Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Eli is the better Manning....Really?


There is a phenomenon going around the NFL and ESPN that is causing analysts, commentators, and broadcasters alike to believe that Eli Manning, that's right, Peyton's little brother, could have possibly snuck up on his older brother, succeeded in planting a wet willie like in the commercial, and overtook the standing of family's best quarterback. Something must be in the water in Bristol.

Now I do not deny that the newly remodeled Eli Manning has most definitely improved since leading his team on a miracle run through the playoffs, winning the Super Bowl, and becoming the MVP of the Super Bowl. He also has led the Strahan-less Giants to a 9-1 record where it looks as if no team in the NFC East will even be able to compete with the G-Men. That, coupled with the fact that Peyton's Colts started poorly, could cause anyone to jump to conclusions. However, if I may use the infamous quote of ESPN analyst Lee Corso, "Not so fast my friend!"

How dare the Eli bandwagon jumpers fill the media with these lies that Eli has eclipsed his older brother. The Colts started the season poorly because of injuries, poor timing, and the fact that the entire league has been spoiled with the Colts and Peyton the last couple of years assuming that they will always start the season 9-0 or 10-0.

The injury bug strikes all teams in the NFL. I cannot place all the blame on the Colts' early woes on bumps and bruises; however, when perennial pro-bowlers sit on the sidelines during crucial preseason practices (not every player is a Michael Strahan where they don't need preseason) it is hard to start the season off against 4 straight teams with an over .500 record at this point in the season.

The timing of the injuries also caused the slow start. Peyton is used to leading his team throughout the entire year, and despite the assurances of Manning, it was too hard for the Colts to capture the glory of the old days quickly (just look at the drops and missed hookups between the most prolific passing attack in NFL history).

The fact that the Colts have started, and continued, to possess a undefeated record well into October and November the last couple of years has caused this recent struggle to magnify. Instead of jumping to irrational conclusions that Peyton Manning finally has leveled out, and the Colts are dead, critics should have realized it is only a matter of time before the NFL's greatest passing combination got on track.

The Giants are a great team; there is no denying that. But with a combined 1st place running attack of Jacobs and Ward and a defense that sacks a quarterback everytime the unfortunate soul drops back would cause a Grossman-led Bears team to win games.

Peyton has rallied his team from the depths of the AFC South and now charges ahead trying to reach the playoffs. The last 4 games he has thrown 9 TD's and 2 Int's. Also, in the last 3 games he has led the league in QB rating and despite, Eli's "MVP year," Peyton still has thrown more TD's.

The season is far from over, but to the doubters and the critics stating that Peyton Manning has finally been usurped by his younger brother Eli, please watch closely to the roars coming out of Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts have woken up and their leader is ready for a race.

No comments: