Armchair Idiots: Peyton Manning

Showing posts with label Peyton Manning. Show all posts

MVP HONORS NFThis year’s MVP talk boils down to two players, Peyton Manning & Chris Johnson. Philip Rivers & Drew Brees are certainly in the conversation. Philip Rivers led the S.D. Chargers to a division title & first round bye in the playoffs. Rivers engineered the Chargers unit in eleven consecutive victories. Manning, Brady, & Brees club anyone? Rivers is knocking at the door. Next year may be his time? Then there is Drew Brees. He led the Saints to an impressive 13-3 record. What hurts Brees’ chances is the way the N.O. Saints have played of late. They haven’t looked all that impressive since their week 12 (38-17) spanking of the Patriots. The Saints have dropped their last three games. Brees should be a shoe in for the running again next season.

The crowning of Peyton Manning is the logical choice. Peyton was on the verge of inscribing the Colts as the third team in NFL history to go undefeated in the regular season. But, the organization had decided to bench their starters in favor of a playoff run.

The Colts had two major offseason changes. Both came in the form of retirement. On January 12th 2009 seven year head coach Tony Dungy called it quits. In came first year head coach Jim Caldwell & question marks arose. But, it turned out to be a smooth transition. Then on May 6th 2009, Hall of Famer, & eleven year teammate Marvin Harrison followed suit. The two hold a number of QB-WR tandem records. Most completions (career): 953; most completions in a season: 143(2002); most passing/receiving yards (career): 12,756; & most passing/receiving TDs (career): 112. Peyton still had pro bowl receiver Reggie Wayne, one of the finest in the business, & pro bowl tight end Dallas Clark, also one of the best at his respective position. It didn’t take long for Peyton & incoming rookie WR’s Pierre Garcon & Austin Collie to click. What they accomplished over the course of the season was an exhibition of Peyton’s playmaking brilliance. The Colts defense had their share of adjustments due to injuries, placing more pressure on the offense. Peyton has led the Colts to a league leading (7) fourth-quarter comebacks, more than any team since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. Peyton was the best player on the planet for the 2009-’10 season.

There is also cause for an argument that Chris Johnson deserves the crown. The second year running back out of East Carolina torched defenses on a weekly basis. Johnson was able to do it running for an abysmal Tennessee Titan offense. His numbers are incredibly impressive, considering opposing defensive coordinators identified Johnson as Tennessee’s offensive jugular. Neutralize him, & you have a stagnant Titan offense. How he was able to rack up 2,006 rushing yards is amazing. He is the 6th player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards. Johnson finished the season with 11 consecutive 100+ rushing yard games. He was able to rush for 150+ yards in four games. In week 8 he racked up 228 rushing yards vs. the Jaguars. His most impressive performance came in week 2; he had TD runs of 50+, 60+, & 91+ yards, becoming the first player to ever do this. Johnson also had three runs of 85 yards or more this season. No NFL player has ever done that in their entire career. Johnson also broke Marshall Faulk’s record of 2,429 yards from scrimmage in a single season, with 2,509 yards. Johnson totaled 503 yards receiving. The only 2,000 back to come close to that was Barry Sanders, in 1997, when he had 305 yards receiving. There’s also the holding penalty Ed Hochuli called, it negated a 62 yard TD run by Johnson with 11:53 to go in the 4th quarter in week 17. It was a terrible call. Those 62 yards would have given Johnson 2,060 yards at that point, only 46 yards away from breaking Dickerson’s single season record of 2,105 yards. It may not matter anyway. It is unlikely Johnson will be given the MVP. The reason being, the Titans aren’t playing in the postseason. Barry Sanders won the MVP award in 1997 when he had his 2,000 yard season. But, the Detroit Lions went on to the playoffs. Chris Johnson had as fine a season as any running back has ever had. Johnson was also the best player on the planet this year.

Comparing these two players is absurd. They both had a phenomenal season in different situations, playing different positions. Giving the MVP award to one & not the other is ridiculous. It is comparable to one having to choose the Brazilian or French beauty for his queen. They both get the crown. Chris Johnson & Peyton Manning should be co-MVP’s!

