"I revere football. I love the game", an emotional Peyton Manning said. "You don't have to wonder if I'll miss the game. Absolutely. Absolutely, I will." With perhaps an even more daunting challenge than keeping his composure in his many epic game day battles, Peyton somehow maintained his composure by fighting tears and waves of emotions during his farewell retirement announcement on March 7, 2016.
Prior to Super Bowl 50, I wrote about how I met the great Peyton Manning while I was going to school in Tennessee, at the same time he was. He was the son of one of the greatest college QB's ever, and NFL QB for the Saints, Archie Manning. He was expected to succeed. When this highly touted young QB prospect committed to my Vols in 1994, along with every other UT fan, I was elated, knowing that he had all the makings of a star, on the college level and beyond.
"Treat a man as he is and he will stay as he is. Treat a man as he can be and he should become what he can be", Peyton also said during his speech. While at UT, all the pressure and hype was certainly there to perform, big time. What and who could Peyton become as a person and player? Seeds were planted. Peyton would indeed go on to be the star that all of us Vols fans dreamed he would be, and far beyond. His former Vols HC coach Phil Fulmer chimed in and said, "He changed how the QB position is played. He's a true Tennessee legend." His play on the field was spectacular. He was a tactician. A master surgeon in how he read and dissected defenses to exploit their weaknesses, and take advantage. And he was extremely smart. His UT Offensive Coordinator, David Cutcliffe (who is emphatic about Peyton being the greatest QB to every play) would say, "Once he learns something- one time, it's in there forever." And he was uber prepared for every game situation. After his retirement speech, ESPN's Mike Golic would say, "Peyton was as well prepared for that retirement speech as he's been for any game, really impressive."
But it wasn't just his on-field accolades. Off the field Peyton was true class. Even while at UT, he was heavily involved in the community (including volunteering at the Knoxville Boys & Girls Club that I worked at!), eagerly cooperated with the media, and was a true professional in how he handled himself in and around campus life. By all accounts, he was humble, graceful, a true leader, and an ambassador for the University. And he would quickly become not only an ambassador for UT, and Tennessee, but also in College Football while there, and eventually in the NFL at the next level. Though Peyton would not win a National Championship at UT, he was arguably the biggest reason for the incredible run of success (wins, overall recruiting talent and commitments, national media hype, etc.) including an SEC Championship vs Auburn (and over rival FL in the East) in '97, and impressive bowl wins over Ohio St and Northwestern.
One of my favorite games- and moments during the Manning UT era was when the Vols played at Alabama in '95. At that time, even though Florida was the new SEC "east" rival, the all-time UT rival- and one of the biggest in the country- was unquestionably Alabama. Alabama had owned the Vols of late, winning 9 straight. And now Peyton Manning was making his first trip into Alabama, in hopes of helping end this painful losing streak. On the very first play of the game, Manning hit Joey Kent for an 80 yard TD strike and the Vols were off and running. They would cruise to a 41-14 win on National TV, and the losing streak was over. Yes, Peyton Manning could certainly win the big game!
In his senior year of 1997, Peyton certainly seemed like the heavy favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. And his stats and incredible season absolutely seemed to warrant it. But somehow- and to this day it's still one of the biggest sports mysteries I've ever witnessed- Darren Woodson surprised the majority of the college football landscape and won the prestigious award. In Vol Nation, we referred to it as "The Heisman Heist". How Peyton didn't win it that year, I will never understand.
Right after Manning graduated and moved on to the NFL in the '98 draft, came the Vols incredible and perfect 13-0 season and National Championship in '98, in which QB Tee Martin and that dominant Vols team- that had built off of and were assembled largely due to Peyton's influence and being at UT- would carry on the momentum and winning culture that Peyton helped fuel, to roll through the season with precision and ultimately, perfection. From 1995-'98, the Vols reeled off an eye-popping 45-5 record. I went to just about every home game while I was there during those years, and marveled at his play, and the incredible QB he was quickly becoming. No other QB in SEC history has won more games than Peyton Manning. But out of all the many things he accomplished at UT to forever win the hearts of Vols fans, I believe his most endearing moment came on March 5, 1997 when he made his dramatic announcement that he would actually forgo the upcoming NFL draft- where he would likely be the #1 overall pick and get a huge contract- and actually stay for his senior year at UT. Vols fans and all of Tennessee was ecstatic. It was so rare that a college player of his caliber and obvious elite draft status would actually elect to stay at school and not go pro when easily able.
Peyton would also say during his speech, "Almost 19 years ago to the day, I announced my decision to forgo the draft and stay at the University of Tennessee for my senior year. It was one of the smartest decisions I've ever made. I cherished my time in Knoxville, especially my senior year. And I want Vols fans everywhere to know the unique role you've played in my life."
Thank you, Peyton for your years of investing in the University of Tennessee. Vols Nation forever loves you.
Peyton Manning Jersey RetirementThis played on the video board at Neyland Stadium during Peyton Manning's jersey retirement ceremony. Enjoy!
Posted by Vol Network- IMG on Thursday, August 18, 2011
Then came the 1998 NFL draft, where Peyton was indeed picked as expected, #1 overall by the lowly and perennial loser, Indianapolis Colts. The Colts had been an NFL train-wreck for years. Constantly fumbling in the draft with very high first round picks by picking the wrong players who didn't work out, would they finally get the right player in Peyton? Perhaps that horrific and perceived state of the Colts was most magnified in 1994, when ESPN draft analyst, Mel Kiper had famously said for the Colts "to pass up a Trent Dilfer, when all they have is Jim Harbaugh? Gimme a break! That's why the Colts are picking 2nd every year in the draft, not battling for the Super Bowl like other clubs in the NFL!"
But now there was a new "Sherrif" in town, as Jon Gruden would first say in reference to Peyton. What would be the future of the Colts now? More of the norm around the NFL at that time was to have the young, talented QB sit on the bench, learn from a vet, and ease his way into the starting lineup over time. As we have seen so often around the NFL, sometimes a seemingly really good QB is drafted and placed in an organization that is in disarray, experiences constant losing, perhaps has a bad coach, bad players, and just an overall culture of futility that would seem to give that player little to no chance of succeeding. This was exactly the case with Peyton's father, Archie who like Peyton, was one of the greatest and most celebrated college QB's ever at Ole Miss, taking them to great heights in the college football landscape. But unfortunately for him, he was drafted #2 overall in 1971 by the lowly New Orleans Saints and was placed in a nearly impossible situation where success unfortunately wouldn't take place. Was it mostly the Saints that made it so difficult for Archie- who perhaps could have been a great QB somewhere else- to thrive? Or was it that Archie just wasn't going to be as good on the next level? We will never know. But in Peyton's case, the Colts decided to go all in with their young phenom as he was immediately thrown into the fire and start for a horrible team that had gone 3-13 the year before. Would it be like Archie with the Saints?
Again, unlike the typical norm of not just easing a young QB into starting lineup after time to learn on the bench, but also easing that young QB into more aggressive play calling once in the starting lineup, the game plan was different with Peyton. He was asked to do things rarely done before by a young QB: be a gun-slinger. Hold nothing back, don't be conservative, and take chances by throwing the ball down the field. While Peyton struggled in his rookie season (setting the NFL rookie record with 28 INT's), he also showed immediate flashes of greatness with 26 TD's and nearly 4,000 yards passing.
Then in just his 2nd season, the Colts amazingly went 13-3 to win the division, as Peyton quickly and dramatically improved in every major QB category: yards, completion %, TD's, fewer INT's, and a higher QB rating. The once lowly Colts would put up their highest win total in their Indianapolis history, and hadn't won this many games since their Baltimore days of 1968.
What would happen in the years to come was nothing short of astounding, and unprecedented in NFL history. Under Peyton's leadership, they would set an NFL record by having a staggering seven consecutive 12+ win seasons between '03-'09! And they would also have an unprecedented eleven 10+ win seasons with Peyton at the helm!
Yet with all this incredible success in the regular season, followed by high hopes (and predictions by many) of a Super Bowl run, several disappointing and heartbreaking playoff losses would occur. Yes, there were games that Peyton didn't play well and certainly contributed, and there were also games where improbable circumstances took place that didn't necessarily happen because of Peyton. One of the many was the 2005 AFC Divisional playoff vs the Steelers where the #1 seeded and high-powered 14-2 (and nearly undefeated) Colts were shocked at home by the Steelers. With a little over a minute to go, the Steelers were going in for what was certainly a game-clinching TD. But Jerome Bettis fumbled near the goal line, and Nick Harper picked it up and was off to the races. But somehow Ben Roethlisberger saved the game and tackled him near mid-field. But perhaps even more improbable than the Bettis fumble, or even Big Ben's tackle, was the automatic and league-best kicker, Mike Vanderjagt missing a game-tying kick that would have sent the game to OT. He missed one kick the entire season. It was heartbreak city for Peyton and the Colts.
But finally, after all the near-misses and playoff heartbreak, Peyton would lead the Colts to sweet redemption the next season, all the way to his first Super Bowl Championship. And on the way to get to the Super Bowl, Peyton had to first lead his Colts past rival Tom Brady and the Patriots in the AFC Championship game. What looked to be another heartbreaking and home playoff loss for the Colts with the Patriots cruising to a 21-3 halftime lead, turned into a dramatic AFC Championship comeback for the ages! Peyton had finally gotten the best of Brady when the stakes were highest.
Yes, Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady. Peyton was the #1 overall player taken in the 1998 NFL draft. Tom Brady was picked #199 as a compensatory 6th round pick in the 2000 draft. Peyton was expected to succeed. Brady was the underdog who would replace Drew Bledsoe in 2001 and help lead the Patriots to their first Super Bowl championship over the high-octane, "Greatest Show on Turf", St. Louis Rams.
Over the years, Brady and Manning would wage epic wars on the field, with Brady's Patriots getting the best of Manning's Colts the majority of the time.
But as the years and storied rivalry would go on, it would end up being Peyton who would eventually get the best of Brady when the stakes were highest: including 3-1 in the AFC Championship game, and 3-2 overall in the playoffs. More of this this to come.
Peyton would lead his Colts to yet another incredible season- and once again nearly undefeated season- in 2009 with another gaudy 14-2 record and another Super Bowl appearance vs. the Saints. And I might add, his 2nd Super Bowl with his 2nd head coach. A very mediocre coach in Jim Caldwell (who would only last 2 more years). The Colts jumped out to a quick lead, but momentum would turn against them when the Saints shocked everyone with an onside kick to start the 2nd half, resulting in one of the biggest scrums you'll ever see. The Colts were shocked, and it affected them down the stretch as the Saints would comeback and win their first Super Bowl.
2010 would be a solid and yet another 10 win season for Colts. But something was apparently happening with Peyton's health, specifically his back and neck. In February of 2010, Peyton would have his first of 4 neck surgeries. A neck surgery that many believe was first triggered in 2006 vs. the Redskins. His neck surgeries were apparently a result of a herniated disk. Because of this condition, he would also have to undergo cervical vertebral fusion, which also resulted in damaged nerves. And as if this wasn't significant enough, he didn't (and still doesn't!) have feeling in his fingertips, because of severe nerve damage. He would go on to have 3 more surgeries, with his fourth being in September, 2011. For the first time in his NFL career and for the first time since his freshman year at UT, Peyton Manning would miss not only a game, but the entire 2011 season. And what would happen in his absence? All of a sudden, these once regularly dominant Colts teams would completely unravel and end up a league-worst, 2-14. What would this say about not only how important Peyton's play was, but also his influence and leadership? I believe a whole lot.
And now with the surgeries mounting up, questions grew about whether Peyton could even play football again. He had lost significant arm strength. His neck and back were widely considered at high risk for significant injury and possibly long-term risks by playing football again. The 2012 season, and the start of free agency was drawing near. The Colts were in a difficult spot and had an important decision to make. Do they press on with their beloved and iconic franchise QB and hope he could play again- and at a high level- or leverage their #1 overall draft pick to take the highly touted, widely-regarded #1 QB prospect since, ironically, Peyton Manning!
In one of the most difficult franchise decisions, perhaps in the history of the NFL, the Colts would indeed cut ties with Peyton and allow him to become arguably the biggest free agent in the history of the league. In one of the most emotional press conferences you will ever see, Peyton and owner Jim Irsay would announce the new direction that both sides would pursue.
Stories and rumors swirled. Who were the biggest suitors? Where would Peyton want to go? One of the rumored teams was my Washington Redskins, who were supposed to have tons of salary cap flexibility and were heavily rumored to be in pursuit with a specific plan. Peyton would even meet with head coach, Mike Shanahan. But minutes before the start of free agency, the Redskins would receive shocking news that the league was imposing a $36 million salary cap penalty. This stunning and unexpected news completely shocked the Redskins, who were bracing for a likely free agent splash, after they had cleared several million dollars of cap space the year before in the "un-capped" season. Anyway, this is a different story that I could delve into for quite some time!
It was widely believed that if not for this unexpected twist in this salary cap hit, the Redskins would have more heavily pursued Peyton. The dominoes would start to fall. Prior to the start of free agency, the Redskins would pull off the blockbuster trade with the Rams for the #2 overall pick, which of course would be used to select RG3. In fact, Peyton himself was stunned by the news, while he was meeting with John Elway. But even in this huge trade, it had been surmised that the Redskins would have still pursued the possibility of both Peyton AND Griffin. But with the cap hit, that chance went out the window. Thus, John Elway and the Denver Broncos emerged as the strongest suitor in hot pursuit. In fact, John Elway texted Mike Shanahan and asked him to "put in a good word for us", when Peyton was meeting with Mike.
Then on March 19, 2012 Peyton would agree to terms with the Broncos. In Peter King's incredible and insightful story, he documented specific details of Peyton's journey and the key moments along the way. Peyton's chapter in Denver was about to begin. Meanwhile in Indianapolis, as expected the Colts would select Andrew Luck, thus beginning their new chapter as a franchise.
So now the Peyton Manning era in Denver would begin. How would the Broncos fare, now that the new Sherriff was in town? In 2011, the Broncos would finish a mediocre 8-8 but win the division, under fan favorite QB, Tim Tebow. But even with Tim Tebow's winning success and soaring popularity, getting Peyton Manning to come to the Broncos would be a coup and there was no question that even the popular Tebow would have a short stint in Denver and have no chance of staying.
Just like he had done in Tennessee, and just like he had done with the Colts, once again Peyton's influence and leadership would lead his new team, the Broncos to new heights of greatness. Denver would soar to a league best 13-3 record and #1 seed in the playoffs. And if there were any questions about how Peyton would play on not only a different team, but most importantly coming off the several, seemingly career-ending neck surgeries, those questions were emphatically answered. Peyton would dominate, and seemingly not miss a beat from how he played all those years with the Colts. He would throw for nearly 5,000 yards, 68% completion %, 37 TD's and just 11 INT's. He took a mediocre 8 win team, a team that was offensively challenged to put it mildly, to a dominant team. But in heartbreaking fashion in the AFC divisional playoff, the heavily favored Broncos were shocked by the eventual World Champion Baltimore Ravens in a seemingly impossible scenario. The Broncos led 35-28 with 40 seconds to go, and Baltimore at their own 30 yard line. The Ravens needed a miracle, and they got it as Joe Flacco hit Jacoby Jones 50 yards down the field as the Broncos improbably and inexcusably let Jones get behind their prevent secondary for the dramatic game-tying TD. Once again, a Peyton-led team was victim to a flukish and shocking loss in the playoffs. But even with the crushing playoff loss, the 2012 season was an unbelievable success for the Broncos, and Peyton Manning.
Then in 2013, the greatness and legacy of Peyton Manning was elevated to another level. An out of this world level. Manning had arguably the greatest season not only of his career, but arguably the greatest season ever for a QB in the history of the game. All at the age of 37! Manning would pass for a league record, 5,477 yards, have a league record 55 TD's, and throw only 10 INT's. And his QB rating was a gaudy 115.1. And once again, he would lead his Broncos to a 13-3 record, runaway division championship, and another #1 seed in the playoffs. On the way to his third Super Bowl, Manning would lead the Broncos over rival Tom Brady and the Patriots in the AFC Championship game. And Peyton put up amazing numbers by completing 32-43 for an AFC Championship record 400 yards, to go along with 2 TD's, zero INT's, and a 118 QB rating. Yes, once again he proved he could play well in the big game. And perhaps more importantly, he was now 2-1 vs Brady when the stakes were highest, the conference championship.
