He is Mr. October. The trouble is that he plays FOOTBALL.
He is the best player in his sport. He is the highest paid player in his sport. He has never won a game that was considered big. He is his sport’s Alex Rodriguez.
And for some reason it makes me giggle.
Peyton Manning is now 3-6 in the post season (2 of those 3 wins are home wildcard wins against Denver when Denver was barely making the playoffs). Each time he loses, he demonstrates failed smile on a singular level. Yesterday, he was man enough to mention that his line failed. Not sure if anyone explained to him if he wasn’t eating up 20% of the cap then maybe they could employ better offensive linemen.
In March, he turns 30. A-Rod turned 30 last summer. They both are likely to eventually win something. But right now, all that money doesn’t buy them very much in the sports world.
Steelers 21, Colts 18: Say what you want, but Bill Cowher can get it done. I am Jerome Bettis fan.
Panthers 29, Bears 21: I preached last week about hating your rivals, but I swear, I cannot hate those cute Chicago Bears. Seriously, they are so cute. They win 13 games every few years with absolutely nothing before it to indicate it is about to happen. Then, they round up the 85 Bears and compare and contrast the 2001 or 2005 Bears to them. Then, in the first playoff game of that season, the cute Bears get beat at home. At least this time they put up a fight, but did you ever think they were going to win? It was like they got to the playoffs by saving enough Campbell’s Soup labels or something. You just wanted to hug those guys. Next year, 5-11 awaits, but we will always remember the year of Lovie.
Meanwhile, Carolina rolls into Seattle with everyone hurt. Lucky for them, Everyone in Seattle is hurt, too. And wet. Since it has rained for a million straight days up there.
Bears talk the talk, do not walk the walk …
Kravitz on Manning …
Another big game. Another big stage. Another spectacular flameout, a meltdown of epic proportions.
Seen this movie before? There was 41-0 to the Jets in 2003. There was 24-14 in 2004 and 21-3 in 2005, both in New England. And then there was this, the worst of them all, a game Peyton Manning, in particular, may never live down.
Even now, the clouds of doubt are gathering around Manning, and the whispers are so loud, they seemed to be artificially enhanced. He can't win the big one. Didn't win them in college. Hasn't won them in the pros. Not the biggest ones.
"I cannot argue with the truth," Manning said later. "I'm not going to try and counter any points. That's the fact. It's certainly not from a lack of effort on my part. I can honestly say that. . . . I'm just going to keep trying. That's all I can say."
This was, without any question, the most devastating loss in the Indianapolis portion of the Colts' history. And the case could be made that this was the most horrific loss in the history of professional sports in this area.
This one will hurt more than all the others, though, because this was the year. All the planets were aligned. Home-field advantage. A bye month, never mind a bye week. A chance to stay indoors all the way through the Super Bowl.
What happened Sunday defies description and proper analysis. Suffice to say, the Colts got their heads handed to them. They were embarrassed. They were revealed, again, as paper tigers. And they even made Steelers linebacker Joey Porter, who ripped their offense as soft earlier in the week, sound like a graduate of Oxford.
The quick and simple evaluation goes like this (and please don't play the "they-were-rested-too-early" card, which is a copout): They got outplayed, out-hit and thoroughly outcoached, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
Manning man enough to point the finger …
Manning was asked repeatedly about Pittsburgh's blitzing tactics. Were they exotic? Unexpected?
Each time, he paused before answering, choosing his words carefully.
"We had some, uh . . . I know in playoff games y'all are going to ask me questions about other areas and other positions," Manning said. "I'm trying to be a good teammate here. Let's just say we had some protection problems.
"I'll give Pittsburgh credit for their blitzes and their rush, but we did have some protection problems."
Pressed further, Manning again took a long breath.
"We just had some, just some . . . looking for a safe word here, guys," he said. "Pittsburgh did some things that just gave us some trouble. They had some good looks. They've got good players."
If this does not make you laugh, you do not know video game comedy: Leeroy Jenkins forever…I swear, I was crying…
Duval shoots a 63!?!?!…watch out, David, Corby will be back soon…
Denver Paper profiles Peter the Great …Think they would like to have him back? He has been the best player in hockey for about 5 years, and yet I am about the only one who has said it…All these Mario, Iginla, and Jagr sycophants are high…
Dirk for MVP? …
Tonight, A free night of Ultimate Fighting on Spike TV The Fight Card for tonight …The Card is so/so, but it is free…
Arrested Development’s latest news …
Put the "Arrested Development" deathwatch on hold--again.
Fox announced Friday that the much-loved (but low-rated) comedy will have a two-hour season--not series--finale on Feb. 10, the night that NBC will air the opening ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympics.
Fox cut "Arrested Development" down to 13 episodes in its third season, but the network has not officially canceled the show. If it does, other networks are reportedly interested in bringing back the Emmy-winning comedy.
In the Feb. 10 finale, Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman) finds out he may have a long-lost sister, Nellie, who'll be played by Bateman's real-life sister, Justine Bateman.
Meanwhile, Michael's brother, Gob Bluth, played by Will Arnett, joins a USO tour and takes his magic act to Iraq, only to end up in prison there.
From the Cinematic Classic, Coming to America:
Clarence: I met Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. one time.
Sweets: Man, you lyin'. You ain't never met no Martin Luther the King.
