18.) He had the best 2-game stretch a QB has ever had.
In the first two games of the 2003 Playoffs, which Manning entered with a 0-3 playoff record and a ton of pressure to get off the mat in the playoffs, Manning laid to waste the Broncos and Chiefs. Manning started with a 22-26 for 377 yards and 5 TDs. That equates for a 158.3 passer rating. Passer ratings cannot get any higher than that. His next game was at the 13-3 Chiefs, in Arrowhead. In a loud, hostile environment, Manning went 22-30 for 304 yards and 3 TDs. That equates to a 138.7 rating. For two games, the Colts offense did not punt. They played offense at a level probably only matched by the early 2007 Patriots, but this was in the playoffs. Manning was incredible. His cumulative stats were 44-56 (78.6%) for 681 yards and 8 TDs (no INTs, by the way). That is a 156.9 passer rating. I dare anyone to try to find two straight games that equate to a passer rating that high. That is nearly perfect for two straight games. That was incredible. (No, I'm not going to talk about the game that immediately followed it).
17.) He didn't want to take more money in 2011.
Jim Irsay, before he became Twitter's most ridiculous, incomprehensible character, kept on saying that the minimum for Peyton Manning's new contract was well above Tom Brady's new contract. Irsay wanted this. Irsay wanted to reward the guy that personally made him hundreds of millions. Manning didn't want all that. He didn't want to take a cap-crippling contract, especially with his health up in the air back in the Summer of 2011. Manning did end up getting a contract worth more than Tom Brady, so I don't want to compare him to Gandhi, but he took barely a cent more than Brady's contract, and even agreed to have outs in that contract so if his health doesn't improve, he and the Colts can make a split. It is awful that it has come to this, but it has. I'm just happy Manning gave the Colts the flexibility to make this move.
16.) He was a great teammate.
Manning got so unceremoniously slammed for saying that "There were some problems with protection" after the 2005 loss to the Steelers, that people never realized Peyton Manning has taken the blame, and blamed himself, after every Colts loss ever. He's the perfect teammate. Compare this to Tom Brady, who probably should have just blamed himself regarding the throw and Welker almost-catch in Super Bowl XLVI, but didn't. Manning took the blame immediately for the pick in Super Bowl XLIV, even though it was Reggie Wayne's fault. He took the blame for the loss to the Chargers in the 2007 Divisional, even though he threw 400 yards and twice gave his team the lead in the 2nd half, only to see them lose the lead to Billy Volek.. Manning always took the blame. He shouldered the load. He never, ever got credit for this, but it was one of his best traits as a player.
15.) He won 4 MVPs
People sometimes use this as a way to slam Peyton, saying that he is only "The Greatest Regular Season QB of All-Time". Even though that is true, it should not be made fun of. It is amazing that he's won four MVPs. He probably could have easily won it in 2005 as well (I mean, Shaun Alexander wasn't even the best player on his team). Peyton Manning led a team that won 12+ games for seven straight years. Brady's longest streak is 2 (2003-2004, 2006-2007, 2010-2011). Ben Roethlisberger's streak is also 2. Brees, Rodgers, Rivers, Eli; all of their longest is 1. Manning did it seven straight times. That is absolutely incredible. Peyton Manning was the best regular season QB of all time, and considering at most, the playoffs is only 25% as long as the regular season, being the best regular season QB is more representative of a true star than being the best in the playoffs. Peyton Manning was there, every year. 4,000 yds. 30 TDs. 65% cmp. He was the best.
14.) He was tough as nails.
Until his 2011 mysterious neck-injury, Peyton Manning missed exactly one play due to injury. That one play, he broke his jaw. He broke his fucking jaw and missed one play. On the play that possibly started his neck issues (getting double-teamed by the Redskins, coached by one Gregg Williams) he coolly got up and called timeout. He didn't miss a play, and retaliated with 244 yards and 3 TDs in the 2nd half. Now, Peyton probably should have missed some time in the beginning of 2008, cause he really didn't start out all that well (that said, it isn't like with Sorgi they would have beaten the Bears or they only lost to the Jaguars because of a 59 yard field goal), but Peyton decided to play. This was just another thing that Peyton got little credit for. Peyton wasn't known as a fortress, a guy who never got hurt. Peyton just did it anyway. Broke his jaw. Missed one play.
