Sports Columnists

By Mike

January 16, 2006 09:33 PM | Link to this

Peyton never won the Heisman because he never played well in a truly big game at UT. If they awarded the NFL MVP after the playoffs, he would never have won that, either. I guess it makes me a “player hater” to root against a guy that seems to have had everything handed to him on a silver platter since birth, but I really enjoyed watching the Colts lose in the playoffs (again) with Manning.

By Frank

January 16, 2006 09:44 PM | Link to this

The Colts gave up any chance to win a Super Bowl when they snuck out of Baltimore in the middle of the night for Indianapolis. They have a curse as big as as the one Boston had. Just rewards for a bunch of horse thieves. No I am not serious but it seems that is the way it has gone since they left Baltimore.

By Matthew

January 16, 2006 10:01 PM | Link to this

This whole weekend was set up to get Peyton Manning into the Super Bowl. Now I know how Oliver Stone, that idiot director, feels.

It’s not too hard to see it once you see it, if you get me.

Tags wanted Peyton in Detroit. Look at the Pats game. Yes, the Pats stunk it up, but that phantom pass interferance call swung the mo’ back in the Broncs favor. And that horrible non-call on Champs early celebration should have been for a touchback. The ball clearly went went out of the endzone, and the refs blew that call. The Refs were told to give the Broncs the advantage. No other explanation.

And look at the Steelers game. Forget that awful interception reversal. What about the non-call on what really was pass interferance against Randel-El? The Steelers were driving, and the Colts player tackled El a full two seconds before the pass arrived. But the biggest thing to me was the infamous “do-over.” Yes, the Steelers’ Left Guard flinched. But the Refs didn’t see that. What they saw was the Colts entire defense make a neutral zone infraction. A penalty which would have resulted in an automatic first down for the Steelers.

Instead, the Moreli called a do-over. This to me is the biggest clue to the conspiracy. They couldn’t pin a false start on the Steelers because they didn’t see it, but they saw the neutral zone infraction, but didn’t call it.

The NFL cheated the Patriots and tried to cheat the Steelers. Joey Porter is right. This whole league is fixed.

Here’s another thing to chew on. Where was Ed Hochuli this weeked? Where was Johnny Greer? They’re the best of the best, and their crews are the best of the best. Why weren’t they officiating? The NFL knew that those guys would call a great game the way they saw it, that’s why.

The league was tired of the same old, same old with the Pats, and admitadly, the Pats helped the cause with their turnovers, but the NFL had the Refs steal their mo’ in the game with the worst pass interferance ever called, and a terrible non-call. The league also knew that the Colts would need help to beat the Steelers, and did everything they could to ensure the Colts and Manning would win.

Too bad the NFL and it’s Refs couldn’t overcome yet another crappy effort by everyone’s favorite teammate, Peyton Manning.

And I am totaly serious. Think about it, and you’ll come to see this as well. The NFL did everything it could to set up the Colts to make it to Detroit. The fact that they failed makes me happy, but it has sullied this game for me forever.

Long live the NHL!

By TPMcGill

January 16, 2006 10:08 PM | Link to this

Maybe the Colts win a championship if they replace Peyton Manning with Tee Martin.

By ATLborn

January 16, 2006 10:17 PM | Link to this

Maybe the Colts oughta put Manning at WR since he can’t play QB well when it counts. Or maybe they should trade him now while he still has some value and play his back-up instead, that guy looked great when he played in relief of Peyton a few weeks ago.

Yeah, maybe this is what the Colts should do to Manning, wouldn’t yall agree? Or is it that this sorta treatment is only reserved for Mike Vick around these parts?

By Matthew

January 16, 2006 10:21 PM | Link to this

No, ATLborn, these ignorant rednecks would never admit to that.

I’d rather have Vick as my QB any day over that supreme choker, Peyton Manning.

By Larry

January 16, 2006 10:30 PM | Link to this

Matthew, your post is BY FAR the dumbest thing you’ve ever typed, and yes, that is saying a lot. Then you follow it up with a “long live the nhl” sentence. There should be a disclaimer on the brain-cell destroying garbage you type. I thought about destroying your foolish/dumbest post ever piecemeal, but I realized I didnt want to spend the next 3 hours proving to you that 2+2=4. Yeah, the National Football League really wanted a team from Indianapolis to win the Super Bowl so much they had refs try to change the outcomes of a game. The NFL also adjusted the fabric of the space-time continuome so Brady would throw an interception to Bailey. You’re right. I hope you are disenchanted enough by your conspiracy theory that you do what you said you would do and stop watching the NFL and stop wasting server space on the football blogs.

By kendrick

January 16, 2006 10:34 PM | Link to this

peyton manning is just like his father play his whole career and never win the big game archie manning wasnt that great and his sons arent great either great QB`s go to the line and call his plays, peyton manning is the only QB in the NFL that gets to the line and call audibles all game long i agree with joey porter they dont like to play smash mouth football

By Jeff

January 16, 2006 10:34 PM | Link to this

Nice, ATLborn. Also, Peyton didn’t seem able to overcome the Steelers’ pressure. Vick experiences such pressure 4 out of 5 snaps. The difference is when Vick gets sacked the fans’ respond by stating “Vick can’t read defenses” and “Vick should audible when he sees defenses blitzing.” I guess Peyton can’t read defenses, either.

By mwright2k

January 16, 2006 10:36 PM | Link to this

Ah, it sure didn’t take long for some idiot to start dropping “redneck” claims in elevating Michael Vick in comparison to Manning. This paper (and most of this city, for that matter) has a one track mind. Hey Matthew…feel better now?

And for the record, only the fact that he takes snaps qualifies Vick to be called a quarterback. Manning may choke in the postseason, but overrated and overhyped Vick chokes from preseason through, well, the last game of the regular season.

By Falconsbeliever

January 16, 2006 10:41 PM | Link to this

Manning needs to realize that all that audibling doesn’t get you to the Super Bowl. Like Porter said, at some point, you have to play smash mouth football.

Peyton just doesn’t have what it takes to win big games. At least in years past, he could blame the defense. This year, he has absolutely no excuse. Their defense and offense ranked at, or near, the top of the league.

This may have been Peyton’s last shot. He’s going to be 30 years old, and neither E. James nor Reggie Wayne is going to be a Colt next year. It’ll be interesting to see what happens.

By Matthew

January 16, 2006 10:42 PM | Link to this

Lar,

Once again you prove yourself to be a supreme idiot.

What, did the fire over on the Thrashers Blog prove too much for you?

Amazing how fast you disapear once your idiocy is outed.

Go away.

Go far away and resume playing with yourself, or whatever you do for fun.

By Jeff

January 16, 2006 10:47 PM | Link to this

mwright2K, Vick has made it just as far as Peyton (a conference championship game) in fewer years and with less talent. You aren’t too bright, my friend.

By Mr. C

January 16, 2006 10:51 PM | Link to this

I’m a big Payton fan but i’ve never seen a QB overule a coach. The coach called for a punt on 4th and 2 and Payton Manning overuled the coach. Whether it’s a good call or not, no QB in the league should ever have to challenge the coach. Tony Dungy coaches while Manning executes the play. The offense had 3 downs to get a 1st down before the 4th down play. If you miss the 4th down, the game is over.

I don’t see the media or fans critizing Payton for that call. I guess only Payton Manning can make such a call and get away with it.

On 3rd and 2 with a timeout remaining, while not try and get a 1st down. The FG is not automatic. Spread the field and run the ball or have ur WR or tight ends run a 3-5 yd route. Manning is no Tom Brady and will never win the big one.

By Larry

January 16, 2006 10:56 PM | Link to this

This article makes Peyton out to be a worse teammate than T.O. He’s not that bad of a guy.

By Rell

January 16, 2006 10:56 PM | Link to this

I thought I would need a drink after that Colts/Steelers game. Boy did they try to give that game to Payton! And he still couldnt win. When they called that INT back I almost popped a blood vessel. That game did look fixed, I swear the NFL wanted Payton to go to the Super Bowl.

But I was so glad when Payton lost. Call me a hater or whatever. Everyone’s golden boy lost another playoff game(3 and 6). He will be another Dan Marino. All stats no ring. But im sure someone will find a way to blame his troubles on someone else. Maybe blame Dungy, or his line as he said(thought he was the one that called the plays and the protection at the line). Pressure bust pipes, thats what they all say. But he better do something fast cause the Colts wont be able to keep all that talent togethor for long. His window might close soon……

By Matthew

January 16, 2006 11:01 PM | Link to this

Yeah, Lar, he’s not that bad of a guy.

But you wouldn’t know a damn thing about character if it bit you in the a—, would you?

Character is proven not when things go right, but in how you handle adversity.

Like all of the playoff exits in the past, and yesterday. Manning points fingers. He blames everyone else but himself.

You know what he’s doing when he’s geticulating like an epileptic who’s having a seizure at the line before the snap? Not only is he audibling, but he’s calling the protection as well. So if there were protection problems, he’s problem number one for calling the wrong protection.

Also, who was to blame for all of the overthrown passes to no one? For the interception that should have been an interception?

No, Manning is not a good guy. And he’s a terrible teammate.

Tom Brady is agreat guy. He’s a great teammate. He took less money to secure guys like Bruschi, Seymore, and to bring in guys like Dillon. Manning? He’s not restructed anything having to do with his contract.

And the fact that you can’t see this, Lar, when everyone else can, just further proves your idiocy and lack of character.

By Brian

January 16, 2006 11:03 PM | Link to this

I belive that Payton cares more about 50 td pass seasons than he does a championship. NO great qb makes comments like he did yesterday. The NFL has to ahve something to market to casula fans. It’s a good thing we real fans know that Payton can’t carry Tom Brady’s “strap”. Could there be a more overrated player in NFL history?

By lmedena

January 16, 2006 11:11 PM | Link to this

Peyton is a bigger choker than John Starks, Patrick Ewing & Reggie Miller combined. His passes were terribly inaccurate. He buckled under the pressure of a robust blitz and mismanaged the game by not running Edge enough.

This guy had every weapon possible; All-Pro WR, All-Pro RB, All-Pro O-Line, All-Pro DE & SS, and still couldn’t even get to the SuperBowl.

Anyone that would rather have a 3-6 playoff QB than Mike Vick is smoking the wacky tobaccy.

By Danny

January 16, 2006 11:15 PM | Link to this

Wow…I wonder if the Colts carry insurance, ‘cause their franchise quarterback just threw his o-line under the bus!

