OT: Manning article coming out in ESPN the Mag

[MoLewisrocks]

Pretty chilling stuff. Also some interesting insight into what makes him tick and how that has evolved over the years making this clearly the most frustrating curve ball challenge someone as tightly wrapped as he is could have never anticipated...and how he's dealing with it.

I have mixed feelings about his situation. In some respects it may take a tough decision he would likely have begun to face and struggle with over the next 3-5 years out of his hands, and given the competitive drive he and Tom clearly share that might be a blessing in disguise. But it's aweful (as in at least a couple of years) early. I never anticipated he or Tom selfishly clinging to their careers well into decline like Favre did, but I also assume they would be determined to fight it as long as they could the only way they ever do...by working even harder. Because that has been the hallmark of each of them over their careers, pushing themselves (and their teamates by osmosis if nothing else) mentally and physically to continue to improve.

This is obviously effecting him in ways say an ACL seldom would be anticipated to in this day and age... The uncertainty due to the nature of the problem and it's now lengthy history dating back almost 4 years and including multiple procedures that have already failed to take care of it in the last year and a half... He's likely either done or unanimous comeback player of the year in 2012...and yet either way potentially facing more debilitating effects than a possible limp in his late 40's or early 50's. And he has no real clue which it is going to be. And neither does the team since it's not likely they have a shot at fully testing him out even if the doctor's eventually give them the go ahead to because it will likely not come before the season is over. And with the new CBA rules limiting commencement of organized team activities to post draft...they are liable to have some huge decisions to make without a lot of certainty.

NFL - Peyton Manning confronts his body's own limitations - ESPN The Magazine - ESPN

 

[ScottieC]

I have no desire to want an NFL without Manning.

I hope he's able to play again.

I don't dislike Peyton or the Colts for that matter, it's hard to watch a Pats vs. Colts game and not appreciate the history everytime Brady faced off against Manning - I just don't like their fans very much and their dumb arguments about who's better and why.

Now, the Jets? That's a different story.

 

[Christopher Patriot]

I really hope he makes a complete recovery.
Watching the Colts just doesn't feel right without Peyton there.
I wish injuries on no player and hope Peyton wins comeback player of the year in 2012.

 

[Froob]

Hope we haven't seen the last of him.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Not surprisingly, there are a couple of references to TFB in the artice. The first compares what Brady did when rehabbing v. Manning:

Manning:

Peyton Manning spends his days power walking in silence. . . . He's off, head down, hugging the sideline in a funny walk, a near race-walking walk, the most exercise doctors will allow, up to the 10, the 20, the 30 ...

Without breaking stride, he glances at his old life at work. The Colts, his team. The quarterbacks, his position. The offense, his offense. He doesn't know when he'll enjoy that life again. He quickly turns his face and drops his eyes, racing to the 30, the 20, the 10, the end zone!

Brady:

During the dark days following his knee injury in 2008, Tom Brady offered reassurance. He e-mailed friends to say not to worry, that he'd be okay. Then he disappeared to rehab in California, choosing not to loom over his teammates.

The second is a bit inaccurate, I think:

Unlike Brady, who says he wants to play until he's 40, Manning has never placed an arbitrary number on his career. . . .

I don't think Brady has said 40 in the sense of "I'll retire when I'm 40." Am I wrong about that?

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

There's a lesson here. Nothing in life is guaranteed. One minute you're on top of the world and the next you could face unexpected serious career and life threatening issues, Peyton Manning and Steve Jobs. Nobody gets an guaranteed immunity card. Make the most of today. I'm picking up the oldest g daughter for horseback riding lessons today and then taking my daughter to the Jets game Sunday.

I hope to see Peyton with a QBR over 100 next season or having a healthy happy Bledsoe like post football life.

 

[NG Pats Fan]

Tom Brady has a style that ages very well. Pocket Passers can last a longgg time. It's the QB's who rely on mobility who don't last past age 35

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Tom Brady has a style that ages very well. Pocket Passers can last a longgg time. It's the QB's who rely on mobility who don't last past age 35

What about Mr Me! Bret Favre?

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Not surprisingly, there are a couple of references to TFB in the artice. The first compares what Brady did when rehabbing v. Manning:

Manning:



Brady:




The second is a bit inaccurate, I think:



I don't think Brady has said 40 in the sense of "I'll retire when I'm 40." Am I wrong about that?

Actually Brady has said he wants/hopes/intends to play another 10 years... But he started saying that about 2-3 years ago when mediot questions about his and Manning projected longevity started cropping up regularly. Thing is I recall Manning said a couple of years back that he wanted to play for at least a certain more number of years and at the time it would have taken him to 38-39 or about three years past what he was at the time signed for...

Mediots just have selective memory and a tendancy to creatively interpret what they recall to fit their storyline.

Brady and Manning while both competitive and detail oriented and workaholics are very differently wired. Tom would have hung around to be helpful while being as discreet as possible but Bill actually preferred (and initially insisted) he get lost (out of sight out of mind although only a phone call or behind the scenes meeting away) because he really belives in the next man up mantra and doesn't want his players or fans or media focusing on what they lost...or becoming complacent in anticipation of it's return. He specifically didn't want the camera's panning to Brady every time Matt threw an INT or missed a WR by inches... Which is exactly what they've been doing in Indy.

