Is It Time for Peyton Manning to Hang 'Em Up?
Conversation about Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning's future hit a fever pitch this week on sports talk radio, TV, newspapers and the Internet.
Everyone seems to have an opinion on whether Manning remains a member of the Indianapolis Colts, retires, or if the future Hall of Famer will wear different colors next season.
Even Manning himself, apparently, doesn't have the answer.
In a column in the Indianapolis Star, Manning said: "I mean, it's 20 degrees, it's snowing, the building is absolutely empty except when you see coaches cleaning out their offices. I guess it's the reality of the football world, just not something I've had to deal with very often. But I'm in there every day, so I have to sit there and see it. Everybody's being evaluated and I'm no different. It's not the best environment. I just want to pay tribute to all those guys. It's unfortunate because so many of them have been such a big part of so many big wins here, and this is so ... sudden. Their keys didn't work the next day. There's no other way to do it? I don’t know. That's hard to see, all these people leaving. And I may be behind them. Who knows?"
In reality, Manning's future rests with the recuperative powers of his body, specifically his neck from a delicate surgery that had to be done a second time. While it is clear that Manning wants to play, his body may not allow that to happen.
According to a blog at Better.com by Matt Davis, the former Colts vice chair Bill Polian said there is no timetable for Manning's return. He may not even be ready by end of March.
"I'll at least paraphrase Dr. (Robert) Watkins, who operated on Peyton back in September," said Polian. "He said, 'there is no potion, there is no medicine, there is no modality, there is no series of exercises, there is no test and there is no surgery that can predict accurately when a nerve can regenerate,' and that is the issue here."
Whether Manning will be able to return was questioned by former Packers wide receiver and current NFL.com commentator Sterling Sharpe, whose own career ended by a similar neck injury. He said on the NFL Network Thursday morning (Jan. 26): (paraphrasing here) "It isn't when Peyton Manning returns but if."
While I hope the best for Manning, I am convinced he is done in Indy and may not be able to return at all, just as Sharpe warned.
Meanwhile, the decision on his future in Indy rests with Jim Irsay and not the recently hired 39-year old GM Ryan Grigson, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Expect the Colts to try and trade the Hall of Fame quarterback (high draft picks) and when that fails, release him. They will do it respectfully, at least that is how they will pose it, using the right words and body language during a presser.
Colts management seems hopeful about some "(Andrew) Luck" as they rebuild with their new head coach Chuck Pagano, formerly the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens. How about that, Colts hire a Baltimore guy to coach in Indy? Wonder what some of those old Colts fans and players think about that one?
The Colts new guy Pagano has earned this shot. His track record, including leading one of the league's top defenses in Baltimore, is solid. It will be interesting whether Pagano has anything to say about Manning.
Pagano will likely build his team, using the Ravens as his model. Expect him to hire an offensive coordinator that features an equal run-pass balance on offense while valuing the football and clock management. Although in the Indy Dome, developing a its fast surface may dictate the offense put in place.
I also expect that Manning will not be the only player to hit the streets. Look for others to be handed walking papers (Joseph Addai and several defensive players). Reggie Wayne is a free agent and will look elsewhere. Look for Wayne to end up in Minnesota or with the New York Jets.
All of this change must be justifiably disconcerting to Colts fans. Continuity has been a staple of the organization for several years, at least since Peyton Manning was drafted #1 in the 1998 draft out of Tennessee.
Yet, this move away from an iconic QB is not unprecedented. Forty years ago, the Colts said goodbye to Johnny U, whose offensive creativity, ingenuity, thinking on the spot, playing in the moment, and competitive fire was reincarnated in Manning.
Johnny U introduced the NFL to the two-minute offense while Manning made a science of the hurry-up offense and quick-hitting passing game. He will be long remembered for his line of scrimmage audibles and play calls. Manning's mannerisms, motions and occasional fakes, which left a few teams gasping for air, are burned in most NFL fans' memory.
As the discussion on Manning continues to percolate, let's take a look back at the two iconic QBs that turned the Colts into championship calibre teams, albeit in different generations and cities.
The Golden Arm Makes A Mark
Unitas, who was voted by the NFL its top player for the first 50 years, was the victim of age and too many hits as he left Baltimore and ended his career in San Diego after his star had fizzled. He wasn't wanted just two years after leading Baltimore to a Super Bowl victory in 1971. At the age of 39, Unitas was sold to the San Diego Chargers for $150,000 on Jan. 22. 1973. The Chargers doubled his salary to $250K but he would play just five games. He was 1-3 as a starter, completing 34-of-76 passes for 471 yards, three TDs and seven interceptions.
