The Legacy of Peyton Manning

Recently, Future HOF QB Peyton Manning announced his official retirement. Just like former Broncos QB legend and current VP John Elway, Manning left on top after winning the Super Bowl in his last NFL Game. Peyton and John have certain similarities in their careers. Both were drafted first overall by the Colts (Elway- 1983, Manning- 1998). However, John's draft rights were traded to the Broncos were he created his legacy, while Peyton made most of his legacy in Indianapolis. Both ended their careers in Denver as Super Bowl Champs.

Overall, Peyton has left an indelible mark on the NFL. Manning may not have had the same arm strength like a Brett Favre or the aforementioned Elway or the rocket release like Dan Marino. However, Peyton's greatest strength was his mind. He was a very cerebral Quarterback that knew how to read a defense better than perhaps any other QB in NFL History. Peyton's timing and football IQ have been second to none as he has found ways to decimate defenses. Manning's throws had incredible precision to them.

It is funny these days to think that there was an argument between Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf over the 1st Overall Draft Choice. When Peyton was drafted by the Colts, he was chosen to take the Colts back to prominence for the first time since the Johnny Unitas Era. Manning became the heir apparent to Unitas. After having a rough start as a rookie (326-575, 3,739 yards, 26 TD's, 28 INT's 3-13), Peyton and the Colts turned things around and became for the most part. In 1999, Peyton started his streak of 6 straight seasons with 4,000+ passing yards.

That season, Indy went 13-3. In 2000, Peyton led the league in Pass Completions (357) and Passing Yards (4,413) and TD's (33) with a QB Rating of 94.7. After a disappointing 2001 Season, the Colts hired Tony Dungy as the new Head Coach to turn things around. The Colts bounced back in 2002 at 10-6. Peyton completed at that time a career high 392 completions for 591 attempts, 4,200 yards and 27 TD's. Over time, Manning would also minimize the number of Interceptions that he threw. In 2003, Peyton won his first of a record five NFL MVP Awards. Manning led the league in Completions (379-566), Completion % (67.0%), and Passing Yards (4,267) to lead Indy to a 12-4 record. Peyton would repeat his MVP Success by leading the NFL in Touchdowns (49) which was at that time a new record. During the Manning-Dungy Era, the Colts were a perennial 12+ win team. He also recorded a QB Rating of 121.1. This would be the first of three straight seasons where Peyton had a QB Rating of 100 or higher. He also topped his previous career-high for passing yards by throwing for 4,557. However, those numbers were not enough in the Postseason as the Colts fell short to Tom Brady's New England Patriots twice.

In 2005, the Colts went 14-2 with Manning leading the NFL in QB Rating again with 104.1. He also received the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. The Colts lost to the Wildcard Pittsburgh Steelers in the Divisional Round. In 2006, Peyton Manning finally got the monkey off of his back as he led the Colts to a Super Bowl Season. Manning went 362-557 for 4,397 yards with a league leading 31 Touchdowns and a QB Rating of 101.0. The Colts defeated the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI with Peyton winning Super Bowl MVP Honors. Manning would win back to back MVP Honors in 2008 and 2009. During the 2009 Season, the Colts would return to the Super Bowl only to lose to the New Orleans Saints. 2010 would be Peyton's last active season with the Colts as he led the NFL in Completions/Attempts (450-679) for 4,700 yards and 33 Touchdowns. The last QB to complete that many passes before Manning was Drew Bledsoe in 1994. Since then, Drew Brees has broken that record (468, 2011). Peyton Manning would have to sit out for the entire 2011 Season due to his neck injury and surgery that would be required. When Peyton was injured, his team suffered severely. It was clear that this illustrious chapter in Peyton's Career was over with the Colts.

However, a new chapter would start for Manning when he signed with the Denver Broncos. In 2012, Peyton did not miss a single beat. That season, he was named NFL "Comeback Player of the Year". That season, Manning went 400-583 for 4,659 yards and 37 Touchdowns. He also led the NFL in Completion % with 68.6. His QB Rating was also at 105.8. The Broncos received a resurgence with Manning's presence. Denver would fall to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Playoffs. The Broncos would reach the next level as Peyton Manning had an incredible record-breaking and record-setting NFL Season. Manning went 450-469 for an NFL-Record 5,477 Passing Yards and another NFL-Record 55 Touchdowns along with a QB Rating of 115.1. This season was phenomenal and transcendent, especially for a player that was on the very tail end of his career. Peyton was awarded his fifth and final NFL MVP Award. The Broncos would go 13-3 once again. Unfortunately, the Broncos were slaughtered by the Seattle Seahawks 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII thanks to their Legion of Boom Defense. Following the loss, the Broncos would boost their Defense and add more pieces to their team such as Future HOF'er Demarcus Ware. In 2004, Manning would cement himself as the NFL's All-Time Leader in Touchdowns surpassing Brett Favre. In Peyton's final season, the Broncos would return to the Super Bowl. This time, their Defense carried the load instead of Peyton. This past season, Manning became the NFL's All-Time Leader in Passing Yards. In Super Bowl 50, the Broncos Orange Crush Defense crushed Cam Newton's Carolina Panthers 24-10. Manning left on a very high note with his second Super Bowl victory.

