11
Apr
2012
Adam Schefter ponders the Madden Curse’s effect on Peytons everywhere (PIC)
Today’s deep thought comes to us via Adam Schefter’s Twitter, where he wondered aloud whether the infamous Madden Curse might be stronger than ever:
(via Twitter.com)
Mind = Blown.
It really makes you wonder why anyone would ever want to be on the cover of Madden at this point … let alone campaign for it like Rob Gronkowski did this off-season.
Fortunately for Pats fans, Gronkowski got knocked out of this year’s voting in the quarterfinals by Calvin Johnson, who will now square off against Aaron Rodgers in the semis, prompting Packers Nation to flood the voting for Johnson to keep Rodgers away from the cover. On the other side of the bracket, favorite Cam Newton is up against surprise #11 seed Patrick Willis, who narrowly defeated Victor Cruz to advance in the quarters, much to the delight of Giants fans everywhere.
I’m not sure if this is quite what EA Sports had in mind when they opened the cover up to fan voting, but it at least makes things interesting.
CHECK OUT A LIST OF MADDEN CURSE VICTIMS AFTER THE JUMP
20
Mar
2012
Colorado Dreamin’: A Broncos fan’s take on the Manning/Elway/Tebow Triangle
John Elway dangled a tasty carrot and the former Colt bit.
Peyton Manning, arguably the greatest free agent of all time, has chosen the Denver Broncos as team he will ride into the Hall of Fame. The Broncos will now be the hottest team in the league this offseason, and billions of eyeballs will be glued to Mile High Manning this autumn. Elway lured Manning by promising to build players around him, and by letting him run his own offense in Denver, which should easily make the Broncos the team to beat in the AFC West. And with a 5-year, $96 million dollar contract, it seems clear that the Broncos and their team of doctors believe Manning is healthy, ready to play, and capable of making a run at the Super Bowl for the next half-decade.
(Photo: DenverPost.com)
As a lifelong Broncos fan, I can’t help but be excited about adding an all-world player to the squad. Especially a cerebral quarterback like Manning who is one of smartest to ever play the position. But immediately after the shock of the ‘Manning to Denver’ news set in, many of us in Bronco Country asked the obvious question … what about Tim Tebow? What about last season? Timmy’s magical run, winning 7 of 8 games and leading the Broncos to a thrilling OT playoff win at home against the Steelers. Tebow’s 80 yard “Tebomb” to Demaryius Thomas was by far the most exciting play by any Bronco since Elway’s “helicopter” in Super Bowl XXXII. Every single Broncos fan enjoyed that season, whether they approved of Tebow or not, and Denver seemed to be headed towards next season with notable momentum. It was truly spectacular, and many fans thought we had something special.
But now – almost unthinkably after you grasp what he did last season – the Broncos will show Tebow the door and welcome 36-year-old Manning to the team. Some Broncos fans and all of Tebow’s faithful feel betrayed, but the fact of the matter is simple: John Elway was never sold on Tim Tebow. He didn’t draft him, didn’t want him as the future of the team, and frankly, he didn’t believe in him. The ironic part for Elway was that Tebow went out last season and made A LOT of other people a believer. Not just Broncos fans, but sports fans all over the planet (as we witnessed with Tebow-mania) were hailing Tebow as the savior of the franchise. But Elway still wouldn’t publically give him the loving security fans thought he had earned. Now it makes since why Elway never backed him, because deep down he knew that Tim wasn’t his guy. He didn’t want to commit. Yet Tebow’s surprising success meant Elway was stuck with him, at least for this upcoming season, if not more if Tim kept winning. There was nothing Elway could do but wait it out and see if Tebow succeeded or failed.
Lucky for Elway, the QB Gods work in strange ways, and they sent Manning into free agency this off season… and it didn’t take long for the Broncos VP to connect the dots. Manning is only QB on the market that Elway can immediately swap for Tebow without disgruntling the Denver fanbase. This is the only logical way Elway can divorce the Broncos from Tebow in a way that looks like he’s making the right move, the smart move. He is choosing proven over potential, and you can’t really argue with that. Tebow did wonderful things for the Broncos last year, but Elway saw a way to get rid of him without being the villain and jumped at the opportunity.
20
Mar
2012
Tim Tebow’s prayers are answered? (PIC)
Yup … pretty much. Except replace “me” with “the Broncos”, since Timmy probably won’t be sticking around for whatever happens next in Denver.
19
Mar
2012
All Colts grow up to be Broncos … Peyton picks Denver (PIC)
And there you have it. After several weeks of furious speculation, Peyton Manning has chosen the Denver Broncos as his next team, and is finalizing his contract - reported to be worth $95 million over 5 years – with the team as we speak.