Before that sad ending to the career of #19, he was breathtaking in the blue and white.
Unitas came to the Colts in 1956, just three years after the franchise was founded in 1953 as the Baltimore Colts. The franchise history probably dates back further, tracing back to the Dayton Triangles, a founding member of the NFL in 1913. Baltimore was the Colts' home until a "see me now but not tomorrow" midnight move to Indianapolis in 1984 by Robert Irsay (yep, Jim's dad). The franchise has three NFL championships (1958, 1959, 1968), and won two Super Bowls (1971 as Baltimore and 2007 in Indy). All the titles occurred with either Unitas or Manning calling signals.
Even 10 years after his death, I still visualize #19 leading the Colts to glory. I have watched numerous Unitas highlight packages, read uncounted articles, and viewed my share of U-tube videos about one of the game's most heralded offensive talents in history.
Born In Pittsburgh, PA, Unitas, who came from humble means and a hard-working family, was passed over by Notre Dame and Indiana and ended up at the University of Louisville where he passed for 3,139 yards and 27 TDs.
If there was ever an underdog story it was Unitas. First, he had to salvage his scholarship at Louisville by taking an elective course in square dancing.
Then after being drafted in the ninth round of the 1955 draft by the Steelers, the "not so wise" and "not for long" coach Walt Kiesling let him go.
After spending some playground moments with the semipro Bloomfield Rams in the Greater Pittsburgh League for $6 a game, his play drew the attention of Baltimore and Cleveland - the Colts won out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2Ed1CdH6SA
In his first game and first pass, Unitas threw a pick six for a TD. Despite the inauspicious start, he recovered to lead the Colts to a 7-5 record. In 1958, he led the Colts in the win in the "Game of the Century" against the Giants. His play during that game showed America that the kid from Pittsburgh could play at a high level.
As Larry Schwartz in a special to ESPN.com noted: "Two history-making drives turned Johnny Unitas into a legend at 25 and helped transform pro football into the most popular television sport of the latter half of the 20th century. And he accomplished this in the House That Ruth Built, no less."
Schwartz pointed out that in the title game with the Giants, televised nationally, Baltimore trailed the Giants, 17-14, with 1:56 to play. After two incomplete passes, Unitas connected with Lenny Moore for 11 yards. A deep pass was incomplete before he played pitch-and-catch with Raymond Berry, on completions of 25 yards, 15 yards and 22 yards, which moved the ball to the Giants 13-yard line. With seven seconds to play, Steve Myhra made a 20-yard field goal (goal posts then were at the goaline).
In the NFL's first overtime game, Schwartz noted that Unitas continued his mastery of the passing game. "Taking over on his own 20, he twice completed third and long passes to keep the drive going. When he saw Giants middle linebacker Sam Huff move over to help out on Berry, he audibled to fullback Alan Ameche, who ran 22 yards up the middle to the Giants 20."
From there, Unitas, who was 26-of-40 for 349 yards, had two more completions, moving the ball to the one-yard line. On the 13th play of the drive, Ameche scored for a 23-17 overtime victory, bring the Colts its first world title. As Ameche crossed the goalline, a loud roar from Baltimore rang through the skies as New York sat in stunned silence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY6hT-1BUZk&feature=related
A year later, Unitas was MVP in leading Baltimore to another title as he threw for 2,899 yards and 32 TDs. Unitas, who would also earn MVP honors in 1964 and 1967, began a 47-game TD pass streak in his first season behind center for the Colts.
Unitas, who had 17, 4-TD games, led the league in TD passes four straight years from 1957-60.
My first recollection of Unitas wasn't those early championships, which occurred before I was born. Rather, it was in a loss. In 1968, Johnny U was hurt early in the season and Earl Morrall stepped in and led the Colts to the promised land, its first Super Bowl against the AFC upstart Jets.
With the Colts installed as a double digit favorite, the Jets and Joe Namath shocked the world by grabbing a lead early that they never relinquished. Morrall couldn't move the Colts. They called on Johnny U. While he didn't rally his team as had happened in both the title games of 1958 and 1959, he did take his team to a 4th quarter TD, which momentarily raised the blood pressure for New Yorkers and gave Baltimore some hope. While he didn't bring the Colts back, he showed the Unitas fighting spirit. And in the end, Johnny U, was, well, Johnny U. He basically said, you win some, you lose some.