So now Peyton was on his way to his 3rd Super Bowl, with his 3rd head coach. The high-powered Broncos offense would play the upstart Seahawks and their dominant defense. As is usually the case in Super Bowl history, the dominant defense would shut down the dominant offense. Little did anyone know at the time that this would be an ironic foreshadowing to the great ending of Peyton Manning's illustrious career.
The 2014 season would be another dominant one for the Broncos as they went 12-4 to win yet another division championship. But in December, Peyton had gotten hurt and it was evident down the stretch as it clearly affected his play, especially in their divisional playoff loss. After the game, it was revealed that he had indeed played the last month of the season with torn right quadriceps. How many more injuries could Manning sustain?
Then the 2015 season, which would statistically be his worst season. The injuries had played a toll as it was evident that not only his arm strength wasn't the same (primarily because of the toll of the back and neck injuries), but now he would also have a plantar fascia tear in his foot, that would require a walking boot. For the first time in his career during a season, Peyton Manning would now miss time due to injury, in favor of the young Brock Osweiler. Near the end of the season there were still questions whether or not the Broncos would even go back to playing with Manning at QB when the playoffs began since he was basically a shell of his former self physically. There was definite risk. But of course, his cerebral superiority was still fully intact and never in question. Right before the regular season finale, the Broncos had lost a crushing game to the Oakland Raiders and now the once improbable was now a possibility: would the Broncos fail to make the playoffs altogether? This was certainly a possibility as the regular season concluded vs the rival Chargers. And the game didn't start great. But then, Peyton Manning would come off the bench and lead a rally to not only save the Broncos season with a playoff berth, but simultaneously helping them clinch yet again, another #1 seed! What had been a breath away from no playoffs, now amazingly turned into the road to the Super Bowl going through Denver! Still, even after the win there was the question as to whether or not head coach Gary Kubiak would actually go with Peyton Manning as the starter in the playoffs, or stay with Brock Osweiler. Kubiak made perhaps the best decision of his coaching career, he announced Peyton Manning would indeed be the starter when the playoffs began.
In the divisional round, the Broncos trailed late and were on the verge of once again losing in their opening game. Could Peyton Manning's last game be a loss in the divisional playoffs? The Broncos were certainly on the brink but once again, Peyton led an impressive game-winning late drive to win the game and send the Broncos back to the AFC Championship game. And who would they play? None other than the New England Patriots and Tom Brady. Yes, another Manning vs Brady AFC Championship showdown. Though Peyton certainly didn't play poorly (17-32, 176 yards, 2 TD's, 0 INT's), this time, it was his defense who would carry him rather than the once dominant offenses he led. The Broncos defense pummeled Brady, and hit him more times than any QB had been hit all year. In fact, I believe it was the most Brady had been hit during any game in his career! The Broncos prevailed, sending Manning to his 4th Super Bowl, with his 4th head coach. Something no other QB in the history of the game had done. He was also taking his second team to its second Super Bowl, after taking his first team to 2 Super Bowls. Also, something no other QB in the history of the game had done. And on top of that, he was also now 3-1 vs Tom Brady in the game when the stakes were highest between the two of them- the AFC Championship game.
To sum up Super Bowl 50 vs the Carolina Panthers I will simply say, it was one of the most dominant defensive performances we have ever, and perhaps will ever see in the Super Bowl. The Broncos, and especially game MVP, Von Miller were an unbelievable wrecking crew, who reeked havoc on Cam Newton and the high-powered Panthers offense. Ironically, very similar to how Manning and his high-powered, record-setting Broncos offense was stymied by the Seahawks just two years before, once again proving: that defense wins championships.
So now, unlike many of the previous seasons where Peyton led high-powered offenses, only to suffer heartbreaking defeats where his defenses (or fluke instances as previously mentioned) essentially let his teams down, it was now his defense who would completely carry him and the offense. Though Manning did nothing to really lose the game, it was his defense who absolutely won the game. It was so fitting. Peyton Manning's last game would be a Super Bowl triumph. And he had now done something that once again no other QB in the history of the game has done: won 2 Super Bowls, with 2 different teams.