13.) "God Damnit, Donald!!"
This one explains itself. This was one of the funniest moments I have ever seen on a football field. First of all, Manning instantly realizes that Donald Brown did his protection wrong. Then, with Jarrett Johnson chasing him from behind, and Terrell Suggs coming up from the front, Manning still decides to just let off some stream. That's a man who's calm and knows what he is doing.
12.) He was the respected one.
Ray Lewis called him the smartest player he's ever played against. Ed Reed called him the smartest QB he's ever seen. Opposing coaches have many times expressed their love and fear of Peyton Manning. When the NFL Network did its Top 100 Greatest NFL Players of All Time back during the 2010 season, they polled 80 ex-players, coaches, GMs and media members. Peyton Manning was the highest ranking active player. He was not only that, but ranked #8 overall. He may get forgotten every day when people rank their best QBs, or get slammed for his postseason "failings" but when it comes down to laying your cards on the table, they all know that Peyton is the best.
11.) Rex Ryan is in complete awe of Peyton Manning
Rex Ryan has personally blamed Manning for ruining his chance to win two Super Bowls. Rex Ryan's best defenses were the 2006 Ravens and the 2009 Jets. Both times they ran into Manning in the playoffs. He actually had a lot of success making Manning uncomfortable in the 2006 Divisional Game, but Manning handled every blitz that the Ravens, who had 60 sacks that season, threw at him. Rex Ryan left the game in shock that Manning figured out his blitzes. Then came 2009. That 2009 Jets defense was incredible on pass defense. Manning shredded the fuck out of them. Rex Ryan was in awe of what Peyton Manning was doing during that game. Because of how good that defense was, many Colts fans consider that game Manning's best performance of his career.
10.) Bill Belichick feared him.
It wasn't always this way. Bill Belichick owned the younger Manning. His great defenses could confuse him, pressure him, and make him impatient in a way few could. That all changed in 2005, when Manning shredded the Patriots in Foxboro. All in all though, the real rivalry was as much Manning vs. Belichick as Manning vs. Brady. First of all, those were the two matching wits, but in reality, those are the two teams heartbeat. And one guy ended up really fearing the other. No lead is too much for Manning, and no one knew this better than Bill Belichick. A quick rundown of Manning's near comebacks against Belichick:
9.) Those damn gyrations.
It became an understated story that Peyton's line-calling and fake audibling definitely lessened as his career went on, but for many years Peyton's routine at the line of scrimmage was almost annoying, if it wasn't so funny. I always had the sense that early in his career, most of those signals were fake. However, as his career went on, the things he was barking became less and less ridiculous, they became more and more effective. They actually became kind of coherent to a fan, they meant something. At worst, he always gave the impression that he always knew what he was doing. He always knew what the other team was doing, he had more intellect than anyone. Maybe all of that wasn't true, but Colts fans thought it was anyway, and Manning's signals and audibles and barks made it seem all the more true.
8.) He had that brilliant 2004 Season
Other than his TD% of 9.9 (49 TDs in 497 throws), none of the records Manning set in 2004 still hold. Tom Brady bested his TD record. Aaron Rodgers this year bested his passer rating record. That said, Manning made it look way more effortless. In 2007, a lot of those were Tom Brady throwing short ones to Welker that he took to the house. In 2011, Rodgers relied on a ridiculous amount of YAC. In 2004, Manning just made it look completely silly. It was more ridiculous than anything I have ever seen. What made that season even more ridiculous was that Mannning had that season in a year he threw, at the time, the fewest passes of his career. Brady's big year came with 81 more throws, some of them late in blowouts. Manning very often in 2004 took himself out of games even in the 3rd quarter. Manning threw just one TD that year in the 4th Quarter of a game where the Colts were leading by more than one score. Brady threw six in 2007 in the 4th Quarter where the Pats were up by at least one score. Peyton had the most efficient year ever. The one record he still does hold that I care about is he has the highest single-season DVOA rating of a QB ever.