A great player is often defined by his ability to continue to move forward and not think about what if. Unitas had that perspective burnt into his persona. Later, he would lead Baltimore to its first Super Bowl title in 1971.
A 10-time Pro Bowl honoree, who was first team All-Pro five times, Unitas had 34 game-winning drives and always made opponents nervous.
He was named to the Hall of Fame in 1979. Unitas led Baltimore to a 117-61-4 record and three championships during his career, including a 6-2 record in the playoffs. During his career, the 6-1, 194 pound Unitas completed 2,830 passes in 5,186 attempts for 40,299 yards with 290 TDs, 253 interceptions and 13 rushing scores.
Sadly, one of the game's best ever quarterbacks and performers didn't recognize that he was done. The old pro found steps harder to climb when age crept up. Eventually, those steps were too high.
Along Came Peyton
And the Colts wouldn't see another quarterback like #19 for a long while.
After moving to Indianapolis, the Colts drafted the talented and self-confident Jeff George, later employed Craig Erickson before finally reaching the AFC Championship with Jim Harbaugh under center in 1995. In 1998, they drafted Manning, a 6-5, 230 pound quarterback.
In Manning's first year, the Colts were 3-13, but things would get better in a hurry. The next season, the Colts had the greatest one-year turnaround in league history, putting together a 13-3 season. However the Colts season ended in the first-ever playoff game at Indy when the Tennessee Titans recorded a 19-16 win.
In short time, the Colts became a perennial playoff contender. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heLlHdltHaY&feature=related
Manning, an 11-time Pro Bowler, was the leader of this Colts band. Named All-Pro First Team five times, he led the Colts to a 141-67 record and a Super Bowl win in 2007 (2006 regular season). The only 4-time MVP in NFL history, he is the only QB with 11 4,000 yard passing seasons, owning the record of six straight 4K seasons.
From 2007 to 2010, he led the Colts to a 49-13 record, even if another world championship did not come to fruition. He has completed 4,182 passes on 7,210 attempts for 54,828 yards with 399 TDs. He had 49 passing TDs in 2004. While his playoff record of 9-10 isn't outstanding, Manning has engineered 35 fourth quarter comebacks and 46 game-winning drives.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p62W0Hl50J4
Then Manning was hurt. In 2011, he underwent the surgery, which cost him and the costs the entire season. Without Manning, the Colts struggled offensively and on defense. It was as if the entire team had neck surgery because they went from a playoff contender to the league's worst team. It brought up the idea that maybe Peyton deserved the MVP, because look at the Colts without him? Just kidding, but one wonders.
That is where we are at with Manning. If healthy, he has a good 3-4 years of elite quarterbacking left in him. But, what if he returns and is injured again? We may see Peyton helped off the field for the last time.
Remember Johnny U late in his life, troubled with disability issues, walking off the field as a QB for the last time, downtrodden, eyes fixed on the ground, in a moment of despair.
Now, we see Manning deliberating his future in Indianapolis, or perhaps being moved to Washington, Miami, New York (Jets) or even Arizona.
Yet, for someone that has watched him with interest, I believe he should retire as a Colt. No Redskin, Dolphins, Jets or Cardinals logo should ever adorn his helmet. Can you really see him in any uniform except for the Colts?
I know he will probably play but I hope that Manning begins thinking about his exit from the game. If there is a player in the game that understands legacy, it is Manning. It has always spoken in admiration about Johnny U and knows the history of the game as well as any player.
Unitas wasn't successful after the NFL, eventually forced to bankruptcy. Manning has money and has a visible presence on TV. He can take up a microphone like Steve Young or take a role as an offensive coach, perhaps helping young quarterbacks and eventually running some team's offensive show.
Peyton wants to play. You have to admire his passion to return. He wants to go out on his own terms, not by injury. I understand that.
Still while he may not think it is time and others will tell him to play as long as you can. I say, be careful Peyton. Make sure you can return. A lot of people couldn't bear watching you carried off the field.
Sharpe had to quit as did several other players like Rodney Harrison, due to neck problems.
Remember this Peyton, no matter how many quarterbacks come and go, including your brother Eli, you are a winner, a one-of-a-kind. My cousin David, a big-time Indy fan, calls you a once-in-a-lifetime player. I think that says it all.
