Most of the media believe they are a good team, but not the elite of the elite. Most power polls have them in the 5-10 range rather than the 1-3 range.

 

[PatsDparty]

Why is it ridiculous? Even world-class athletes cam become complacent. It can certainly happen. I don't think it has happened with Manning, but it could.

It's hard to be one of the top players in the game with no competitive fire.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I think Manning cares more about putting up a few more 4,000, 25 TD seasons than winning another Super Bowl. The playoffs have never been his time and I think he's just relieved he was lucky enough to get by one year. I'm not saying he's trying to lose games. I'm just saying if he makes the playoffs this year, I'm expecting another one and done, but I'm hoping he makes it far enough for the Pats to beat his ***** in Foxboro and have some Manning-face highlights for the Super Bowl 44 DVD.

Public perception is a tough thing to manage. I have buddies who are football fans who question Brady's commitment to the excellence. Hes doing Entourage, not winning off-season workout warrior, hangin' with Gisele, etc.
Has Brady taken the foot off the gas a little? Maybe (Personally, I don't think so but thats besides the point) but there is no question hes not throwing spirals through car-tires at 6am 7 days a week anymore. IMO Is he smarter about improving on his game and he doesn't have a plethora of things to improve on because the bell curve isnt as steep.

On another plane, look at Jack Nicklaus. There were majors he didnt ramp up for b/c he had 5 kids that at one time or another were either infants, sick, going off to school, etc. The guy prob could have won 20+ majors if he neglected his family.

Maybe Mannings priorities have shifted a bit, but I do think he wants to win another SB, but he may not be as hungry as he was in 05 or 06.

My .02$

 

[RobertWeathers]

It's hard to be one of the top players in the game with no competitive fire.

I agree. You need to have that internal sense of urgency to continue towards excellence. Personally, I think Manning still has it.

My point is that even the great ones can check out, get burnt out, have a shift in life priorities, etc. Happens all the time.

 

[ManningOverratedHick]

I think the difference between Brady and Manning, the Pats and the Colts and their fanbases is that Brady, the Pats, and us fans expect the Pats to win the Superbowl every year. We feel like we have the Joe Montana and Bill Walsh of the modern era and because of that, anything less than a Super Bowl victory is a disappointment. Manning, the Colts, and their fans are like the rest of the teams that "hope" its their year, and if they lose in the playoffs, "well Peyton threw for 4,000 yards and the team went 11-5." Second place isn't celebrated by Brady, Belichick, the team, or the fans, and that to me is the difference between people like Brady, Montana and Jordan and people like Marino, Favre and Manning.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I think the difference between Brady and Manning, the Pats and the Colts and their fanbases is that Brady, the Pats, and us fans expect the Pats to win the Superbowl every year. We feel like we have the Joe Montana and Bill Walsh of the modern era and because of that, anything less than a Super Bowl victory is a disappointment. Manning, the Colts, and their fans are like the rest of the teams that "hope" its their year, and if they lose in the playoffs, "well Peyton threw for 4,000 yards and the team went 11-5." Second place isn't celebrated by Brady, Belichick, the team, or the fans, and that to me is the difference between people like Brady, Montana and Jordan and people like Marino, Favre and Manning.

I agree to a point. Once the Colts got to 13-3 in 1999 they got a taste of what was possible w/ Manning, Edge James, Harrison, etc. Then when the Pats started beating their brains in every reg season/playoff game they started to obsess over them ala Sox/Yanks circa 2002-2004. When they finally broke through in 06, the fan base certainly started to cool their jets a little and I think ownership did too. Has the fan base's complacency rubbed off on Peyton? Not sure about that one. I do agree that because the Pats fan base is so crazed over the team (and it votes with $$$$$$), the team feels comfortable shelling out big bucks for BB's contract extension, signing bonuses (before this CBA mess), etc. Colts fans certainly have money to spend too but the team is in middle of the pack in terms of revenue which makes it a little more challenging for Irsay and Polian to bring on big name FAs which in turn gets fans excited year over year.

 

[holyredeemer]

I don't really think it's fair to say Manning no longer has the fire to win the big one, with the basis of the argument being that the media isn't showing them the love as much as they used to. Earlier this year, I remember daily coverage being devoted to the comments Manning laid out when he called out the teams organization and the abilities of the new coaching staff. The guy was pissed.

If he didn't have that fire and competitive edge, those comments would've never been made. You can't be one of the greatest QB's in the history of the game and rest on your talents alone. Hey, I dislike Manning just as much as the next pats fan in line, but I'm not watching the guy at practice, in the film room or behind the scenes, and I'm sure no one else here is either. So, who are we to assume he's checked out and just going with the motions?

 

[spacecrime]

I have to disagree with this statement. As much as I don't care for Manning and the Colts, he basically carried that team to the playoffs last year. That was not a great Colts team that he had surrounding him.

You're joking, right? Manning played horribly last year. Except for the team around him (and some classic errors by the opposing teams), they would have started 0-5. Explain to me how Manning won the Texans game.

I'm not saying they didn't deserve to be in the playoffs. Luck is part of the game. But without BB calling timeout as Cassel sneaked for a first and goal, or a weird penalty by Thomas at the end of the game, the Colts lose to teh Pats in the regular season and are out of the playoffs while the Pats are in.

Yeah, they got in, but in speite of Manning, not because of him.

Yeah, yeah, I know he was hurt. It was gutsy for Manning to play, and again, they deserved to be in the playoffs. But Manning did NOT carry that team.

Also seems pretty ridiculous for some posters on a messageboard to question the fire of some of the top athletes in the world.

Why? We can recognize who has fire and who doesn't. Having been a top athlete does not mean you carry fire all your career.

Here is fire and not fire even you can recongnize. McNabb throws a horrible pick. He catches the eye of the WR and smiles and thumps his chest. "My bad," he seems to say.

Brady throws a pick. He storms back to the bench. Starts to take a drink of water, they throws the cup into the ground so hard that bricks fall off of the Great Wall on the other side of the earth. He screams out an epithet. You can read his lips clearly.

I question the fire of McNabb and it is ridiculous to think that anyone who cares to look cannot see the difference between McNabb and Brady.

 

[RobertWeathers]

You're joking, right? Manning played horribly last year. Except for the team around him (and some classic errors by the opposing teams), they would have started 0-5. Explain to me how Manning won the Texans game.

I'm not saying they didn't deserve to be in the playoffs. Luck is part of the game. But without BB calling timeout as Cassel sneaked for a first and goal, or a weird penalty by Thomas at the end of the game, the Colts lose to teh Pats in the regular season and are out of the playoffs while the Pats are in.

Yeah, they got in, but in speite of Manning, not because of him.

Yeah, yeah, I know he was hurt. It was gutsy for Manning to play, and again, they deserved to be in the playoffs. But Manning did NOT carry that team.

Why? We can recognize who has fire and who doesn't. Having been a top athlete does not mean you carry fire all your career.

Here is fire and not fire even you can recongnize. McNabb throws a horrible pick. He catches the eye of the WR and smiles and thumps his chest. "My bad," he seems to say.

Brady throws a pick. He storms back to the bench. Starts to take a drink of water, they throws the cup into the ground so hard that bricks fall off of the Great Wall on the other side of the earth. He screams out an epithet. You can read his lips clearly.

I question the fire of McNabb and it is ridiculous to think that anyone who cares to look cannot see the difference between McNabb and Brady.

Agreed.

McNabb is aloof and has issues focusing. Look at last year, Reid needed to bench his behind just to light a fire under his butt.

I think Manning wants to win badly, but he also wants to do-it-all and makes dumb decisions in pressure moments. In 06,that Colts D saved him. He was putrid vs. KC, and Balt. No need to discuss the 2nd 1/2 of the 06 AFCCC. he got lucky.

 

[Captain Cliche]

The Mannings got their rings.

Now we can go back to playing tackle football.

 

[falloutboy14]

You're joking, right? Manning played horribly last year. Except for the team around him (and some classic errors by the opposing teams), they would have started 0-5. Explain to me how Manning won the Texans game.