7.) He changed Indianapolis.
I haven't ever lived in Indianapolis. I probably never will. But I have conversed with enough people to realize what Manning meant to Indianapolis, what he meant to the Colts franchise, what he meant to the sports landscape in Indianapolis. Indiana has always been an auto racing, and more so, basketball state. Bob Knight and U of I. Reggie Miller making the Pacers into contenders. Manning was drafted by the Colts in April 1998. In May 1998, Reggie Miller and the Pacers gave the Bulls arguably their toughest series in Michael Jordan's six title runs. The Colts didn't matter. Fourteen years later the Colts are all that matters. The Colts transformed Indianapolis and Indiana into a football state. There were fears that the Colts might be relocated before Manning came on board. As he leaves, not only are the Colts entrenched in Indy, but they have a brand new, beautiful stadium, and have gotten the distinction of being able to host a Super Bowl. Peyton Manning was Indy. He was classy and non-conceited. He was selfless and personable. He was private, but public enough to put his name on the side of a Hospital. He was Indy's hero.
6.) He was funny, and willing to laugh at himself.
Peyton Manning was made fun of for being such a continuous presence on commercials. But fuck it. They were absolutely hilarious. All of them. All of those MasterCard commercials were not only well written, but Peyton acted really well. He bought into the idea of what he was supposed to play. He made us laugh with him and at him. He wasn't a comedian in interviews, but funny and strong enough that you just know that hanging with him will include lots of laughs.
Even outside of commercials, Peyton was game. He spoofed himself in the ESPYs. He was always willing to make fun of himself. He was willing to make himself seem personable, seem one with the masses. You could have a beer with Peyton Manning.
He was the best athlete I have ever seen on SNL. He seemed like a natural. Tom Brady, Derek Jeter, Michael Phelps all seemed nervous. They all seemed like athletes. Peyton Manning seemed something close to a real cast-member. His performance in that United Way spoof was hilarious. Seeing him sip coffee and dead-panning that he "walked around with a salami in his pants, just so he could have a secret" too Kristen Wiig, and seeing him doing it masterfully while Wiig broke. That was a sight.
5.) He had the best 2-minute drill/hurry-up ever.
Peyton Manning ran a 2-minute drill like it was a performance art. One of the best examples was that famous 4th and 2 game. Manning led the Colts on three TD drives in the 4th Quarter, not one of which lasted more than 3 minutes. The first two went 70+ yards, and Manning, without using a timeout, just effortlessly ran a hurry-up. It was so good it seemed like slow-motion. I was complaining they weren't working fast enough, just slowly picking up chunks of yards, but before you know it, they were in the end zone, and barely any time ran off the clock. Peyton Manning once ran a 13 play 2:00 drive against the Titans. There was never a 2:00 drive that Peyton couldn't work out. That is why every Colts fan was so upset at Caldwell for just giving up right before halftime against the Saints in the Super Bowl. Peyton Manning was the best 2:00 QB I've ever seen. One of the things I will miss most about Manning will only be realized once Andrew Luck gets his first crack at a 2:00 drill.
4.) He could never be sacked.
Since 2003, the most Peyton Manning has been sacked in any one season is 21 times, in 2007. Peyton Manning, even as a rookie QB for a 13-3 team, was sacked just 22 times. Peyton Manning had some really good o-lines in the middle of his career (2003-2007), but starting in 2008, that line just got worse and worse, and Peyton Manning just got better and better at getting rid of that ball. He could never get sacked. He barely got hit. In 2009, with a bad o-line, Peyton Manning dropped back 581 times, and got sacked on just 10 of those drop-backs. 10 tiimes. I mean, good God man. Tom Brady has dropped back to pass about 1900 fewer times than Peyton Manning. He's been sacked 42 more times. Philip Rivers has dropped back 4200 fewer times, and been sacked just 41 less times. Aaron Rodgers has thrown in over 5,000 fewer times, and had been sacked just 50 fewer times. Football Outsiders calculates an Adjusted Sack Rate for o-lines and QBs, which basically measures how few sacks a QB takes adjusted for the amount of times he drops back and adjusted for the opponent. In Manning's career, the Colts o-line has ranked #1, #1, #2, #7, #2, #2, #2, #1, #1, #6, #1, #1, and #1. That is an amazing consistency. He was just the hardest guy to sack, ever. It is the one skill that he is indisputably better than any other QB in the NFL today, and most likely ever.
