Super Bowl XLIV: Manning’s quest for immortality
Peyton Manning pointing towards the history books
One more win – that’s all he needs.
An Indianapolis Colts victory march next weekend versus the New Orleans Saints will place Peyton Manning at the threshold of immortality.
There is no denying his excellence as a leader, a stellar passer and his jaw dropping efficiency during the regular season. But the post-season is where greatness is achieved.
Joe Montana catapulted atop of the list of the game’s elite signal callers on the strength of four Super Bowl victories. Johnny Unitas, the consensus standard in which all quarterbacks are judged by, orchestrated the Baltimore Colts offense from 1956-1972 and won two NFL World Championship and a Super Bowl crown in 1970.
Manning is one more step away from joining that group and in my opinion, putting a lot of distance between himself and the likes John Elway, Tom Brady, Terry Bradshaw, Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, Brett Favre, Dan Marino or any other passer you want to throw into the mix.
As it stands right now, you can make the case that Manning is head and shoulders above many of those guys. But a win will undoubtedly cement that.
His resume is of historic proportions.
Manning is a four-time NFL Most Valuable Player, a 10-time Pro Bowl selection, 5-time first-team All-Pro, 3-time second team All-Pro and the Colts all-time leader in career wins, passing touchdowns, pass attempts and completions, and passing yards.
But more notable than all those iconic marks, is the consistency he has played with throughout his career.
Manning entered the league in 1998 and endured a 3-13 campaign as a rookie. Since, the Colts have won 128 games while he has been under center, with only one losing season (6-10 in 2001). Indianapolis has notched at least ten wins in 10 of his 12 campaigns since taking him with the first pick of the 1998 draft, recording 14 victories twice (2009 and 2005) and at least 12 wins in seven of those years.
He’s been in the playoffs on 10 occasions and in Super Bowl XLI against the Chicago Bears; Manning got his first ring and a Super Bowl MVP.
This Sunday, I believe he’ll get his second.
And for the passer that started since entering the league out of Tennessee, and every game since (192 in the regular season, 17 in the playoffs), aiming for Favre’s NFL marks for yards, touchdowns, completions and attempts is well within reach.
Manning has never had any major injuries, the Colts offensive line rarely allows him to get hit and his masterful way of playing quarterback and toying with defenses keeps his jersey clean year in and year out.
So no one is going to lose money predicting 5-to-6 more years of epic excellence. Especially when he averages almost 4,200 yards passing and 30 touchdowns a season.
Manning will have all the major statistical records if he plays long enough. I think he’ll have his second Super Bowl ring next Sunday night.
And when its all said and done, he’ll have his place as one of the three greatest quarterbacks in league history and be one the greatest players to ever don football pads.