(Photo: Panini America via NFL.com)
This of course means that Peyton-mania will quickly replace Tebow-mania in the Rocky Mountain state, and that John Elway has pulled off the coup of the century by figuring out the only way he could shed Tebow from his roster without sending Broncos fans everywhere into revolt. Word on the street is that Denver will shop Tebow around for trade offers, and hope to get something fair in return from someone like Jacksonville or Miami. And while the jury is still out on the status of Manning’s neck injury, the Broncos medical staff apparently saw enough progress to make it worth the risk.
The addition of Manning immediately makes Denver Super Bowl contenders, improves their already-stellar defense, and makes the Broncos more attractive to potential free agents. And in just a year and a half as VP of football operations, Elway has managed to reverse the mess left behind by Josh McDaniels and right the ship for the Broncos franchise. It’s quite impressive, really.
And yeah, we’re guessing Demaryius Thomas is probably a pretty happy camper right now.
8
Mar
2012
Did Peyton Manning’s neck issues start with a Gregg Williams bounty back in 2006? (VIDEO)
Was this the moment that changed Manning's career forever?
The two biggest stories in the NFL right now are Peyton Manning’s release from the Colts, and the bounty system run by Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams while with the Saints and Redskins before them. And now it seems that those two stories might intersect in a most interesting way, as former colts head coach Tony Dungy has suggested that Manning’s neck issues could be traced back to an injury sustained while facing a Williams-coached Redskins defense in 2006. And if that’s the case, Williams’ little bounty program will have made a far bigger impact across the league than anyone could have imagined.
On the play in question [VIDEO HERE and below], Manning was hit by Redskins defenders Andre Carter and Phillip Daniels in a high-low combo, with Daniels holding on to Peyton’s helmet all the way to the ground, thus twisting the QB’s neck and body into an extremely awkward position. Manning’s helmet eventually popped right off of his head, and he immediately showed signs of being injured, shaking his right arm ”as if trying to get the feeling back in it.” The Colts called a timeout and Manning was able to return on the next play without any immediate ill-effects, but many believe that this was the beginning of the nerve damage that led to four neck surgeries and his current free agent status.
“The guy wouldn’t let go of my head,” Manning said after the game of Daniels, who was fined $5,000 by the NFL for the hit. “I looked at my helmet to see if my head was in it.”
VIDEO OF MANNING’S INJURY AFTER THE JUMP
7
Mar
2012
Peyton Manning bids farewell to Indianapolis; let the bidding wars commence!
The final Indy Manningface (AP photo via SI.com)
Today marked the end of an era in Indianapolis as the Colts and owner Jim Irsay held an emotional press conference to officially announce the release of quarterback Peyton Manning, after 14 years with the team.
The move was an expected one, as the Colts came up on the deadline to pay Manning a $28 million dollar roster bonus that would have been due to him tomorrow, had the injured QB still been on the team’s roster. And with the status of Manning’s health uncertain, and the Colts holding the #1 pick in the upcoming draft – thereby ensuring that Andrew Luck could give them another franchise quarterback for the next 10+ years – it was the prudent business move by Irsay to turn the page on Manning. If he ends up coming back and leading a team to the Super Bowl, Irsay could end up looking like a fool, but given the information available right now, it’s really the only call he could make.
But that doesn’t make it any easier on any of the players involved, as evidenced by the genuine heartfelt emotion during today’s press conference. In it, Irsay announced that the Colts would retire Manning’s #18, and Peyton said that no matter where he ends up next, ”I’ll always be a Colt.” It was about as harmonious a divorce as you’ll see in today’s professional landscape, which is about what you’d expect from a Manning, and especially considering how mutually beneficial their relationship has always been.
And so now begins the Petyon Manning sweepstakes, which is all we’re going to hear about for the next few weeks. As he officially hits the free agent market, teams have already begun lining up to woo the 11x Pro Bowler to save their franchises. Teams like the Dolphins, Jets, Redskins and Cardinals have started building their best case to lure Manning to their cities, with others like the Broncos, Seahawks and 49ers hoping to emerge as dark horse candidates for Peyton’s services.
It should be fascinating to watch the bidding wars play out, especially considering it’s all for a 36-year-old with highly questionable health. I just hope there will be enough media coverage of the proceedings.
23
Feb
2012
Watch Eli Manning cheat at pick-up football as a kid (VIDEO)
An early version of the now-classic Eli Manning face
This Manning home video - in all its 80′s VHS glory – has been on YouTube since 2009, but we hadn’t seen it until recently, and it’s a pretty fantastic slice of football history.
