Manning staying in school in 1997 was key to Patriots success

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Peyton was close to starting career with Jets - NYPOST.com

The change of events should Manning had come out of school early in 1997 like so many have done before and nowadays could have changed the landscape in the AFC for the past full decade and the Patriots might have been absolutely nowhere if Manning decided to go to the pros a year early.

If Manning decided to make money a year early and go to the pros I would think that Parcells drafts Manning over Pace because O'Donnell was horrid and the Jets owned the number 1 pick in 2007,instead Manning stays in school and a whole bunch of different events happen in the 97 draft for the Jets and the Colts luck out after sucking the most of all and getting the #1 in 1998.



If Manning had left school in 1997 and the Jets take him as the #1 pick do?..

The Colts ever get any better and win anything the next 10 years?

Do the Jets go on to win multiple Super Bowls and does Parcells hand over the franchise to a man named Belichick who decides the team now has a great QB in place and builds around him and stays with the Jets?

Do the New England Patriots remain an also-ran for the next 13 years and never are a threat to win anything?

Does the new HC of the Patriots (had Belichick stayed in ny) end up drafting a man named Tom Brady in round 6 of 2000?

So many factors went into Peyton's decision back then and so many things could have been different,Imagine what thankfully never happened 13 years ago.

Thanks Peyton for a wonderful decision

 

[xmarkd400x]

Obviously this is speculative, but here goes.

Manning is a very good talent. It's hard to see him going somewhere and NOT succeeding.

However, so many things have gone right for him in Indianapolis, it's hard to imagine those things all going right somewhere else, too.

Also, Parcells and BB would probably have stayed with the NYJ, and who knows.

It is an interesting thought. Also, think if Manning was in the NFC somewhere. Maybe the Pats and Colts would have had a great many SB matchups.

 

[Willie55]

I dont think BB would have stayed. He wanted to get out from under Parcells.

The Patriots would not have been also-rans. The Kraft's learned from the Parcells situation to let the football guys make the football decisions. I'm confident they would have found the right football guy eventually if they didn't have Belichick.

 

[notnow]

I dont think BB would have stayed. He wanted to get out from under Parcells.

The Patriots would not have been also-rans. The Kraft's learned from the Parcells situation to let the football guys make the football decisions. I'm confident they would have found the right football guy eventually if they didn't have Belichick.

I think the OP is stating that in his scenario Parcells would have stayed with the Jets and that would have negated the Kraft learning experience you speak of.

 

[Tunescribe]

Ryan Leaf would've declared the same year and the Jets would have drafted him instead.

 

[UESPatsFan]

He also would have spent his time playing outdoors in the notoriously difficult Meadowlands....

UES

 

[Willie55]

I think the OP is stating that in his scenario Parcells would have stayed with the Jets and that would have negated the Kraft learning experience you speak of.

Parcells was with the Pats before the Jets.

 

[chevss454]

I dont think BB would have stayed. He wanted to get out from under Parcells.

Not only that, but the Kraft's knew they wanted BB to be their new HC and would have gone after him.

And don't forget, Ryan Leaf was expected to be the #1 pick that year.

 

[TrueBeliever]

Ryan Leaf would've declared the same year and the Jets would have drafted him instead.

That wouldn't surprise me in the least... after all, they thought Neil O'Donnell was the next best thing since Joe Namath.

As for the regular topic, I have to wonder how Peyton would have done with Tuna as his coach. The guy flourished under Tony Dungy, who isn't exactly the drill sergeant Parcells is. But who knows?