So what about the Peyton Manning legacy? What about his place on the all-time QB list? And not just in terms of greatest NFL QB's of all-time, but greatest overall QB's (college and pro) of all-time. Let me start by saying that my focus of this piece isn't to primarily make a case and seek to prove where I believe Peyton's place among the greatest QB's should be. Let me also say that this topic (greatest QB's) will always be one of the most debated, and understandably very difficult topics of discussion among sports fans, players, media, coaches, etc., because there are not only so many great players, categories, and opinions, but also the additional challenge of factoring in different era's throughout the great history of the game.
I will begin this segment by saying that I believe for anyone to make the strongest case in regards to who is the overall greatest NFL QB of all-time it would have to involve the following QB's- in no particular order: Joe Montana, Tom Brady, Johnny Unitas, John Elway, and of course, Peyton Manning.
Where do we go from here? If we begin with championships, both Tom Brady and Joe Montana have 4 apiece. And Brady has been to 6 Super Bowls.
Now for many years, I have personally considered Joe Montana the greatest QB in the history of the NFL. I had the privilege of watching him as a boy and enjoyed following his career. He played with some incredible 49ers teams, including arguably the greatest player in the history of the NFL, Jerry Rice. Yes, Montana had some very good regular seasons as his 49ers won a lot (including 2 league MVP awards), but his best moments came when the stakes were highest: the Super Bowl. Besides winning all 4 of his Super Bowls, and earning 3 Super Bowl MVP's, perhaps his most impressive stat is that he never threw an INT in the Super Bowl! Montana also had a 16-7 career record in the playoffs. And if there was ever a QB you wanted to lead a final game-winning drive with the game on the line, Montana is arguably the best ever and probably my top choice in this particular category. I think Montana's legacy was also enhanced by what he did to take the Chiefs deep into the playoffs, including the AFC Championship vs. the Bills in the '93 season.
And of course Tom Brady has his many accolades, some mentioned previously. When you combine his incredible regular season success (including 2 league MVP's), gaudy win totals with the Patriots, and 4 championships, it's very difficult to be much better than Brady. He also has 3 Super Bowl MVP's. And he boasts an NFL record, 22-9 record in the playoffs.
I believe Johnny Unitas is also in the conversation, primarily because of how he really helped transform the league from such a run-heavy league to much more of the passing league we have today. For his time period, he put up some passing numbers that were very impressive. He also led the Colts to the 1958 NFL championship, in what many call "The Greatest Game Ever Played." Though his dominant and heavily favored Colts did lose Super Bowl III in shocking fashion to the Jets, they would bounce back and win Super Bowl V vs the Cowboys. Unitas also won 3 NFL MVP's.
And then there's John Elway. Elway also had many good seasons, won 2 NFL MVP's, and also took his Broncos to 5 Super Bowls, and winning 2- his last 2 years of his amazing career. His career playoff record was 14-7. Like Montana, perhaps where Elway seemed to shine the most was when his teams had their backs against the wall and needed to pull off a comeback, late in the game. Perhaps most notably was "The Drive" vs. the Browns, in the 1986 AFC Championship. Elway was athletic and did a great job extending plays, scrambling as needed, and often making something happen off script when the play broke down.
When I look at all 5 of these great QB's, I do think a reasonable case can be made for each one not only being in this top 5 list, but perhaps a case that someone could make for each one in arguing who is "The Greatest".
And now for Peyton Manning. Now I am admittedly a little biased as you obviously know by now. While I emphatically believe Peyton is on the "Mt Rushmore" of greatest QB's ever, even in doing this tribute piece I now find myself even more convinced of where he stands among the greatest.
First off, here is what I am absolutely convinced about with Peyton Manning: He is the smartest, most prepared, and best regular season QB in NFL history. On top of this, I would now also argue (became convinced of this when working on this piece) that he is the greatest overall QB (combing college and NFL play) in history.
Next, how should we assess Peyton Manning's NFL accomplishments vs these other greats I mentioned? I will give it an attempt.
First, while stats aren't necessarily everything, they are certainly an important category to be considered as we break everything down. Here is where Peyton Manning stands:
- NFL all-time leader in passing yards (71,940).
- NFL all-time leader in TD passes (539).
