Why I Hate Peyton Manning

[The Cobra]

Cobra.....
Super Bowl week is 4 days old. This year`s Super Bowl is being played in Indianapolis between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots.........and there already have been 3 "breaking news" stories re the status of Indy QB Peyton Manning??? You know Peyton, the older brother of the Super Bowl starter Eli Manning. I`ll post all 3 stories and you decide if the Colts and Peyton are trying to steal the spotlight from those who have actually earned their day in the sun. None of these stories are breaking news and could have waited till next week to be released to stand on their own merit-----but NO.....the glare of the spotlight on Eli was too much to bear for Peyton.

AP

INDIANAPOLIS -- Jim Irsay is putting the Peyton Manning decision on hold.

The Colts owner said Wednesday he will monitor Manning's recovery from Sept. 8 neck surgery over the next month and might wait until the last minute to determine whether to pay the quarterback a US$28-million roster bonus, redo the five-year contract he signed last summer or risk losing the four-time MVP as a free agent.

"It's two-phased. There's the medical aspect, as to whether he can play at a really high level and that's the only place he wants to be. Can he drill it in Foxboro in 10 degrees, 50 yards, that sort of thing," Irsay told a small group of reporters. "The second issue has always been his health and the risks of going back onto the field.

"When the Super Bowl ends, he and I will continue to talk about it."

The sticky situation has been a hot topic here, where Manning's younger brother, Eli, will try to win his second Super Bowl ring with the Giants on Sunday against Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who is trying to win his fourth title.

No matter what Giants and Patriots players and coaches have said this week, Peyton Manning somehow winds up stealing the headlines.

Just two days after Irsay said he wouldn't talk about Manning again this week, he broke that embargo and discussed the ongoing overhaul of the franchise. Since Jan. 2, Irsay has fired vice chairman Bill Polian, general manager Chris Polian, coach Jim Caldwell and most of Caldwell's staff.

The next big decision is all about Manning, who didn't play a minute last season. The surgery was his third in 19 months, and he still hasn't fully recovered. With a March 8 deadline to pay the bonus, Irsay intends to take his time making this call.

"Look, anything is possible if the two parties choose to get together," Irsay said when asked about redoing Manning's $90-million contract.

Even if Manning is healthy enough to play a 15th season, the questions are sure to continue.

Earlier on Wednesday, new offensive co-ordinator Bruce Arians said he hopes Manning returns to the Colts though he believes the best way for a rookie quarterback to learn is by playing. He didn't drop hints about the Colts' plans for Manning or what Indy would do with the No. 1 overall draft pick.

Irsay has already said the Colts will choose Manning's successor in April. The decision is expected to come down to presumed No. 1 choice Andrew Luck or Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III -- either of whom would get playing time if Arians has a say.

"I say let him grow, man, put him out there and let him play," Arians said. "They are going to make mistakes.

"You have to live with it and learn from it to get better."

Arians was the first NFL quarterbacks coach to work with Manning, the No. 1 choice in 1998. He also tutored former No. 1 pick Tim Couch in Cleveland and Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh during the last five seasons.

"It's kind of like deja vu (in Indy). It's scary," he said. "There is a new general manager and a new coach.

"Hopefully Peyton can come back and get ready to go. But, there will be a new quarterback and a new beginning. It's exciting."

The multi-million dollar question is whether Manning can come back.

There have been whispers all week Manning might retire rather than land with a new team next season, and there has been rampant speculation about the velocity on his throws and whether the nerve will regenerate.

"I have no plans on doing that," he said Tuesday when asked about retirement. "My plan hasn't changed.

"I'm on track with what the doctors have told me to do, and I'm doing that. I'm rehabbing hard."

Irsay's decision may be based on more than Manning's arm strength. He is still willing to pay the bonus if he can find a way to make it work under the salary cap, and if he determines bringing back Manning would be the best move for the organization.

Yes, Irsay wants to keep No. 18 for the rest of his career.

But it may not make good business sense.

"Emotionally, I think it's difficult from a sentimental point of view," Irsay said. "I think it's even harder on the fans because you don't want to look at the reality.

"But my responsibility is that when we go on the field on opening day, the circle is as strong as we can be to win."

[The Cobra]

Story #2

AP

INDIANAPOLIS -- Andrew Luck is willing to learn from Peyton Manning. He just wants everyone to know he's ready to play next season, too.