By lawton

January 16, 2006 11:16 PM | Link to this

thank u mr c. peyton overruling dungy is exactly why i cant stand him or elway or eli manning. they come into the league and dictate the ways things gonna be. everybody who has played football knows the supreme insult to the game is to say you will not play for a particular team. you can never be above the team. mark bradley is right. peyton has gotten way with this crap for soo long that even terry bradshaw called him out, sharp did too on the cbs football show when he said archie, i mean, the league got the call wrong, a straight shot at what they were trying to do, get a manning into the superbowl. you KNOW you have messed up as a quarterback when terry bradshaw can call you out. people are tired of his antics and when he called his offensive line out, he blew it. peyton blew the game down at the end, not his teammates, they showed on replays where he had his running backs in the flats for good gains which wouldve put them into better fieldgoal range but he got greedy and wanted to put on a highlight reel with a touchdown throw and blew it.

By brewerfaninATL

January 16, 2006 11:26 PM | Link to this

Matthew: Please get your head out of Tom Brady’s butt, would you?! Get over it, the Pats lost BIG, the refs didn’t allow Denver to win. 5 turnovers will doom any team the chance to win, especially in the playoffs. Plus, there’s no guarantee the Pats would have scored if it was ruled a touchback…maybe it would have been turnover #6. Plus, Tom Brady is NOT God by any stretch of the imagination. First, he whined about Marty Schottenheimer saying this wasn’t the same Patriots team from the past few years, after they got waxed by SD. Then, he whines about his team not getting any respect going into the playoffs? What a joke! Who in their right mind wouldn’t respect the team that had won 3 out of the past 4 Super Bowls? Yes, he’s a darn good QB and is clutch, but I think we all learned that when the breaks don’t go his or his teams’ way, he whines and cries like a baby. Plus, he should have NO reason to whine since his legend was made by that horrible “tuck rule” call in the Raiders playoff game back in early ‘02. That was definately a fumble and everyone in mankind knows it! He was given a gift and he has run with it up until this year. They lost, get over it! The run is over, kaput, history, end of story. Besides, the NFL is structured today in a way that great runs in Super Bowls don’t last long. Yes, Manning wasn’t on top of his game and he said something he probably will regret, but remember, he got Vanderjagt in definately easy field goal position to send the game to OT and what did he do? He choked and it wasn’t even close! So all the blame should not be on Manning. But please, do us ALL a favor and stop whining about Tom Brady being God and how he was robbed and Peyton being the evil one! YOU are the one that looks silly in all of this!

By marc

January 16, 2006 11:28 PM | Link to this

Hey, maybe this is a good time to trade Michael Vick for Peyton Manning. According to the learned Mr. Bradley’s column, Manning is a no-good loser. He would fit in PERFECTLY in the Falcons’ reeling program.

Vick is a disease (no pun intended!) that he spreads on all who come into contact with him. Let’s do an even trade and send him to Indy and bring the Loser Manning to ATL.

By dewan lee

January 16, 2006 11:29 PM | Link to this

True. Why did he complete one pass to the best statistical WR over the last decade. I really dont care for Eli after he sabatoged the draft and now I really dont care for Manning after he blamed his team and also overuled his coach. Anyone else and they would have been suspended like Steve Francis.

By gdg

January 16, 2006 11:37 PM | Link to this

Finally, some of you got to see what I have being saying all year. No QB can perform when the defense is constantly in the backfield applying pressure. Now imagine Manning playing behind the Falcon’s O-line. Talk about having happy feet. By the way, Brady didn’t look to comfortable either against Denver. Where is all the “Manning can’t read defenses” or “move Manning to rb” comments that we are so accustomed to?

By Rell

January 16, 2006 11:44 PM | Link to this

brewerfaninATL, A 46 yard field goal is not automatic. If you watched the game u would know that Manning had chances to get the ball closer for the field goal. He had 2nd and 2, and had a 3rd and 2, and he tried to go for a TD to help his stats instead of getting a first and getting into better field position. And no it wasnt all his fault but he cant put the blame on anyone else. Especially not his line when he is the one calling out the plays and protection. If he had played better the game probably wouldnt have came down to a field goal… Football is a team sport, and that was a low blow when Payton put his line in front of the firing squad like that.

By brewerfaninATL

January 16, 2006 11:57 PM | Link to this

Rell: I agree with you about Peyton calling out his offensive line like that, it was dumb on his part. True, 46 yards is not automatic, but it should be for him…he kicks in a dome where there is no wind, he’s been one of the consistently better kicker in the game for the past 5 or so years, and HE is the one who put Peyton under the bus a few seasons ago, remember? So I guess what comes around goes around on his part! Look, I’m NOT defending Peyton here and he does seem to fritter in the playoffs, but to call him evil to Tom Brady’s God is just assinine! I do think, however, that the Colts blew their best chance to reach the Super Bowl, especially with the Patriots, their biggest nemesis, bowing out the night before.

By gordongeko33

January 16, 2006 11:58 PM | Link to this

Peyton’s a “redneck” choke just like the big Orange Cracker Barrell coach, Fat Phil Fulmer!!!! Hey Peyton,,,,you couldn’t beat the Gators or the Dawgs and now you can’t win a playoff game….GO BACK TO KNOXVILLE where the redneck trailor trash VOL fans still love ya..

By Rachel

January 17, 2006 12:13 AM | Link to this

Rell, when you have the most accurate kicker in the league who has a high of a 54 yard kick and 14 50+ yard fieldgoals, a 46 yard fieldgoal in a stadium that Vanderjagt calls home with absolutely no wind conditions, should be automatic. I agree that Manning did choke. I agree that he had chances to get the ball closer. My only question is when in fieldgoal range, why not go for the additional points as long as you don’t get out of fieldgoal range. Did no one see the fact that Vanderjagt was at least a half of an upright wide to the right? I don’t think that the attempt at the touchdown was a stat fluffer, I believe that it was an attempt by statistically the best quarterback in the NFL to put his team on top. I agree with you that football is a team sport, so I am curious as to why everyone is so fast to do exacatly as they have blamed Peyton Manning and point fingers at him. Also, as far as not being able to win a critical game ~ feel free to contradict me on this one ~ I considered the win over the Patriots possibly one of the most prestigious wins possible. The Colts had not beat New England since Jim Harbaugh was quaterback, and I found this to be a monumental win mentally. I am a New England fan, as well as a Colts fan and whole heartedly agree that Tom Brady is by far a better quarterback than Peyton Manning, but I struggle to see how this is all on Peyton Manning’s shoulders.

By Tracy

January 17, 2006 12:24 AM | Link to this

I don’t understand why the press lets Peyton Manning get away with some truly awful behavior — overturning his coach’s decision? bad mouthing his O-Line? If Terrell Owens (of whom I am no fan) had done that…well, he probably did and now look what’s become of him? So, why not have Prince Peyton suffer the same criticism as has been directed at other players in the NFL when they act out? Is there some sort of magic shield that protects the Manning brood (Peyton, Eli, Archie) from getting the harsh words they so richly deserve? They. Don’t. Win. The. Big. Games. It’s in their DNA. And real football fans know this, aren’t swayed by all those awful Gatoraide, Visa, Nike commercials being shoved down our collective throats. Enough already. Peyton the Punk got what he deserves - an early exit.

By Larry

January 17, 2006 12:36 AM | Link to this

You Peyton haters are crazy! The media spins one comment and everyone jumps on the anti Manning bandwagon. The media asked him how his o-line played. The question was not about him, not about the coaching, it was about the offensive line and the offenseive line only. What was he supposed to say?!?! “Yeah, my line was awesome today!!” They played horribly, period! If anyone bothered to listen to the whole interview instead of a 2 second bit from ESPN, youd hear that he blamed himself too for the loss. Quit letting the talking suits on TV think for you. I havent seen a comment get overblown like this in quite some time.

By brewerfaninATL

January 17, 2006 12:40 AM | Link to this

If you don’t like the media claiming Peyton as the “Golden Boy”, then blame the media, NOT Peyton! The media does this to stir the pot and get people riled up…that’s why they make the money they do. Plus, I have not heard one thing about the great jobs Denver and Pittsburgh did to win these games. All I keep hearing is how Peyton choked another game and how Brady was robbed. Unbelievable! You keep rambling on and on about teamwork and NONE of you give credit to the great teamwork of Denevr and Pittsburgh. I tell you, it ain’t just the media making this a Brady-Peyton soap opera, it’s many of YOU guys too! Why don’t you give credit where credit is due?!

And please, don’t compare this to what T.O. did, it’s not even close! By the way, Tom Brady is no saint either!

By Tinseltown

January 17, 2006 12:45 AM | Link to this

Mark Bradley has to be the biggest dweeb in the media.

I wonder if he made note of the Vick/Herpes lawsuit article in the paper—a couple of days after his “Michael the model citizen” column.

I seem to recall a couple of other decidedly less than positive off-the-field actions from his hero in the last few years.

Including a problem at the airport involving Vick’s “posse.”

You can bet if Markie Mark stole his paycheck twice a month in Indianapolis, he’d be writing a pro-Manning column instead.

By Matthew

January 17, 2006 01:15 AM | Link to this

No, Manning is not a great QB.

Brady is a great QB.

Bradshaw was a great QB.

Montana was agreat QB.

Staubach, Young, Aikman, Elway, Simms the list goes on.

They were great QBs.

Marino and Fouts and Manning and Kelly have HOF stats, but they are not great QBs. He was an incomplete QB.

To be a great QB, you need the ring. You need to be able to lead your team over and through adveristy.

Manning never has, and he never will.

History is cyclical.

Brady is Montana.

Manning is Marino.

And I have a feeling that Vick is more Elway than you stupid rednecks would like to believe. All he needs is the right coach to get him there. Elway needed Shanahan. He couldn’t do it with Reeves, because lets be honest, no one could. Vick can’t do it with Knapp. But he can do it with someone. It may take 12 years, like it did for Elway. But Vick will get his. And I’m going to be first in line for the parade, and if I see any of you haters there, I’ll punch you in the mouth ;o).

By Matthew

January 17, 2006 01:18 AM | Link to this

Oh, and by the way, winning the Super Bowl does not make a mediocre QB great, either.

Yes, I’m talking to you Mark Ryepin and Trent Dilfer.

But winning the Super Bowl is essential for someone like Marino, Manning, Fouts, or Kelly from being simply good, a “great stats” guy, into that great level of the Brady’s, Montana’s, and Bradshaw’s of the world.

By Alex

January 17, 2006 01:19 AM | Link to this

Colts Fan, little disappointed there, aren’t we? Still, what a show of class on your part.

By JoJo

January 17, 2006 05:02 AM | Link to this

Hey, why do we have to use redneck or n*? It is true Manning seems to blow the big game chances, but I would like to see one of us get away from a blitzing defence like that. A comment like Peyton made about his lineman may have destroyed the team chemistry like T.O. did in San Franciso and Philly. By the way, Vick needs to work on his passing before we can call him a great QB.

By brewerfaninATL

January 17, 2006 06:45 AM | Link to this

Matthew: You are so WRONG it is pathetic! You are going to tell me that Marino, Fouts, and Kelly are not great because they didn’t lead their teams to the promised land? What a crock! OK, Kelly had 4 shots to get it done but I think it was Scott Norwood that shanked that FG in the Giants game, it was NOT Kelly’s fault. Kelly got knocked out early in the first Cowboys game, so who knows how that would have turned out? Marino carried that ‘84 team on his back to the Super Bowl, it was NOT his fault that they had the 24th rated defense in the entire league (there were 28 teams back then!) Fouts? He had worse defenses than Marino did…and that is saying something! The bottom line here is TEAM WORK…say it with me TEAM WORK! It takes a TEAM to win Super Bowls, not just a great QB! By the way, Elway did NOT lead his team to the Super Bowl wins in his last 2 years, it was Terrell Davis! He led his team to the Super Bowl his 3 other times with no supporting cast and they got crushed all 3 times! So you see, MORON, it takes a great TEAM to win a Super Bowl, not just a QB!

Also, Brady should kiss the ref’s butt from the ‘02 playoff game, Vinatieri’s butt for the first 2 Super Bowl wins, and especially his defense’s butt for even getting to the Super Bowl all 3 times to begin with!

By Bill

January 17, 2006 07:11 AM | Link to this

Bottom line, Peyton was wrong. He shattered that team with his smug comments and they have the rest of the playoffs and off-season to stew about it.

Let’s hope he takes the opportunity to regain some class and show some leadership by publicly admitting his mistake and apologizing to his teammates.

By Nikki

January 17, 2006 07:15 AM | Link to this

Joey Porter said everything I was thinking when that bogus ref call went down. As for Peyton, he is no leader. He threw his team under the bus. Hopefully, he will learn from his comments.

By Tonytuf

January 17, 2006 07:16 AM | Link to this

Steelers vs. Denver AFC Champ. Game 3pm Sun. Nuff SAID!!! Roth vs. Man. when it counts Roth 1-0 Man. 0-1 Nuff SAID!! In 06’ we’ll see how Vick does against the Steeler Blitz in the GA Dome!! See ya in Detroit. Steeler 21 Carolina 17!! Take that to the bank!!

By brewerfaninATL

January 17, 2006 07:22 AM | Link to this

Also, too, Matthew: Being my team is the Green Bay Packers, who happen to be THE most successful NFL team of all time (12 World Championships), I will be the first to say that it was not just Bart Starr and Brett Favre that got them over the top. Yes, they were a big part of it but Starr had awesome defenses that helped him succeed. Favre had Reggie White and the #1 defense in 1996, plus Desmond Howard (picked up from the scrapheap) that led them to their win. But, in 1997, it was NOT Favre’s fault they lost to Denver…it was the defense that allowed Terrell Davis to run wild that did them in. Favre wasn’t even near his best that game and he STILL kept them in it until the very end. No, it was the defense that was suffocated by their offensive line and Davis. Oh, and don’t even think about saying Jim McMahon was the reason the Bears won their Super Bowl, because it was their great defense that crushed the Patriots!

By h_charles

January 17, 2006 07:34 AM | Link to this

I guess Elway was never a QB for the 1st 12 years of his career when he couldn’t win the big one either. Oh, Marino — he’s no great QB either. But Dilfer and his rings must be, right? This is the most idiotic argument put forth by an alleged journalist. Peyton Manning is one of the best QBs in the NFL and will be remembered as one of the best all-time. There is no doubt he has struggled in the post-season (as Elway did for over a decade), but most of the time that has been against great defenses (Pittsburgh and New England) and with little help. Where was Edge Sunday — 45 yards? Where was Harrison? Where was the Colts D in the first half? No doubt Manning did not rise to the occasion, but he spent the entire afternoon trying to avoid relentless pressure that his line could do nothing to stop (he still through for 294 yards and a TD). Blame him and the rest of the squad for losing. Blame him for calling out his line (even though he was right). Calling him anything less than a great QB is a big mistake, however.

By Larry

January 17, 2006 07:56 AM | Link to this

Mr. Bradley,

What a shallow-minded, callous, and irresponsible article.

I have no personal agenda against Manning whatsoever, and as an unbiased fan simply watching a football game between two well coached, talented teams, this is what I observed.

1. The Colts opened the game just like you’d expect from a team whose leader and mentor, Mr. Dungy, just put his suit away after his son hung himself. That is, a team with a heavy heart and a lot on their minds. Before they could forget “Amazing Grace,” the Colt’s defense had allowed 14 points to the Steelers and soon thereafter they were down 20-3 and everyone, even I, feared a blowout. Was this Peyton’s fault, exclusively, or could a little blame be directed towards the Colt’s defense and a little credit given to a talented, equally well coached Steelers team?

2. Despite being down 20-3, completely outplayed, and regardless of all of the breaks, excuses, calls, and nonsense, didn’t Mr, Peyton ultimately lead his team to an opportunity to make a game tying 46 yard field goal by the most accurate place kicker in NFL history? Had he made this field goal, and the natural momentum swing with it, what would you be saying, Mr. Bradley, if the Colts won in overtime?

These were two excellent teams that were separated (by a missed goal) by a mere 3 points. Every game doesn’t go as predicted; otherwise we wouldn’t have pulled an even greater shocker when we traveled to Minnesota to win the NFC in January, 1999. Does anyone remember that the Vikings had the game won but their kicker missed a chip shot field goal—his first miss of the SEASON!

Then you have an individual like “Matthew� who is calling other idiots, rednecks, and without character if they disagrees with him. All who read here need to know that this Matthew guy is a sick puppy. He is an active duty marine that is vulgar to the core and has actually wished death upon another sportswriter at the AJC for suggesting a college QB could have prospered faster at a different school. This marine is so dumb, that he makes death wishes in a public forum where many know his first and last name, where he lives, and the service he works for. Hey Matthew, I’m a former fugitive investigator. Say what you want, but never threaten or wish death upon an individual again here. With what I know about you I could have these and many other threats and insults you’ve written in the hands of your superior officers in about an hour. People like you who cash their paycheck courtesy of the taxpayer’s money should be exposed. You are a disgrace to the many honorable and high character service personnel in our country. Don’t tempt me!

I think we perhaps should give the Colts, and particularly their grieving coach, a pass on this one and cease with the cold-hearted, ridiculous articles like this. All Manning said was WE—not they—had “protection� problems. He was right!

By Country30

January 17, 2006 08:11 AM | Link to this

I will have to agree that this weekends officiating (or lack there of) was the worse I have seen. I also agree that coming through in the big games is a better measurement of how good a player and a team are. Maybe we could all save our money and time and let the league put who they want in the Super Bowl. Who remembers the Patriots and Raider game in 2001. The Tuck rule…..Who better to win the Super Bowl than a Patriot after the 9-11 attack….Hummmm Speaking of Mike Vick…I am a Falcon Fan but this whole season I kept getting flashbacks of the Steelers when Slash was at Quarterback. I love him and I pay to see him. I hope next year he improves and the defense make a tackle or two or three……

By Kennesaw Dawg

January 17, 2006 08:20 AM | Link to this

This game was not lost on a MISSED field goal!!! Please!!!! The Colts were insanely lucky to even have a shot at that field goal. And Peyton should have got him a lot closer too!!! Anything 45+ is no freebie. You can’t crucify a kicker for missing those, those are bonus kicks. The offense HAS to get the kicker closer. This game did not come down to a missed field goal!!! Peyton had his chance to drive his team 60 yards and win the game, but he couldnt even get his kicker into decent field goal range!!! The Colts used every oppurtunity possible to blow that game.

By gdawginkalamazoo

January 17, 2006 08:26 AM | Link to this

You look at guys like Elway and Eli who dictate which team they get drafted to. Punks. That is not the way the draft system is supposed to work. If you are truly a great player you work to make your team great. YOU work to get the players that want to come play with you to help win a championship not the other way around. With free agency now days that can be done. But to sit there and say that you are too good to go play with a team that you deem beneath you, you don’t deserve to get to the big game. PS Elway didn’t achieve greatness or the Super Bowl until he had a Bulldog in his backfield. That is the only reason he won a ring. As for Manning, I lost any respect for him after he sunk his O-line with those comments. Wait till next year says the O-line they will show him protection problems.

By Mathew Cafero

January 17, 2006 08:30 AM | Link to this

By the way I’m a flyboy not a marine.

By Eric

January 17, 2006 08:35 AM | Link to this

Since this has turned into a Mike Vick appologists forum… I (nor, I would think ANY head coach out there) wouldn’t take Mike Vick and any 3 Falcon players for Ben Rothlesberger. This.. is what a REAL quarterback looks like. 6’4” can run, actually can pass the ball.. and is a Winner. (I’ll give you a hint here.. 60% is NOT a great winning percentage.. I guess unless your a Vick appologist. Ben’s 28-3 translates to over 90%) TRADE VICK WHILE YOU CAN STILL GET A 3d ROUND PICK

Steelers 37 Seahawks 6

By George

January 17, 2006 08:36 AM | Link to this

Manning is, and always will be an overhyped choke artist, just ask Steve Spurrier. And for those who want to bash Atlanta and Vick, go back to the backwoods of Tennessee you rednecks. Reminds me of a good song,,,”Rocky Top you’ll always be…third in the SEC”…………Ha Ha Ha…Love it Manning chokes …..Again!!!!

By George

January 17, 2006 08:48 AM | Link to this

This is great…Manning Sucks!!! Manning Sucks!!! Manning Sucks!!!! After this year Peyton and Phat A$$ Phil can cry on each others shoulders….I love this too much…Peyton Sucks!!! Tennessee Sucks!!!!