- NFL all-time leader in MVP's (5).
- NFL all-time leader in passing yards for a season (5,477).
- NFL all-time leader in TD passes in a season (55).
- NFL all-time leader for most games with a perfect QB rating (4- including 1 in the playoffs).
- NFL all-time leader in most game-winning drives (56).
- NFL all-time leader in QB wins (200).
- NFL all-time QB leader (tied with Otto Graham) with 7 All-Pro awards.
- NFL record seven consecutive 12+ win seasons with Colts (8 total). And NFL QB record twelve 12+ win seasons including all 4 years with the Broncos.
- NFL record eleven 10 win seasons with Colts. And NFL QB record fifteen 10+ win seasons including all 4 years with the Broncos.
- Oldest QB in NFL history to start and win the Super Bowl.
- Only QB in NFL history to win the Super Bowl with 2 different teams.
- Only QB in NFL history to play in 4 Super Bowls- with 4 different head coaches.
- 4th all-time in completion % with 65.3%- higher than Brady (63.6%); Montana (63.2%); Elway (56.9%); and Unitas (54.6%).
But of course there are many more categories to evaluate, beyond just pure statistics. We all know that the modern day NFL is a much more pass-happy league than in years past. While a large part of this is certainly rules driven- favoring QB's in today's league more than ever- we still can't discount what generation-altering, elite QB's have done to make the league more of what it is today. One such category is the the "no-huddle" offense. And while this has been around the league for years and implemented very effectively by some of the very best QB's over time, most people would say that it was Peyton Manning who revolutionized the "no-huddle" offense, and was a master tactician at orchestrating it better than anyone who has ever played. One of Peyton's greatest strengths- that he began rapidly developing in his early UT years- was to recognize and anticipate defensive formations and schemes prior to the ball being snapped. Like many QB's who had gone before him, he would bring his teams to the line of scrimmage between plays without the typical huddle plan what to do. But in doing this, not only would he do it quickly, but with amazing calmness and seemingly not even "rushed" perfection. And then on top of this, he would often audible at the line of scrimmage as he quickly recognized something to exploit. He would also change the snap counts as a way to quickly observe how the defense would then respond. Yes, Peyton Manning would often anticipate what the defense would do before the ball was snapped. It has been said that while Manning "didn't invent the no-huddle offense, he did perfect it". He studied the game relentlessly in the film room, in books, and also in learning from one of the best, his own father, Archie. In the ESPN documentary, "The Book of Manning", one thing it talks about is how at a young age, Peyton would spend hours listening to games, and studying how various elements of the game. No doubt this early discipline and relentless pursuit of greatness would help propel him to greater heights as seasoned pro. Peyton Manning didn't just follow an offensive system he was coached in while he was QB, he pretty much ran and revolutionized his own offensive system, and succeeded incredibly with all 5 of his different NFL coaches, and 2 different teams.
Another factor to consider is not only that Peyton somehow came back to play after the several neck and back related surgeries that could have easily ended his career, but that he came back and played at such a high, elite level- just as he had prior to the injuries, if not better! In 2013 at the age of 37, he had arguably the greatest season ever for an NFL QB, and won another MVP award. Though his arm strength and mobility clearly weren't the same, it was the previously mentioned cerebral superiority that still carried him. What he had to overcome with all the injuries, play again, and seemingly not missing a beat to be so dominant has only enhanced his incredible legacy and taken him to another level.
Now, getting back to Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning. Let's look at more important factors to consider when comparing these two. What if Peyton Manning had played his entire career in the same organization, in the same system, and for the same Hall of Fame head coach in Bill Belichick? Belichick, the Bill Parcells' defensive guru pupil who is arguably an even greater head coach than his mentor. Belichick's defensive units have been outstanding during most of his years of coaching. It is said that "defense wins championships". What if Peyton Manning had played with the more dominant Patriots defenses, rather than Tom Brady? While with the Patriots, Belichick's (and Brady's) defensive units have been in the NFL's top 10 a staggering total of twelve times in points allowed! And they have been in the top 5, five times in points allowed. And they have been top 10 in yards allowed five times. And keep in mind that this is all the more impressive because of the many points the Patriots offense consistently score over the years, often making their opponents play from behind and needing to score a lot of points, while their defenses are more often in softer, prevent coverage with the usual leads. To contrast, Manning's Colts finished in the NFL's top 10 in points allowed only five times. And only twice in the top 5. While with the Broncos, their defenses finished in the top 10 twice. And while with the Colts, their defenses finished in the top 10 in yards allowed only twice. And I might add, an amazing three times with the Broncos. So Brady overall top 10 defensive totals in points and yards? Seventeen times! Manning's overall total with both teams? Twelve. Pretty clear to see which QB also benefitted from the better defenses over the years.