FANTASY IN FOCUS The New England Patriots defense continues to struggle. Credit that to their inability to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks. This is leaving their largely inexperienced secondary isolated and vulnerable. Opposing teams will continue to employ an aerial attack when facing them. This will only change provided their front seven can start generating pressure on a more consistent basis.

The current scenario is bad for Patriot fans but bodes well for Tom Brady, Wes Welker, & Randy Moss owners. The Patriots are 7-5. They hold a fragile one game lead in the AFC east division. Their remaining games are playoff caliber games. They haven’t had a very effective running game this year. So expect this offense to continue to rely heavily on the arm of Tom Brady. The Patriots upcoming schedule: Carolina, @Buffalo, Jacksonville, & @Houston.

Brady, Welker, & Moss are great options moving forward. Consider benching the Patriot defense if you have a better option.

What is going to become of the Indianapolis Colts offensive unit? Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Pierre Garcon, & Joseph Addai have consistently produced. The Colts stand at 12-0. Head coach Jim Caldwell has said he will be resting his starters once they have clinched a playoff bye. Manning, Wayne, & Clark in particular may see reduced playing time. Owners need to pay close attention to this situation.

The looming question is how playing time will be distributed amongst the backs? Maybe Joseph Addai will get fewer carries? Making way for Donald Brown & Chad Simpson to see increased reps? Watch this situation moving forward.

The 12-0 New Orleans Saints are on a roll. Their QB Drew Brees continues to engineer the leagues top ranked offensive unit.

In week 13 Brees hit WR Robert Meachem on a 53 yard bomb in the fourth quarter to tie the game. Meachem has emerged as this year’s Lance Moore. In recent weeks he has played like a #1 fantasy receiver, out of the #3 spot for the Saints. He has produced 6 TDs in the last 5 games. He is another receiver breaking out in his third year.

The Saints were able to manufacture 33 points against the Washington Redskins. The NFL’s #1 ranked pass defense.

Marques Colston Robert Meachem, & Devery Henderson remain Brees’ most dangerous weapons. I don’t see any of their remaining opponents being able to stop them.

Pay close attention to the running back situation. Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell, & Reggie Bush crowd their backfield. Thomas is the best starting option of the three. That could change if head coach Sean Payton decides to rest some of his guys. Even though he has said his players will be playing down the stretch, in hopes of going 16-0. Regardless of that statement stay tuned, to see what will transpire over the coming weeks.

What happened to the Pittsburgh Steelers? They lost in week 12 at Arrowhead Stadium, to a terrible Kansas City Chiefs team. Pair that with a week 13 loss at Heinz Field, to an Oakland Raiders squad. A defeat that drops the defending champs to a meager 6-6 record.

With the Cincinnati Bengals on the verge of wrapping up that division, the Steelers will be fighting for a wild card spot. This is good news for Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, & Rashard Mendenhall owners. Expect them to post solid numbers down the stretch.

Heath Miller has been non-existent in this offense of late. Roethlisberger should find a way to get him re-involved in the offense.

Like the Patriots it is the Steelers defense that has been their downfall. The impending scenario is how long will Troy Polamalu remain sidelined? He is the heart & soul of this defense. Polamalu’s absence has extinguished the defenses spirit. If he remains sidelined consider using another defense.

The Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers & Donald Driver connection continues to roll. Rodgers remains the top fantasy scoring player in the majority of leagues. Donald Driver has served as a reliable safety valve for Rodgers all season. Driver & Jermichael Finley are Rodgers favorite targets, when his pocket prematurely collapses. But don’t make the mistake of leaving Greg Jennings out of the conversation. He has had a disappointing year to date. Poor blocking for Rodgers has hurt Jennings fantasy value. He is a lethal vertical threat when Rodgers is given the time. The Packers O-line has found some cohesion of late. They looked legit against a stout Baltimore Raven front seven. Owners have no excuses in not starting these guys.

The Packers can still win the NFC north title. They need the Vikings to lose 3 out of their last 4, and they need to win outright. Every week is a big game.

At times Dom Capers has been able to orchestrate this young defense into NFL elitism. Rookies Clay Mathews Jr. & BJ Raji have played extremely well. Mathews Jr. is a fun one to watch. He flies all over the field and has a knack for the ball. Raji has been able to plug gaps and get a solid push up front. Combine that with perennial ball hawk Charles Woodson and you have a formidable defense in the making. Don’t make the mistake of sitting this defense.