By HappySteeler

January 17, 2006 08:49 AM | Link to this

Found this blog highly entertaining. Manning this and Brady that. No mention of the winning QBs. My question is this: would you ever see Peyton make the game-saving tackle in a game? Didn’t think so. Would the Indy defense ever say their QB was welcome to join them on the D side of the ball? Didn’t think so. There’s a capital ‘I’ in Indy, but not in ‘team’.

By TEE

January 17, 2006 08:58 AM | Link to this

Peyton taught me a lot of things about whinning the big games. Sure he HOF material but I think he would gladly give up 20,000 yards of useless passes in games that are already out hand for one ring. Wouldn’t it be funny if all those Mannings threw for all those yards and NEVER got a ring to show for it. Hilarious!

By Gary

January 17, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this

Why is it that Peyton Manning loses one game and draws so much criticism, and Michael Vick flounders all season long and all we hear about is excuses - offensive line, young receivers, new to the offense, etc. Michael Vick is someone who needs a mirror. He’s not even in the same league as Manning (and I’m not even a Manning fan).

By B.J.

January 17, 2006 09:03 AM | Link to this

I’ve been told countless times by my friends that the NFL is fixing games, and I continued to deny the accusation. After this weekend, I can’t help but to “notice” the first, unusual calls, but more importantly, the HIGH-SCHOOL level officials calling the games. New England was TOTALLY hosed. They clearly outplayed Denver, was still in shell-shock about that botched pass-interference call in the second quarter. There was also NO doubt that the Champ Bailey interception should have been ruled a touchback after the ball was knocked out A GOOD FIVE YARDS past the pylon. Someone mentioned this earlier, but where was the PLAYOFF officials this weekend, on vacation?

Never mind the attempted hosing of the Steelers on Sunday, Peyton Manning couldn’t even overcome the gifts of the refs. Mark, I know you asked about Dan Marino in your piece, and I’ll answer by saying that with THIS Colts team, with Marino at the helm NOW (today, in retirement), they would have gone undefeated. I feel for Tony Dungy, because he is, once again, cursed with a quarterback INcapable of winning a BIG game—EVEN WHEN IT’S GIVEN TO HIM TO WIN. No one should be surprised here. Does anyone remember FLORIDA (0-4)? NFL playoff teams are FAR superior to the University of Florida, aren’t they? A word to the wise, Indianapolis, this was the most golden of opportunities you will ever have. You blew it, and may never get the chance again. The good news is that there will be some REAL big-game quarterbacks available in the off-season (Steve McNair, Dante Culpepper, Brett Favre). If the Colts bring the SAME team to the “dance” next year, (see the Bills of the 90’s) then they will fall FURTHER behind the field. New England will be back (FULLY healed), and be very angry. San Diego won’t be to thrilled about missing the party this year. Kansas City will be much improved as well, and here comes Miami. (Again, those last 3 teams did NOT even make the playoffs this year.) Jacksonville isn’t going anywhere, either. So to say that you blew it Colts, is a tremendous UNDERSTATEMENT. Now, the best team remaining (Carolina) has the road paved to the title. Geaux Panthers!

By Greg

January 17, 2006 09:06 AM | Link to this

Say what you will about Manning, but even considering all of his past failures, I would still take him over Mike Vick, any day of the week. Case closed.

By Ignatius

January 17, 2006 09:12 AM | Link to this

At UT, Florida/Spurrier owned him. He broke the Alabama dry spell, but he can’t win the big games. I think the majority of his popularity and legend is spin (Eli too) from Dad’s legacy. A whiner is a whiner and you can’t hide that forever.

By Ignatius

January 17, 2006 09:16 AM | Link to this

And as per my beloved UT, look for Cutcliffe to be taking over the reigns in a couple of years. They should have taken Spurrier when they had the chance. And I also agree with the commentors who would take Vick over Manning any day. If the Falcons would let Vick be Vick he will do fine. I keep having flasbacks of how Cordell Stewart was ruined by teaching him to be a pocket passer.

By bill

January 17, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this

I dont remember Peyton playing in the Colt secondary. They made Pitt offense look like Montana’s niners. Maybe the Colts should have blitzed and mixed it up a bit. yes, Peyton is at fault for the loss. He should have read the packages the showed. They had plenty of time to get a closer shot, but he didnt execute. Please dont compare Vick to him. If he was offered to Atlanta even up for Michael, Blank would drive Vick there himself.Another wasted opportunity for Colts.

By sandy

January 17, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this

I am not a great peyton manning fan neither but he did do his job and get the team into position to kick the field goal at the end of the game to go into overtime. He can not help that the kicker missed the field goal wide wide wide right, and they probably were still distracted with the dungy son incident. I still think he has a great team and will get a super bowl chance some time in the future, I just wish atlanta had some of the talent that the colts had this year!

By Christine

January 17, 2006 09:46 AM | Link to this

Everyone needs to sit back and look at themselves are you perfect? How many skeletos do you have in your closet? Understand that God is in control of everything including football. Stop hating so much and start praying for people who are going through things that are publized. The only difference in these football players and you is that they are making millions. When people start throwing out racial slurs over football….it’s a sad world we live in.

By G-mandawg

January 17, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this

Bradley-best article you ever wrote man!!!!! I agree 200 percent. Manning a the best “choke” quarterback in the league. And he even had Archie Manning as ref Sunday ha ha (according to Shannon Sharpe).Tom Brady is the ice man who does not get enough credit compared to “Perfect Manning” Confess up Peyton-you can’t win the big game!

By Mountaineer in Texas

January 17, 2006 09:55 AM | Link to this

It is terrible that the hurricane did not clean out Atlanta too! You Canine Richards are ignorant and know nothing about football. Kudos to Manning and let us all be thankful he not like some of the other low-lifes playing in the NFL. Even T Owens does not want to live in Atlanta!

By BET

January 17, 2006 09:55 AM | Link to this

Instead of taking time out for football blogs. You all need to take some time to discuss the obvious racial problems you have in Atlanta. You guys are sad…so very sad.

By Maria

January 17, 2006 10:17 AM | Link to this

Having never been on the Peyton Manning bandwagon, this past weekend will forever keep me off of it. I won’t deny the guy is a good quarterback - but the last time I checked, his only title with the team was “QB”, not coach. The Colts are now divided in the locker room between Manning and Dungy - and now Dungy has lost his grip on the team. As much respect as I have for Tony Dungy, it’s safe to say he won’t win a Super Bowl in Indy in the same fashion he didn’t win one in Tampa Bay. He can’t let the players run the team, and he needs to have a better playoff plan than “let’s just show up and play our best, because after all we are one of the best teams in the league.” If they don’t make a few changes in the offseason, they are going to be just like the Bills of the 90’s - they will keep winning but always get knocked out in the “big one” by a much better team that they never played in the regular season.

Going back to Manning, he is not comparable to Dan Marino. Marino was great - he was a team player and has a well deserved spot in Canton. He didn’t ride into the NFL on the coattails of a family name. He is no less of a player because he didn’t win a Super Bowl - but at least he made it to one. Marino took his share of the blame when the Dolphins had their ups and downs. When was the last time it was ever pretty-boy Manning’s fault? Even when he was a young player, it was never his fault because he was “still a developing player”. Mark Bradley is right: Peyton, if you want to run the show, you take your share of the blame. If he ever does, I still won’t like him. Those Mastercard commercials of his get more annoying everytime I see one.

By Mike

January 17, 2006 10:38 AM | Link to this

To say Manning is not at fault is ridiculous. He is completely at fault. Forget about getting them into position during the final minute or so. Where the hell was he in the first, second, or even third quarters? He was what? 0 for his first 6 or 7 passes. He couldn’t do anything in three quarters of the game. The game is four quarters and to wait until the end to come back is crazy. Manning should have led his team during the first three quarters. If he would have done his job correctly, the Colts may very well win this game and we don’t have this discussion. Peyton is a big choker. UT won the NC the year after he left and he can’t lead them to the promised land of the NFL. His father wasn’t successful in the NFL and it looks like the apple doesn’t fall from the tree.
I have to agree with some of the posts above. It looked very suspicious that the refs were trying everything in their power to give Indy every chance to win the game. The “interception” should have never been overturned. That was one of the most boneheaded call of the season. The other one was the “do-over”. How in the world can there not have been a flag on that play? Someone answer this with some intelligence. If that officiating crew doesn’t get fined or even fired after that, something is critically wrong.
One other thing about Peyton. I was truely hoping that Peyton would have failed on the fourth down play after he went against Dungy. I would love to have seen the A*-chewing he was going to get. Oh, wait a minute, he wouldn’t have because he runs the team and Dungy is simply a figure head. Does Indy have an offensive coordinator? What is his name. I have never heard of him, unless his name is Peyton Manning. Hell, if Indy needs to free up some money they could always get rid of their OC, because it seems to me that he doesn’t have a job anyway.

Soapbox getting weak from all the stomping and jumping. Better get off now.

Everyone have a good day.

By omar

January 17, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this

In the history of football, there has never been a great quarterback playing behind an awful offensive line. It is an impossibility. Whether he’s named Manning, Brady, Montana, or Vick, if he’s constantly picking himself up off his backside, it’s unreasonable to expect great results. But perhaps the term “reasonable fan” is an oxymoron.

By pancho

January 17, 2006 10:42 AM | Link to this

This post is for Wendy, the moderator, who deleted 7 posts in the last Bradley blog owing to alleged “slurs” against Mike Vick. Bradley had just called Vick a “role model”. My post, that was deleted, stated that Vick had fathered a child out of wedlock, passed a STD, and used a fictitious name. Not the stuff of a “role model”. All these facts were garnered from the pages of the AJC yet Wendy saw fit to delete the post as mean spirited. Not so, Wendy. Mike Vick is no role model. Get Mike to clean up his act, then he may earn respect for something other than his ability to run a football.

Interesting, that Bradley deems Peyton a “loser” and Vick a “role model”. Oh well, it’s the AJC and circulation is plummeting. A former governor used to call it a fish wrapper. Not sure I’d do that to a good fish. Your friend, Pancho

By TomHouser

January 17, 2006 10:44 AM | Link to this

Your article is a joke. I guess we have sportwriters to remind us how dumb some occupations are in this world.
Peyton Manning guided his team to a position where a field goal could be kicked to go to overtime. He didn’t miss the field goal, you idiot, the kicker did. You are a prime example as to why I do not subscribe to your stupid paper.

By Jack

January 17, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this

They are the Atlanta Braves of the NFL. Choke, choke.