He did throw the game winning TD pass. The defense put him in position to win the game sure. But I'm sure there have been games where the Patriot's defense put Brady in position to win the game and he finished it.

I'm not saying they didn't deserve to be in the playoffs. Luck is part of the game. But without BB calling timeout as Cassel sneaked for a first and goal, or a weird penalty by Thomas at the end of the game, the Colts lose to teh Pats in the regular season and are out of the playoffs while the Pats are in.

Technically, without that game, the Colts would have still been in the playoffs as the 6 seed. The Ravens would have been out. And btw, if not for a bad call by the refs, the Colts would have won vs the Jags & been the #1 seed in the AFC

Yeah, they got in, but in speite of Manning, not because of him.

Since the only way I can think of to get to the playoffs in spite of the QB would be like the 2000 Ravens, with defense & running, let me provide stats.

5th best passing offense (by yards)
31st best rushing offense (by yards)

A few stats from specific games:

vs Steelers: 21/40, 240 yards 3 TDs 0 picks (62 yards rushing on 19 carries)
vs Jaguars: 29/34, 364 yards 3 TDs 0 picks (32 yards rushing on 18 carries)

Btw these running numbers include the fact that the defense was playing the pass. Perhaps you can explain how the Colts win these games in spite of Manning?

He went against the leagues best defense without a running game, throws the ball 40 times and 0 interceptions.

The Jaguars game was probably his best performance in years. That's an 85% completion rate, 12.5 yds per completion

Brady throws a pick. He storms back to the bench. Starts to take a drink of water, they throws the cup into the ground so hard that bricks fall off of the Great Wall on the other side of the earth. He screams out an epithet. You can read his lips clearly.

For years, I've heard Patriots fans say how cool and collected Brady was compared to Manning, who is apparently easily frazzled. Thank you for saying that.

As far as the general comments of this thread, I feel the Colts get their fair share of media attention, just saw a segment of Caldwell mic'd up during training camp. Keep in mind they're not in the AFC/NFC East, & don't have any controversies to their name.

As far as Peyton's work ethic is concerned. Everything I've heard the last decade is that his preparation is the best of any QB in the league. Since he calls his own plays a large portion of the time, I imagine he prepares a great deal.

RE what ManningOverratedHick said:
As far as expectations are concerned from a fans stand-point, I expect a SB win. I expect a top-5 D this year, at worst top-10. If the running game gets itself to the '07 form (it should) we should be in every game.

As far as my reactions from last year, it certainly sucked losing in the playoffs. Once your team's out of the running, I generally do take solace and appreciate the journey. The Texans come-back is a game that will never leave my Tivo. I'm glad Marvin was able to get to #2 on the receptions list all-time What do you guys think of the '08 season? Do you guys take no joy in Brady getting league MVP, & all the TD passing/reception records?

As far as a non-SB win being a disapointment for the team, do you guys think Bob Kraft threw away the Lamar Hunt trophy for winning the AFC championship in '08? It may not be on the same level as the 3 Lombardies in the trophy case, but I feel its an accomplishment to be proud of.

 

[ausbacker]

I dislike Seyton as much as the next guy, but he's a quality player and a competitor. To say anything less is an insult to him and football knowledge.

I don't know what to expect of the Colts this season. That's what makes them dangerous.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

I don't see the big surprise here.

The Patriots were not exactly hated up until their third Super Bowl win. At that point everyone starting getting tired of them. Although a lot of people say Spygate was the turning point, I recall a lot of venom when the Pats played the Colts in the 2006 AFCCG... bottom line is, most teams incur hatred the longer their success lasts.

For the Colts, in '03 to '06, they were a media darling team, and most fanbases liked them, probably because they were exciting to watch but you never had the crippling feeling that your team was absolutely toast against them (like against New England.) It's now been 6-7 years of Colts' success, so the novelty has worn off. I think Brady's '07 season did a lot to damage the mystique of Manning. It was a little like Barry Bonds overshadowing Mark McGwire (let's hope both Brady and Manning do not suffer the ultimate same fate as those two.)