Under The Hoodie - There Is No Doubt It Was The Right Choice There has been an inordinate amount of piling on the Patriots coasch over the last few days since Bill Belichick went for for it on fourth down on his own 28 against the Colts. It is very easy to question this call, and it makes great sports radio and blog fodder. However let's not pile on, but think about why, and talk about how a calculated risk is not such a bad move.

No doubt the Patriots were in control of this game. Also no doubt that the New England Defense was on for the first three quarters. Another no doubt is that this is not even an issue if Maroney doesn't fumble in the Red Zone.

There was no doubt that the Colts made an adjustment. There is also no doubt that Manning can score quickly and efficiently at any time. There was no doubt that the Patriots defense was tired from fighting out the first three quarters.

Most would agree that Tom Brady and the offense could get 2 yards. You and I both would bet on it, over them not making it, any day of the week. The Patriots were going to have to play defense no matter what. A long field with a tired defense could create an easy big play for the Colts and Manning. We all know that the Red Zone shortens the field and makes it more difficult for any offense. No doubt Belichick thought of this and gambled. It's not that he didn't trust his defense, he chose the gamble of putting them on a shorter field and thinking they had to stop the Colts anyway.

Brady passed to Faulk, executed the play, the ball was bobbled, and in the NFL that is enough time to not make the first down. Was it a crazy gamble? For any other team yes, but not Patriots. Belichick felt his best chance to win the game was with his offense. The idea that his defense is upset over the call is silly. The NFL is not high school, it is professional football. His gamble did not work, oh well. Sometimes your gut is what you have to trust. It has gotten Belichick to the top and is a necessary tool for a great coach. I would rather have a coach that takes a chance on what he feels is his best chance to win, than just going with conventional wisdom. That's why most teams are average, they take no chances and have no balls.

There is a ton of season left. No one knows where or how this game will affect the Patriots. No matter who you are, you do not want to play the Patriots in the playoffs at home or on the road.

They will get another chance at the Colts.

RIVALRY The Patriots-Colts square off in a battle highlighting two of the games most gifted quarterbacks to have ever shouldered the NFL emblem. I praise the football Gods for games such as this! I will go so far as to state I firmly believe Monday the 16th of November should be declared a national holiday for 2009. If I were elected president this issue would be at the top of my list. Matters such as these would heed precedence over bringing peace to the Middle East or nuclear proliferation. I would make the day before, of, and after the Super Bowl a permanent national holiday. As your President my first official oval office meeting would be with my most trusted football advisors. We would meticulously dissect the upcoming NFL schedule in order to declare timely holidays for that given calendar year. What true red, white, and blue Patriot wouldn’t vote for me?

Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning! Can a headline get any sexier than that? Yes. The Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings saga beat out any feasible headline for the 2009 American football campaign.

The practical minds of the NFL’s schedulers chose to have these two elite franchises collide in week 10. What a flawless marketing decision. What were the odds that both organizations would be sitting at or near the top of the NFL come week 10? So good I would have bet everything I have ever owned on it. Even my soul provided it would have any potential monetary appeal.

This game exudes far than a headline consisting of Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning. These teams have faced each other so many times in the course of both quarterbacks’ illustrious careers that it must be incredibly difficult to construct an innovated game plan. What can these coaches, who are extremely familiar with one another, conceivably disguise during the course of this game that will prove to be effective? It comes down to the X’s and O’s of the game. The team that executes, doesn’t turn the ball over, and wins special teams will be triumphant.

Can Patriots LT Matt Light contain Colts pro bowl DE Dwight Freeney? Freeney has caused Patriots pro bowl LT Matt Light fits in previous meetings. This will be one of the key matchups taking place Sunday. Due to the Colts being without defensive starters SS Bob Sanders, FS Marlin Jackson, and LCB Kelvin Hayden. Rookies Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey will be the Colts starting CBs.

Colts pro bowl TE Dallas Clark is fresh off a 14 catch performance in week 9. Expect Belichick’s to game plan to include plenty of attention directed Clark’s way. It should be difficult for him to get open in the middle of the field. In a similar fashion to the way the Patriots were able to neutralize Atlanta Falcon pro bowl TE Tony Gonzales.

This should be a spectacular game. Enjoy!

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