By Other Mark

January 17, 2006 10:51 AM | Link to this

Following the logic here, D.J. is a loser because he could not bring his team back from a 28-0 deficit. Peyton made mistakes Sunday as always, but the fact is that it never should have been that close. Pitt absolutely crushed Indy from start to finish and should have put it away sooner.

The very fact that Indy had a chance to tie was pure luck.

Anyone that would take Vick for Manning is delusional. But the comparison is good - both teams have mortgaged their futures by giving way too much money to one player that just keeps coming up short.

By Matthew

January 17, 2006 10:52 AM | Link to this

Hey Lar,

You misspelled my name when you tried to impersonate me, coward.

Jeez Louise. Even when you’re trying to put me down, you can’t do it right.

Lady T… this brother from another mother (white boy) is glad to know I’m keeping it real. I just call it like I see it, white, black, purple, or green. You never hear the really educated football fan calling for Schaub every two seconds, or for Vick to be traded. Only the ignorant rednecks. And it’s getting pretty tiresome.

And oh yeah, Lar… when Peyton said “we”, “he” as in Manning, was no part of that “we.” And if you couldn’t see that, than I know why your a “former” investigator. It’s hard to investigate when you can’t see the clues right in front of your face. Peyton Manning is a no-account, choke artist who points his finger at everyone else but himself.

And everyone who has anything to do with football, Phil Simms, Mike Ditka, Sean Salisberry-steak, Shannon Sharpe, Terry Bradshaw, Tom Jackson, Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, etc. have called him out on it in the last two days, as well as in his past playoff history.

Pretty damn sorry judge of character, Lar.

Then again, you have to actually have some character, to be able to judge character, now don’t you.

By Matthew

January 17, 2006 10:59 AM | Link to this

Pancho…

How many people in your community father children out of wedlock?

Do you know that in Cleveland in White Co, a country which is like 98%, well, white, the high school pregnancy rate dwarfs anything that metro-Atlanta and Atlanta proper has to offer?

And Wendy was right. You state some issues which are not facts as facts. Where you there at the club that night? Did you see Vick take the woman home or to a hotel? Are you sure this isn’t some tramp pulling a “Kobe” on Vick?

See, what that is called is libel, moron. For writing what you did, with no basis of fact, just heresay and conjecture, Michael Vick can sue your a—. I know he never would, but it would be funny if he did.

You’re obviously an uneducated ignorant idiot if you can’t understand why your libel was deleted of the blog.

Maybe she was doing so to protect you from being sued… moron.

By Ray

January 17, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this

RE;Jada,say what you want about the DAWGS they are the best sports program in Ga,

By pancho

January 17, 2006 11:29 AM | Link to this

Matthew, not a single role model in my community fathered a child out of wedlock, transmitted disease (or had to go to court because someone alleged he did), or assumed a false identity. Not one I can think of. Now, I may have touched a nerve with you with the “fathered out of wedlock” comment, if so, you can take that up with your momma. In my experience, people who call others idiots and morons probably get to hear the terms a lot. Ron Mexico is no role model. If he was blue like a smurf I’d tell you the same thing.

By Ironfeet

January 17, 2006 11:29 AM | Link to this

Manning has ran out of chances. And he has lost the faith of his team by the comments he made. Look for the Colts to lose a lot of good players to free agency this year. I really think that the game of football has been ruined by placing the emphasis on stats. The press and the fans put too much stock in them. This is a team sport. It isn’t golf or tennis. It takes 52 men and a great staff to win championships. We look at great individual numbers and we anoint these players as the next likely to win a championship. We don’t look at their teams as a sum of their parts. Using this logic, guys like Manning are “Great” and guys like Vick are failures. The subject of this article was to scrutinize Manning, not to bash Vick as some of you people love to do. The object of football is to win at all costs. As a fan, I don’t care how it gets done, just get it done. Running or passing, just put my team in the best possible position to win. Therefore, I believe that a guy like Vick will win a championship before a guy like Manning will. Provided that Mr Blank and Rich McKay puts the right coaching staff together. We won’t win with this one. Also, Manning really didn’t keep the Colts in the game as much as the defense did. Hell, they damn near won the game by causing that fumble and nearly running it back for a TD. Also, Edgerrin James deserves a great deal of credit for the success of the Colts offense. His hard running set up the play action passing game that the Colts love to run. The Steelers knew this and their game plan reflected that. I think that if Manning played for a lesser team (see the Falcons) he would not be the player that he is today. The Colts tried their best to build their team in order for him to succeed. If the Falcon put forth the same effort, this season would have not been lost. He has won a lot of games and he had a lot of playoff appearances, but he has not been able win a meaningful game. As it stands, he probably never will.

By Shall22

January 17, 2006 11:33 AM | Link to this

I’m glad Peyton Manning lost for all the reasons many of the people are stating on this blog. I dont need to make any other comments about him. One comment I will address is thatcomment made to trade Vick for Manning. He would not last a game with his happy feet behind our offensive line. And not one time this year did Vick call out his line…Not one time…Then the best QB(by his stats)lost another big game…And over threw three passes for sure that I saw..But you idiots get on here and talk about Vick every week during the season…When 3 out 5 plays he gets pressure whenever they got the ball…You’ll dont understand defenses are getting faster, stronger , and better and QBs have be able to move out pocket and make plays sometimes…

By Patriots

January 17, 2006 11:41 AM | Link to this

gordongeko33 is a dumbass… He NEVER lost to the Dawgs. He actually had some of his best games vs. the Pups. He was 0-3 vs. the Gators (didn’t start his freshman year). A lot of people lost to the Gators those years.

By Ty Cardin

January 17, 2006 11:47 AM | Link to this

Mark,

Has anyone noticed that UGA has at least one player on all four teams?

Pittsburgh - Hines Ward, Verron Haynes Denver - Champ Bailey Seattle - David Greene Carolina - John Kasey

Are there others?

By Jack

January 17, 2006 12:00 PM | Link to this

Yeah Matthew, you can sue someone on a blog. First you have to find them. Moron.

By cedrick snellz

January 17, 2006 12:02 PM | Link to this

GO SEAHAWKS ! where the fan motto [ #12 ] is ” the false start , starts here “

By Big Man

January 17, 2006 12:05 PM | Link to this

I am no Peyton Manning fan so I am so happy to see the Colts lose. With that said, I don’t think its fair to jump down his throat for a comment he made in the heat of the moment. He had just finished playing a big game and his emotions were probably still running high. Its hard to be politically correct when you are upset and/or disappointed. Yes he does assume some of the blame for calling the line protection, but not every person realizes his/her fault until they are pointed out by someone else. The media loves to villify and pile on. One train of thought is presented and the next thing you know everyone is calling for a person’s head. I do not like Peyton Manning(as a football player). He is a good player, but he gets too much credit with that hand signal stuff at the line. People make it seem like he is so smart with that, but its mainly smoke and mirrors. You still have to line up and play football. I think he has had the most weapons of any quarterback in NFL history and still nothing but regular season success. He gets happy feet and chokes under pressure. All quarterbacks get flustered by pressure, but Peyton seems like he has a chicken bone stuck in his throat in the big games. Peyton threw his line, which only allowed him to be sacked 17 times all season and i’m sure at least 6 of those came in the San Diego game, under the bus. He should be lucky that he doesn’t have Kynan Forney and the gang protecting him. Then he would feel like he got hit by a bus, every game.

Also, not winning the Super Bowl or an NBA Championship does not diminish the career of a QB. Like an earlier post said, John Elway did not become great in his last two years. He did less for his team and they won two Super Bowls because he had a better team around him. Football is a team sport. One player does not win a Super Bowl, no matter how great his performance is. 53 guys plus a practice squad wins you a Super Bowl.

By TEE

January 17, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this

Ty, You forgot the big dawg in Seattle making his first pro bowl and leading the way for the MVP Alexander. MACK STRONG FULLBACK.

By TEE

January 17, 2006 12:20 PM | Link to this

Tommy Davis #47 Carolina Panthers

By Paul

January 17, 2006 12:29 PM | Link to this

Manning is surrounded by a much better supporting cast, yet he has not made it any further than Vick. Keep that in mind folks.

By Scott

January 17, 2006 12:32 PM | Link to this

Whats funny to me is that we turn this article about Manning into a Vick roast again. Cant we even wait until next season to jump Vick again ?

Naw …. Vick stinks.

By CURTIS

January 17, 2006 12:43 PM | Link to this

Gordongeko33 you are a typical Georgia fan don’t know a freakin thing. Peyton won every game against Ga. Tn scored 41-30-29 and 38 during Peyton’s years. After reading these hate filled posts today, I’m not sure I like football anymore.

By Cafaro is an Idiot.

January 17, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this

Hey Matt,

What makes you think Larry is the one posting those things about you?

Cafaro is an Idiot.

Cafaro is an Idiot.

Cafaro is an Idiot.

Cafaro is an Idiot.

Cafaro is an Idiot.

Cafaro is an Idiot.

Cafaro is an Idiot.

Just another anonymous post by one of MANY people that are tired of your self richeousness.

When is your review of Brokeback Mountain coming out?

By Joann

January 17, 2006 01:10 PM | Link to this

I’m with you, Curtis. I’m an out-of-state Falcons fan - and I think I understand the organization as well as appreciate and enjoy the team more than the actual Atlanta residents do. But after reading some of these comments (like how a Manning article turns into a Vick bashing), it doesn’t take much to see why the Falcons haven’t won a Super Bowl championship. Does the city even deserve one?

By ADL

January 17, 2006 01:27 PM | Link to this

Bravo brewerfan!

No one has given Denver or Pittsburgh any credit. They didn’t win, Brady and Manning “lost” those games. The truth is both the Patriots and Colts caught two very good defenses with great game plans. San Diego proved all it takes is smash mouth football to shut down the Colts. Defense wins this time of year.

The Carolina Panthers are going to their third NFC Championship game in 11 years. The Falcons have one in almost 40 years.

Pathetic!

By Tim

January 17, 2006 01:44 PM | Link to this

Mark Bradley, amazing how you speak of Peyton, I supposed you didnt play sports based on how you look, weak, Football is a team sport, period, could you have done better out there with all the pressure he was getting, the O-line was below average, your precious Vick wouldnt have done any better by a long shot. And one good thing about his UT history, he owned the bulldogs for sure. And by the way, when was the last time Falcons won a SB? Oh never. To knock this man is to knock the epitomy of professionalism. And to compare him to Marino, is a compliment. Compare him to Fouts, a compliment. Heck, in one season, he has almost as many TDs as Vick does for his career. Who would you really rather have. Anytime you would like to try and run from 300LB lineman and be able to throw the ball like he does, try it, but I doubt it, you may want to sit there at your little keyboard and type away.

By ADL

January 17, 2006 01:51 PM | Link to this

Wayne,

Denver won two Super Bowls when Terrell Davis stepped up to be the great running back they never had. That took the pressure off John Elway and made them a better team (not juicing and ‘roiding).

Alex Gibb had alot to do with Denver’s success with his coaching of the offensive line, something he did for the Falcons.

Apparently it doesn’t work for everyone.

By cp

January 17, 2006 02:03 PM | Link to this

I like Manning but the truth is the guy can’t win the big game. He might do it one day but he hasn’t showed me that he can, going all the way back in college. Its funny how some people are taking up for Manning but bash the starting qb in their city(Vick). In more years and more playoff appearances Manning has only managed 1 more win in the playoffs than Vick. I dont care how many tds you throw in the regular season or how many yards you pass for or the qb rating the only thing that matters is the win. Manning puts up hall of fame numbers cant give his team the win when it most matters. Like someone said earlier Manning and Brady proved what a lot of us have been saying the whole season, you wont be succesful if your o line gives you no time. Brady and Manning got pressured the whole game and you saw the results. Vick gets blitzed more than these two guys combined yet the first thing people say is ” he is stupid . he cant read a defense”. So i guess Brady and Manning cant read a defense now. Like it has been said a million times put Brady or Manning behind this o line in Atlanta and we wont even be discussing these guys. Hopefully some people will appreciate what we have more and hope that the managment gets some real o lineman n here and some defense. Its good to read post by people who actually know something about football instead of some of these idiots. Atlborn you know that these people will never say put Manning at wr or hb they leave that for players like Vick who they deam incapable of being a starting qb for whatever reason.

By NoManningFan

January 17, 2006 02:15 PM | Link to this

Where was Marvin Harrison? EJ? Clark?

Indy has always thrown short when the defense blitzed Manning. Why did they stop doing what got them there in the first place?

By C from Marietta

January 17, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this

Curtis, You need to look in the mirror. You called someone a typical UGA fan. A shot at UGA fans for sure. Then, you cry about hate filled blogs? I have friends that are Tech fans, UT fans, AU fans. We seem to get along and realize it’s only a GAME! Everyone on here needs to chill. Sound like a bunch of immature idiots to me.

By RA

January 17, 2006 02:44 PM | Link to this

I will say this. I don’t think that we should judge Manning too harshly on the things that he said right after the game. Let me through in the fact that I don’t like Peyton Manning. I think we’ve all said things in the heat of failure that we wouldn’t say otherwise. Still, there hasn’t been a quarterback in recent memory that has the ball so squarely in his court and still failed so completely to manage his fortune.

…Oh, and the Steelers really came to play.

By Ironfeet

January 17, 2006 03:04 PM | Link to this

The idea behind this blog is to give an INTELLIGENT opinion on the particular article that was written. The topic of discussion was Peyton Manning and his lack of success in the postseason. It is not about the college teams you root for or Michael Vick’s ability as a QB. Instead, it is used to slander and insult each other or Vick. There is an apparent division among the fans in this city. The hate that comes through in some of these posts is to much to ignore. Some of you people made compelling comments, but a few too many were filled with negativity. It’s 2006, people. It is time to let this stuff go. Manning and Vick are two different QB’s in two different situations. Manning has much more talent around him than Vick does. He is also surrounded by a better coaching staff. Yet he hasn’t won a meaningful game. A 3-6 playoff record deserves some criticism. Vick has had fewer chances, but he is 2-2. People place too much stock in the importance of stats. Winning by any means necessary is what counts. Stats don’t mean a thing if you can’t win when you need to. Manning had the better numbers, but Rothlesburger and won the game. But back to topic of discussion. There are too many racially motivated comments tainting what should be an intelligent debate. I guess it is easier to insult someone when they are in front of a computer screen than face to face. As intelligent sports fans, we should all be ashamed.

By JJ

January 17, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this

Let’s face it guys, the steelers had smart game plans on both sides of the ball. Offense and Defense. Although Payton Manning didn’t play his best game, and thus the golden child lost the most important game of the season.

By john

January 17, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this

Manning is the new Bobby Cox

By Brian

January 17, 2006 03:17 PM | Link to this

First of all, for Gordongeko33, get your info correct before posting. Peyton Manning OWNED Georgia and was 0-3 against the gators. Secondly, for Mark Bradley, it is truly unbelievable how you can praise Vick and badmouth Manning. You sir are as big of an idiot as the rest of these posters. I would have expected more from you. I just find it hilarious how so many people love to hate on Peyton Manning. In fact, I would bet the house that even if PM had won or does win a Super Bowl, all of you haters would still dog him out. IMO, anyone who calls PM a loser should probably look themselves in the mirror. Sad, very sad. Bottom line: One man does not win a Super Bowl. Football is a team sport and anyone who thinks that one man can win it by himself never played the game or has much knowledge of the game of football. Sure maybe next year, Manning can try and throw the ball to himself or be the kicker. Or maybe he can be two places at once and block for himself. Perhaps he can play defense and try to stop one of the several passes that the Steeler tight end caught over and over again leading them to a 14-0 start. No football is a team sport and everyone on the field played a role in that loss…everyone.

By Matthew

January 17, 2006 03:20 PM | Link to this

Oh, it’s the ignorant coward who can google people, and then wants to insult from behind an anonymous pen name.

Still, ignorance is as ignorance does.

Haven’t seen Brokeback Mountain, in fact, have no desire to do so. But, Coward, I’m sure you can tell us from your own experiences what to expect from the movie.

As for Manning, he’s still overrated.

And no, Manning did lose the game… but you know what, the Steelers did beat the Colts, that I fully agree, even if the NFL tried to steal the game from them.

As for the Pats, without the phantom pass interferance call, and with the correct call on Champ’s showboating, even with the five turnovers, the Pats would have won. They’re just the better team. They sure didn’t help themselves, but the NFL and the Refs stole every bit of momentum going the Patriots way.

The Steelers were able to overcome the Refs trying to steal the game away because come on, we all know Peyton Manning will choke the game away any way he can. The Pats played a good Denver team, and couldn’t overcome them and the Refs.

By Kennesaw Dawg

January 17, 2006 03:25 PM | Link to this

Go Dawgs, to heck with Florida. We’re gonna be National Champs in 06!!!!

By brewerfaninATL

January 17, 2006 03:32 PM | Link to this

Matthew: Once and for all, will you please stick a pacifier in your mouth? Your whining and crying is doing you and the Patriots NO good! Face it: the Pats lost fair and square…you know, the same way they “earned” that gift win against the Raiders in ‘02. Just shut up and give credit to the Broncos and THEIR gameplan that forced 5, count ‘em 5, turnovers! WAH WAH WAH WAH WAH!

By Brendan

January 17, 2006 03:45 PM | Link to this

Mark, a very thought provoking article. I’m rethinking my stance on Peyton Manning. Oh, I still think he’s a very fine quarterback. But I did notice the smirk on Manning’s face that seemed to reveal “all too much” what he thought of Vanderjagt.

This was a “golden opportunity” to win the Super Bowl, especially with no New England standing in the way.

Now the door was swung WIDE OPEN, and maybe Carolina comes away with a Super Bowl win in a season where they almost missed the playoffs.

By Eddie

January 17, 2006 03:47 PM | Link to this

There is 22 guys at a time on the football field.I ve been NE fan since the days of Jim Plunkett and totally despised Dan Morino!!!!!!!!!!!!!But everyone of you that beleives he could not have won with teams like Dallas and there defense during Aikmens days,or Pittsburg and mean Joe Greene,or San Fran Ronnie Lott and the boys.Are TOTAL MORONS all of you.

By Great Falconi

January 17, 2006 03:48 PM | Link to this

Matthew, what about Vinatieri’s missed field goal? What about Troy Brown’s muffed punt? What about Tom Brady’s decision to throw the ball up for grabs in the end zone? Why didn’t Tom Brady make excuses after the game? Was he just being nice? Did he realize that the Pats didn’t have it Saturday night? Why were the Pats making like the Bengals and yelling at each other on the sidelines?

That’s how great teams fall. They beat themselves and come apart after watching the opposing team do it against them so many times. Deal with it.

Oh yeah. Why would the refs try to “steal the game” away from the Steelers? They have a lot more fans around the country than the Colts. More fans equals better ratings. If anything, the NFL is happy the Steelers won.

By Eddie

January 17, 2006 03:53 PM | Link to this

By the way Peyton does have the all around team to win, but chokes like he did against Florida.There is no way he should have took off when he saw the pressure coming on 4th down and a minute and half left in the game.You have to throw it up for grabs you cant take the sack!

By Matthew

January 17, 2006 03:55 PM | Link to this

No, Manning brings in the people who don’t care about the Super Bowl.

Baltimore and New York. Very big outlets. Very bad game. Very little ratings.

Peyton Manning, even if it’s a blowout, would keep most people watching.

As for the Pats, I said they didn’t help themselves.

Then again, you cannot discount the swing in momentum the Broncs got from those two terrible calls / non-calls.

By sadams

January 17, 2006 03:56 PM | Link to this

Mr. C, for the record, Peyton did not overrule his coach. Dungy said so after the game. It was Dungy’s decision to go for it and the punting unit just got overexcited thinking that because it was 4th down, it was time to punt. Check your facts before you talk.

By Ray Steeler Fan

January 17, 2006 04:08 PM | Link to this

The Steelers won because they played great defense, and the offense was efficient. They played Steeler football. Peyton Manning did choke. He choked under the pressure, but even if he hadn’t they would’ve lost because the Steelers played better than the Colts.

Peyton gets all the credit when the offense plays well, so he should get the credit when it doesn’t; especially when he’s making all the calls. He did throw his offensive line under the bus, and Dungy covered for him. I also heard Mike Ditka and Michael Irvin cover for him. The media loves Peyton, but he won’t win a Superbowl in Indianapolis because the window of opportunity is passing. The Colt defense won’t ever be as good as it was this year.

Let’s talk about the 2nd year quarterback who has taken his team to the AFC Championship 2 years in a row. The only quarterback in NFL history to do this. “Big Ben”!