Everyone seems to have an opinion on whether Manning remains a member of the Indianapolis Colts, retires, or if the future Hall of Famer will wear different colors next season.
Even Manning himself, apparently, doesn't have the answer.
In a column in the Indianapolis Star, Manning said: "I mean, it's 20 degrees, it's snowing, the building is absolutely empty except when you see coaches cleaning out their offices. I guess it's the reality of the football world, just not something I've had to deal with very often. But I'm in there every day, so I have to sit there and see it. Everybody's being evaluated and I'm no different. It's not the best environment. I just want to pay tribute to all those guys. It's unfortunate because so many of them have been such a big part of so many big wins here, and this is so ... sudden. Their keys didn't work the next day. There's no other way to do it? I don’t know. That's hard to see, all these people leaving. And I may be behind them. Who knows?"
In reality, Manning's future rests with the recuperative powers of his body, specifically his neck from a delicate surgery that had to be done a second time. While it is clear that Manning wants to play, his body may not allow that to happen.
According to a blog at Better.com by Matt Davis, the former Colts vice chair Bill Polian said there is no timetable for Manning's return. He may not even be ready by end of March.
"I'll at least paraphrase Dr. (Robert) Watkins, who operated on Peyton back in September," said Polian. "He said, 'there is no potion, there is no medicine, there is no modality, there is no series of exercises, there is no test and there is no surgery that can predict accurately when a nerve can regenerate,' and that is the issue here."
Whether Manning will be able to return was questioned by former Packers wide receiver and current NFL.com commentator Sterling Sharpe, whose own career ended by a similar neck injury. He said on the NFL Network Thursday morning (Jan. 26): (paraphrasing here) "It isn't when Peyton Manning returns but if."
While I hope the best for Manning, I am convinced he is done in Indy and may not be able to return at all, just as Sharpe warned.
Meanwhile, the decision on his future in Indy rests with Jim Irsay and not the recently hired 39-year old GM Ryan Grigson, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Expect the Colts to try and trade the Hall of Fame quarterback (high draft picks) and when that fails, release him. They will do it respectfully, at least that is how they will pose it, using the right words and body language during a presser.
Colts management seems hopeful about some "(Andrew) Luck" as they rebuild with their new head coach Chuck Pagano, formerly the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens. How about that, Colts hire a Baltimore guy to coach in Indy? Wonder what some of those old Colts fans and players think about that one?
The Colts new guy Pagano has earned this shot. His track record, including leading one of the league's top defenses in Baltimore, is solid. It will be interesting whether Pagano has anything to say about Manning.
Pagano will likely build his team, using the Ravens as his model. Expect him to hire an offensive coordinator that features an equal run-pass balance on offense while valuing the football and clock management. Although in the Indy Dome, developing a its fast surface may dictate the offense put in place.
I also expect that Manning will not be the only player to hit the streets. Look for others to be handed walking papers (Joseph Addai and several defensive players). Reggie Wayne is a free agent and will look elsewhere. Look for Wayne to end up in Minnesota or with the New York Jets.
All of this change must be justifiably disconcerting to Colts fans. Continuity has been a staple of the organization for several years, at least since Peyton Manning was drafted #1 in the 1998 draft out of Tennessee.
Yet, this move away from an iconic QB is not unprecedented. Forty years ago, the Colts said goodbye to Johnny U, whose offensive creativity, ingenuity, thinking on the spot, playing in the moment, and competitive fire was reincarnated in Manning.
Johnny U introduced the NFL to the two-minute offense while Manning made a science of the hurry-up offense and quick-hitting passing game. He will be long remembered for his line of scrimmage audibles and play calls. Manning's mannerisms, motions and occasional fakes, which left a few teams gasping for air, are burned in most NFL fans' memory.
As the discussion on Manning continues to percolate, let's take a look back at the two iconic QBs that turned the Colts into championship calibre teams, albeit in different generations and cities.
The Golden Arm Makes A Mark
Unitas, who was voted by the NFL its top player for the first 50 years, was the victim of age and too many hits as he left Baltimore and ended his career in San Diego after his star had fizzled. He wasn't wanted just two years after leading Baltimore to a Super Bowl victory in 1971. At the age of 39, Unitas was sold to the San Diego Chargers for $150,000 on Jan. 22. 1973. The Chargers doubled his salary to $250K but he would play just five games. He was 1-3 as a starter, completing 34-of-76 passes for 471 yards, three TDs and seven interceptions.