3.) He was Human.
He wasn't a robot. He wasn't untouchable. He got confused. He threw some bad interceptions. He had mortal days. He could lose games. Peyton Manning wasn't perfect. He wasn't the model hero. He didn't have the flowing locks and the rugged good looks that some QBs do. He doesn't have that face that always inspires confidence. Hell, before Tom Brady took the field on that last drive of the 2006 AFC Championship Game, Manning was praying with his head down, just hoping for the best. He didn't know any better. Peyton wasn't untouchable, and that is part of why we loved him. We knew he could make mistakes. He fell down in January, a victim of a defense that couldn't hold a lead and some inhumanly unfair circumstances of luck. He's lost 3 playoff games at home without throwing an interception. No other QB has lost more than 1. He was a real American Hero, fighting up against the media's scorn and ridicule to finally win and conquer everything, and then just to be human enough to fall victim to his own body.
2.) He could win the most ridiculous games.
He's won a game trailing 31-14 with fourteen minutes to go. Two weeks later, the team was down seventeen again in the first half, and won, again.
Peyton Manning has had his team trailing by 18 in the 2006 Title Game, and then by 11 in the 2009 Title Game. The Colts won both.
Peyton Manning just was never out of a game. Nothing was too ridiculous. The Colts won 7 straight games after trailing in the 4th Quarter. Peyton Manning won a game in Pittsburgh against the eventual Super Bowl Champions without the services of Dallas Clark, and three of the Colts usual lineman, and with Dominic Rhodes as the primary RB. He won a game with less than 15 minutes time of possession.
1.) He was the ultimate Trump-Card.
In the first two games of the 2003 Playoffs, which Manning entered with a 0-3 playoff record and a ton of pressure to get off the mat in the playoffs, Manning laid to waste the Broncos and Chiefs. Manning started with a 22-26 for 377 yards and 5 TDs. That equates for a 158.3 passer rating. Passer ratings cannot get any higher than that. His next game was at the 13-3 Chiefs, in Arrowhead. In a loud, hostile environment, Manning went 22-30 for 304 yards and 3 TDs. That equates to a 138.7 rating. For two games, the Colts offense did not punt. They played offense at a level probably only matched by the early 2007 Patriots, but this was in the playoffs. Manning was incredible. His cumulative stats were 44-56 (78.6%) for 681 yards and 8 TDs (no INTs, by the way). That is a 156.9 passer rating. I dare anyone to try to find two straight games that equate to a passer rating that high. That is nearly perfect for two straight games. That was incredible. (No, I'm not going to talk about the game that immediately followed it).
17.) He didn't want to take more money in 2011.
Jim Irsay, before he became Twitter's most ridiculous, incomprehensible character, kept on saying that the minimum for Peyton Manning's new contract was well above Tom Brady's new contract. Irsay wanted this. Irsay wanted to reward the guy that personally made him hundreds of millions. Manning didn't want all that. He didn't want to take a cap-crippling contract, especially with his health up in the air back in the Summer of 2011. Manning did end up getting a contract worth more than Tom Brady, so I don't want to compare him to Gandhi, but he took barely a cent more than Brady's contract, and even agreed to have outs in that contract so if his health doesn't improve, he and the Colts can make a split. It is awful that it has come to this, but it has. I'm just happy Manning gave the Colts the flexibility to make this move.
16.) He was a great teammate.