The Stanford quarterback said Thursday he could co-exist as Manning's teammate even though his preference would be to play immediately.

"I think every competitor wants to play, every down, every play," Luck said when asked about starting as an NFL rookie. "So, of course, who wouldn't want to start?"

Luck spent less than 24 hours in Indianapolis, going through a battery of physical tests and learning the intricacies of nutrition at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute.

His next trip to the city, for the annual scouting combine, might determine whether Luck becomes a permanent fixture.

Colts owner Jim Irsay has already said he intends to take Manning's successor with the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft, and it looks like a two-man race between Luck and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III.

But there are big questions surrounding the Colts.

Indy has embarked on a major rebuilding project with Ryan Grigson, a first-time general manager, and Chuck Pagano, a first-time coach.

There are even more concerns about Manning, who missed the 2011 season after having his third neck surgery Sept. 8. The four-time league MVP has resumed throwing and has steadily increased his workout regimen. On Tuesday, Manning said doctors have told him the recovery is on schedule, and he does not plan to retire after 14 seasons in the NFL.

Irsay said he will wait until next month to decide whether to pay its franchise quarterback a US$28 million roster bonus by March 8, redo the contract or risk losing him in free agency.

"We haven't had any midnight conversations," Irsay said Thursday with a laugh. "Nothing has changed, and we're looking forward to talking after the Super Bowl and continuing to work toward a solution."

If Indy keeps Manning and takes Luck, it would be the first real quarterback controversy since the pre-Manning days.

Manning's father, Archie, created a buzz late last year when he told a radio show he didn't think the two could be teammates. He later said what he meant was that Luck and Peyton Manning both were good enough to start in 2012.

Luck understands.

"I think to have an opportunity to play with a guy like Peyton Manning would be great," he said.

The rebuilding Colts are hoping to replicate the model that made Manning a star.

They opened the '98 season with a new coach, a new GM, a new quarterback and Bruce Arians as quarterbacks coach. After changing coaches and GMs, the Colts hired Arians as their new offensive co-ordinator.

The quarterbacks' early resumes also look similar.

Manning and Luck are both second-generation quarterbacks who finished second in the Heisman balloting and were regarded as the best QBs in their draft class.

The Lucks and Mannings have family ties, too. Andrew's father, Oliver, and Manning's father were teammates in Houston for two seasons in the 1980s, and Luck has been both a student and a counsellor at the Manning's summer quarterback camp in Louisiana.

In fact, when Luck decided to go back to college for his junior season instead of turning pro, Peyton Manning was one of the people Luck called.

"It was more asking for advice on how he handled certain situations. I had already made the decision," Luck said. "He talked about, one, it's not going to get any easier. Quite the contrary, teams are going to be really gunning for you and yada, yada, yada and don't expect it to be a cakewalk and easy all the time. Then, No. 2, just how to handle certain situations maybe with the media or certain situations that rise up."

Now the Colts must decide whether to release Manning and start over, keep Manning and make the draft pick wait or let Manning and his apparent heir battle for the starting job.

"You never really replace someone like that," Luck said. "He (Manning) is such an iconic sports figure especially for this city, this area. From what I understand, he's done so many great things outside of football and in the community. I haven't given it too much thought. I've got the combine, that's what's important to me right now. The combine, the draft, the pro day before that, that's what I'm focusing on."

[The Cobra]

Story #3...yesterday..

AP

INDIANAPOLIS - Peyton Manning has received the OK from his surgeon to start taking hits again.

A spokesman for Dr. Robert Watkins said in a one-paragraph email sent late Thursday night that the Colts' star was cleared to play.

ESPN, citing unidentified sources, first reported Manning had been cleared.

The Colts contend that is nothing new because Manning was cleared to practice in December, a move that would have also allowed the quarterback to start playing again. But it backs up Manning's contention from earlier this week that his recovery from September neck surgery is on schedule.

"Peyton Manning underwent a thorough medical re-evaluation as part of a postoperative visit with his surgeon," Watkins' statement read. "As a result of this examination, Manning is medically cleared to play professional football."

Colts owner Jim Irsay responded in a tweet: "Peyton has not passed our physical nor has he been cleared to play for The Indianapolis Colts."

