OK, I have NFL Network on as background noise and it's cycling through Total Access again, so I get to see and hear the highlights once more. Here are the plays for which Dukes is heaping praise on Manning:
-- Completion to Addai. Except Manning underthrew an open Addai down the sidelines and the RB had to almost stop to make a nice catch.
-- Hits Gonzalez WIDE OPEN in the middle of the field (but that shows Manning's greatness)
-- Drops a TD pass "right in the bucket where only his man can get it", except his wide open receiver had to dive all out to make a nice catch. Pales in comparison to Hoyer-to-Gronkowski.
-- The INT
was Manning's fault, even though Dukes puts it all on Gonzalez. "Peyton" led his WR too far and he had to lunge, which is why he couldn't control the ball and subsequently fell. Gonzalez's only mistake was trying too hard to catch a not very well-thrown ball.
I know. Let it go. But IIRC there was a recent thread on why some fans here "hate" Manning and this is a good example. (I don't hate him, just the fawning). Manning goes 8 for 15 and his wide open receivers have to make diving, scrambling catches and he had a great night. But Brady underthrows Welker ON A COMPLETION and misses on a low percentage bomb, and he has timing issues.
AND <close rant> some of these guys are SO focused on Brady's body language and comment on every non-gesture he makes, but PM gets a free ride for shaking his head and looking disgusted with his teammates after pretty much every play. </close rant>
OK, time for coffee. And The Discovery Channel maybe.
NFL Game Center: Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills - 2010 Preseason Week 2