Before that sad ending to the career of #19, he was breathtaking in the blue and white.
Unitas came to the Colts in 1956, just three years after the franchise was founded in 1953 as the Baltimore Colts. The franchise history probably dates back further, tracing back to the Dayton Triangles, a founding member of the NFL in 1913. Baltimore was the Colts' home until a "see me now but not tomorrow" midnight move to Indianapolis in 1984 by Robert Irsay (yep, Jim's dad). The franchise has three NFL championships (1958, 1959, 1968), and won two Super Bowls (1971 as Baltimore and 2007 in Indy). All the titles occurred with either Unitas or Manning calling signals.
Even 10 years after his death, I still visualize #19 leading the Colts to glory. I have watched numerous Unitas highlight packages, read uncounted articles, and viewed my share of U-tube videos about one of the game's most heralded offensive talents in history.
Born In Pittsburgh, PA, Unitas, who came from humble means and a hard-working family, was passed over by Notre Dame and Indiana and ended up at the University of Louisville where he passed for 3,139 yards and 27 TDs.
If there was ever an underdog story it was Unitas. First, he had to salvage his scholarship at Louisville by taking an elective course in square dancing.
Then after being drafted in the ninth round of the 1955 draft by the Steelers, the "not so wise" and "not for long" coach Walt Kiesling let him go.
After spending some playground moments with the semipro Bloomfield Rams in the Greater Pittsburgh League for $6 a game, his play drew the attention of Baltimore and Cleveland - the Colts won out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2Ed1CdH6SA
In his first game and first pass, Unitas threw a pick six for a TD. Despite the inauspicious start, he recovered to lead the Colts to a 7-5 record. In 1958, he led the Colts in the win in the "Game of the Century" against the Giants. His play during that game showed America that the kid from Pittsburgh could play at a high level.
As Larry Schwartz in a special to ESPN.com noted: "Two history-making drives turned Johnny Unitas into a legend at 25 and helped transform pro football into the most popular television sport of the latter half of the 20th century. And he accomplished this in the House That Ruth Built, no less."
Schwartz pointed out that in the title game with the Giants, televised nationally, Baltimore trailed the Giants, 17-14, with 1:56 to play. After two incomplete passes, Unitas connected with Lenny Moore for 11 yards. A deep pass was incomplete before he played pitch-and-catch with Raymond Berry, on completions of 25 yards, 15 yards and 22 yards, which moved the ball to the Giants 13-yard line. With seven seconds to play, Steve Myhra made a 20-yard field goal (goal posts then were at the goaline).
In the NFL's first overtime game, Schwartz noted that Unitas continued his mastery of the passing game. "Taking over on his own 20, he twice completed third and long passes to keep the drive going. When he saw Giants middle linebacker Sam Huff move over to help out on Berry, he audibled to fullback Alan Ameche, who ran 22 yards up the middle to the Giants 20."
From there, Unitas, who was 26-of-40 for 349 yards, had two more completions, moving the ball to the one-yard line. On the 13th play of the drive, Ameche scored for a 23-17 overtime victory, bring the Colts its first world title. As Ameche crossed the goalline, a loud roar from Baltimore rang through the skies as New York sat in stunned silence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY6hT-1BUZk&feature=related
A year later, Unitas was MVP in leading Baltimore to another title as he threw for 2,899 yards and 32 TDs. Unitas, who would also earn MVP honors in 1964 and 1967, began a 47-game TD pass streak in his first season behind center for the Colts.
Unitas, who had 17, 4-TD games, led the league in TD passes four straight years from 1957-60.
My first recollection of Unitas wasn't those early championships, which occurred before I was born. Rather, it was in a loss. In 1968, Johnny U was hurt early in the season and Earl Morrall stepped in and led the Colts to the promised land, its first Super Bowl against the AFC upstart Jets.
With the Colts installed as a double digit favorite, the Jets and Joe Namath shocked the world by grabbing a lead early that they never relinquished. Morrall couldn't move the Colts. They called on Johnny U. While he didn't rally his team as had happened in both the title games of 1958 and 1959, he did take his team to a 4th quarter TD, which momentarily raised the blood pressure for New Yorkers and gave Baltimore some hope. While he didn't bring the Colts back, he showed the Unitas fighting spirit. And in the end, Johnny U, was, well, Johnny U. He basically said, you win some, you lose some.