Irsay said a team statement was coming later Friday.

The four-time league MVP missed the entire 2011 season after having his third neck surgery in 19 months, a fusion of two vertebrae. There have been concerns that the injury might end Manning's 14-year NFL career.

However, Manning has sounded increasingly confident about his recovery and told reporters earlier this week that he was not planning to retire.

He's been throwing at least two months, including a session Tuesday with several of his teammates.

Even if Manning can take the hits, there is no guarantee he will remain in Indy. The Colts owe Manning a $28 million roster bonus on March 8. If they don't pay it, they could risk losing him in free agency.

There have been growing indications that the Colts may be ready to part with their longtime franchise player.

New general manager Ryan Grigson said Thursday the team must put aside the sentimental reasons for keeping Manning and make a decision based on what's best for the team. Team owner Jim Irsay is expected to make that call.

"You can't do things to where you are going to hurt the whole franchise with other decisions that you know might hurt at the moment, but in the end they help the sum of the parts," Grison said. "It is a tough deal in this business, and it happens at every position, it happens with coaching, it happens with people in personnel and it is completely part of the process and the business."

Irsay and Manning are scheduled to meet again next week. Irsay told reporters earlier Thursday that he had nothing new to report.

That would be a welcome respite in Indy after four chaotic weeks.

Last month, the Colts fired vice chairman Bill Polian, general manager Chris Polian, coach Jim Caldwell and most of Caldwell's assistants. The flurry of moves prompted Manning to go public with his complaints, which drew a strong rebuke from Irsay.

The two appeared to mend fences Friday.

And the Manning story has continually upstaged Indianapolis' first Super Bowl week.

Thursday was no exception. With speculation swirling about Manning's future, his presumed successor -- Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, expected to be taken by the Colts with the No. 1 pick -- came to town and told reporters he wants to start immediately.

A few hours later, Grigson acknowledged that he met with Manning for 20 minutes last week, calling it a straightforward conversation between two regular guys. New coach Chuck Pagano said he also spoke with Manning last week. Nobody provided details of the conversation, though.

"We're in a holding pattern in that respect," he said when asked if the uncertainty would prevent the Colts from doing business with their soon-to-be free agents. "Until it is (resolved), we're going to go about our business as usual."

Before the night ended, Watkins joined the chorus by confirming that Manning was healthy enough to play.

[The Cobra]

It seems quite evident to me that all the class and character of Archie Manning clearly went to his younger son Eli. I`ve always maintained that Peyton Manning was a pouting, finger pointing glory hog who won`t share the spotlight or give cudos to anyone but himself but him trying to steal the thunder from little brother Eli this week has put me over the edge. This is Super Bowl week.......ELI Manning vs Tom Brady......Super Bowl week has nothing to do with Peyton Manning, nor should it...yet we are daily exposed to "breaking news" articles, press conferences etc from his and the Colts camps to the extent that Manning`s surgeon (story3) actually e-mailed reporters directly with the story.
What I would love to see is that Peyton Manning just sit down and shut up and let Eli have his day in the sun-----after all it was Eli who earned the week. At this point it wouldn`t surprise me a bit that Peyton would shove his way onto the podium to announce his status while they were handing the Lombardi Trophy to either Brady or Eli.
Peyton....show some class and dignity for once,... sit down,.... shut up...
don`t answer questions re yourself......give some recognition to others that earned their way to Indy.........and maybe then a lot of guys like myself won`t tag you with the title of being an attention whore.

[jumbo62]

I won't restate my post but I have as much right to say what I said as he did to post what he did. If you're going to edit people's posts then don't put anything in it's place like something I didn't say "fongers"!!!

[The Cobra]

thanks for the posts cobra
No problem bud.....we`re all staying tuned LMAO

[Condor]

Peyton Manning made that team... Whether we like him or not.. ( which I never have liked him just for the reasons mentioned above) But I do respect what he has accomplished.. They had the same team...

[The Cobra]

Bols...No question about it Peyton Manning is one of the best QBs to ever play the game...his accomplishments and value to the Indy Colts is beyond question....that is not my issue with Manning. My...

[The Cobra]

Well kids, we almost made it thru a day in Super Bowl week without either Peyton Manning or Irsay giving an interview/press conference re Peyton Manning and his latest update..........well actually we did make it thru without either of them searching out a mike or a spotlight.