Peyton leaves behind an outstanding legacy that stands the tests of time. He has rewritten the NFL record books like few other QB's before him. Manning has the most MVP's in Pro Football and ranks among the leaders in most MVP's in any sport. Peyton has more than Wilt Chamberlain (4). He is tied with Michael Jordan and Bill Russell who also have 5. Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (6), Gordie Howe (6), Barry Bonds (7), and Wayne Gretzky (9) have more MVP honors than Manning. Peyton sits atop the QB Mountain for Regular Season statistics. He ranks second in Completions (6,125 and Attempts (9,380), first in Passing Yards (71,940) and Touchdowns (539) with a QB Rating of 96.5 (5th). Manning has revolutionized the game by how Quarterbacks study their opponents and read Defensive Schemes. Their was a Science to the way that Peyton played the game. When all is said and done, their is no question that Peyton is among the Top 3-5 Quarterbacks in NFL History. His Resume says it all. Manning has carved a very special place for himself in NFL History. Mr. Peyton Manning is a True Legend and Future First-Ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Peyton's 60,000

Congratulations to Future Hall of Fame Quarterback Peyton Manning on reaching an historic milestone. This past Sunday against the New York Giants, Peyton reached 60,000 career passing yards becoming only the third QB in NFL History to reach such an achievement.  If 40k and 50k yards were not impressive enough, Peyton Manning has exceeded even those milestones. It was already impressive enough that Peyton joined John Elway in the 50,000+ passing yard club (Elway- 51,475-4th). It was even more impressive when he surpassed him. Currently, Manning sits at 3rd place in history in passing yards (60,256). The other two are Dan Marino (61,361-2nd All-Time), and Brett Favre (71,838-1st All-Time). As a Colt, Peyton Manning has re-written the Franchise Record Book, as he has destroyed the team's career passing record (54,828 yards). Since joining Denver, Peyton has continued his assault on the history books, while assaulting defenses along the way. In his first season as a Bronco, Manning threw for 4,659 yards, which is actually the second highest total of his ENTIRE Career! (4,700-2010) I just had to further emphasize that point, so that people could truly grasp how incredible and how effective he still is (considering his age, and his condition). This season, Manning looks to further capitalize on that renaissance season in his second season in Denver. In the season opener, Peyton murdered the Baltimore Ravens with 7 Touchdowns in a 49-27 massacre. (HUGE Fantasy Points for me) This past Sunday, he terminated his brother Eli's Giants in a 41-23 victory in the media-created "Manning Bowl". It was fantastic to see Peyton school little Eli. It was a great laugh. Peyton's statistical body of work has been remarkable. He has been the ultimate example of consistency and pure dominance. With the exception of his rookie season, 2005 and his 2011 injury season, Peyton has been a perennial 4,000 yard passer. Every season, Peyton has also averaged more than 200 yards per game. Throughout his career, Manning has made his receivers better (Ask Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, etc). Now in Denver, he has new addition Wes Welker (former Tom Brady option), along with Demariyus Thomas, Eric Decker, and Julius Thomas. No matter who the receivers are, Peyton has always found a way to spread the ball evenly to his targets to help them raise their game. Even when Marvin Harrison was the primary option, Peyton still found ways to make other players shine. When Marvin started to falter, there were always reserved weapons in Manning's arsenal. One of the signs of true greatness is knowing how to elevate the game of others around you. Another sign of greatness is when you can still be dangerous with other options that may not be as prominent as your first option. In his prime, Peyton perfected that formula, much like no other player before him or after him. Peyton is the ultimate general on the field, commanding his troops at the line of scrimmage. His approach is cerebral at its purest form, because of his brilliant football IQ. Manning knows how to read defenses like a magazine, whether he is approaching the line for the snap, or even when the play is in progress. He is the greatest that I have ever seen when it comes to improvising at the line of scrimmage with the audible. His timing and technique for his throws are extremely polished. His efficiency has always been high quality. Time for some fun. Now, let us take a look at how Peyton measures with the other members of the 60k club:

Peyton Manning:
Completions: 5,139
Attempts: 7,878
Completion Percentage: 65.2%
Passing Yards: 60,256
Touchdowns: 445
Interceptions: 209
QB Rating: 96.1
Pro Bowl Selections: 12
First Team All-Pro Selections: 6
MVP Awards: 4 (2003, 2004, 2008, 2009)
Super Bowl MVP Awards: 1

Dan Marino:
Completions: 4,967
Attempts: 8,358
Completion Percentage: 59.4%
Passing Yards: 61,361
Touchdowns: 420
Interceptions: 252
QB Rating: 86.4
Pro Bowl Selections: 9
First Team All-Pro Selections: 3
MVP Awards: 1 (1984)

Brett Favre:
Completions: 6,300
Attempts: 10,169
Completion Percentage: 62%
Passing Yards: 71,838
Touchdowns: 508
Interceptions: 336
QB Rating: 86.0
Pro Bowl Selections: 11
First Team All-Pro Selections: 3
MVP Awards: 3 (1995, 1996, 1997)

Essentially when you put the numbers in perspective, Peyton has been the most impressive, because of his efficiency as a passer (QB Rating-96.1), accuracy (65.2%), and awards as he has the most MVP's (4). Favre certainly has the far edge in total passing yards, and touchdowns because of longevity. As of now, Dan Marino has more passing yards. However, Peyton has more completions, fewer attempts, more touchdowns, fewer interceptions, higher QB Rating and more MVP's. The numbers speak for themselves. In 2004, when Peyton Manning broke Marino's 1984 TD Record (48), by throwing for 49, it was only a sign of the damage that he would do later on. As his career has unfolded to this point, Manning has proven to have the more iron clad legacy than Marino. At this rate, I would even say more iron clad than Favre as well. At the end of the season, Manning will surpass Dan Marino for second all-time. With his meteoric rise in the all-time passing ranks, Peyton Manning has proven that he is the most prolific passer of his generation.