Happy MLK Day.
Leeroy Jenkins is greatness!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.leeroyjenkins.net/forum/index.php?topic=78.0
ReplyDeleteahhh, more Arrested Development news. God Bless you.
ReplyDeleteI have an issue with your take on Peyton..and mind you I am not a big fan of his. While he shouldnt be pointing his finger in the media at his linemen, they were at fault for the game. He rarely had a chance to take 2 seconds back there, nor did they create any holes for James. What I don't get is why quarterbacks get all the blame when a team loses and how they get the record attached to them, ie he is 3-6 in the playoffs. Its a joke. Ya the qb is the main guy with the offense, but come on, there are 10 more guys on offense and 11 more on defense. You dont have to like Manning, but I don't hear people blaming Brady for his team losing like they are Manning. And Brady played as well or as worse as Manning.
ReplyDeleteI'd be willling to bet a lot of money that the bears will have a better record than 5-11 next year.
ReplyDeleteMay want to look at your own team (packers) before talking all tough about the bears.
i like the usa today method for ranking the mvp candidates. dirk is having an outstanding season and should be right up there in the consideration....
ReplyDeletepeyton is a sorry sob, calling his o-line out like that. that's the difference btwn him and brady. brady is cool under pressure and can rally his troops too fight with him....and like the musers said this morning, what's so great about the mannings that have made them the first family when it comes to qbs, is it just because there are so many of them?? none of them have won a heisman in college, a national championship or a superbowl. it may happen at some point, but how about a little OVERRATED....
Here is a phrase that I agree with from the great Mike Lupica..
ReplyDelete"Sports is about moments"
Here is a phrase from the once great Mike Tyson..
"Everyone has a good plan until they get hit"
Having said that... here lies the career of Peyton Manning..
We are all annoyed with his ridiculous overthinking at the line of scrimmage, his lack of charm off the field, his Opie looking stark white face with that 1950's ice cream shop haircut, but at least we don't live in Indy where the most annoying trait of his is lack of performance in a meaningful game. They are wasting a great lineup of stars that surround him year after year, and the more this happens no one will want to go there to play, and the ones that are their will leave for greener pastures and W's in the playoffs.
I would much rather be the Cowboys with the emergence of talent about ready to explode than the Colts with arguably the best talent at all of the skilled positions that absolutely can't take it to the next level.
Vanderjaht is such a little bitch with that 3 caret stud in his ear just absolutely having noodle leg when it counts.
Gang of Idiots said, May want to look at your own team (packers) before talking all tough about the bears.
ReplyDeleteWhat,"I know you are but what am I?" was taken? This is a blog that is able to address many teams, but all opinion's remain mine. Thus, the name, "Bob's Blog".
Today's blog title should have been "Another Manning Monday"...you know, like the song "Another Manic Monday"... nevermind.
ReplyDelete^ kinda funny, not bad aggy
ReplyDeleteWay to tell off gang of idiots Bob. We all know the Packers suck, including you. But that shouldn't stop you from talking about a team that talked trash and failed.
oooooooooh snap yo. Bob punked that fool out yo
ReplyDeleteBOB's CHEEKS ARE IN DANGER!
ReplyDeleteFrom last week...Gay or Not Gay?
At 9:33 AM, AttnyDan said...
If Seattle or Indy loses, I will happily meet you at the Courthouse steps, wait for a crowd to gather and then kiss your @ss Bob. However, I think your cheeks are safe for now.
Let us all know what time. Maybe you can carry it live on the air.
Being a Colts fan these days must be like what it felt like to be a Texas fan when Chris Simms was the QB. After awhile you just knew he was going to hork all over himself and lose the game. It's one of the most helpless feelings in the world.
ReplyDelete99.9% of the time you are right on the money Bob. 99.9% you refrain from oversimplifying sports, but you missed it on Manning Bob. How can you begin to blame Manning for the play of his offensive lineman and in particular his cap number? That's the same offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the NFL this year? Can't win the big one? How in the heck are you supposed to win the big one sitting on your butt? Stop buying the sports media lie that one guy wins and loses the game. That's ESPN sport's story crap. You're better than that!
ReplyDeleteAndy,
ReplyDeleteAre you smoking crack?
Rather have the Cowboys "emerging talent" than the Colts?
Jimmy Jonhson's hair was terrible. It was bad on Saturday and I heard them making fun of him, then it was worse on Sunday. Was he doing it as a bit or is he going through some sort of mid life crisis? All he needs now is Vanderjagt's earring.
ReplyDeleteP1 Mike
Surely it was a bit....nobody in their right mind could have thought that was cool.
ReplyDeleteThe colts o-line scheme is the exact same one we used in HS in 2002. The uncoverd backside lineman, usually gaurd or center, has to double read. Meaning that they must get depth and read from head up to the backside. This usually means that the uncoverd G/C will end up picking up the outside blitzer. the 3-4 is the best defense to foil the scheme. All you have to do is put a backer over the guard and one outside the DE. This makes the guard hesitate for a half second thinking the head up backer will come and once the gaurd relizes he has bailed the outside blitzer is on a free ride to the QB. since the RB is reading playside to backside he doesnt make it backside fast enough. The result? The Manning Face.
ReplyDeleteP1 Shawn
Welllllllllll
ReplyDelete