But good ol` Peyton had that covered too... his agent took care of it LMAO

This is today`s "breaking news" conference that couldn`t wait till next week...you decide...

AP

Peyton Manning's agent said Friday his client will play again, but he couldn't give a timetable of when he will be at full strength throwing the football.

"He's doing great," Tom Condon said. "Rehab is doing fine. He's relentless with his work ethic as you would expect. As he gets stronger and you get farther away from the injury, it's not much different than an ACL except that it's a different body part. It takes a good deal of time.

"How long? I don't have any idea. I don't know if there is any way to quantify that or measure it. I do know he's much farther along than he was after the surgery."

Whether he stays with the Colts past a March contract deadline remained questionable, and the team released a brief statement addressing the matter Friday afternoon.

"Peyton Manning, Jim Irsay and the entire Colts family remain close and unified as we continue to work through all the options that relate to his future with the Colts," the statement said.





"The present focus is on the Super Bowl and the great game that awaits," the news release said. "A good time was had by all at the Colts party Thursday night."

Manning's doctors have medically cleared him to be able to resume his football career after three surgeries, including a neck-fusion procedure.

The damaged nerve in Manning's neck still hasn't fully regenerated and it has diminished the strength of the tricep muscle in his right arm.

Manning has been throwing the football but Condon indicated there are limitations to the number of throws he makes in a day.

"He's paying attention to the how many throws he's making," Condon said, also noting trainers are trying to make sure he doesn't do too much. "He's like a mule. He'll stay out there all day if you let him."

On Thursday night via Twitter, Irsay said Manning hasn't been medically cleared to play by Colts doctors.

Condon said Manning will wait until Irsay makes a decision whether or not to pay him a $28 million option bonus due March 8 to extend his contract for four more years and that he has not been in communication with other teams that might be interested if Manning is released -- because Manning's rights belong to the Colts, by rule he can't communicate.

"There is nobody on the radar," Condon said. "We haven't talked to anyone. He's under contact with the Colts, and if they want to exercise the option, they do. If they have to make a business decision and (Irsay) doesn't then that's that."




There is growing speculation Irsay won't exercise the option bonus and many are thinking the relationship is heading to a divorce.

"I don't know if this is a divorce because in a divorce you've got some unplanned separation," Condon said. "There is no dispute here. Everybody planned for exactly where we are in regards to the contract. Peyton wants to play and if he's safe to play then it's a matter of him getting all of his strength back and then he will be back to being Peyton."

Manning agreed to a one-year contract that gave the Colts the option to extend the deal four more years if they wished. The option bonus is due five days before the start of free agency.

Condon said technically Manning could extend the March 8 deadline but that it probably wouldn't happen.

"Yeah, you can pretty much do anything except increasing the amount of the contract after one year," Condon said. "You can do anything you want. We did the first contract, the second contract, the third all for a purpose. I don't know what benefit it we would get out of changing it."

Irsay and Manning are expected to meet after the Super Bowl.

[jumbo62]

No problem bud.....we`re all staying tuned LMAO

That's not my original post I'm sure your response would have been different had you read my original post!:yes:

[rokko]

this brings to mind a boxer who has the same disease--cant stand to see anyone else getting all the action

[The Cobra]

I won't restate my post but I have as much right to say what I said as he did to post what he did. If you're going to edit people's posts then don't put anything in it's place like something I didn't say "fongers"!!!

???????????????????

[The Cobra]

That's not my original post I'm sure your response would have been different had you read my original post!:yes:

Maybe but I doubt it cause everyone is entitled to their own opinion...so pm me with it, I`m good with that.

[stream™]

I Hate Peyton Manning too!!!

[mclovin]

Well bud u should read the rules about disrespecting other members.
If you don't like what you read here then turn the page and move on,as far as I'm concerned u were disrespectful and that doesnt cut it here.



I won't restate my post but I have as much right to say what I said as he did to post what he did. If you're going to edit people's posts then don't put anything in it's place like something I didn't say "fongers"!!!

[KIDWCKED]

I won't restate my post but I have as much right to say what I said as he did to post what he did. If you're going to edit people's posts then don't put anything in it's place like something I didn't say "fongers"!!!

Your original post was edited according to site rules.Now you have 3 days to relax..Enjoy the superbowl!!