Watch young Eli Manning playing a game of pick-up football at his home in New Orleans, with his family looking on. It appears to be a birthday party of some sort, with Eli and his friends participating in one of the least-organized games you’ll ever see. Father Archie is the cameraman, brother Peyton is the ref, and mother Olivia is barely paying attention as Eli refuses to play two-hand touch, and cheats his way around the football field.
But it’s worth noting the two-time Super Bowl MVP’s preternatural leadership qualities on display at an early age (he’s clearly the one in charge out there), as well as the play where Eli goes down on the concrete part of the driveway, and simply brushes himself off as he gets back up and resumes playing. And then there’s the now-infamous Eli Manning face, as seen in the banner pic above. Some things never change.
Eventually, Archie steps in at all-time QB to bring some sanity to the proceedings (with Peyton taking over camera duties), delivering a touchdown strike to Eli before the video cuts out. But not before we get a small taste of what life growing up in the Manning household was like.
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
17
Feb
2012
Let the wild “Where will Peyton Manning land?” speculation continue! (PIC)
Which uniform looks best on Petyon? (Image via Adam Schefter/Facebook.com)
So far, the story of the 2012 NFL off-season is Colts QB Peyton Manning, and where he’s going to play next season. The back-and-forth between Manning and Colts’ owner Jim Irsay has reached a near-comical level of he said-she said, with Irsay saying on Thursday that they’re currently in negotiations with the veteran quarterback. But the general consensus seems to be that Irsay is just posturing for the media, and that Pey-Pey has likely played his last down as a Colt.
Vegas released updated odds today on where Manning will play in 2012, which place the Dolphins as the favorite to land Peyton at 2.5-to-1, barely edging out “Does Not Play” (currently getting 3-1 odds), for those who believe Peyton’s neck injury could force him into early retirement. The Redskins are next in what seems like a perfect Dan Snyder move, followed by the Colts and Cardinals at 5-1, and Jets at 6-1.
My gut says Peyton will end up in either Washington or Arizona … what do you think?
SEE THE COMPLETE PEYTON MANNING ODDS AFTER THE JUMP
11
Sep
2011
Cam Newton shatters record for rookie debut passing yards in Panthers loss (VIDEO)
(AP PHOTO/PAUL CONNORS via AZcentral.com)
Panthers No. 1 draft pick Cam Newton had the best debut of any rookie NFL quarterback ever on Sunday, throwing for 422 yards and 2 touchdowns in a losing effort, falling 28-21 to the Arizona Cardinals. Newton’s performance destroyed the previous modern-day yardage record held by Peyton Manning, who threw for 302 yards back in Week 1 of the 1998 season, and ties Matt Stafford‘s 2007 Week 10 performance for most yards ever thrown for by a rookie. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the all-time record for a first-game by a rookie was 346 by Otto Graham for the Cleveland Browns in 1950.
Newton’s first professional touchdown pass came on this 77-yard strike to WR Steve Smith:
In total, Newton went 24-for-37 for 422 yards, 2 TDs and 1 interception, plus 18 yards and 1 score on the ground. Both passing scores went to Smith, who finished with 178 yards receiving, with Newton completing passes to eight different receivers and making all the throws you could ever hope to see from your new quarterback.
Watch complete game highlights of the league’s newest superstar after the jump, via BSO:
8
Sep
2011
Peyton Manning out indefinitely after third neck surgery
(Photo: Getty Images via Skysports.com)
As the NFL kicks off the 2011 season with the Packers-Saints match-up on NBC (with pre-game entertainment from the likes of Kid Rock and Lady Antebellum!), and while President Obama unveils his “American Jobs Act” to Congress and the nation, the biggest news of the day is that Colts’ QB Peyton Manning underwent another surgery on his neck on Thursday – his third in 19 months – and could miss the entire season.
The Colts released a statement today saying they would keep Manning – who will miss his first start in 14 seasons this Sunday vs the Texans – on the active roster, but there is no timetable for his return:
Team officials said Manning had an anterior fusion procedure to treat the nerve problem that was continuing to give him trouble months after his May 23 surgery.
Recovery from the procedure typically takes at least eight to 10 weeks, said Dr. Victor Khabie, co-chief of the Orthopedics and Spine Institute at Northern Westchester Hospital in New York. He has not treated Manning, but is familiar with the procedure and how athletes recover from it.
“It could be season-ending, seeing the piggybacking off of another surgery,” Khabie said. “But the athletes I’ve known over the years, I never count out because they are such great competitors and such great healers.”
So, while you can never count out a guy like Manning, whose older brother Cooper underwent a similar procedure, but speculation has been running rampant this week that this type of injury could even be career-ending.