Manning got so unceremoniously slammed for saying that "There were some problems with protection" after the 2005 loss to the Steelers, that people never realized Peyton Manning has taken the blame, and blamed himself, after every Colts loss ever. He's the perfect teammate. Compare this to Tom Brady, who probably should have just blamed himself regarding the throw and Welker almost-catch in Super Bowl XLVI, but didn't. Manning took the blame immediately for the pick in Super Bowl XLIV, even though it was Reggie Wayne's fault. He took the blame for the loss to the Chargers in the 2007 Divisional, even though he threw 400 yards and twice gave his team the lead in the 2nd half, only to see them lose the lead to Billy Volek.. Manning always took the blame. He shouldered the load. He never, ever got credit for this, but it was one of his best traits as a player.
15.) He won 4 MVPs
People sometimes use this as a way to slam Peyton, saying that he is only "The Greatest Regular Season QB of All-Time". Even though that is true, it should not be made fun of. It is amazing that he's won four MVPs. He probably could have easily won it in 2005 as well (I mean, Shaun Alexander wasn't even the best player on his team). Peyton Manning led a team that won 12+ games for seven straight years. Brady's longest streak is 2 (2003-2004, 2006-2007, 2010-2011). Ben Roethlisberger's streak is also 2. Brees, Rodgers, Rivers, Eli; all of their longest is 1. Manning did it seven straight times. That is absolutely incredible. Peyton Manning was the best regular season QB of all time, and considering at most, the playoffs is only 25% as long as the regular season, being the best regular season QB is more representative of a true star than being the best in the playoffs. Peyton Manning was there, every year. 4,000 yds. 30 TDs. 65% cmp. He was the best.
14.) He was tough as nails.
Until his 2011 mysterious neck-injury, Peyton Manning missed exactly one play due to injury. That one play, he broke his jaw. He broke his fucking jaw and missed one play. On the play that possibly started his neck issues (getting double-teamed by the Redskins, coached by one Gregg Williams) he coolly got up and called timeout. He didn't miss a play, and retaliated with 244 yards and 3 TDs in the 2nd half. Now, Peyton probably should have missed some time in the beginning of 2008, cause he really didn't start out all that well (that said, it isn't like with Sorgi they would have beaten the Bears or they only lost to the Jaguars because of a 59 yard field goal), but Peyton decided to play. This was just another thing that Peyton got little credit for. Peyton wasn't known as a fortress, a guy who never got hurt. Peyton just did it anyway. Broke his jaw. Missed one play.
13.) "God Damnit, Donald!!"
This one explains itself. This was one of the funniest moments I have ever seen on a football field. First of all, Manning instantly realizes that Donald Brown did his protection wrong. Then, with Jarrett Johnson chasing him from behind, and Terrell Suggs coming up from the front, Manning still decides to just let off some stream. That's a man who's calm and knows what he is doing.
12.) He was the respected one.
Ray Lewis called him the smartest player he's ever played against. Ed Reed called him the smartest QB he's ever seen. Opposing coaches have many times expressed their love and fear of Peyton Manning. When the NFL Network did its Top 100 Greatest NFL Players of All Time back during the 2010 season, they polled 80 ex-players, coaches, GMs and media members. Peyton Manning was the highest ranking active player. He was not only that, but ranked #8 overall. He may get forgotten every day when people rank their best QBs, or get slammed for his postseason "failings" but when it comes down to laying your cards on the table, they all know that Peyton is the best.
11.) Rex Ryan is in complete awe of Peyton Manning
10.) Bill Belichick feared him.
It wasn't always this way. Bill Belichick owned the younger Manning. His great defenses could confuse him, pressure him, and make him impatient in a way few could. That all changed in 2005, when Manning shredded the Patriots in Foxboro. All in all though, the real rivalry was as much Manning vs. Belichick as Manning vs. Brady. First of all, those were the two matching wits, but in reality, those are the two teams heartbeat. And one guy ended up really fearing the other. No lead is too much for Manning, and no one knew this better than Bill Belichick. A quick rundown of Manning's near comebacks against Belichick:
- 2003 Week 11: Colts come back from down 31-10 in the 3rd Quarter, and the rally falls short as Willie McGinest stones Edgerrin James on 4th and Goal from the 1 to end the game. The Colts lose 38-34, but valiantly come back.