A great player is often defined by his ability to continue to move forward and not think about what if. Unitas had that perspective burnt into his persona. Later, he would lead Baltimore to its first Super Bowl title in 1971.
A 10-time Pro Bowl honoree, who was first team All-Pro five times, Unitas had 34 game-winning drives and always made opponents nervous.
He was named to the Hall of Fame in 1979. Unitas led Baltimore to a 117-61-4 record and three championships during his career, including a 6-2 record in the playoffs. During his career, the 6-1, 194 pound Unitas completed 2,830 passes in 5,186 attempts for 40,299 yards with 290 TDs, 253 interceptions and 13 rushing scores.
Sadly, one of the game's best ever quarterbacks and performers didn't recognize that he was done. The old pro found steps harder to climb when age crept up. Eventually, those steps were too high.
Along Came Peyton
And the Colts wouldn't see another quarterback like #19 for a long while.
After moving to Indianapolis, the Colts drafted the talented and self-confident Jeff George, later employed Craig Erickson before finally reaching the AFC Championship with Jim Harbaugh under center in 1995. In 1998, they drafted Manning, a 6-5, 230 pound quarterback.
In Manning's first year, the Colts were 3-13, but things would get better in a hurry. The next season, the Colts had the greatest one-year turnaround in league history, putting together a 13-3 season. However the Colts season ended in the first-ever playoff game at Indy when the Tennessee Titans recorded a 19-16 win.
In short time, the Colts became a perennial playoff contender. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heLlHdltHaY&feature=related
Manning, an 11-time Pro Bowler, was the leader of this Colts band. Named All-Pro First Team five times, he led the Colts to a 141-67 record and a Super Bowl win in 2007 (2006 regular season). The only 4-time MVP in NFL history, he is the only QB with 11 4,000 yard passing seasons, owning the record of six straight 4K seasons.
From 2007 to 2010, he led the Colts to a 49-13 record, even if another world championship did not come to fruition. He has completed 4,182 passes on 7,210 attempts for 54,828 yards with 399 TDs. He had 49 passing TDs in 2004. While his playoff record of 9-10 isn't outstanding, Manning has engineered 35 fourth quarter comebacks and 46 game-winning drives.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p62W0Hl50J4
Then Manning was hurt. In 2011, he underwent the surgery, which cost him and the costs the entire season. Without Manning, the Colts struggled offensively and on defense. It was as if the entire team had neck surgery because they went from a playoff contender to the league's worst team. It brought up the idea that maybe Peyton deserved the MVP, because look at the Colts without him? Just kidding, but one wonders.
That is where we are at with Manning. If healthy, he has a good 3-4 years of elite quarterbacking left in him. But, what if he returns and is injured again? We may see Peyton helped off the field for the last time.
Remember Johnny U late in his life, troubled with disability issues, walking off the field as a QB for the last time, downtrodden, eyes fixed on the ground, in a moment of despair.
Now, we see Manning deliberating his future in Indianapolis, or perhaps being moved to Washington, Miami, New York (Jets) or even Arizona.
Yet, for someone that has watched him with interest, I believe he should retire as a Colt. No Redskin, Dolphins, Jets or Cardinals logo should ever adorn his helmet. Can you really see him in any uniform except for the Colts?
I know he will probably play but I hope that Manning begins thinking about his exit from the game. If there is a player in the game that understands legacy, it is Manning. It has always spoken in admiration about Johnny U and knows the history of the game as well as any player.
Unitas wasn't successful after the NFL, eventually forced to bankruptcy. Manning has money and has a visible presence on TV. He can take up a microphone like Steve Young or take a role as an offensive coach, perhaps helping young quarterbacks and eventually running some team's offensive show.
Peyton wants to play. You have to admire his passion to return. He wants to go out on his own terms, not by injury. I understand that.
Still while he may not think it is time and others will tell him to play as long as you can. I say, be careful Peyton. Make sure you can return. A lot of people couldn't bear watching you carried off the field.
Sharpe had to quit as did several other players like Rodney Harrison, due to neck problems.
Remember this Peyton, no matter how many quarterbacks come and go, including your brother Eli, you are a winner, a one-of-a-kind. My cousin David, a big-time Indy fan, calls you a once-in-a-lifetime player. I think that says it all.
"
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