Steelers vs Panthers in Detroit!!

By CURTIS

January 17, 2006 04:16 PM | Link to this

C from Marietta- banter amoungst SEC teams is fun, that’s not what i was “crying about” but if a Tennessee fan said Tennessee owned David Greene they would be called on it, Peyton never lost to Ga.- that’s all I intended to express-calling him a typical Ga. fan would be a joke- This calling people rednecks, and the n word, threatening libel lawsuits, getting into children out of wedlock issue is what I’m “crying” about- I agree with you it is a game intended to be fun people do need to chill out

By HUCK FROM MARIETTA

January 17, 2006 04:16 PM | Link to this

You gotta love it when Peyton loses… Like the ‘97 Orange Bowl against Nebraska, where you see him trying to huddle up the offense when the halftime buzzer expires… Anyways, the people that compare him to Dan Marino are idiots because Dan’s got all the records but one and at least led his team the to Super Bowl, but for Peyton, it looks more like he’s the Dan Fouts of our era… Marino’s too much of a compliment to this fool!

By RA

January 17, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this

Wow, looking back over this blog, I think there should be a smart button on the desk of every ajc beatwriter, and when the blog just gets so wretched, just hit the smartbutton and replace one football blog with another. Repeat every thirty minutes.

By mack daddy

January 17, 2006 04:33 PM | Link to this

for all you knuckleheads out there, peyton did not, i repeat did not overrule dungy on the fourth down call….dungy personally stated that during an interview….get your facts right before you start blasting other people….thank God none of you guys are in the Falcons huddle, the refs would have a field day with the laundry.

By DAVID

January 17, 2006 04:39 PM | Link to this

Bubba,

Your mother, who’s also you aunt, is waiting for her chew. Redneck!!!

By No longer a Colts Fan, I'll tell you that much!

January 17, 2006 05:01 PM | Link to this

Bench Peyton, fire Dungy and exile Vander-jerk. In their last four playoff losses the entire team has failed to show up for the game. There was the 41-0 loss to the Jets in 2003, the 24-14 and 20-3 no shows to New England in 2004 and 2005 and to put the icing on the cake, Sunday’s absentee performance during the first three-and-a-half quarters in the pathetic loss to the Steelers which was of course topped off by another vintage Vanderjack-off postseason performance.

How could the idiot kicker make a 50-plus yarder before halftime and then miss one from almost ten-yards closer with the season and his career and everybody else’s career on the line especially after all of the gifts from the officials and the Steelers late in the game? Darn it Vanderjerk! Vinateri makes that kick 10 times out of 10 in the snow with the season on the line.

And it’s not just Vanderjacka**, the entire team looked like it collectively woke up on the wrong side of the bed on Sunday Morning (though as we all know, Nick Harper literally did wake on the wrong side of the bed, he woke on the wrong side of the hospital bed after his wife stabbed him in the leg, NOTE: Harper’s wife is still currently in the lockup on battery charges in Hamilton County, Indiana as Nick Harper himself is also awaiting trial on charges of battery against his wife). THIS IS FOUR TIMES IN A ROW THAT THE ENTIRE TEAM HAS FAILED TO SHOW UP IN A PLAYOFF LOSS, FROM THE OFFENSIVE LINE, TO THE SECONDARY, TO THE QUARTERBACK, TO THE DEFENSIVE LINE, TO THE ENTIRE COACHING STAFF, THE ENTIRE TEAM not just Vanderjackitoff LOOKED TOTALLY UNPREPARED TO PLAY A VITALLY IMPORTANT GAME. The fans showed up, the Steelers showed up, but the Colts didn’t and instead looked more prepared for tee-time instead of kickoff, or preseason instead of postseason. What did the Colts think? That the Steelers were going to show up at the game without pads for a casual offseason-style walkthrough? What’s the point of going 13-0 and 14-2 in the regular season if their not even going to show up for home playoff games?

And just to think that the City of Indianapolis and the State of Indiana just ponied up $750 million for a spankin’ new stadium for these bunch of lousy losers, HOW PATHETIC!

By No longer a Colts Fan, I'll tell you that much!

January 17, 2006 05:11 PM | Link to this

And oh yeah, one more thing: Is Los Angeles looking for an NFL team? If so, LA had better come and claim them before something bad happens to ‘em (Horse hanin’ and burin’ anyone?).

By TJ

January 17, 2006 05:22 PM | Link to this

I read the articles and blog comments on AJC.com and sometimes I will comment. One thing I have realized in life as I grew up and matured into an adult is not everyone will agree with my opinion no matter how right I think I am. I have also realized that sometimes no matter how much I believe I am right, sometimes I am wrong and the guy whose opinion is different is right. I also don’t take differing opinions personally.

I just simply state how I feel and leave it at that, knowing not everyone will agree. I also realize that those who disagree really don’t care what I think of their opinion nor have the need for me to critique it.

While there are some really intelligent posters on here, there is one person who stands out as extremely immature and needs to grow up. This poster is Matthew Cafaro.

The first time I ever posted on here, this puerile simpleton calls me out. I never mentioned him in my post nor directed any comments towards him, yet he decides he is going to put me in my place or something and enlighten me with his “wisdom”.

Matthew, you need to grow up. Just because you were a Marine and now attend a community college does not make you an expert on anything (no I don’t want to hear how you scored perfect on your marksmanship while a Marine). I work closely with soldiers and by no means is Mr. Cafaro a reflection of them. Unfortunately Matthew, while gaining the confidence meant to by completing the difficult task of basic training, you lack the mental maturity to deal with this confidence.

Mr. Cafaro has some serious issues. He seems to be a paranoid schizophrenic with a Napoleon complex compounded by extreme immaturity. He lacks the cognitive ability to deal with anyone who doesn’t agree with him. This is bad enough but he can’t leave it at that, he has to resort to playground insults and show everyone how much smarter he is than them and anyone else.

I also notice while he claims he sees no color and only one race, the human race, he has no problem using the term “redneck” which is a racial slur aimed towards Caucasian rural heartland Americans.

When I was a kid I too thought I knew everything, fortunately I wasn’t as obnoxious as Matthew Cafaro. As I matured in life and completed my education I realized the more I learned the less I really knew. Matthew, I do hope as you continue to pursue your education and gain wisdom from life experience so you might realize this as I have.

For now though Mr. Cafaro I would suggest it is better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt. Unfortunately for you I feel it might be too late for the AJC blogs.

I do not feel you are a bad guy but you do have some serious growing up to do.

By Jennifer

January 17, 2006 05:43 PM | Link to this

Peyton Manning is just an overrated qb. Take away his offensive linemen (who he totally snubbed at his postgame press conference), Edgerrin James, and his WRs, and I bet you he wouldn’t play as well.

By Eddie

January 17, 2006 06:20 PM | Link to this

Will someone out there respond to how Marino is not a great QB because his TEAM you know[21 other players] didnt win the big one?You going to tell me Michael Jordan wasn’t great all those years he didnt win until he got a TEAM around him!And by the way that game is only played with 4 other players.I repeat I never liked Marino at all being a New England fan all these years!It is a team sport and I can tell you this ,I bet you Marino and Fouts and those great QB’s would have give anything to have played with those great Steeler,Cowboys,and 49er defences.Its 22 players not counting back ups.Golf different story.Tennis different story.Peyton has the whole team and takes sacks and throws interceptions.I do get tired of people thinking youve got to win the big one when its a team sport.

By DbleD23

January 17, 2006 06:24 PM | Link to this

I love it when this perennial loser does his thing. He is the wors player in big games in the NFL’s history. I love it for the fact that people are always saying Vick should be more like this clown and he FLOPS every year, taking down some very talented players with him. He is the only player that is payed for his FANTASY NUMBERS because thats all he provides. What else is there to like about his on the field skills, most of you fat couch potatoes can do what he with the blocking he has and what he does when the blocking breaks down, fall and ball up! Lastly, you can call it racist if you want, but this is the player people turn to to put down Vick and all other black QBs, AND HE IS A LOSER!! HAhahahaha! This clown WILL NEVER WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP! He’s gonna need a black QB to do it for him, just like he did at Tennessee! Hahahaha

The Manning pedigree is LOSING! The father and both the sons, but they do produce stats which translates to ?????????????

By Penny Lane

January 17, 2006 07:17 PM | Link to this

40 is just barely expert. I guess you choked on qual day.

By JP

January 17, 2006 07:51 PM | Link to this

For all you “white boy pocket passer supporters” and “uncle Tom” Vick haters…see this original post from 09/20/05 and add Manning and Brady’s games from this weekend…Notice your Golden boys can’t win against the same defensive schemes Vick faces all season….Read’um and Weep…..I saved this original post just to repost again for you racist and haters…

Original post: 09/20/05 Most of you who criticize Vick, have ignored the fact that he is the most pressured quarter back in the league.

He see’s more stunts, disguises and blitz packages in one game than Peyton Manning and/or Tom Brady see in one full regular season.

See, Peyton in the AFC championship game against the Patriots: when he rcvd disguised blitzes and stunts what was his completion ratio?. He can’t run worth a crap so he forced passes to receivers who were not open, had not completed there routes and had no chance in hell to catch a poorly thrown pass due to pressure. Peyton can’t win the big one and has not won the big game because he’s not the “Golden Boy� you supporters want him to be when he seeing blitzes 2 out of his 4 downs. He’ll crap a “golden egg� just like “Brett Farve�, has done in the last 3 years of the playoffs.

See your beloved Tom Brady, who could not beat the non-playoff Saints-why? I’ll tell you, because he was pressured and often confused by a decent Saints defense. And when the pocket collapsed he didn’t have the presence, talent or instinct to elude the pressure to complete the pass, run for positive yardage or protect the ball to prevent a turnover. He did not step up in what should have been an easy win for Patriots. What you witnessed was a “good quarter back� in an “excellent system� that can no longer hide his flaws.

When Tom Brady had the ball slapped out of his arm for a fumble…The analyst says: “That wasn’t Tom Brady’s fault. The tight end in this play was assigned to block the pass rusher. He just missed his block, Tom didn’t have a chanceâ€?—-golden boy gets a pass.

What I say is this: “For a 3-time Super Bowl Champion not to recognize a corner back blitz is unacceptable. For a 3-time Super Bowl Champion not to have presence in the pocket and the ability to be mobile while eluding rushing defenders is a big concern. The Patriots may have big problems with an average quarterback who is now without the leagues best Offensive Coordinator. He appeared to be unsure about his “reads� and often did not connect to his receivers�.