- 2006 AFC Title: Colts down 21-3, and then proceed to outscore the Patriots 35-13 the rest of the way. Manning rolls up a 14-23 for 227 yard performance in the 2nd half as the Colts score 32 points. Win the game 38-34.
- 2009 Week 9: Colts down 31-14 with 14 minutes to go. Despite throwing another interception, Manning and the Colts score three TDs to win 35-34 (more about this one in a minute)
- 2010 Weeel 9: Colts down 31-14 with 12 minutes to go. Manning and the Colts score two quick TDs and are on the Patriots 22 when Manning gets hit and throws an interception, nearly missing another 17 point comeback.
9.) Those damn gyrations.
It became an understated story that Peyton's line-calling and fake audibling definitely lessened as his career went on, but for many years Peyton's routine at the line of scrimmage was almost annoying, if it wasn't so funny. I always had the sense that early in his career, most of those signals were fake. However, as his career went on, the things he was barking became less and less ridiculous, they became more and more effective. They actually became kind of coherent to a fan, they meant something. At worst, he always gave the impression that he always knew what he was doing. He always knew what the other team was doing, he had more intellect than anyone. Maybe all of that wasn't true, but Colts fans thought it was anyway, and Manning's signals and audibles and barks made it seem all the more true.
8.) He had that brilliant 2004 Season
Other than his TD% of 9.9 (49 TDs in 497 throws), none of the records Manning set in 2004 still hold. Tom Brady bested his TD record. Aaron Rodgers this year bested his passer rating record. That said, Manning made it look way more effortless. In 2007, a lot of those were Tom Brady throwing short ones to Welker that he took to the house. In 2011, Rodgers relied on a ridiculous amount of YAC. In 2004, Manning just made it look completely silly. It was more ridiculous than anything I have ever seen. What made that season even more ridiculous was that Mannning had that season in a year he threw, at the time, the fewest passes of his career. Brady's big year came with 81 more throws, some of them late in blowouts. Manning very often in 2004 took himself out of games even in the 3rd quarter. Manning threw just one TD that year in the 4th Quarter of a game where the Colts were leading by more than one score. Brady threw six in 2007 in the 4th Quarter where the Pats were up by at least one score. Peyton had the most efficient year ever. The one record he still does hold that I care about is he has the highest single-season DVOA rating of a QB ever.
7.) He changed Indianapolis.
I haven't ever lived in Indianapolis. I probably never will. But I have conversed with enough people to realize what Manning meant to Indianapolis, what he meant to the Colts franchise, what he meant to the sports landscape in Indianapolis. Indiana has always been an auto racing, and more so, basketball state. Bob Knight and U of I. Reggie Miller making the Pacers into contenders. Manning was drafted by the Colts in April 1998. In May 1998, Reggie Miller and the Pacers gave the Bulls arguably their toughest series in Michael Jordan's six title runs. The Colts didn't matter. Fourteen years later the Colts are all that matters. The Colts transformed Indianapolis and Indiana into a football state. There were fears that the Colts might be relocated before Manning came on board. As he leaves, not only are the Colts entrenched in Indy, but they have a brand new, beautiful stadium, and have gotten the distinction of being able to host a Super Bowl. Peyton Manning was Indy. He was classy and non-conceited. He was selfless and personable. He was private, but public enough to put his name on the side of a Hospital. He was Indy's hero.
6.) He was funny, and willing to laugh at himself.
Even outside of commercials, Peyton was game. He spoofed himself in the ESPYs. He was always willing to make fun of himself. He was willing to make himself seem personable, seem one with the masses. You could have a beer with Peyton Manning.
He was the best athlete I have ever seen on SNL. He seemed like a natural. Tom Brady, Derek Jeter, Michael Phelps all seemed nervous. They all seemed like athletes. Peyton Manning seemed something close to a real cast-member. His performance in that United Way spoof was hilarious. Seeing him sip coffee and dead-panning that he "walked around with a salami in his pants, just so he could have a secret" too Kristen Wiig, and seeing him doing it masterfully while Wiig broke. That was a sight.
