By Carlos Cruz:
Peyton Manning is the best regular season quarterback in the history of the NFL. He has received numerous accolades that serve as a confirmation of this statement. Examination of Peyton Manning’s resume includes three MVP awards, 11 Pro Bowl appearances, five first team all-pro selections (cue Booker T), and a classic sketch on Saturday Night Live. Numbers that are certainly impressive on the surface, but unfortunately the NFL season is broken up into two unique components: regular season and postseason.
To say that Peyton Manning underperforms in the playoffs would be the equivalent of saying LeBron James might have some fourth quarter woes. In fact, the existence of both players proves that the history books need to be revised. Both players are imbued with Harry Houdini’s DNA (who was childless) due to their absolutely amazing ability to disappear when it matters. However, the purpose of this blog is not to completely rip the elder Manning (I could do that for about 5,000 words) but rather to focus on the accomplishments of the younger Manning. So, what in the world has Eli Manning done in his career to be considered the best Manning? Well, that’s the 100 dollar question (coincidentally the average graduate school budget).
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First and foremost, Eli Manning has the absolutely amazing ability to turn away from the pass rush and look in the entirely wrong direction while chucking up a complete prayer of a pass. Think of how many times we have seen Eli Manning avoid the pass rush by running away from coverage and throwing an awful pass into great coverage that ultimately wins the game for the Giants (David Tyree says hello). Eli Manning, by all visual cues, should have the worst fourth quarter rating in football, but in the fourth quarter this year he was an absolute assassin (see both meetings with the Pats and the first meeting with Dallas). We now live in a world where if the game is on the line and Eli Manning has the football, you know the Giants are going to score (score one for the Mayans). Eli’s clutch rating went through the roof this year both in the regular season and the playoffs (take note, Peyton).Outside of the fourth quarter magic show put on by Young Eli Manning, sports athletes are measured by their championships. Is this the perfect way to measure an athlete’s ability? Of course it’s not especially great in a team sport like football. If Trent Dilfer and the awful Ben Roethlisberger managed to win championships, we can rest assured that quarterback play is not the sole reason for championships won in the NFL.
Even taking into account everything I just said, Eli Manning has gone into absolute beast mode during the Giants’ two Super Bowl runs while Peyton Manning did very Peyton Manning-like things during his lone Super Bowl win. Peyton Manning’s 2006-2007 stats during the Colts’ playoff run: 97-153, 63.3%, 1034 yards, 3 TDs and 7 interceptions. In what universe are those considered impressive numbers to cement a quarterback’s legacy? Moreover, Peyton’s playoff record is a pedestrian 9-10.
On the other hand, Eli’s 2007 title run looked like this: 72-119, 60.5%, 854, 6 touchdowns and 1 pick. You might look at those numbers and shrug, but let’s follow up those bad boys with the following numbers from the 2011 title run: 106-163, 65.0%, 1,219 yards, 9 touchdowns and 1 pick. To say those numbers defecate (keeping it PG for the kids) on Peyton Manning’s stats during his sole championship season would be an understatement. Eli’s playoff record is 8-3. Need I say more?
Ultimately, if I wanted a quarterback that was going to give me eye-popping regular season numbers and fail miserably in the playoffs, I would probably take Romo over Manning. At least Romo makes playoff failures exciting, as you never know what crazy hijinks (screw Word, I am keeping this here) he will get into come playoff time. Will he bobble a snap? Go to Mexico before the playoff starts? Help Tiger Woods get his groove back? You never really know. With Peyton, you get complete failure but nothing of the sexy variety. If you want a quarterback who is going to win games when it matters, take Eli Manning and bet the farm on him. At least you have a bright future as a commentator, Peyton. I am sure ESPN needs to add to their 78 other on-air personalities.
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