So, before you all chat and write all the “bull crap� about Vick, look at your own quarterback when the same disguises and blitz packages are constantly called play after play after play. We are all watching the same games but some of you have prejudice eyes.

And I do as well.

By Barry

January 17, 2006 07:54 PM | Link to this

Florida only lost 4 games during the 3 years Manning played them. Florida lost to FSU twice, Auburn once, and Nebraska once. UF was in its prime during those years. Quit blaming Peyton for losing to Spurrier the 3 years he played him. Only one SEC team beat UF from 94-96!!! Half those insults come from Dawg fans that only beat Florida about once every 7 years anyhow.

By Falcons Fan

January 17, 2006 07:54 PM | Link to this

The bottom line: When teams “Get after Mike Vick” and have unblocked blitzers chasing him all over the field each week, nary a word is written or spoken by media folks (especially those on television) about the need for pass protection. Then, Manning gets hit a few times and sacked by a couple of unblocked guys and there is this thorough “Ken Starr”-like investigation into why the Oline didn’t provide golden protection for him. Ron Jaworski was on ESPN going over the plays with a fine tooth comb with the final verdict that the “Indy Oline had their worst day all year.”

Well, welcome to the Michael Vick Experience, Peyton Manning!

Missed assignments yielding unblocked rushers, Guards and tackles being out-flanked, Centers being bowled over are all par for the course here in Atlanta. Yet no one writes about that or breaks out the telescriber and show all the details of our guys getting beaten on TV.

Why the double standard? Why does pass protection for a highly compensated franchise QB matter in Indy, yet it does not even warrant discussion here regarding Atlanta’s highly compensated franchise QB?

Dan Dierdorf said it best: Manning is just an ordinary guy laying on his backside. Well, whooda thunk that?

The Falcons yielded 39 sacks this year — 2.5 per game. That’s an “improvement” over 50 (3.1) given up in 2004. And that’s with Vick scrambling and throwing away several balls each week.

Indy, on the other hand, allowed 20 in 2005, and a measely 14 in 2004. That’s 34 sacks over two years — less than we allowed this year along. Yet our staff touts our Oline as “Team MVPs” !?!?!?!???

So over a 2-year period, we give up 89 sacks — over 2.5 times the number Indy does — yet Vick is questioned about his Quarterbacking ability… everything from footwork to accuracy to poise and leadership. Manning gets sacked 5 times in a couple of games (San Diego being the other), looks terrible in both, and every commentator alive wants to talk about the Colts Oline and their failings.

Why isn’t Falcons management interested in providing pass protection for their QB? In the regular season, Manning lived in a fantasy world of perfect protection, two #1 receivers, an All-Pro RB who runs and picks up blitzes well.

Sunday was just a little reminder to all that what was said many years ago is still true today:

It all starts up front

By RA from Down South GA

January 17, 2006 08:00 PM | Link to this

This is my first time posting a statement on a blog. I have read comments in the past and no matter what the subject is about, the blog turns out to be a Vick bashing. Come on people stay on topic. This blog is about Manning calling out his o-line for not blocking as well as he feel they should have. If I am not mistaken isnt Manning the one who calls out the protection reads for his o-line and now all of a sudden it is his o-line’s fault for him calling out the wrong protection. Face the facts Manning choked again in another big game.

For those who must bash Vick, lets not forget that this was his second straight season in the same offense. How long has Manning been in the offense that he is in(9yrs). Also it took Manning 6 years to win his first playoff game and it took Vick only two and that is because he didn’t start until his second season. For all those people that say we need to trade Vick just think where this franchise would be without him. I would much rather have a double threat a qb rather than a stationary qb(Manning) who can even outrun a 325 pound DT.

By Larry

January 17, 2006 08:08 PM | Link to this

Manning calls the protection.

Manning doesnt do the blocking.

There is a difference.

Just because he “calls the protection” doesnt mean his lineman are totally free of any criticism if they fail to do their job.

Peyton called the protection. The lineman didnt protect. Sorry, but I dont see how thats Mannings fault.

Your welcome ; )

By RA from Down South GA

January 17, 2006 08:22 PM | Link to this

Larry you must not have been to good a being a fugitive investigator, when I stated that he calls the protection but it is not his o-line’s fault when it is the wrong protection called. Maybe Manning should learn how to scramble and then he would make defenses think twice about blitzing.

True his is not the one blocking just like Vick is not the one blocking or the one missing tackles on defense. Yet somehow Vick gets the blame for terrible defensive play and o-line play. Remember no matter how frustrated Vick gets about his teams struggles, he nevers singles anyone person out. With Vick it is always we as a team must improve not the defense has to play better, recievers need to hang on to passes, o-line needs to block better, or bad playcalling. He is always team first not throw my team under the bus.

By Falcons Fan

January 17, 2006 08:30 PM | Link to this

Good post, JP. And you are spot-on about the Falcons being the most blitzed team in the league.

All the more reason it is unbelievable that the team won’t go and make pass protection the #1 priority for the offense. In a division with the Saints and all their #1 picks on Dline, the Panther’s front 7 and the Bucs front 7, what kind of staff and GM thinks he can win consistently in the division with washed up guys like Weiner and never-have-been’s like Lehr? Is that intelligent…at all? How much is Arthur Blank paying these guys? I’d like to know because I’ll take 70% of what thay’re making to do those jobs and you’ll see a quality Oline here like the’ve invested in in places like Seattle, Pittsburgh and New England.

By DbleD23

January 17, 2006 08:32 PM | Link to this

You can’t see thats its Manning’s fault because you don’t want to. You people need to face it, if you need someone to latch on too, choose Carson Palmer, Tom Brady (duh), Vince Young, or Matt Leinart. Leave those Mannings out of your championship dreams, THEY ARE NOT GONNA DO IT!! Daddy sucked and they do too in the postseason. Peyton Manning is the cause of every team he plays on losing because he holds so much responsibility on the team. The excuses made for him include, the defense, the wide recievers not getting open, and playing on the oad, and all of that is ridiculous. The refs (and probably the NFL) tried to push him along Sunday AND HE STILL BLEW IT! You can defend him all you want, but fact is (and he admitted it) that he’s a loser. He even made his own excuse this year, his offensive line.

By Eddie

January 17, 2006 09:29 PM | Link to this

Barry How many games did Tenn lose during that same time? I watched him not be able to hit a back out of the backfield.Throw 4 int’s in one game!Yes I am a dawg fan and was pulling for Tenn as hard as anyone could because I cant stand Stephen Orr.He choked and had a team that could have won had he been able to breath.In other words dont try to tell me he didnt have a team that could compete.

By Barry

January 17, 2006 09:37 PM | Link to this

I never said his team couldnt compete,Im just saying that he lost to an powerhouse Florida team in its prime. People make his 3 UF loses out like he lost to Vandy or Bama 3 times. He lost to the most dominating SEC team of his time. No one else in the SEC could beat them either. So why does he get constantly criticized for not beating the 96 national champs? Who knows? He must have ticked off some ESPN producer in college and now the media has a vendetta against him.

By Randy

January 17, 2006 09:52 PM | Link to this

I don’t understand all the arguing. Peyton is a Manning. Mannings choke. It’s no accident that Tennessee never won a championship, or even a game against rival Florida, with Peyton. Nor is it an accident that his daddy Archie was a loser his entire career. What’s so hard to understand about that?

By Larry

January 17, 2006 10:12 PM | Link to this

Bottom Line: Peyton, Eli, and Archie have more money than everyone posting on this blog combined!!! They are the elite super rich, and all of us bloggers just wish we had a fraction of their millions!!! Peyton is probably chilling in his million dollar home right now while we trash his name on some meaningless blog. Maybe he has lost in the playoffs, but he has won the game of life!!!!

By Eddie

January 17, 2006 10:30 PM | Link to this

So you think money means youve won in LIFE?I guess drug lords and pimps in penthouses are winners too!The truth is most people that play sports play it because [at the start] for the love of the game.Peyton stayed in college an extra year just to beat Steve and choked.By the way the team Tee Martin won with, was a double digit underdog to Fl.

By Larry

January 17, 2006 11:22 PM | Link to this

Ummm, yeah, if you can make millions of dollars legally playing NFL football, yes, I do consider that winning in the game of life. Peyton Manning is drinking Mai Tais with supermodels somewhere off the coast of Tahiti right now while all of us are still running the rat race. He is so above us socially that he probably doesnt even acknowledge our criticisms of him. He’s probably more concerned with what color Ferrari he wants to drive to his exclusive celebrity parties than anything the media or any of us bloggers can say about him. He could simply buy the loyalty of anyone on this blog if he wanted to. So everyone, stop hatin, Peyton does not care!!!!

By Peerless' Mama

January 18, 2006 01:06 AM | Link to this

We got money but aren’t happy.

My son needs a job.

By Eddie

January 18, 2006 01:08 AM | Link to this

There was a young man named William Borden.That gave up all his inheritance to be a missionary to a far country to help others.Thats the real winners in life.Ever heard of Borden Dairy.So no not everybody can be bought with money.And I dont hate Peyton.I think he should be one to own up to being the problem in loses and stop blaming others.

By Matthew

January 18, 2006 01:23 AM | Link to this

What does money have to do with anything?

Does that make Peyton and his ilk better than us? I hope that is not what your are insinuating. It is true that money does not buy happiness. Look at Manning. He looks like one miserable human being, or at least he always does in January.

And TJ, if you’re going to call me out, call more out than me. But how ‘bout this, TJ, I’ll be me, you be you, and we’ll both be happy?

The funniest thing is how much of a rise I can get out of guys like you, or Lar. Lar especially. I mean, I even have my own hate group, that coward who won’t post as his own name.

And yeah, I just sit back and laugh. So who’s the foolish one? The people who take every word I say as serious scripture (granted, some of it is, but some of it isn’t), or me, who just sits back and laughs at those too ignorant to understand?

Kinda like Eminem, every blog like that TJ, just feeds the fire.

But even if you didn’t, I’d still be here. It’s just too much fun.

By Big D

January 18, 2006 01:43 AM | Link to this

Peyton is a joke!!!!!!, He may have all the records and he may have all the connections,(his father) but he represents a dying a breed, (quaterbacks that can’t scramble).. Peyton is the Great White Hope, but in reality he is nothing more than an average QB in a great system, with an awesome offensive line…….