5.) He had the best 2-minute drill/hurry-up ever.
Peyton Manning ran a 2-minute drill like it was a performance art. One of the best examples was that famous 4th and 2 game. Manning led the Colts on three TD drives in the 4th Quarter, not one of which lasted more than 3 minutes. The first two went 70+ yards, and Manning, without using a timeout, just effortlessly ran a hurry-up. It was so good it seemed like slow-motion. I was complaining they weren't working fast enough, just slowly picking up chunks of yards, but before you know it, they were in the end zone, and barely any time ran off the clock. Peyton Manning once ran a 13 play 2:00 drive against the Titans. There was never a 2:00 drive that Peyton couldn't work out. That is why every Colts fan was so upset at Caldwell for just giving up right before halftime against the Saints in the Super Bowl. Peyton Manning was the best 2:00 QB I've ever seen. One of the things I will miss most about Manning will only be realized once Andrew Luck gets his first crack at a 2:00 drill.
4.) He could never be sacked.
Since 2003, the most Peyton Manning has been sacked in any one season is 21 times, in 2007. Peyton Manning, even as a rookie QB for a 13-3 team, was sacked just 22 times. Peyton Manning had some really good o-lines in the middle of his career (2003-2007), but starting in 2008, that line just got worse and worse, and Peyton Manning just got better and better at getting rid of that ball. He could never get sacked. He barely got hit. In 2009, with a bad o-line, Peyton Manning dropped back 581 times, and got sacked on just 10 of those drop-backs. 10 tiimes. I mean, good God man. Tom Brady has dropped back to pass about 1900 fewer times than Peyton Manning. He's been sacked 42 more times. Philip Rivers has dropped back 4200 fewer times, and been sacked just 41 less times. Aaron Rodgers has thrown in over 5,000 fewer times, and had been sacked just 50 fewer times. Football Outsiders calculates an Adjusted Sack Rate for o-lines and QBs, which basically measures how few sacks a QB takes adjusted for the amount of times he drops back and adjusted for the opponent. In Manning's career, the Colts o-line has ranked #1, #1, #2, #7, #2, #2, #2, #1, #1, #6, #1, #1, and #1. That is an amazing consistency. He was just the hardest guy to sack, ever. It is the one skill that he is indisputably better than any other QB in the NFL today, and most likely ever.
3.) He was Human.
He wasn't a robot. He wasn't untouchable. He got confused. He threw some bad interceptions. He had mortal days. He could lose games. Peyton Manning wasn't perfect. He wasn't the model hero. He didn't have the flowing locks and the rugged good looks that some QBs do. He doesn't have that face that always inspires confidence. Hell, before Tom Brady took the field on that last drive of the 2006 AFC Championship Game, Manning was praying with his head down, just hoping for the best. He didn't know any better. Peyton wasn't untouchable, and that is part of why we loved him. We knew he could make mistakes. He fell down in January, a victim of a defense that couldn't hold a lead and some inhumanly unfair circumstances of luck. He's lost 3 playoff games at home without throwing an interception. No other QB has lost more than 1. He was a real American Hero, fighting up against the media's scorn and ridicule to finally win and conquer everything, and then just to be human enough to fall victim to his own body.
2.) He could win the most ridiculous games.
Peyton Manning has won a game when trailing 35-14 with 5 minutes to go. Peyton Manning has won a game trailing 27-10 with 6 minutes to go.
He's won a game trailing 31-14 with fourteen minutes to go. Two weeks later, the team was down seventeen again in the first half, and won, again.
Peyton Manning has had his team trailing by 18 in the 2006 Title Game, and then by 11 in the 2009 Title Game. The Colts won both.
That might have been the limit to what Peyton could lead a team to do. 15 minutes. One quarter. They still won. They put up 2 points a minute basically. Manning could do anything. I doubt any QB has put up the resume that Manning has with the type of just stupid games he's pulled out.
1.) He was the ultimate Trump-Card.
Peyton Manning, I will never be able to thank you enough. You are a large percentage of the reason that I love this game. You are the reason that so many people in Indiana and around the world love this game. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.