We discussed the fluke moments that Peyton Manning was victim to in some of his biggest games: the always reliable Mike Vanderjagt missing the field goal in the '05 divisional playoff vs. the Steelers; the onside kick vs the Saints in Super Bowl XLIV, and the improbable Hail Mary vs. the Ravens in the '12 divisional playoff. And then for Tom Brady, what if the infamous Tuck rule game hadn't occurred? What if his first career playoff game ended the way it should have: with the Raiders recovering that fumble and thwarting the Pats game-tying drive? Please hear me, in this I'm not saying that Tom Brady isn't great. Not at all. I'm just inserting that it's important to consider a wide array of factors surrounding these players' career trajectory and legacy, and what kind of in game circumstances have contributed to bring them there. And on the flip side, we could also speculate, what if David Tyree hadn't made that miraculous catch in Super Bowl XLII? Perhaps Brady's Patriots would have indeed capped off the 19-0 season, and arguably own the title of the greatest individual team of all-time. We will never know.
Now how do we rank categories of importance when evaluating and comparing all these great QB's? Clearly, the main bullet point that many will use to elevate Brady and Montana in the conversations as the greatest are the 4 Super Bowl Championships. And of course Montana's specific Super Bowl dominance, in particular with the zero INT's and clutch drive vs. the Bengals. And winning all 4 Super Bowls he ever played in. Yes, these are very important. And really the only knock on Peyton that most people reference is the less successful win % in the playoffs, and the two championships, vs 4 for Brady and Montana. Still, Peyton has 14 career playoff wins- same as Elway and more than Unitas, who of course didn't benefit from as many playoff games per season in that era. But with that, because there were fewer playoff games, we could also say that the path to the championships wasn't as arduous as it is in today's era. The Brady advantage? 4 championships, 6 total Super Bowl appearances, and 22 total playoff wins- best of all-time. No doubt, a huge bullet point. And while Brady has the overall benefit of better defenses, as well as the future Hall of Fame coach in Belichick, one might argue he also never really had WR's quite as good as Peyton. But with the WR argument, could it also be said that Peyton was the biggest reason for their success? And of course, Montana had who is widely considered the best NFL player of all-time, WR Jerry Rice. But while Peyton may have a lower win % in the playoffs than Brady, consider his career playoff stats: 63.2 completion % (62.4% for Brady), 7,339 yards (7,957 for Brady), 40 TD's (56 for Brady), 25 INT's (28 for Brady), and a QB rating of 87.4 (88 for Brady). And as I previously mentioned, Peyton also went 3-2 vs. Brady in the playoffs, including 3-1 when the stakes were highest: the AFC Championship.
No doubt, this debate of who is the "greatest" will rage on for years. And it's a fun one. And there is likely no one who can ever "prove" and convince the masses who is the greatest and why. But what honestly began 3 weeks ago for me as a tribute piece in which at the outset I was convinced Peyton was certainly among the top 4 greatest NFL QB's ever, has now turned into what I will first say: that Tom Brady, Joe Montana and Peyton Manning are the 3 greatest NFL QB's of all-time. And I think it's reasonable for people to argue them in any order, even 1A, 1B, 1C. But for the record, after this extensive research, carefully articulated thoughts, and what I believe is bringing on board lots of important surrounding factors for consideration, my personal position is now resolved: that Peyton Manning is indeed the greatest QB in NFL history.
Thank you Peyton. Thank you for coming to UT. Thank you for staying all 4 years at UT. Thanks for demonstrating class and sportsmanship on and off the field. Thank you for your massive contribution and relentless dedication to the great game of football. Your legacy will endure forever.