 

[Yehoodi]

What about Mr Me! Bret Favre?

A 38 year old Favre was on the 13-3 Packers that went into overtime in the NFC Championship game

A 40 year old Favre was on the 12-4 Vikings that also went into overtime in the NFCCG and he had one of his best years as a QB this year . . .

So playing past 35 is not out of the question and QBs have had success after 35. . ..

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Thanks for posting that, Mo.

For anyone who claims to be a football fan, that's hard reading. It was unusually well-written and captures Manning's frustration and how little control he has over his situation. It also saddened me because it made me admit that the Brady-Manning era will not last forever. These two guys defined the NFL for the last ten years and it is inevitable that they will not do so a lot longer.

Manning comes across as a guy who is face to face with his own mortality and the limitations it brings and who is just taking it one day at a time, and struggling to do so at that.

I join the others in this thread who want to see Peyton back at 100% either later this season or next year.

I for one am not ready to concede that the Brady-Manning era is going to end prematurely and am not ready to say that the focus should now shift to Rodgers and Luck or whoever. It's kind of like a beautiful day at the beach. The sun is low in the sky, the breeze is a little cooler but the waves are still perfect and I want it to last forever.

 

[FCB02062]

Know what makes me dislike Manning more than anything else? Well, maybe not more than anything else, but it f#cking aggravates me - is that dbag radio play by play guy you hear on the Indianapolis highlights..."Peyton drops back, looking, looking - OPEN, TOUCHDOWN MARVIN!!!!!!" that guy is a douche's douche

 

[MoLewisrocks]

A 38 year old Favre was on the 13-3 Packers that went into overtime in the NFC Championship game

A 40 year old Favre was on the 12-4 Vikings that also went into overtime in the NFCCG and he had one of his best years as a QB this year . . .

So playing past 35 is not out of the question and QBs have had success after 35. . ..

You're cherry picking seasons (because with Faver you had to) and he wasn't even particularly good in some of the seasons in which his team (s) achieved relative success...and when he was even that wasn't consistent as he fell apart or increasingly made his trademark bonehead decisions down the stretch...

Favre's name and Brady's or Mannings should really never be uttered in the same breath. Most of his statistical records including the ugly ones are the result of aselfish gunslinger's determination to do what was best for Brett Favre's half wacked psyche and bottom line... Manning, and perhaps even moreso Brady, just want to win whether the glory is theirs or shared with teamates.

 

[sbpatfan]

OT: Manning article coming out in ESPN the Mag

So he finally came out of the closet.

 

[shmessy]

A 38 year old Favre was on the 13-3 Packers that went into overtime in the NFC Championship game

A 40 year old Favre was on the 12-4 Vikings that also went into overtime in the NFCCG and he had one of his best years as a QB this year . . .

So playing past 35 is not out of the question and QBs have had success after 35. . ..

Did Favre have spinal surgery through the throat?

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Did Favre have spinal surgery through the throat?

No, he was more inclined to perform it via a lower approach on the teams and fans who worshipped at his media constructed alter.

 

[Ghost of Ben Dreith]

Like the majority of Patriot fans, I feel Manning has deserved the numerous comments here on his "Manning Face", his whining and his complaining.

However, even in that context, I think the majority of Patriot fans, and myself, have acknowledged and respected his talent and competitiveness. I hope to see him back next year, but his place in football history is secure even if he never takes another snap. Where that place is will depend on which message board, analyst, writer you are referring to...but that really won't ever be resolved and isn't that important. Great is great.

 

[Delicate Genius]

I feel bad for him. Hopefully he can come back and play, or at least live a pain free life.

 

[Metaphors]

Not to sound heartless or anything, but I have no significant feelings one way or the other around Manning playing again. A 13 year pro career is quite the blessing if he can't come back. Players have their careers ended prematurely by injury every year...sometimes with lifelong consequences. But Manning and every other player knew the risk and accepted it for the chance to strike it rich playing a game. I don't find that particularly noble or evoking sympathy. Non-pro football players? Firefighters or cops? Different story.

As for Manning himself, he has sucked up every bit of glory thrown his way and deflected every bit of blame. He thrived in an "Jordan Rules" era where the rules were essentially updated yearly to suit his game. Unlike Jordan, he could only claim a single title when the playoff situations broke in his favor (horrible KC team, winning with no TDs against a terrible Baltimore offense, don't need to repeat the Pats situation and getting Grossman in the SB). He has his stats and his one ring, so I'll pass on the sympathy parade.

I don't find Manning particularly captivating or even necessary with the number of emerging QBs in the NFL. We still have another Manning to beat up on this year anyway. Seeing Indy as a tomato can on the schedule for the next few years isn't an issue for me. I'll shed the same number of tears that opponents did for the Pats in 2008.

 

[BradysBunch12]

I hope personally he lives a pain free life, but as a football player I could care less if he ever plays another down. I think even if he had been 100 percent healthy this year, he was on the back end of his career anyway.