The Magician Behind The Line

If you love football and all the little things that come along with the game, Peyton Manning is one guy that can fulfill your needs. The number eighteen jersey now sported in orange and navy blue is making the same impact it did when that same jersey number was pressed against the white and royal blue in Indianapolis. One of the most impressive things about Manning’s game is how he can come to the line and mentally pick your defense apart before the ball is even snapped. Not only is the mental part of Manning’s game at the top of the charts, but the physical part doesn’t fall too far behind that either. Being the fastest player to ever throw for 50,000 yards and having a Super Bowl trophy to add to your resume always helps when football junkies sit down and review your career. There has been no shortage of success either as Peyton now takes all the snaps from center in Denver. The Broncos are off to a 8-3 start and with their schedule not being the toughest on the back half, things are only looking up for this year’s team. But what will define Peyton Manning from here out? A lot of people proclaim that Manning is the greatest regular season quarterback to ever play the game. Yes, he has a Super Bowl that he can fall back on but is one only enough for a player who has had the success he has during the long sixteen week schedule year in and year out? They say the greats are measured by the amount of hardware you take home. There is no question Manning is one of the best quarterbacks to throw the pig skin around, but one can only wonder how he’ll be perceived when his career is done and there is only one Super Bowl title in his lap. The NFL isn’t home to just one Manning quarterback either; little brother Eli has two Super Bowl titles to go along with two Super Bowl MVP’s. Nobody ever wants to come up short to their younger sibling so the added motivation to take home another Vince Lombardi trophy has to be in the back of older brother Peyton’s mind. The question is can the now 36 year-old QB use the same magic he uses to shred defenses, to bring him another confetti filled celebration with the Lombardi trophy hoisted in his hands? Only time will tell.

Matthew Hayes