Don Banks, who I really like as an NFL writer, says this in his latest column: "The epic seasons being turned in by Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson and Denver quarterback Peyton Manning have deservedly sucked up all the oxygen in the comeback player of the year debate, but there are other notable comebacks unfolding around the league in varying degrees."
(Adrian Peterson, Peyton Manning comebacks overshadowing Thomas Davis, Brandon Stokley, others - NFL - Don Banks - SI.com)
No doubt Peyton has been really good. But "epic"? Here are his actual numbers:
347-511, 67.9%, 4016 yds, 7.9 ypa, 31 td, 10 int, 6.1 td%, 2.0 int%, 103.5 rating
Ok, that's good, without a question. But it's not epic in the sense of being an all-time great season. Here are some recent seasons that were better than what Manning is doing now:
Manning (2004) - 67.6%, 4557 yds, 49 td, 10 int, 121.1 rating
Brady (2007) - 68.9%, 4806 yds, 50 td, 8 int, 117.2 rating
Brady (2010) - 65.9%, 3900 yds, 36 td, 4 int, 111.0 rating
Brady (2011) - 65.6%, 5235 yds, 39 td, 12 int, 105.6 rating
Rodgers (2011) - 68.3%, 4643 yds, 45 td, 6 int, 122.5 rating
Brees (2009) - 70.6%, 4388 yds, 34 td, 11 int, 109.6 rating
Brees (2011) - 71.2%, 5476 yds, 46 td, 14 int, 110.6 rating
So I know he's having a terrific season and all, but it's not an "epic" season. What makes it so amazing is that he's coming back from a serious injury, and that Denver is doing very well. Well that's all well and good, but in terms of actual performance on the field, Peyton has been terrific, but not "epic".
Still think he's going to win the MVP though.
(Adrian Peterson, Peyton Manning comebacks overshadowing Thomas Davis, Brandon Stokley, others - NFL - Don Banks - SI.com)
No doubt Peyton has been really good. But "epic"? Here are his actual numbers:
347-511, 67.9%, 4016 yds, 7.9 ypa, 31 td, 10 int, 6.1 td%, 2.0 int%, 103.5 rating
Ok, that's good, without a question. But it's not epic in the sense of being an all-time great season. Here are some recent seasons that were better than what Manning is doing now:
Manning (2004) - 67.6%, 4557 yds, 49 td, 10 int, 121.1 rating
Brady (2007) - 68.9%, 4806 yds, 50 td, 8 int, 117.2 rating
Brady (2010) - 65.9%, 3900 yds, 36 td, 4 int, 111.0 rating
Brady (2011) - 65.6%, 5235 yds, 39 td, 12 int, 105.6 rating
Rodgers (2011) - 68.3%, 4643 yds, 45 td, 6 int, 122.5 rating
Brees (2009) - 70.6%, 4388 yds, 34 td, 11 int, 109.6 rating
Brees (2011) - 71.2%, 5476 yds, 46 td, 14 int, 110.6 rating
So I know he's having a terrific season and all, but it's not an "epic" season. What makes it so amazing is that he's coming back from a serious injury, and that Denver is doing very well. Well that's all well and good, but in terms of actual performance on the field, Peyton has been terrific, but not "epic".
Still think he's going to win the MVP though.